Tomb Raider App: 'The Final Hours of Tomb Raider' Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Story of the Game That Almost Was

The Tomb Raider reboot hits shelves today, and by all accounts the game that actually got made is impressive.

But what about the game that didn't?

GTTV host Geoff Keighley created The Final Hours of Tomb Raider, an iPad and Kindle Fire app that followed Crystal Dynamics, the developers of Tomb Raider, as they planned and eventually hashed out the storyline and setting of the final game.

While they settled on an action-adventure coming-of-age story about the young Lara Croft's transformation into a heroine while shipwrecked on an island full of enemies she must kill, they considered a much more low-key, contemplative game, akin to Shadow of the Colossus.

Early drafts had Lara protecting a young child, who in turn protected her.

"In early design meetings the team started thinking about other games that could inspire a new approach," writes Keighley. "The emotionally rich role-playing game Ico, the survival horror of Resident Evil, and the towering mythical creatures of Shadow of the Colossus all served as early inspiration."

Those who have played Shadow of the Colossus or Ico know they are much more spare, quiet games, full of vivd scenery and stories told through interaction rather than dialogue.

The Final Hours of Tomb Raider includes plenty of behind-the-scenes footage and making-of videos, interactive features, interviews with game designers and voice actors and concept art.

The app description on the iTunes Store:

"Lara Croft is back! The Final Hours of Tomb Raider takes you behind the scenes at developer Crystal Dynamics to chronicle the four-year development of this series reboot. Journalist Geoff Keighley interviews the creative team and unearths never-before-seen concept art and videos to showcase what ended up on the cutting room floor. Complete with photos, interactive experiences and other surprises, The Final Hours of Tomb Raider is the ultimate insider's guide to the reimagining of the Tomb Raider universe."

The app costs $2.99 and will be available on Steam later this week.