Your mind wanders back to simpler times as you browse the latest high-tech virtual reality games. There were times when a few pixels and basic sounds were all you needed to spark your imagination. There were times when games did not require ultra-realistic graphics to be enjoyable and engaging. If you grew up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, you probably remember TR2 games fondly. These text-based roleplaying games provided an escape into fantasy worlds without the need for powerful computers. TR2 games, also known as MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons), were played entirely through text on basic terminals. Nonetheless, they created vibrant communities and fostered lifelong friendships.
TR2 Games’ Brief History
TR2 Games began as a small developer specializing in real-time strategy (RTS) games in the late 1990s. Total Reconnaissance 2 (TR2), their first title, was released in 1999 and became an unexpected hit, selling over 3 million copies worldwide. TR2’s massive success established TR2 Games as a market leader in the RTS genre.
TR2 Games released four TR2 sequels over the next decade, each one improving on the last with improved graphics, smarter AI, and new multiplayer modes. TR2 3 and TR4 are widely regarded as two of the best RTS games ever created. TR2 Games also created several other popular RTS franchises during this time period, including Galaxy Conquest and Desert Storm.
By 2010, the RTS genre had fallen out of favor. TR2 Games took a risk when it released the TR2: Special Forces series, shifting its focus to first-person shooters (FPS). TR2: Special Forces games brought TR2 Games success in a new genre, and the gamble paid off. TR2 Games is still developing RTS and FPS games based on the preferences of their devoted fans.
TR2 Game Franchises That Are Popular
With the release of the first Tomb Raider game in 1996, the world was introduced to Lara Croft, a British female archeologist-adventurer. Players traveled the world, exploring dangerous tombs and uncharted territories in search of ancient artifacts and lost treasures.
Tomb Raider (1996) is a 1996 film
The first Tomb Raider game received praise for its innovative gameplay and cinematic style. In search of the Scion artifact, players guided Lara through trap-filled tombs and treacherous jungles. Over the next decade, its success spawned a slew of sequels and spin-offs.
Legend of Tomb Raider (2006)
Tomb Raider: Legend was released by Eidos Interactive after a four-year hiatus. This sequel updated Lara’s backstory as well as the graphics, physics, and combat. Legend was a commercial and critical success, reviving interest in the franchise.
Tomb Raider (2013) (film)
Crystal Dynamics reimagined Lara Croft’s origins in the Tomb Raider reboot in 2013. Stranded on a perilous island, a young Lara must fight for her life while unraveling the island’s sinister secrets. This gritty and realistic reboot won several Game of the Year awards and reestablished Tomb Raider as a premier action-adventure franchise.
Important TR2 Games Throughout the Years
Between 1997 and 2000, some of the most notable Tomb Raider 2 (TR2) games were released. These games expanded on the original Tomb Raider game’s success by introducing new features that improved graphics and gameplay.
Tomb Raider 2 was released in 1997
TR2, which came out a year after the first Tomb Raider, sent Lara Croft on a quest for the Dagger of Xian through Venice and the Great Wall of China. This sequel expanded the weapon arsenal and added vehicles for Lara to drive. TR2 received praise for its level design and contributed to Lara Croft’s status as a cultural icon.
Tomb Raider III: Lara Croft’s Adventures (1998)
TR3 took Lara to India, the South Pacific, and Antarctica. Rope swinging, stealth options, and multiple vehicles were among the new gameplay features. The varied settings and storyline were praised by critics. TR3 was a commercial success, though some argued that the number of levels came at the expense of quality.
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation was released in 1999
TR4, which was set in Egypt, focused on Lara’s childhood and her relationship with her mentor, Von Croy. The ability to lock on to and strafe around enemies was one of the new features. While TR4 received positive feedback, some people criticized the control scheme and camera. The game ended with Lara trapped in a tomb on a cliffhanger.
Tomb Raider Chronicles was released in 2000
TRC reflected on Lara’s adventures prior to TR4. There were levels set in Rome, a German U-Boat, and a Russian submarine in the game. Some users praised the variety of settings, while others found the levels to be of poor quality. TRC was supposed to wrap up the original series before the franchise was rebooted in 2006.
The first Tomb Raider games were revolutionary for their time, introducing innovative features that influenced later action-adventure games. Despite their age, they are timeless classics that popularized one of gaming’s most iconic characters: Lara Croft.
What Became of TR2 Games?
TR2 Games was a popular video game developer and publisher in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The company was best known for its Tomb Raider series, which starred the explorer Lara Croft. TR2 Games had several successful Tomb Raider titles for PlayStation and PC at their peak, cementing Lara Croft as a cultural icon and pioneer for women in gaming.
TR2 Games, on the other hand, began to struggle in the mid-2000s. The competition in the action-adventure genre heated up, and several TR2 releases received underwhelming reviews and sales. The company struggled to transition to new consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
TR2 Games was purchased by a larger publisher in 2007 and merged into one of their internal studios. The Tomb Raider IP was eventually sold to another studio, and the majority of the TR2 staff was laid off. TR2’s brand and office were permanently closed.
TR2 Games’ demise serves as a cautionary tale for video game companies. To thrive, developers and publishers must keep up with technological advancements, design trends, monetization models, and audience preferences. They must take risks in order to stay ahead of competitors while remaining profitable. TR2 Games failed to evolve quickly enough, and while Lara Croft lives on, the company that created her does not.
TR2 Games was purchased by a larger publisher in 2007 and merged into one of their internal studios. The Tomb Raider IP was eventually sold to another studio, and the majority of the TR2 staff was laid off. TR2’s brand and office were permanently closed.
TR2 Games’ demise serves as a cautionary tale for video game companies. To thrive, developers and publishers must keep up with technological advancements, design trends, monetization models, and audience preferences. They must take risks in order to stay ahead of competitors while remaining profitable. TR2 Games failed to evolve quickly enough, and while Lara Croft lives on, the company that created her does not.
Conclusion
As you can see, TR2 games were an important part of many people’s childhoods in the 1980s and 1990s. The simple yet challenging gameplay, as well as the unforgettable 8-bit music and graphics, transported you to fantastical adventure worlds. While technology has advanced significantly since then, nostalgia for these retro games persists. For those who were fortunate enough to witness the golden age of TR2 games, the memories of huddling around the TV or computer with friends and family, working together to solve puzzles and defeat enemies, live on.