Seeking for help and wisdom with Tank controls

[Z]

In my childhood, I believe I must have been gifted, because I perfectly remember playing these games on PS1 without any problem (alongside Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Resident Evil, and many others).

Yesterday, in TR1, I spent 1 hour on level 2 trying to get through the platform part. I don't want to complain about the controls; I know that the problem is me (for some reason, my IQ has decreased over time to negative numbers) and it's frustrating.

Do you have any routine or guide to practice tank controls? I refuse to use modern ones out of pride; it would be a dishonor to my past self. I want to experience it as I would have back in the day.

Thank you so much and any "git gud" is welcome

[Elvick]

What do you mean "platform part"? The tutorial/Lara's home?

If using a controller, make sure you're using the d-pad. The analog stick allows too much movement so you lose control easier. I just watched someone struggle with the first timed switch in TR1 on both controls and then did it in two seconds on mine and I missed the first jump but made the second two without issue.

Something I didn't quite grasp at first was to forward jump you should allow a bit of time for the jump to register and then push forward. This is from a standing position. That's why I fell the first time in the aforementioned moment. I wasn't used to how that worked. But I figured it out later on in the level.

[H2jones]

Use a controller with a d pad, and slow down. I have pretty good muscle memory for the tank control scheme and I still panic and press the wrong button now and then.

[lacktheknack]

Use the walk button. Seriously.

Remember the game is firmly gridded - EVERYTHING is cubes.

A two cube forward jump can be done standing. A three cube jump forward can be done standing with grab/with a run up. A four cube forward jump needs a run up and grab.

ALWAYS WALK TO THE EDGE before tapping back to do a running jump. Intuitive running jumps take a while to develop.

And again, walk. Walking stops you from slipping off your platform, which is half the battle.

Remember, it's a puzzle game of navigation more than a twitch reflex challenge.

Also, don't overdo jumps! It takes Lara longer to prepare to grab during a running jump compared to a standing one. If the platform is close, use a standing jump.

[rhotline]

try the exercises at Lara’s home, she walks you through the basics. when setting up bigger jumps, u should usually walk to the edge and then hop back once before doing your running jump. stella has a tips page that should help you too

https://tombraiders.net/stella/strategy.html

it will all click faster than you think once u get the basics down

[Z]

Originally posted by Elvick:

What do you mean "platform part"? The tutorial/Lara's home?

If using a controller, make sure you're using the d-pad. The analog stick allows too much movement so you lose control easier. I just watched someone struggle with the first timed switch in TR1 on both controls and then did it in two seconds on mine and I missed the first jump but made the second two without issue.

Something I didn't quite grasp at first was to forward jump you should allow a bit of time for the jump to register and then push forward. This is from a standing position. That's why I fell the first time in the aforementioned moment. I wasn't used to how that worked. But I figured it out later on in the level.

First of all, nice Terra pic

In the second level there is a part where you have to jump over a pool. I struggled here for 1 hour, lol.

I did the Lara's Home tutorial with ease, but seems like the real world is punishing my small brain

Edit: Thank you all for the tips, gonna use them asap!

[webcider]

Originally posted by Z:

In my childhood, I believe I must have been gifted, because I perfectly remember playing these games on PS1 without any problem (alongside Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Resident Evil, and many others).

Yesterday, in TR1, I spent 1 hour on level 2 trying to get through the platform part. I don't want to complain about the controls; I know that the problem is me (for some reason, my IQ has decreased over time to negative numbers) and it's frustrating.

Do you have any routine or guide to practice tank controls? I refuse to use modern ones out of pride; it would be a dishonor to my past self. I want to experience it as I would have back in the day.

Thank you so much and any "git gud" is welcome :unmaskedmimic:

thank you so much for not blaming the controls and respect to you for wanting to learn it again.

Like others i advice you to play Lara's Home first she explains the basics of jumping however there are some advanced ways to jump its very important to understand when lara runs she jumps on her third step. so she takes 2 steps and then jumps. you trick the game to jump a running jump earlier by holding the walk button for one step and then let go and let lara run for a split second and then press the jump button.

[AXIOS]

I never grew up playing this game, so I got no connection to the default tank controls. I didn’t bother trying to learn them, I find them archaic as hell. So, I simply rebinded all the tank control to something more modern. If you want I can list out my key binds, it might prove yourself for others too. Been using them for 5 hours, they seem solid and have made it a super easy learning experience. Just reply to my message to remind me, I’ll post it when I’m online again.

Edit 1: This is only if you wanna “dishonour” yourself, there’s nothing wrong with making the experience easier on yourself. What I did was make what the modern controls should’ve been with a modern keybind layout, just let me know please. LET ME COOK!

[amikros]

It's not a matter of practice. There is knowledge about the lengths of her steps and jumps that you must acquire. You must check some guide in written or video form describing them.

For example, the most well known info is how to set up a long jump. Walk to the edge you want to jump from; hop back; run forward and immediatly hold jump. Lara will automatically run forward the exact distance to make the jump right from the edge.

Like this, there are some more math examples, such as counting the number of tiles you want to jump across. Once you understand the controls you will be able to bypass some of these setups, but yeah, you must know them. There are surely guides for this available online.

[Cú/Moon]

Originally posted by Z:

I refuse to use modern ones out of pride

Nice, good on you dude. To be fair the tank controls are the most precise and fun anyway. Beside whats been said already just slow down and walk to edges. If you can do Lara's house training, you can do the whole game. No need for guides or anything other then practice.

[Z]

Thank you all
Gonna keep training until I become the legend that I was in the past.

One of my problems is that it feels like I've lost the patience I used to have, and now I want to rush everything as if I were a freaking speedrunner with 0 skill

Originally posted by AXIOS:

I never grew up playing this game, so I got no connection to the default tank controls. I didn’t bother trying to learn them, I find them archaic as hell. So, I simply rebinded all the tank control to something more modern. If you want I can list out my key binds, it might prove yourself for others too. Been using them for 5 hours, they seem solid and have made it a super easy learning experience. Just reply to my message to remind me, I’ll post it when I’m online again.

Edit 1: This is only if you wanna “dishonour” yourself, there’s nothing wrong with making the experience easier on yourself. What I did was make what the modern controls should’ve been with a modern keybind layout, just let me know please. LET ME COOK!

Thank you for your offer, ma boi, but this is a personal battle vs. my younger self. Losing is not an option I truly appreciate your help!