Crystal Dynamics is working hard to ensure Rise of the Tomb Raider is a sight for sore (and bruised and stranded in the wilderness) eyes. Game director Brian Horton spoke appeared on the Game Informer podcast to talk all things Lara. Asked about the difference between the Xbox One and Xbox 360 versions of the game, Horton made some bold claims about what the Crystal Dynamics team were achieving.
"For us," Horton said, "we're not limited at all. We're pushing the boundaries for what the Xbox One can do."
Crystal Dynamics is solely focusing on Rise's Xbox One version, with the 360 version being handled by porting wizards Nixxes. "They're going to do their best to deliver the best 360 game off of what we're able to create from Rise of the Tomb Raider," Horton said. "It won't be a different game, but it will be modified to make sure it gets the most out of the 360."
As for how Rise of the Tomb Raider will push the Xbox One's boundaries, Horton talks about hub areas that are around three times the size of the ones featured in the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. He also talked up the game's hair. "Hair has always been important to Tomb Raider and the franchise," Horton said, sounding more serious than you might expect given the subject matter. "Now with the Xbox One and Rise of the Tomb Raider, we're bringing what we believe is the best hair in the industry. We can't wait to show you guys the improvements we've made to it."
Horton's comments could be misconstrued as the Xbox One already nearing its full potential. If Rise of the Tomb Raider really is pushing against its "boundaries," though, that says more about the software's optimisation – something development teams will continue to improve at over the course of the generation.
As for the PS4 and PC, Rise of the Tomb Raider's exclusivity was confirmed to be timed deal with Microsoft. Square Enix has yet to announce whether Lara's latest will cross over to other platforms after that deal has expired.
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