Videogame review-- LARA CROFT, TOMB RAIDER: LEGEND

[martok2112]

VIDEOGAME: LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: LEGEND
DEVELOPER: CRYSTAL DYNAMICS
PUBLISHER: EIDOS
SYSTEMS: PS2 (Review based upon), XBOX, XBOX360, and PC
RATING: T (Teen) for Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, and Violence

Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 5/5
Control: 4.5/5
Story: 5/5
Endorphin Factor: 5/5
Frustration Factor: 3/5

Scoring system:
Average: 4.5/5

GAMES IT COULD BE COMPARED TO: Tomb Raider series, Prince of Persia series

DETAILS: Lara Croft, the most successful videogame heroine of all time has finally come back to true form. She has never looked or played better.

After the horrendous exploit that was Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness, Lara has been given a new home under the creative auspices of Crystal Dynamics. This new blood approach has resulted in a game that completely restores the Tomb Raider series.

Not only is the game play as intense as it is relatively simple, but the story line rocks...and the voice acting is top notch. Lara (although voiced by a different actress), still sounds as sexy as she ever had.

The controls are simplified, and Lara controls like a dream...and is fun to watch in action. She doesn't move like a tank anymore. Her moves and actions are graceful (and deadly). Even during some cinematics, you exercise a little control over Lara's actions (a la Resident Evil 4).

The music is simply beautiful. And what really got me stirred was hearing the Gaelic song "Hard Earth" at various times throughout the game. A very nice touch indeed. (For those who may recognize the song, and wonder where else in the entertainment medium you may have heard it before....look no further than the movie "Rob Roy" when the McGregor clan are having their gathering, just before learning of Alan McDonald's death.)

The graphics are par excellence in this game. And they went to interesting detail with this one. When Lara takes a dip, her clothes actually look wet, and her skin and hair glistens with water..eventually drying off.

The game seems fairly short (about like TR: Angel of Darkness was...around 8 hours to complete, as opposed to the 30 some hours one might invest in the older TR games), but it seems to have a little replay value in that you can explore Croft Manor, to exploit all its secrets. Or you can revisit levels to see what you've missed.

Saving is accomplished by reaching checkpoints. If you die, you'll restart at the last checkpoint before your demise. When you save, the game saves at the most recent checkpoint.



BOTTOM LINE: If you are a jaded fan of the Tomb Raider franchise...this game, Legend will restore your faith once again. Lara Croft is back...and she's better, sexier, and deadlier than ever.