JRTombRaider | Tomb Raider II (PS1) - Temple of Xian Beginning: Retail vs. Beta (side by side comparison) @JRTombRaider | Uploaded July 2012 | Updated October 2024, 1 hour ago.
Side by side comparison of the very beginning of Temple of Xian in Tomb Raider II, to showcase the differences between retail and beta (September 30th 1997).
Side by side comparison of the very beginning of Temple of Xian in Tomb Raider II, to showcase the differences between retail and beta (September 30th 1997).
![[PSX] Tomb Raider II - E3 1997 (Full Demo)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bN1Rg_LwJH0/hqdefault.jpg "[PSX] Tomb Raider II - E3 1997 (Full Demo)
This is an unofficial port of the Tomb Raider II E3 demo, done by me.
Download link: https://archive.org/details/tr2-e3-psx
Check the Readme in the disc image (.bin) for more info and credits!")
![[Saturn] Tomb Raider II - Tibet E3 Demo (TR1 Engine Test #1)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cU-Vbzf7_4Y/hqdefault.jpg "[Saturn] Tomb Raider II - Tibet E3 Demo (TR1 Engine Test #1)
Please read the description before watching:
This video will give you an idea of what an alpha build of Tomb Raider II might have looked like on the Sega Saturn, before Sony got the exclusivity deal and the Saturn port was subsequently cancelled. It gives you a quick look at the Tibet level from the TR2 E3 1997 demo, running on the TR1 Saturn engine.
Mesh data conversion is still in progress, so all objects and static meshes are left out for now. Enemies will be left out completely, as the TR1 engine has no AI for them and its nearly impossible to add all this back in. However, full exploration of all three E3 levels and interaction with most other objects will still be possible.")
![[Saturn] Tomb Raider II - E3 Demo (TR1 Engine Test #2)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ezTk6KKuFDw/hqdefault.jpg "[Saturn] Tomb Raider II - E3 Demo (TR1 Engine Test #2)
Heres an update video of my Tomb Raider II project for the Saturn, that shows all three E3 levels running on the TR1 engine. I put it on hold for nearly half a year and have recently started getting back into it again. Since my previous video, object conversion is finalized and a few modifications have been made to the engine. Youll also notice that some sound effects have been updated.
Enemy behaviour was originally not something within the scope of this project, but Ive learned a lot about the engine since then and Im confident that at least partially functioning enemies should be doable (through code injection). Im also going to implement the fly cheat to allow easier access to inaccessible areas. I might even see if I can get Laras braid to work. Overall, I have great plans for this project and see huge potential to make this a neat little experience for the Saturn players.
However, dont expect anything more than a demo to come out of this (with a few missing elements, like dynamic lighting). A full port wont ever be made possible by me, because my approach wont allow it. So please keep your expectations realistic.")
![[PSX] Tomb Raider III - Deleted Cutscene (CUT10)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/k_XgR1wWfHQ/hqdefault.jpg "[PSX] Tomb Raider III - Deleted Cutscene (CUT10)
I managed to load a deleted (and unfinished) cutscene, internally named CUT10, into a TR3 PSX demo from late August of 1998. CUT10 was removed from the final game for unknown reasons, but the file is still present in the October 5th PSX build. So far it has never been shown fully animated before, until now. Note that theres no audio known for this cutscene, so I used a track that I thought fits well.
The CUT10 file is dated September 9th and is therefore incompatible with the October 5th build. Last year, a TR3 demo leaked, dated August 28th. Selecting new game shows the Nevada quadbike crash cutscene first, before loading Area 51. The fact that this demo has the functionality to display cutscenes is very convenient (and somewhat unusual for a demo). This randomly occured to me today and gave me the idea to swap the cutscene file with CUT10, just to see what would happen. (The motivation being that this build date is a lot closer to the cutscene file date, making the potential for compatibility much higher.) After doing some minor file modification, it loaded perfectly. So there you have it, after all these years. Enjoy!
You can download the Area 51 PSX demo with this cutscene here: https://mega.nz/file/DUJR1SIY#LeSpnjOrHosNu3Bl3XwLI8w0d4zH8q3-O8kjuyRIr2M
An altered PC cutscene file is now also included, with the CUT10 anim imported.")
![[Saturn] Tomb Raider: Unfinished Business (W.I.P.)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ok3IAewzMak/hqdefault.jpg "[Saturn] Tomb Raider: Unfinished Business (W.I.P.)
Ive been working on a Sega Saturn level conversion of Tomb Raider: Unfinished Business these past few weeks. Im going to be busy with other things for a while, but I was excited to show my latest progress and couldnt wait. This video shows the first three levels in their current state, with some more work left to be done, although Im pretty satisfied for the most part.
There are some severe memory limits on the Tomb Raider Saturn engine, making the Egypt levels in particular very difficult to stay within these limits. Ive performed a few data optimization tricks and Atlantean Stronghold looks and plays wonderfully now (besides lag, but thats unavoidable). The Hive exceeds no limits at all, so both levels are almost done (after fixing two minor issues).
I had to think of some more drastic optimization tricks for Return to Egypt (with a few more that Ive yet to implement) and its looking pretty decently now, apart from a bunch of textures that Ive had to reduce in size. (This also explains why the star-studded sky in Egypt isnt really visible yet.) Ill do my best to keep (most of) these textures in their original resolution, after Ive finished optimizing the level and object data. Temple of the Cat will prove to be even more challenging in this regard, seeing as it has more textures and about the same data size in other areas. To be continued, hopefully within the next two months!")
![[Saturn] Tomb Raider: Unfinished Business - Temple of the Cat (W.I.P.)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q8hUUyP7IGg/hqdefault.jpg "[Saturn] Tomb Raider: Unfinished Business - Temple of the Cat (W.I.P.)
Heres some gameplay footage of Temple of the Cat running on the TR1 Sega Saturn engine. This is from an old test build, which also happens to be the latest. I wont be returning to this project for another while, so I felt it was worth showing the current state of this level to fill the void a bit. You might notice how certain textures are quite blurry (regardless of camera distance). The goal is that (most of) these textures will be full-sized when Ive optimized enough data i.e. allowed enough memory. I do think theres a lot of potential to make Unfinished Business on Saturn a worthwhile experience. Once again, to be continued.")
![[Saturn] Tomb Raider II - E3 Demo (TR1 Engine Test #3)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xKbYSQ2gnYY/hqdefault.jpg "[Saturn] Tomb Raider II - E3 Demo (TR1 Engine Test #3)
I present to you updated gameplay footage of the level Bartolis Hideout (E3 1997 version) on the Sega Saturn, with some notable new features (among a few others) since my previous E3 video:
- TR2 enemy behaviour (for all E3 levels currently)
- TR2 trap functionality
- braid functionality
- save-anywhere system
- improved swimming and free camera (TR2+)
- fly cheat
- TR2 health bar and UI
To do next:
- wading functionality
- wall climbing (huge change)
- breakable windows (expanded object detection system while shooting)
While my approach will never allow for a complete TR2 Saturn port, there are a lot of cool possibilities Im aiming for, with huge potential to create a unique, new experience for the Saturn community. Ive already implemented many features I didnt even dream of, so Im very hopeful and excited for what the future of this project will hold. Now its time for a short break, but there should be more to come later this year!
If youd like to support me and my work, feel free to donate through this donation link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Y2FH4B68S3GBG")
