Tomb Raider...now with physics! Great for TR fans and casual gamers. Not for experienced gamers. *long*
Some of the puzzles are standard fare. You will come across smashing walls and when you do...a conveniently placed metal cube will be located right next to your leg. Hmm. Or, you see a floor button that needs some lovin' but there are no objects around. You see a box on the next platform down but can't pick it up from your position. However, you just happen to see a stone teeter-totter conveniently placed on the other side. Gee. What should I do?! Hmmm!
Tomb Raider borrows alot of elements from Prince of Persia and Half Life 2. The only problem is that the puzzles seem unnecessary or less plausible and doesn't seem related to whatever it is that you're doing. The puzzles are not as creative as what I've seen in other games and that, to me, just makes it too predictable. The other problem is the motorcycle sequences. They seem more or less like a novelty than something that should've been removed all together or at least it should've been treated like a rail-type action sequence.
Aside from these things, there are a couple of great points that should be noted. One of these great points is the control. Whoever designed the controls/interface for this game should be commended. I have played earlier versions of Tomb Raider and could not get used to the controls. It was basically sloppy and prevented me from really enjoying the game. This time around, the controls have been changed for the good of mankind. No more pre-positioning Lara for far jumps and no more stupid falling deaths. Well...at least almost. There are a tons of moves you can do in this game that really show off the physique...I mean physics of the character. It cracks me up sometimes when I'm climbing up the edge of a 500 foot cliff and Lara may flip upwards using showy yet unnessary acrobatics making sure she is modeling her legs. Very Hollywood. The really nice thing about this game is how it integrates in-game cinematic sequences a la Metal Gear. Although the game needs work with its directing, the sequences are done well and are fun to watch. Even the lip sequences are neat but there are just too many games out there that do it well...and, in some cases, better.
Anyway, I'm going to stop nitpicking this game because there will be alot of Lara Croft gamers out there that will play it purely because of Lara. No doubt, the game does a really good job of modeling and controlling Lara well. Tomb Raider also does pretty well with the graphics and the lighting. The environments are cool to look at but are nothing special. If you've been exposed to more graphically impressive games, probably be nothing to you (i.e. HL2, G.R.A.W., etc.). To me, Tomb Raider's lasting merits were its puzzles, story, and of course the fact that it is the cult-drivenTomb Raider franchise after all. Even then, the game is very short. If you've played many different kinds of games similar to Tomb Raider, don't expect too much and just try to enjoy it for what it is. If you're a casual gamer, you may like this game alot. And to all you Lara fans, this is a must have for you all... especially for those who want to add this to their Lara collection right next to their Lara movie DVDs and Lara boots.
Overall, I would rent it or borrow it. I would never buy it....unless you really HAVE to complete that collection
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