Tomb Raider: Legend

"A decent, if not special, return to form"

Introduction

Tomb Raider: Legend is a welcome return for Playstation's most famous lady, and long-term fans of the series will not be disappointed.

Story - 7/10

The story comprises of Lara's quest through many different areas of the world (Nepal, Cornwall, etc.) to activate a stone dais in Bolivia. She is backed up by members of her team back at Croft Manor, resulting in some amusing dialogue that often lightens the mood without spoiling the seriousness of the storyline too much. However, Lara is hounded by a mysterious man and memories of her past, involving a certain girl named Amanda, believed to be dead…Overall, the story is there, but nothing absolutely special – sure there's a shock or two, but this is more an action/adventure (obviously with elements of Puzzle) game than an RPG. While a massive, ground-breaking story isn't absolutely essential for a game of this type, we could have done with less predictable events and such to improve the game's story rating.

Graphics - 9/10

Yes, the graphics are pretty special, not only is the detail on the characters quite breathtaking, the water effects, the way Lara is left glistening after exiting said piece of water…um, and the landscapes are marvellous as well. From the beautiful snowy mountains of Nepal, to the dark and atmospheric museum in Cornwall, to the memorable initial jungle of Ghana, you can tell the developer has crafted them with beauty and love, resulting in a more than special experience as you traverse through the levels.

Sound - 8/10

To be honest, the music is pretty average, and for me, nothing seems to stand out. However, the voice acting is pretty special – sure, there is the occasional dud of an NPC, but Zip provides a nice American touch to the game, without making him too stereotyped. However, the star of the show is Lara's voice actor, who is both witty and genuinely sincere at the same time, sticking to her British roots. Lara's confident responses to Zip's worries are also reassuring the player – you often may find yourself nodding in agreement as Lara replies wittily while pulling off her usual acrobatic stunts.

Longevity - 8/10

The main game doesn't take long to complete at all - most will complete it in something around 8-12 hours, however, there is a new Time Trial mode, which allows the player to compete against near-perfect times to unlock new rewards. There are also Bronze, Silver, and Gold statues to be found in each level, and it will take you a long time to find and collect all of these. However, the casual gamer may simply not be bothered with all of these, resulting in a short story game, and then it's put on the shelf. Thus, the 8.

Gameplay - 9/10

I don't claim to be a veteran of the Tomb Raider games – this is the only one I own other than number two, however, for me, the gameplay is on par with the likes of Prince of Persia. Lara is very acrobatic, resulting in some memorable moments, and the level design is bordering on genius. The shooting sections are, to be honest, a little average, but the player can make Lara perform various flips and such which add an element of grace to their battles, something quite unseen in most games where our protagonist uses firearms. Of course, the puzzles are impressively designed, but none should stress the average gamer's brain too much. All of these features combine to make an addictive experience that will almost definitely be played until completion.

Conclusion - Overall 8/10

So, buy or not? Well, many players will claim not to be bothered with the story, which is of course perfectly acceptable, so if you want a nice action/adventure game with depth if you need it, go buy! Even those who have to have a story and a deep game will still be entertained by the various rewards on offer. From these rewards and the design of the levels, to the quality of the voice actors, it's obvious the game has been crafted with love and care, resulting in a pleasant experience. Try it, make the leap of faith, just don't expect anything absolutely jaw-droppingly amazing.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/25/06