I was always a big fan of the original Tomb Raider games on the PS1, but until now have never tried the recent releases. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of this latest PC Tomb Raider release. The graphics, even with my outdated GeForce 6200 card, are first rate - large sprawling caverns, jungle clearings and snow-capped mountains come to life - the very infrequent reduction in frame rate is hardly noticeable. Gameplay can be frustrating at times and some parts need to be practiced several times to get a jump or other movement just right. But mostly the controls are fairly intuitive - I use a dual analogue controller, which works well, but it would be difficult to control the game properly without one. Sound is atmospheric and creepy. The plot is the typical Indiana Jones-esque over-the-top rollercoaster that we've come to know and love in the Tomb Raider series. The combat can be tricky at times, mostly due to the dynamically changing camera angles, but you get used to it. Experienced players may get through the game fairly quickly, but there's always the replay value in finding all the secret locations. Casual players will find many hours of entertaining gameplay, which focuses more on acrobats and exploration than it does on combat - thankfully this is not a game where you are constantly attacked by hoardes of endlessly spawning enemies - the encounters are intelligently thought out and there is often more than one way to defeat each foe - learn to use vantage points. Definitely one for the collection. And if, like me, you haven't played Tomb Raider in a while, get hold of a good dual analogue controller and a copy of TR Anniversary ASAP - you won't regret it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
In 1996, the original Tomb Raider was launched. The 3D game design, controls and graphics ... more
were truly ground breaking for their time. Furthermore, gamers were also presented with a unique, female human playable character with whom they could become emot...
Advantages: graphics, acrobatic moves and interesting puzzles, Lara Croft Disadvantages: not enough sounds, some annoying levels, no huge development from Legend
Advantages: graphics, acrobatic moves and interesting puzzles, Lara Croft Disadvantages: not enough sounds, some annoying levels, no huge development from Legend
Jul 19th, 2007
helpful by (100%):
