Why I'm a Tomb Raider Tragic.
I’ve been playing Tomb raider since its release in October 1996. …yep 20 years this year. In those days she was a hard to handle blocky lass, not unlike myself. It’s the game that began it all for me. People said in disapproving voices, “It's such a waste of time” and “How long have you been sitting there playing that?” They told me that I should do something more worthwhile, how rude. Now they'd say, aren’t you a bit old for that…no, mind your own business. You’re never too old for things you enjoy.
When there was no Tomb Raider to play, I played Drakes Fortune, Ratchet and Clank, the 007 games and a host of others. Why you ask? Or if you don’t… "Hi there fellow Gamer”. To me games are a form of story, a more energetic type of story. They are stories I can wander around in. That ability to experience stories in a different way appealed to me from the first day. “Who’s that in the back row saying I have no imagination?”
I know they lead me by the nose, but doesn’t every story do that to some extent? I’m a perpetual tourist, I love to go places and look at things. Game graphics have come such a long way. In my virtual worlds, I’ve been to Islands, Jungles, Deserts, Temple Ruins and underwater crypts. I've solved ancient and not so ancient puzzles.
I still read, but I also listen to some books because I like the sound of voices. Hi there Will Patton and Simon Vance, you are my favourite voices.
Whilst games are not for everyone, I find for me, they are a good way to distract yourself, no substances required.
I don’t know about you but as an adult, sometimes I need distracting from my real world issues. Slipping into the virtual world gives me separation. I used to visit my favourite characters while reading a book. I now embark upon virtual adventures with Lara Croft and Nathan Drake. I recommend trying new things no matter how old you are.
Long live storytelling, get yours in whatever form you prefer.
