History & Geography in Tomb Raider - Episode 03: Tomb Raider III (starring Jenni Milward)

[@SimonBucherHistory]

This video is a reupload! I merged two of my Google accounts the other day which resulted in this video being deleted for some annoying reason. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you all for your love and support!

[@seriousshitload529]

You... BITCH!! XD I thought it was something new from the old Tomb Raider Series like Tomb Raider 4 or something.. XD Oh well. Might as well watch this again while I'm here.. X3

[@alysiashear7032]

Ah! I see! that makes sense strangely i think it was this one that first got me into your series because I distinctly remember the part about the tiger trying to take a bite out of Laura and the two goons being suspended in air XD I must have stopped when i realized i liked this and wanted to watch them in order and then by the time i got back to the 3rd it was gone lol

[@ivanvaldes2749]

Will Spanish subtitles be available?

[@SimonBucherHistory]

@@ivanvaldes2749 Unfortunately I don't speak Spanish well enough to translate it myself but fingers crossed the community comes together to add them over time! That said, have you tried auto-translating the subtitles into Spanish? Not sure if that option is any good though.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

@Seth The King Probably not any time soon, sadly. Make sure to follow the Facebook page for any updates!

[@GArikoitz98]

This series so criminally underrated and so good. Im so glad I found them.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

You're too kind! Thank you very much! :-)

[@alfiowo]

Thank algorithm for bringing me this hidden gem! Great work!! I hope you come back to youtube with Tomb Raider 4 some day 💕

[@Flanly2]

More people need to see this, you did such an excellent job producing this series. I'm going to share this with every Tomb Raider fan I know, and anyone reading this comment should do the same! We need to get this guy more views! This was so well made. 👌👌👌

[@goldengod9949]

Please continue the series PLEASE THIS IS HIGHLY OVERWHELMINGLY GREAT!!

[@jacobottesen5279]

One of the best content creators on the classic Tomb Raider series returns. Glad to see you're still in top form as ever!

[@BOBOUDA]

This is honestly one of the best things I've found on the internet, and I'm a heavy user. These games are my childhood, I've always been obsessed by them, learning about them, watching speedruns... etc. But these videos are a whole new level.

[@jaimegermanotta8831]

EXACTLY!!!

[@KaleidoSTAR_PH]

my all-time favorite Tomb Raider sequel! watching this is like you're playing... but you're not

[@alysiashear7032]

I just got into these this week and was so afraid that the series had been abandoned and seeing this just now is a wonderful surprise and makes my heart so happy! These series are so well done thank you so much for making them!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you so much, Alysia! That means a lot to hear. This series takes so much work and time so I can only produce these episodes every so often but reading comments like yours makes it all worth it!

[@alysiashear7032]

@@SimonBucherHistory I cant thank you enough these are wonderful! I'm very curious to see how your gonna do TR 4 since the whole majority of the game takes place in Egypt! Either way, I'm sure if you continue to do these they will be fantastic!

[@ChristopherCronin90s]

I’ve been coming back to this trilogy of videos for a few years now. I cannot stress enough how much your hard work and effort doesn’t go unnoticed. Your skill at putting together these types videos and all the research you did was absolutely fantastic. The fact that it’s Tomb Raider based is just the cherry on top. Thanks!

[@JoeZUGOOLA]

Why am I only just finding this series now!?

[@itsalexhyde]

Why is the algorithm just NOW showing me this? Incredible job on this video 🤩

[@guis28]

Im so glad that this series is still alive. You are AMAZING

[@serachfan3559]

I have no words! Excellent!!! One thing: Element 115 refers to the periodic table, which in real life lists 114 elements!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you so much! I had no idea about the number of elements in the periodic table... that is such a neat detail!

