Decoding Shadow of Tomb Raider's secret post-credits scene
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the latest installment in the Lara Croft series. The game has been well received by players, but the post-credits scene has got everyone talking. Apparently, the game had a different patched and unpatched ending. When gamers, confused by the different scenes, took to discussing this on forums, they found out the real reason. Read to know about it.
How did the confusion happen?
The confusion in the post-credits scene might have gone unnoticed, if Tomb Raider forum member, Tombstone, had not brought up the subject of the letter in the scene. The claims were met with the gamer community's skepticism and scorn. However, Tombstone's persistence on not finding anything letter-related on Google forced them to replay the whole game and record their version of the ending.
What did the alternate ending show?
Gamers, who dutifully applied the patch on the first day, saw a different post-credit scene. The camera moves from the gardens outside to the mansion's interiors where Lara's pickaxe is seen among other artifacts, as she speaks of the world's mysteries. The scene ends with her butler offering her tea, as the frame freezes to a childhood drawing of Lara and her family.
What was there in the original ending?
Those who did not apply the Square Enix patch saw a different ending. The voice-over narration by Lara was the same in both scenes, but the video showed Lara writing a letter to her friend Jonah in her father's study. On the table lay a letter from Jacqueline Natla. The video ends with Lara being offered tea, as she picks up Jacqueline's letter.
The game developers respond to the confusion
The developers have responded and clarified the confusion. They said that multiple post-credit scenes had been shot while the game was in developmental stage. The one with Jacqueline's letter was considered but not chosen. Its inclusion in the game was a mistake and the first-day patch sought to rectify that. They encouraged players to apply the patch for an up-to-date gameplay experience.
Massive clue in the unpatched ending
For those unaware, Jacqueline Natla is the chief antagonist in the Lara Croft series of games. The letter from Natla might hint that she will be in the next game of the Lara Croft's franchise. The address shows that she is writing from Scion Tower in Calcutta, India. Will the next Lara Croft game be in India? We have to excitedly wait and see.
