Lara is back and better than ever!
Gone is the old grid system that made the old TR games feel rigid and clunky, in Legend Lara controls much more fluid and natural. In past TR games the camera system was buggy, sometimes you would find yourself looking behind Lara when you're about to make a jump. The camera system in TR: Legend while not perfect is a vast improvement. For the most part the camera will stay behind Lara giving you a view of what's in front of her.
The game-play in TR: Legend plays like a classic action adventure platformer. Like classic TR games you will be traveling the world to exotic locations such as city roof tops, tombs and snow covered mountains. Along the way you'll be navigating death traps, jumping from platform to platform, shimmying across ledges, etc. Occasionally you'll be riding a motorcycle through a level, the motorcylcle controls are very arcade and forgiving. While on the motorcycle you'll be making jumps and shooting pursuing badies. These motorcycle levels are fun and a nice change of pace.
The combat in this game while improved from old TR games is a weakness in TR: Legend. Gone is the old system where all you had to do is draw your weapon and Lara would automatically aim at the nearest enemy in front of her. Now you have to hold in the left trigger to lock onto enemies and fire with the right trigger. Crystal Dynamics has added a new matrix like feature where you can run close to an enemy push the jump button and the game will go into slow motion while Lara leaps off the guys head and flips behind him, at this point you can fire your weapon at him. There are other melee attacks you can perform that aren't worth describing. Most of the time you will find it's easier to just roll around on the ground and fire at the enemies. Because of this it makes all the other combat options in the game pointless. Another game-play element is a thing I like to call QTE (Quick Time Event), basically during cut-scenes at certain times during the action you will be prompted to push a controller button. If you fail to press the right button in time poor Lara dies. Those who have played Shenmue or Resident Evil 4 should be accustomed to this game-play element.
Tomb Raider: Legend is a fun game with a few blemishes that can be over looked for the most part. If you're looking for good action adventure game with an interesting story and awesome main character this game is for you. My only problems with this game was weak combat and it wasn't long enough. This game is arguably the best in the series, if you're a TR fan than this is a must have.