PAX PRIME 2014: Bringing some friends to Lara and The Temple of Osiris

fter all the hype and dust began to subside, the reveal of Lara Croft and The Temple of Osiris struck a chord that loudly echoed across the land. The news ranged anywhere from a logically nostalgic callback for the license, to a complete surprise of a sequel announcement for a predecessor that never broke beyond the sleeper hit status.

The now affectionately regarded as a continuation of the classic series and characterization of Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft, Temple of Osiris returns to the familiar gauntlet inspired twin-stick co-op platformer setup of Guardian of Light with intensified overhaul of the cooperative multiplayer dynamics.

The upgrades and additional features of Temple of Osiris may just be one of the best directions that Crystal Dynamics could have taken this sequel in, and if this preview is any solid indication of the execution at work so far, then we may very well see 2014’s upcoming cooperative couch-party star by the start of the holiday.

Joining three other players in this sequel, we all hit the stage strong with our full party of gamers, discovering that a stage can actively adapt to several cooperative dynamics that hinge on the number of heroes on screen. While Guardian of Light dabbled in teamwork driven mechanics, Temple of Osiris embraces it, almost to an obnoxious degree.  Thankfully, the ingenuity shown within the level design and the random number of pratfalls and obstacles that require the need for a rallied effort never declined into a tedious effort. The innovation of these mechanics in motion stems from the properties and nuances of the playable characters themselves, and what they bring to the table.

The cast stars the iconic hero Lara herself, alongside a new character who plays as her rival archeologist named Carter, both equally skilled with abilities like igniting fire when needed, grappling hooks with multiple functions, and exclusive platforms. The other two characters are the Gods Isis and Horus, who have awakened from their cursed sleep from Lara and Carter’s excavation, and are the more empowered choices of the group for novice players to cut their teeth into. The deities feature strengths like an instant shield that protect from any immediate damage, and projectile fire that boasts a wider spray and distance that makes crowd control against enemy mobs a lot easier.

The obstacles are catered to the specific talents of the pairs at any given time, and put us in situations that always managed to be different from the last puzzle. At any point, progressing to the next area of the stage may call for a shielded god, who in turn can also function as a platform, giving the team a stepstool to a tall ledge that was unreachable otherwise, or a long pit between precarious cliffs that needs to be traversed with the grappled ropes of the resourceful archeologists. These examples were only a few of many situations where one can go on without the other.

It does bear mentioning that the heavy focus on partner fundamentals can vary if there’s any possible dissension among the group, and no restriction towards griefing of any kind either. Honestly, it’s almost too easy to be an asshole at any given moment in Temple of Osiris if the mood were to ever strike someone.

Granted, there’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition and there’s plenty to be had when the score count tallies at the end of the stage, with an assortment of rewards and loot for the better player’s troubles, but it can easily go way more south if someone ever decided to take it there. Certain instances like a betrayal in the group during crucial moment of team-fueled ascension through a platform puzzle, or flagrant bomb abuse can equally ruin the run, especially when there’s nothing in place to stop or punish that sort of behavior.

Temple of Osiris is a melting pot of potential, and it’s poised to deliver what could easily be either some of the best, or worst multiplayer attractions that you could invite a bunch of people to. Fortunately, the rewards to be found can handily overpower any shortcoming incited from the occasional troll or two. Temple of Osiris will be releasing in December of this year.