This remake of the original game gives it an all new perspective and is a real joy to play through.
So, finding myself in some kind of Indiana Jones nostalgia, I picked up this game and gave it a try knowing that reviews weren't so bad. Now, after finishing it, I have to say it was surprisingly a very refreshing title, with great graphics but not without some frustrations along the way.
First off, the environments are really huge, even by today's standards and you are given the freedom of exploring them to discover the keys to every puzzles. The puzzles aren't of the most difficult, but to succeed you have to control Lara through various obstacles. Lara's controls are very fluid. The graphics are among the best I have seen on the system. The soundtrack, more composed of ambient sounds, works really well. It makes somehow for a very relaxing game.
The fighting is also upgraded with a system that is slowing time at some particular moments. Therefore, for the few encounters in the game, the new mechanics make them more enjoyable than before.
As for the drawbacks, I would have to say that there is some camera problems, as in most of third person games and some problems with the locking system. For example, at one point near the end, an enemy kept throwing projectiles at me while the camera couldn't make me see him and the locking was on either of two switches on the walls. So I died about 20 times on this very short sequence. As a result, I nearly threw off my PSP on the floor and smashed my fist a couple of times on the table. But, I guess I was just anxious of finishing the game...
Overall, an absolutely great remake, a game that make you remember how rewarding it could be to be given the freedom of exploring vast places around the world. This is what adventure games should be about, there are too few of this kind these days, especially for the PSP.