Tomb Raider
Developer - Eidos
Publisher - Core
Players - 1
Extras - Memory card
The bit on the box
"Adventurer Lara Croft has been
hired to recover the pieces of an ancient artefact known as the Scion.
With her fearless acrobatic style, she runs, jumps, swims and climbs her
way toward the truth of it's origins and powers - leaving only a trail
of empty tombs and gun-cartridges in her wake. On this trail are the most
breath-taking 3D worlds yet seen - where exploration, puzzle and platform
elements blend in a seamless real-time environment."
Graphics
Tomb Raider virtually created a new genre, and
even if it wasn't the first, it certainly created the genre with the best
graphics and most detailed worlds. Although the graphics are not as sharp
as their PC counterparts, the attention to detail to the drawing and animation
of Tomb Raider's graphics have set the benchmark for all games of
this ilk to follow. The worlds that the main character, Lara Croft, must
explore in order to progress are absolutely huge, with some caverns looking
immense. Lara herself is well animated considering the amount of moves
she is able to do, although her sharp pointy breasts look a little silly
(Madonna take note).
Sounds
I wasn't sure what to expect from such a fresh new game
as far as effects and music are concerned, but I needn't have worried.
The sounds of Laras weapons are the standard bang and boom you'd expect,
and her footsteps tend to sound the same no matter what surface she walks
on. Also the growls of the various wolves, bears, and other animals Lara
encounters don't particularly sound like the real thing. This all matters
not though as when mixed in with the ambient and very atmospheric musical
score, which changes to let you know if something is about to happen, or
even if you are supposed to be in awe of a particular cavern, really allows
you to get immersed into the game.
Gameplay
Tomb Raider's control system is the most unique
I have seen for a game of this type. The game itself is almost a 3D version
of the old game Prince of Persia, but with massive improvements
in gameplay and enjoyment. All jumps can be taken perfectly, and ledges
grabbed if you drop short. If you can't make a jump the first time using
the proper way of long jumping, then you can be assured that you will never
make that jump, so you can turn your attention to another course of action,
therefore not wasting time on something that can't be accomplished. There
is a certain strategic element in saving too, as you can only save when
you reach a purple diamond, some of these positioned in an area that is
a challenge in itself to reach. The diamonds are well placed however and
this system does not ruin the game as the learning curve is perfectly adequate
for experienced and new gamers alike.
I feel a verdict coming on
Tomb Raider has answered my cravings of becoming
an Indian Jones type hero (or heroine as the case may be). It will go down
as one of my favourite games, and although there are only around 15 or
16 levels to go through, each level is huge and I find myself replaying
the game often. I did wish the game was longer though, as I found the game
very addictive and hard to put down (like a good book actually), and I
had the feeling that I could have played at least 5 more levels, as I never
seemed to get bored with it. This of course lends itself to the inevitable
sequel, and with any luck a large group of clone games that may improve
on the formula or just provide more of the same entertaining action adventuring
that is on offer in Tomb Raider.
Review by D.R.T.Barrett
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