ScuzzBlog: Diaries October 2026
Entry 30th October 2026: Post 1: Tomb Raider Remastered - PS1 Shocker.
Tomb Raider Remastered - PS1 Shocker.
I am not a great fan of old games on newer computers/consoles cus
basically I have the original machines and if I wanted to play I
would. Thing is for me gaming like computers is an evolutionary
thing and from day one I have always been more interested in the
present and the future in terms of my current activities than the
old.
I may sound somewhat of a hypocrite here given he extensive retro
computer collection I have, but the collection is a quite distinct
catalogue of computer memorabilia recording the history of home
computing. It allows me to reference the timeline of machines and
software when discussing old computers, whether on the blog or on
various forums. It basically gives me access to the real deal so I
can best advise and reference.
I have no real interest in old games and rarely use the software.
I do enough to keep the computers functioning and know enough to
repair installations and install and review software and games.
But that is where it ends. I may revel in the magic of Settlers
and Ishar but I wont be sitting at the Amiga night in and night
out playing the games. I am more likely to be playing Warcraft or
Stellar Blade.
So when I noticed in the PlayStation store on the PS5 the sale of
Remastered versions of Tomb Raider 1 through to 6 I was tempted
sufficiently to buy and download TRIV-VI mostly cus I wanted to
play Chronicles. I had no idea how the PS5 would cope with the
game. I have already a trilogy of Tomb Raider games on the XBOX
and these worked fine. So I wasn't that troubled.
Famous last words.
I haven't worked out how to play the three versions in any order
than having to complete TRIV before getting to Chronicles. TRIV
is The Last Revelation and was released in 1999. The last century.
I played the game on my original PlayStation 1 and would have
used the original controller without the analog dual shock. I did
buy a new dual shock controller which remains to this day in its
original packaging. The later dual shocks I have with the black
dome heads are from later collections of PS1s I acquired.
So to the game and like a 'know it all' I ignored the guide from
Werner Von Croy as I moved through the first area letting him
vanish into the distance as I struggled to get Lara to do anything.
I felt such a plonker. She refused to go in any direction I chose
and instead generally kept falling off platforms and banging into
walls. I had no idea how to run or jump. The PS5 comes with the
thumbsticks and the last 25 years I have been playing stick. It
is second nature to anyone playing games.
The 'First Revelation' used the classic mode or 'Tank' controller
which requires you to use the direction pad plus a combination
of the action buttons. Problem in game is there is no guide for
the buttons or image of the PS5 controller showing which buttons
to press. In the end I scanned my original TRV 'Chronicles' guide
and stuck that up on my computer for reference. I chose the next
TR in the set as midway in the Remastered series.
Anyhoo... even with the guide I was hopeless at the controls. I
had forgotten how fiddly the controls were having to precisely
locate Lara at an edge, jump back then run and leap and hold the
action button to grasp the opposing ledge. The game was built
around invisible cubes and you needed to be aware of Lara's
position relative to all the invisible edges to guide her through
the various environments. The most funny moment was when I was
attacked by a dog and I had no idea how to use a weapon. Duh !
Sadly this was enough to put me off the game. And so I closed
poor Lara down and probably wont play it again. I recall the
titanic struggle to complete the levels and I really only wanted
to play Chronicles as it was the best for the PS1 era year 2000,
I remember it well.
The PlayStation 1 is still a classic looking console and for me
probably is the most iconic. It never seems to age and always
gives me a thrill when flicking open the lid.
Definitely ... happy days. I would love to relive them but first
I would have to re-educate my brain on using the older controls.
The guys at Aspyr did provide a modern controller but sadly I
found that even worse as it was a real halfway house. Also the
PS5 controller ain't no PS1 controller and my brain just locked
up endlessly. So I chucked the game and went back to Stellar
Blade and felt much better. Sorry about that.
Tomb Raider Remastered - PS1 Shocker.
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