[@aliwilliamson6394]

This is TRULY one of the best things I have seen. I have been a huge fan of TR since it came out in 96. I recently got a tattoo inspired by the first game. I eagerly await more of this series! You are filling a void that no one has! Incredible job!!! I absolutely will be thrilled for another video! ❤

[@SimonBucherHistory]

You are too kind!! Thank you so much for your passion and interest. :')

[@Geeksfreaksoutcastsandmisfits]

I have seen these three episodes so many times I can’t stop. Please do it for The Last Revelation at least. If could do all the other games that’ll be swell. But I get your doing classic Lara. Everything until chronicles would be amazing. You’re very talented, thank you for your beautiful work.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

That is so nice of you to say, thank you very much! Really happy to hear you enjoy the documentaries so much. I have plans for at least up to Angel of Darkness but it's going to take a long while to finish the Classic series. Still haven't started working on TR4 properly but it will be coming! :D

[@Gildean666]

OMG this channel and series is so good. It also shows how Tomb Raider was able to tell a story through the environment, similar to Dark Souls. Without boring and long cut scenes, game developers created a mysterious narrative that neither new parts nor the Uncharted series never have.

[@CoolDudeClem]

The narrator here even sounds like Lara!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Doesn't she? Her name is Jenni Milward and she has voiced Lara in a bunch of fan made Tomb Raider projects before! You might also recognize her as Lara from Nicobass's Tomb Raider 2 remake.

[@Kyle07]

How funny. I discovered episode one on Saturday and now there is a third episode after 4-5 years :D

[@pmac1889]

These videos are fantastic. Well done. Would love to see one done for The Last Revelation as well!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thanks a bunch! Last Revelation is up next!

[@mojojoe83]

So glad to have found these videos! Such a perfect blend of gameplay and history. Very well researched!! Any plans on doing The Last Revelation?? That game is Egypt heavy and would be a delight to see!!

[@pirohz5542]

Dude, it deserves so much more views than what you have! Your work is awesome.

[@blazept567]

I started watching these series last weekend and loving it! It seems a coincidence that the 3rd was uploaded only a few days after I've started watching them. This is great work! Thank you very much!

[@hihsskjw8211]

The best series I've ever watched. Very well made. I enjoy every single second of it. Please never stop making them!!

[@lopirobinson1991]

Really hope you get to do the whole series. Such a great voice for these documemtry type videos.

[@faniaria2090]

This Series is simply amazing, I hope there will be more in the future! After watching I really feel like I learned a lot.

[@-sabatu-8365]

As I probably mentioned before this is one of the best, if not the best documentary about TR,, and I am dying for TR4 since Egypt overall is my favorite location for its history.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

That means a lot, thank you for watching!

[@-sabatu-8365]

@@SimonBucherHistory Please tell me there will be TR4 or even TR5 :)

[@SimonBucherHistory]

@@-sabatu-8365 There will be in the future! :)

[@putridprince]

Goodness gracious, what a little gem of a video! Amazing editing, riveting narration, great atmosphere... simply put - perfect execution! Cannot wait for more.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

You're too kind! Thank you so much!

[@FinalFantasyFan300]

OMG I didn't realize that THIS is the kind of video I was looking for in Tomb Raider 3.

[@JasonCameron774]

Beautiful work as always. I love the globe-trotting TR3, can't wait to dive deep into Egyptian history with The Last Revelation.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you very much Jason! Happy to hear you enjoyed it :)

[@jacklusouza]

Awesome video, like the others before! Are you making a TR4 video too? I'm excited to see more and more! Thank you for this masterpiece!

[@MetalAriel]

Amazing content, especially if you like both archeology, history and the Tomb Raider series. Amazing work…!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you very much! I'm glad your historical needs were met! :D

[@shmishma]

Your videos are fascinating. watched all of them at once. You have all my respect for the research you’ve made, great narration and editing. Y’all deserve a standing ovation. Was the narrative officially what the designers came up with when they pitched the game or are all these all theories ?

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Ismail! The documentaries are based on the official narratives present in the final games with some additional cut content, behind the scenes information and some personal theories thrown in!

[@kiriavatar123]

Even the credits are so creative. I loved every minute of this documentary ❤️

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you so much!

