Tomb Raider fans who have had their interest rekindled with the recently released Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (review here) should also remember that the Xbox LIVE and PSN title is not the ninth incarnation of the Tomb Raider series. In fact, the ninth game is still under development, and is rumored to be an open-world title.

PC Gamer's 'Spy' section reported in issue 218 that the next Tomb Raider title would feature an open-world. From the magazine:

"Set on a Japanese island, the idea is to have one, cohesive level with multiple ways around the puzzle."

"[Crystal Dynamics will] also be exploring Lara's origins, so she'll be younger and inexperienced in the ways of raiding tombs."

This next game would be adding to the continuity and story of the main series and be separate from Guardian of Light. No other details have been made available, but this would be the first game in the Tomb Raider series to be set in an open-world. Imagine, if you will, Lara Croft. Now, imagine putting her into a game along the lines of Just Cause. I think you will agree, it could be amazing. The challenge of designing an open-world puzzle game is no small task. Hopefully, it is one that developer Crystal Dynamics is ready to meet.

I'm a big fan of the Tomb Raider games, and I do hope that the open-world setting proves to bring some needed life back to the main series. There are only so many tombs for Lara to raid in the world, but a Japanese island setting would definitely be incredibly interesting to see. Add in Lara's inexperience, the story itself could turn out to be very interesting.

What do you think, Ranters? Is this a direction you'd like to see the Tomb Raider games move toward? Or would you prefer a sequel to Guardian of Light?

Tomb Raider 9 is rumored to be released Christmas 2011 for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

Source: CVG