'In an alternate universe, decades ago, Lara Croft's grandmother ventured into the heart of Asia, fueled by an insatiable thirst for exploring the continent. In the years that followed, the quaint little shop she established flourished into a haven for rare and precious artifacts. Today, as Lara steps into the cherished sanctuary for the first time, the air is charged with something different.
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Gone are the vibrant hues that once bathed the room in warmth; now it’s an intriguing play of shadows, shrouding the artifacts in an alluring mystery. The once brightly illuminated corners are now veiled in a subtle, dim glow, transforming the atmosphere into one of refined sophistication. Each piece tells a story of ages past, as if the passage of time has etched new tales into their very essence.
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As Lara explores the shop, she is captivated by the transformed mood - an entrancing blend of history and secrecy. The air is heavy with the weight of time, and every artifact seems to whisper its own story to those who dare to listen. And this is the pivotal moment in young Lara’s life, when she hears the calling of these relics, and the flame in her heart for tomb raiding is lit - a passion that will define the course of her extraordinary life.'
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Well, that's the lore behind the new version of my scene from 3 years ago. I couldn't resist exploring what UE5 was capable of, especially since I have long wanted to enhance the lighting in the original scene. This time, the atmosphere is a little darker and more mysterious, yet still inviting. This also gave me the excellent opportunity to showcase more of the shop, unveiling subtle details that might have gone unnoticed earlier.
For a few assets, I used a few artworks as inspiration/reference by the legendary Zhelong Xu; specifically the Chinese Lion and the Dragon statue. Links are below:
Chinese Lion:
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/lVywez
Dragon Statue:
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/bW4ZE
Zhelong Xu's portfolio
https://www.artstation.com/zhelong