14 DAY TRIAL // The rebooted Tomb Raider will not launch on the Wii U because developer Crystal Dynamics does not want to settle for a simple port and wants to create an experience that is tailor-made for the new Nintendo device.
Noah Hughes, the creative director at Crystal Dynamics, tells TrueGaming in a video interview that, “I’m always a fan of the Nintendo systems, in particular they really push interface design, and from a game design perspective it’s fun to play with new interfaces. Having said that, it’s something that I think we would want to tailor the experience to if we were going to do it.”
He adds, “I think something like the Wii U often asks you to do something unique based on a unique interface. That’s something as a gamer I love, but it’s something you don’t want to do half-heartedly as a developer.”
The Wii U is the first next-generation device launched in the industry and offers new gameplay mechanics via its new touch screen enabled GamePad controller.
It’s unclear whether Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix are planning to launch a Wii U specific version of any Tomb Raider title at any point in the future.
The new title is designed to show off the very first big adventure that Lara Croft goes through, exploring a mysterious island and dealing with a number of human enemies.
The development team wants players to connect with the character on an emotional level and watch as she finds her strength and evolves her abilities as the game progresses.
For the first time in the Tomb Raider franchise, gamers will also get access to a multiplayer mode based on cooperative and competitive play.
The new Tomb Raider is set to launch all over the world on the PC, the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 on March 5.