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Tomb Raider underworld continues the tradition that is Tomb Raider
Tomb Raider Underworld, Lara Croft's latest outing, is being trashed by critics and consumers alike. Heck, the reviews here on Amazon bear me out--there's a one star review for a glitch I didn't experience (on either platform) and there's a review trashing the camera. Many professional reviewers are slamming the voice acting. Voice acting by the same people they praised in Tomb Raider Legend. WHAT ABOUT THE GAME, PEOPLE? HOW IS THE GAME?
I just finished the game Saturday, after a playthrough of approximately 10-11 hours, so it's of average length. Here is the plot, currently being derided as "stupid" and "cliche." In Tomb Raider Legend, we learned that Lara's mother was seemingly sucked into a type of portal, and apparently sent to Avalon. Tomb Raider Anniversary showed that Jacqueline Natla was involved. In this game, Natla and Amanda (the goth twit from Legend) have unwillingly joined forces. Natla, the Queen of Atlantis (go ahead and snigger), plans to activate Jormungandr, the Midgard Serpent, in order to destroy the world. However, neither she nor Amanda is capable of the tomb raiding (!) necessary so Lara, who is desperate to find out what happened to her mother, is used as a pawn.
It's the player's job to take Lara through various mythological underworlds in order to retrieve Thor's gauntlets, his belt Megingjord, and of course Mjolnir, his hammer. She journeys through places like Niflheim and Xibalba (the Mayan Underworld) to collect and wield the artifacts and ensure that Natla fails in her plan to destroy the world.
Not surprisingly, the game controls like Tomb Raider. That is to say, damned frustrating. The camera is, in all honesty, GODAWFUL and you'll frequently end up with a lovely view of just Lara's hands, or the back of her head, or sometimes you won't even see her at all. Frequently you'll have to send poor Lara flying backwards towards what you hope is a ledge. Sometimes it is, and sometimes you get that lovely ragdoll animation where she splats on the ground. But let's face it--Tomb Raider is trial and error. It always has been. I think we all expected that, but on Lara's next outing (if there is one) they could tweak it a bit. I did have a few instances where the camera just twirled around her in rapid circles. THAT can go.
Lara does have some new moves here, namely the chimney jump (or wall jump), stomping enemies and rappeling with the grapple. The stomp is required to finish off Thralls, the main enemy in the game, and it's a satisfying leaping thud that smashes them to pieces. The grapple is a life saver in many instances, as it can prevent Lara's demise in many situations. She will also leap over small obstacles without any controller input, which makes for a more streamlined experience. Many moves can be performed with a sort of flair--why dodge when you can somersault, and there are lots of spiffy things Lara is able to do while balancing or swinging on poles. She also has her motorcycle--I don't know why the developers keep harping on the All Terrain aspect, because it's only used in two places but what the heck. The bike can naturally be used to get from point A to point B, but it's also useful in combat. Peeling out and smashing a giant spider to bits is quite entertaining.
The puzzles are massive, and that's a double edged sword here. Frequently you'll see areas that look almost reachable from your current location and you'll spend AGES trying to get there, only to find that they're the next part of the level and you can't possibly reach them yet. Or that they're just there to look nice and you can't get there at all. Still, you will feel a sense of accomplishment when you go through three separate ruins and the entrance to Xibalba opens, or you finally figure out just what exactly you're supposed to be doing while Natla pummels you with fireballs.
Most of the voice acting is fine, with Keeley Hawes handling the vast majority of the dialogue as Lara Croft and also featuring the legendary (if she isn't then she should be) Grey Delisle as Natla. Her lines are delivered in a rather overblown way, but how else would the deposed Queen of Atlantis speak? The other minor characters, such as Amanda, Zip and Alister are just as whiny and irritating as they were in previous games so just try to ignore them.
As far as the graphics go...this game looks utterly fantastic. I've played the PS3 version in it's entirety and most of the 360 version. They both look magnificent, with the 360 version being MUCH darker with a little more contrast. Really, the graphics have to be seen to be believed. You'll be amazed at the Mediterranean Sea while Lara swims around dodging sharks and picking up artifacts, but when she anchors her yacht off the coast of Thailand you'll darn near fall out of your chair. The water looks stunning, and the ruins there are almost photographic in their detail. You can't discuss graphics in Tomb Raider without a mention of Lara's physique, so I will say that she looks and moves remarkably well and is still busty as always. She looks very similar to the Lara in Legend, with the same hairstyle and practically the same face. I'm not sure why they keep redoing her face but I guess they have their reasons.
If I had to level any complaints as this game, it would be regarding the extras. I don't care about concept art. I don't care to see pencil sketches of the fantastic environments. I appreciate that someone did them, and that it led to the finished product, but all in all I couldn't care less. Furthermore, there is an ad in the instruction manual about a book featuring all the art of Tomb Raider. You mean that art I just unlocked? Thanks a lot. There is only one unlockable outfit, and as I understand it can only be used in the first level. There is no option to watch the cutscenes, and I did miss that. Also, it goes without saying that you won't be casually strolling through Croft Manor and swimming in the pool--the trailer for the game makes it painfully obvious that the manor doesn't make it to the credits. I miss the place already.
All in all, this game is incredibly fun, intensely frustrating, and a blast to play. Tomb Raider fans should love it, but it isn't going to make any new ones.
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Review: Tomb Raider Underworld - An exciting Journey is an article about
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