Tomb Raider: Legend

"Tomb Raiding is Finally Fun Again"

I must say, that I was a huge fan of the series back when Tomb Raider 1, 2, and 3 came out. I didn't get four, because it got bad reviews. Then Angel of Darkness was horrible. But when I saw Tomb Raider: Legend, I knew the series has been revived.

Graphics--10/10
The graphics in this game are amazing. They really push the PS2 too it's limits. The environments are immensely lush. Even in the tombs, or when it's dark in Japan, you can still see how great everything looks. And lets not forget Lara. She is back with a whole new look. Sure, eventually you can change into her teal shirt and brown shorts, but for the most part, she will be wearing some new threads. The designers did a great job, and she looks pretty real. The other people in the game are well done, but not as much a Lara.

Sound--9/10
There is never much music, so I can't review that. But the footsteps sound real. Crumbling rock sounds crumbling. Animals sound good. And the voices are great.

Gameplay--10/10
Lara is back with a new style of play too. Of course veterans like me will still recognize many of the controls, but there are also a lot of differences. For one, Lara has many new gadgets. She has her own personal light, binoculars, her trusty med-kits(which aren't new), the new magnetic grapple for grappling onto medal structures, and either pulling them or swinging from them, and of course her famous infinite ammo dual pistols. Lara's moveset is also new. Instead of doing backflips and such, she now moves realisticly, such as turning before jumping, pulling herself up instead of leaping, and being able to crouch walk. There are also new combat moves. Lara can now pull off Matrix-esque moves, such as running up her opponents, and flipping off of them, all while unloading a stream of bullets. In addition to that, she can dive kick, head kick, or just roll around. Lara's trusty flips are still here, although a bit harder to pull off. Instead, she now does things like cartwheels, and triple axis flips. Of cousre you will still be raiding those tombs. But you may also scale the roofs of Tokyo, or run through the streets of Peru. The tombs also present you with new puzzles, although they are pretty easy compared to previous games puzzles. A lot of the puzzles are how to get from point A to point B. Or maybe you will push rocks in holes, or swim through water while removing jewels. The bosses are mediocre, and not hard to beat, but they had some fun gameplay. A new addition to the action is action-sequences. These are similar to games like God of War. They usually involve Lara trying to run from some horrible demise(spikes, long falls, ect.). During the scene, you will have to press a button as it appears on screen to get Lara safely. They are pretty easy, but make you feel like your part of the cut-scene.

Story--10/10
The story of this game is pretty well done. It doesn't have much to do with previous games though, but that's perfectly fine. It mainly revolves around Lara's past. Lara's mother disappeared years ago, and so did a friend. She beings to think that these two events are linked, and sets out trying to find artifacts to put 2 and 2 together, all while meeting a couple of people who usually become pretty hostile with her.

Replayability--6/10
This is the main reason the game didn't get a 10/10. The story mode is very short, as there are only eight levels. You can always goof off, but that get's boring. The main reason to play through the game again is to find rewards. Rewards are hidden little statues that if Lara finds enough of them, unlocks bonus items like pictures, bios, and outfits. There is also Croft Manor, Lara's home, which lets you do some things in, and solving some of it's puzzels may take you a while.

Buy or Rent?--Depends
The reason I write depends, is because of how you may feel about the replayability. The games short story is the reason people lean away from this. If you are a fan, or you think this game sounds great, buy it, because it is great. If you aren't sure, you should probably rent it.

Overall--9/10
Lara is finally back, and better then ever. Improved graphics, improved gameplay, what else could you ask for? Maybe a sequel? Who knows? We can always hope. Until then, sit back and play this masterpiece.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/18/06