[@MdB92]

Another excellent documentary, my compliments to all those involved in creating it! I now finally had the time to watch it, which is somewhat fitting I suppose since this month is TRIII celebration month! _Tomb Raider III_ is the first _Tomb Raider_ game I ever played - I don't know how young I was exactly, but I do remember that it was really, really difficult. Ultimately, I only managed to complete the _India_ and _Nevada_ sections (and only after much struggling, I immediately admit xD); _South Pacific_ (first I was really scared of the tribesmen in the first level and of the velociraptors in the second (mainly due to the sounds they make, and because of all of the jumpscares, omg it was just horror for me back in the day!), which made it very hard to complete these, and then I got stuck in _Madubu Gorge_ ) and _London_ (mainly due to _Lud's Gate_ ) turned out to be too hard for me... (Many years later I did return to it though and completed the entire game.) I never truly/fully understood the story either, mainly because it was often really hard to hear/make out what is said exactly during the cutscenes (which is still somewhat difficult for me up to this very day). Sadly, the game does not offer any option to turn on subtitles... Anyway, I'm very glad I watched this documentary. It definitely was insightful (it really cleared up some story uncertainties/misconceptions I had) ànd it offered me a nice opportunity to relive some of the great memories this game provided. Thank you!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you so much for sharing your story and for your nice words. I'm really happy the documentary cleared some things up for you and incited some positive nostalgia! :-)

[@MdB92]

@@SimonBucherHistory These videos are an absolute joy to watch, and since you clearly put a lot effort into making them, I also try to put more effort in writing my comments, to encourage you to continue :) (but please take all the time you need.) [and, what's nicer than talking about your favorite (childhood) games after all xD] I can imagine that it was more difficult to create this one compared to the previous ones, was that indeed the case?

[@JoeZUGOOLA]

Notice that the space craft is bigger Inside than it appears from the outside like the Tardis.

[@InvisibleMonkey]

Holy shit! I’m glad this video came up as suggested - it’s so niche it feels like it was made for me. Great work.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thanks so much! It‘s a niche but it‘s a cool niche 😎

[@Jamesh-riffs]

This is brilliant. Great work.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you so much!

[@Lippy8555]

This is the best series. Thank you.

[@_DeadlyNightshade_]

The animation at the end is INCREDIBLE! Well done.

[@Jokeama]

Glad it’s back on here again!

[@DroneQuadcopter]

thanks for the re-release

[@94frankiec]

I know we’re probably going to have to wait a couple years for part 4 but I bet that one is going to be very interesting with all the Ancient Egyptian history 👏🏼

[@SimonBucherHistory]

For sure! TR4 is my favorite game and I want to do its story and design justice!

[@McChimpy1]

@@SimonBucherHistory Can’t wait for it!

[@idr121]

Do you ever plan on covering games like Last Revelation and Chronicles? :-) Big fan of the series.

[@TheWorldAdventure]

Absolutely stunning. Hope you do more!

[@whydothenationsrage]

I feel like I'm being emersed in TR lore straight from Laura herself. These games are so nostalgic and are included in some of my best adolescent memories. Thanks for bringing them back to life!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you for watching! Glad to bring some nostalgic memories back for you! :D

[@teslastream]

I always wanted to see something like this. I'm glued to my screen. Excellent work! Christmas came early this year :)

[@Bombalega600]

I appreciate this video very much. Thank you for your hard work!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

I appreciate your comment very much! Thanks a lot :)

[@Victorcolongarcia]

Great video!! Amazing!! I love history and tomb raiders. In fact 3 is my fave for the environments!! Very funny pronunciation of Sophia by the way

[@phuongduy8397]

Fantastic video! Thank you

[@gioxperia8410]

You did an outstanding job! Congratulations. The epitome of an artistic masterpiece! 👏👏👏👏

[@Outereme123]

These videos are absolutely incredible. It’s like watching a documentary on the discovery channel 😂 really unique stuff. Would love it if you covered the other classic TR games.

[@brunomaia3186]

Thank you so much for all this. I have no words to express how great this is.

[@andreluizbtos8786]

Very good work! Thank you!

[@rabbitrabbit7420]

Why didn't i know this video existed earlier?? Awesome work!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you so much!

