Tomb Raider: Legend. The difinitive classic Raider experience. Shame that you can complete it on you first
I was never skeptical about the quality of Legend when i heard about this, as i'm a massive fan of Soul Reaver, and all its puzzles.
It plays a little like Prince of Persia, with puzzles in the mould of Soul Reaver, a bit of bullet time here and there, and interactive cutscenes where you have to press the buttons as they appear on screen. This first appeared in the sadly overlooked Dreamcast adventure Shenmue. All of these things serve to make the game VERY VERY VERILY GOOD.
It is very very far from the classic tomb raider style, but that's to be expected with a development shift across the pond. Still, getting rid of "find -the-switch-to-open-the-door-to-get -the-key-to-combine-with-the-ankh-to-unlock-the-exit" style of exploration was a bold move, laying the old-style Tomb Raider to rest. It shall be sorely, sorely missed. ( We do, however, get to see Lara's Home again).
Finally, a game with a story stooped in British HIstory, with a British location and things Brits can relate to ("take the M5 to the A30 Cornwall, for example)
There are interesting characters, and how the ending movie ties directly to the beginning one, is truly inspired.
Gunplay is really good, because it's easy, and serves as filler to get to the next puzzle chamber. That said, the game in general is far far far too short to be as good as something like The Last Revelation, and far too easy. If i didn't have to go out on a pre-arranged outing, i would have sat there and finished it on my first sitting- it's that short.
In Closing, it's defintely Tomb Raider. No doubt, it is as good as the origni
als, it has the same look and feel of the originals, with lots of secrets(now called Rewards) and hidden places ( especially in Croft Manor). A more than welcome additon to the Tomb Raider library, but it's just too easy for fans of the old games.