This is a prequel that explores Lara Croft’s origins, before she becomes the world-renown, globe-trotting archaeologist on her 1st solo adventure. Accompanying more seasoned archaeologists chasing a hunch to uncovering the lost kingdom of Yamatai in the Dragon’s Triangle, east of Japan. As the journey begins. This latest Tomb Raider game is the 10th TR title that is developed by Crystal Dynamics (their 4th TR game) after taking over the reigns of Core Design and published by Square Enix. We reviewed the game for the Xbox 360.
As part of her inaugural voyage shows us a young, naive 21-year old Lara Croft who has been trained in many forms but lacks the life experience. Throughout the game that gradually changes. After her first killing of an animal to eat, her naivety begins to fade. Moving on to her first human kill (a henchman) she gets a little more colder. As the game progresses, it comes to the point where Lara is screaming, “You better run you sons of bitches, I’m coming for you!” Not to the point of a cold-blooded murderer but a woman on a mission, seeking to avenge the deaths of her friends.
The Lara Croft you once knew stayed carrying two 9mm pistols as her default weapons with upgrades to Magnums and Uzis. This younger Lara begins her quest with just a mountain axe and a bow-and-arrow.
You Won’t Even Miss The Dual 9mm Pistols.
Then as your attackers advance form hungry wolves to armed henchmen, so does your arsenal. You get pistols, assault rifles, and shotguns. All of which can be upgraded to become more deadlier versions to kill more effectively.
The Awesome/Brutal Deaths Of Lara
The deaths of Lara Croft can be quite brutal. Like really brutal. Like when you get caught by henchmen get several arrows in you, some in the chest and some in the throat. Or hungry wolves feasting you starting with your throat.
Another instance of when you fall into the river and travelling down the current, you get a tree branch shoved under chin. Well you get my drift. With the graphics being so smooth as the entire game looking like a cinema scene, her deaths look better…but more gory in the process.
The Mixed Bag That Is The New Multiplayer
This is the 1st Tomb Raider with a real multiplayer option. The new game option puts Lara’s cast of survivors and the villains in a battle of the best. Equipped with the same arsenal in the single-player mode but with booby traps, grenades, grabbing medical supplies, and more. Works in both single player & team modes. I enjoyed it the multiplayer after finishing the campaign but these days, online modes are home to the hardcore first-person shooters. Many Gears Of War, Halo, Battlefield, & Call Of Duty fans probably won’t approve. Some will like while others won’t.
This is what Arkham Asylum/City did for the Batman game franchise.
The new Tomb Raider is about 15 hours of gameplay and I loved every minute of it. Loved playing every bit of it. Lara Croft is back. I would suggest you to forget the previous TR games you may have ever played before this. Remember the character and plots but do yourself a favor and just delete the memory of playing the other nine games before this one. Seriously.
That answer all depends on the type of gamer you are. If you dig the multiplayer and are the type to finish a game in all difficulty levels, the new TR is for you. If not, I would suggest for you to rent it to enjoy it but no matter the choice, you will enjoy it.
Disclaimer: Tomb Raider for the Xbox 360 was acquired using company funds and the campaign mode was completed before writing this review.