[@MacTropic]

this is so good. a great way to relive the classics. mega nostalgia :)

[@RottytopsX]

welcome back comrade,you were missed n_n

[@LCTR4Kat]

Pure joy, please please make more of those amazing videos.

[@eceaytekin3906]

you are incrediable, i love all the parts of these TR videos, thanks...

[@MultiWatcher1000]

We hope you will make more of these

[@becky2235]

What a amazing video thank you so much for making this! Absolutely fascinating! So well made,the time you must have put into this I can only imagine! I pray they make a remake!

[@becky2235]

Also she.they didn't put you in charge of making this game! It would have made the story much more understandable! One of the best KZbin videos I've seen in a long time!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Wow, thank you very much for your kind words! Really happy to hear you enjoyed the video. :)

[@musicgardener2142]

Just like before - great work and i really hope there will be part 4 anytime soon.

[@goskag2196]

Amazing vídeos, we can see you put a lot of work, time and passion to make it possible. Thank you so much, can't wait for TR4 and TR5 as they are my favourite games from classic series. Keep it up! 😊

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you very much Goska! Happy to hear you enjoy the series :)

[@PratikAnand]

The voiceover is really good and the artwork in between really adds to the imagination. Is there a way to access those artworks ?

[@SimonBucherHistory]

All the artwork used in the video is credited at the end of the video! A couple people have asked me to include direct links to all the art so Ill make sure to do that for the next episode.

[@HunterKnightCustoms]

Great series! Who did the Anniversary style updated artwork? looks so awesome!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you very much! I used dozens of different artworks from all across the TR community. I put them all in the end credits roll!

[@msadids]

this is so great man

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@jaimegermanotta8831]

WE NEED MORE!!!!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

There will be a lot more in the future! :D

[@jaimegermanotta8831]

@@SimonBucherHistory yaaay

[@starcapture3040]

2 Years is Tomb Raider 4 Coming? :D

[@cameronbaker2221]

I wish we could have more of these

[@jebersonaleixo7151]

amazing!!!!! thanks for it

[@jayemerengueli]

I am amazed!

[@TheFloodFourm]

These should have been included with the remastered collection

[@MRem-mx8uq]

Great video

[@МихаилНовохоров]

thanks for your job

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you for watching! :)

[@krycekuva]

thought for a second this was a new video. cant wait for more!

[@alysiashear7032]

Wait had this video been up previously i feel like I've distinctly seen parts of this before! Narrating and all?

[@leonardoreyes1697]

It was, maybe they changed/added/removed something, im watching it right now

[@DuggieDug111]

Yeah it was. Maybe copyright issues. Who knows

[@EDMINGREVIEWS]

This channel has 2 other videos like this detailing TR1 and TR2

[@KatyushaRockets]

God I love this series

[@fiammanerapatrick3215]

You know what would be interesting if it was included? Alien enemies for the Area 51 level. Basically you could have some aliens who would target not only Lara but the MP's as well. So in theory you would have a 3 way fight. Also since Nevada was the only section without a boss, an Alien boss would be cool.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

I always thought this as well! Finishing the Nevada levels I always miss a boss fight. Maybe some alien they experimented on who gets its hands on the artifact and uses it against them? There's an idea for a potential remake!

[@fiammanerapatrick3215]

@@SimonBucherHistory Yeah, I also thought about the other time a 3 way fight could work. So you know how in Tomb Raider 2, Catacombs of the Talion there are the Yeti's and Fiamma Nera mercs? Well I thought that since they attacked Lara, why wouldn't they attack the mercs as well? I could imagine Lara walking into a room with like 3 Yeti's, and 3 mercs having a fight. Sort of like the monks but they also fight Lara. Same thing could be done in TR3 where across Area 51 you'll find the MP's and the Aliens having a fight. I always wanted to figure out how to edit enemy AI but sadly I don't think it's possible. But yeah, the Alien harnessing the artefact would be a really cool boss fight since they Core never really touched upon the subject of Aliens until this game. But that reminds me, I could probably actually do something. I could probably ask someone who can 3d model and put things into the game to edit say the Damned Stick guy from London to be some sort of Alien looking creature. It's definitely a possibility but I would have to find out someone who knows 3d modeling and such.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

@@fiammanerapatrick3215 That's a really cool idea! I'm sure that's relatively easy to do with how advanced the TRLE software is these days. Also, entering the catacombs in TR2 and seeing the mercs fighting off the Yetis in terror would have made for some really scary atmosphere, I'm sure. Kinda like when you encounter the guardians in Tibet in Uncharted 2. I still think that game took quite a bit of inspiration from TR2!

