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Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Genre: Adventure
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 25 Apr 06
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- After her horrendous PS2 debut, Lara gets back into top form on the 360 with a back-to-basics exploration-based gameplay and tasty puzzles.
Overview
Eidos is probably the most well known for its Tomb Raider series, which is really the "mother" of all 3D adventure games. The Tomb Raider games were undoubtedly one of highlights of the original PlayStation, which should have been continued on the PS2. Alas things did not go to plan, and Lara's PS2 debut was billed as one of the worst game on the console. It was full of bugs that the game was virtually an unplayable mess. Stung by the criticisms, Eidos went back to the drawing board and had Crystal Dynamics take the reigns from Core, and came out with Tomb Raider: Legend. So how does the game do on the Xbox 360? Read our full review to find out!
Gameplay
For those who are wondering what went wrong with the last Tomb Raider game, Angel of Darkness, well a lot of things. First Eidos really hyped up the game and promised a lot of what was then considered "next-gen" ideas, which never came to work in the game. Also the game controlled horribly and was plagued by one of the worst cameras ever implemented in a game. So basically the game struggled to even be considered playable. So Eidos took a different route with Tomb Raider: Legend, by getting a different development team, and came into this game with a lot less hype. Did these changes make a difference?
The story in Tomb Raider: Legend is really the most influential to the actual pacing of the game than it ever has been in the game, which is a bit of the change. And dare I say that the story in Legend is even better than those of the Tomb Raider movies, which for some probably won't be saying a whole heck of a lot. With all that being said the game is told in some very well made cut scenes that keep the game moving at a very smooth and entertaining pace. The game has a few twists and turns, but for the most part it just turns out to be a very interesting and entertaining experience.
One of the things that I think anyone who picks up a copy of the game will realize is that Crystal Dynamics went back to what has worked with the series in the past, and gave it a more updated feel. Legend is a much less linear game than its predecessors, and instead feels very similar in style and control to the Prince of Persia series, which is a really good thing. The game however does keep its roots and has a lot of features that will make fans of the series very happy indeed. So along with a lot of the jumping and great acrobatics, the game also contains a lot of small puzzles.
These puzzles do come a bit more varied than they did back in the day of the original PlayStation, but still somewhat similar. You will still have small puzzles to complete by moving around boxes or other objects to allow you to move through the level. These puzzles are usually not that tricky, although I did find myself caught in a rut a few times, lost as to what the next objective was. These puzzles do provide a welcome mix to the typical running and jumping that the game does encounter.
Being that this is a Tomb Raider game, the focus is more on exploration and puzzle solving rather than shooting everything that moves. The game uses a very simple system that just allows you to easily target your enemy and take them out. The gunplay is probably the least satisfying aspect of the game as it just doesn't feel all that exciting, nor does it really bring any added depth to the game.
I have to say that in the end, Tomb Raider: Legend is just a back to the basics style game in all the great sense of the meaning. I say this because the developers went back to what worked with the series, took that and molded it into just a great action adventure game. The game isn't perfect as it does feel a bit linear at times, and can also be repetitive as well, but the overall feel of the game is a very solid one.
Graphics
Visually you would expect that the 360 version of this game would be just jaw dropping. I am sure there are a few of you out there who couldn't wait to see Lara Croft next gen. I have to say that the overall look of the game is good, but the character models feel like a direct port from current-gen consoles. In fact throughout the experience there did seem to be some environment models and character models that weren't given the proper next gen feel. The visuals may not be the best the 360 has seen, but they are good enough that you won't ever be even close to reminded of Angel of Darkness.
Fun Factor
Just saying Angel of Darkness brings shutters down my spine, just because of how bad that game really was. And to be honest I was surprised to find out how great Tomb Raider: Legend really is. For those who thought the series was lost, I really think you are going to enjoy this game because it brings back a lot of what we have loved about the series in the past. If you are a fan of Tomb Raider then you are going to find a lot to enjoy about the experience. The game isn't super long but the experience is just a laid back extremely enjoyable one.
Overall
To say that I was happy with the results of Tomb Raider Legend is an understatement, just because of how great it was to see the series back to its original form. The game wasn't perfect, as mentioned a few times, but it was a very good and deep action adventure experience that any fans of the series before Angel of Darkness will remember why they loved the series so much. Even if you are unsure, you can't go wrong with picking this game up for a rental.
- Gameplay
8.0 - Graphics
7.0 - Fun Factor
8.0 - Overall
8.0