[@fiammanerapatrick3215]

@@SimonBucherHistory yooo that reminds me of something else interesting. Sorry if this is getting a bit spammy lol. But what if say in Ice Palace, there was a cutscene where the mercs finally get their hands on the Talion, only for the Bird Monster to appear and kill one of the mercs instantly while another say the Uzi wielding merc attempts to shoot and kill it only to be hit and flung across the arena and the bird monster begins to walk towards Lara. Now that would make a cool cutscene!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

@@fiammanerapatrick3215 That sounds amazing! There's definitely a lot of potential there. TR2 could have really done with some in-game cutscenes like that.

[@fiammanerapatrick3215]

The location of the South Pacific Islands levels seem to be located in between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States Pacific territory of Guam. Since it says the South Pacific Islands, I would believe it's probably Micronesia Lara sets foot in. But still great video! I've been playing Tomb Raider since I was a kid and never even began to think about the Geography and history of the games. But since I'm sort of a history buff and is interested in Geography, this is really interesting to watch!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Great points! I was completely unsure about where to locate the South Pacific levels so I just made use of the ole creative freedom. I'm really happy to hear you've found the video interesting. Thanks for watching! :-)

[@mojojoe83]

Ha Ha also after watching all three videos today, I never noticed how similar the plot structures really were in all three games. Ancient artifacts, DNA recombination, cults, mythical beast boss... lol maybe its cause I was in middle school and high school when these came out and my fragile little mind was just so excited to get a new game each year.

[@Tombola1993]

I go in the same order of areas discussed in this retrospective as well. Nevada, London and the South Pacific islands. That’s a coincidence. I always save the best pre-Antarctica adventure for last.

[@travis9416]

That crocodile zoom at the beginning holds up to this day

[@wickednickie9489]

So, will there be episode 4 ? I watched this for like.. lot of times already. Every time I’n going to sleep I’m just putting these on and on, and would really love to see another episode

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Absolutely! I'm really happy to hear you're enjoying the videos so much, that means a lot. I really can't promise you a release of the 4th episode any time soon unfortunately but it will be coming! Thank you for your support. :-)

[@OTomin-jo4ku]

Outstanding work !

[@TheSeaItIsStillViolent]

Great videos, all three of them! Are you planning on making similar ones for later TR releases?

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you very much! I plan to dedicate one episode to each of the main entries in the franchise eventually! Not a lot of time to work on any of it for the time being though, unfortunately.

[@TheSeaItIsStillViolent]

Awesome news! I understand, though; it’s difficult to find time sometimes. And real life comes first, of course. I hope things calm down for you soon!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

@@TheSeaItIsStillViolent Thanks a lot Alex! :)

[@tillybumbilly]

I've always wanted a tr3 remake

[@becky2235]

It would be fabulous! Wish they'd do it

[@vidilaz]

omg the outro animation is fantastic 😍

[@superlatero]

Love these videos

[@jord.g]

Well done. What an awesome series! Will you ever do The Last Revelation episode with Jonell Elliott?

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Thank you so much! That would be incredible! Still working on the TR4 one for a while as it takes a lot of time. Jonell seems to be very active on social media recently so maybe she'd want to join in!

[@jord.g]

They are well worth the wait. Awesome work I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

@@jord.g Thanks so much!!

[@pierrerovira]

i think we need tr4 one😫😫🥺💓

[@neloangelo3688]

I cant wait for tomb raider 4 narrated by the same voice

[@jenn82armstrong]

The Antarctic level reminds me of the movie The Thing. Lolz

[@hihyou]

This video's only mistake was not going to Nevada fist.

[@jenn82armstrong]

Agreed

[@dergerhard9724]

So how did Element 115 got into the UFO? Didnt quite got it. Awesome Video btw!!!

[@SimonBucherHistory]

There's no official explanation, what I think makes the most sense is that the scientists at Area 51 put it there as some sort of fuel to try and power the UFO's technology, maybe trying to recreate the way the aliens used it! Maybe the aliens / UFO and Element 115 aren't connected at all and there's just a whole bunch of different experiments on extraterrestrial stuff going on at the base. Sounds like a case for Scully and Mulder! Thank you for watching! 😃

[@dergerhard9724]

@@SimonBucherHistory Yeah thats the most thing that makes sense. My theory was that those aliens are actually radiated people from antarctica, but then the UFO makes no sense, because of the high technology. Mhhh....

[@SimonBucherHistory]

@@dergerhard9724 That sounds like a cool theory! It's suspicious that the former inhabitants of Antarctica encountered in the Lost City of Tinnos are very alien-like. Maybe the aliens in Area 51 created Element 115 or harvested it from another meteorite like the one that crashed on Earth?

[@PratikAnand]

I love the tomb raider series - the older games and I have played through parts of TR III. As a hindu though, I feel its handling of Hindu temples and mythology is very short sighted. Making an excuse for a foreign god statue to fight with Lara Croft sounds wrong when millions worship that god. Even though the story tries to hand wave explain it, it is at the end of the day looks exotic to western consumer market. This doesn't diminish my love for the series but sometimes, these stick out a lot with modern standards of respecting cultural diversity.

[@SimonBucherHistory]

I completely understand what you're saying! I believe it was 100% their intention to display just what you described - an unsettling and exotic setting with 'outlandish' gods that a Western audience generally wouldn't have any real life associations with. The entertainment industry and gaming especially has come a long way since then and I'd like to think that something like this wouldn't fly anymore today.

[@PratikAnand]

@@SimonBucherHistory thanks for understanding it 👍👍 It is same love-hate relationship like Indiana Jones movies. I love the movies, love the mysteries but certain parts I just try to skip hard because they are outrageously bad at depicting other cultures especially my culture. With a format like video game, there is no skipping so I have to play through or skip the entire level. Anyways, hope we get a re-release of original ones with controller and widescreen support and HD textures

[@SimonBucherHistory]

I agree completely. Especially adventure or archaeology games / movies tend to perpetuate old colonial, orientalist and sometimes racist tropes and narratives. It's always an educated wealthy person from a "Western" culture "discovering" some exotic place that is depicted with many factual errors or cultural insensitivities. I hope it's a thing of the past. I think Shadow of the Tomb Raider did a lot right in that regard!

[@BASEnutter2105]

Just wanted to say this series has really been enjoyable for me. It actually partly inspired me to do some more research about some things myself. So thank you for that inspiration! If you make it to the geography of underworld, I think you might find this post I wrote interesting/useful: aworldonapage.wordpress.com/2021/04/11/tomb-raider-underworlds-coastal-thailand-historical-mix-up-or-unintended-authenticity/

[@SimonBucherHistory]

That is awesome to hear! I'm glad you were able to draw some inspiration from the series. I can't wait to read that post. Underworld is one of my favorite games in the series so this is going to be interesting to say the least!

[@BASEnutter2105]

@@SimonBucherHistory I hope you enjoy it! Underworld had some truly beautiful locations.

[@Streetrocker28]

Hope you do the expansions and Last revelation , chronicles and angel of darkness as well …

Are you going to make another one for IV, Chronicles, AoD, Legend and Underworld?

[@Ragucci25]

Hey Simon, I am a video editor myself and a Tom Raider fan, with the announcement of the new TR game I needed my TR video essay and content fix. If you're looking for paid help with the next project get in touch with me!

[@Dalewt75]

Is there going to be a part 4 and 5?

[@SimonBucherHistory]

Absolutely!

[@Dalewt75]

@@SimonBucherHistory yay. Can't wait.