Review by Craig on Monday 02nd of July 2007
Many of the readers of this particular article will remember, of course, the original Tomb Raider. I doubt you've even be looking at TRA or any reviews if you hadn't already played the original. Tomb Raider was for lack of a better word, amazing, the game had puzzles, action, and story that was believable yet still took a bit of imagination.
The games industry seems to be doing what the music industry does all the time: re-releasing the classics instead of inventing new ideas. Now that statement in itself is flawed because the game is not only a graphical remake but also adds a lot of new features and puzzles, expanding on the great classic.
Graphics
Now one of the main reasons this game has been re-released is for vast graphical improvement. I can quite satisfactorily say that this is very much the case, with no more triangular body parts but highly detailed facial expressions (seen especially in the cut scenes, most of which are produced by the game engine). Even simple things like being covered in water after going for a dip with Lara's clothes looking waterlogged, it shows how much the boys and girls at Eidos are trying.
Let's get physical!
The physics are brilliant, jumping and general movement are a lot more lifelike, when Lara falls great distances, her body uses ragdoll physics upon impact (not the best subject to use to emphasise this but it's only a game), and so do the various animals you fight against during your adventure. The water looks very good apart from some waves which look unusual from a distance.
The simple things in life...
A game can truly have so many little features that you don't notice for quite a while (and when these culminate into one big feature it's extremely impressive). A prime example in TRA is the fire effects. In one room, there are several platforms with towers in the middle, which are used to gain access to various coves within the room itself. Once a certain switch has been activated these platforms become fire traps, activating on timers. After falling off one of the platforms to escape certain death, I noticed that the entire room has an ambient light from the flames. This light dies down when the fires go out in between bursts and comes back up again when the flames are visible.
High resolution textures, player models, and general lighting/smoke effects make this game one to play as it is pure eye candy yet does not seem as hardware hungry as some of the other games out on the market. While it still requires a good spec PC to run full detail, it's not as high as games like Tiberium Wars or Rainbow Six: Las Vegas, both of which are also reviewed on BNW.
System Requirements
1.4 GHz Processor
256mb RAM
100% compatible DirectX 9.0c 64mb Graphics Card
Audio
Voice casting for TRA seems to have been done pretty well as Lara sounds similar to the previous voice actor (and there have been a few of them) and other people like Larson sound like the no brain muscle for hire they are. Pierre does sound a tad too French though, and in a game like Tomb Raider I think it does lower the quality of it, but only by a tad.
As ever there is some brilliantly appropriate music to accompany the maps and this sometimes does give you a second or two heads up on any incoming attackers as the music can kick in before you see them but if anything this can help game play and the attackers are quick to appear. Upon entering new areas the eerily calm background music gives you the feeling it's anything but. But also in the same respect it can tell you that you have little to fear and it's surprising how game music can give you an indication of this. I'm not sure if a lot of other players pick up on this but generally for me it seems to be the case.
Gameplay
The game itself replicates and then extends the original in so many ways, but you still get that familiar feeling when you walk into a room and the animals that attacked you in the original will still be in TRA too. The enemies themselves have a rage attack that allows them to charge at you, which you can then avoid by using the dodge function. Though depending which way you dive you may still end up getting hit.
The trick on the original Tomb Raider, to beat the enemy, was to get up on a ledge or climb up something and shoot them as you stood in relative safety. That is not an option here as the animals will disappear out of sight, though I doubt an animal would have that kind of intelligence it does make for interesting gameplay as you can't always find a good spot and climb onto it to make the combat easier. It seems in TRA that you have to fight properly and with the rage feature the monsters are difficult to defeat. But when you're using the new movement system instead of the rigid style of the original, combat is instantly made easier along with general movement.
Movement
The movement system itself is amazingly updated and gives you much more freedom with the player, and objects that can be manipulated within the environment. Much smaller steps can be taken and jumps are a lot easier to perform than previously, making general gameplay a breeze in comparison. The old style of control left players annoyed, but at the same time this was something that made you remember the game. That awkward basic control actually made the game difficult, and the inclusion of all new puzzles help to re-establish the balance of difficult gameplay.
Expanding further on the movement system is the inclusion of the grapple, which allows you to wall-run and swing from one balcony to another, provided there is something to grapple onto. This also means you can jump out and grab onto ropes or other dangling lifelines. The use of pole swinging can make for some interesting level obstacles when used with slopes to make some fast button bashing action. Lara can now balance on poles as well as shimmy up and down them.
The beautiful...Lara Croft!
Yes Lara was admired by many male gamer back in the day and is still now. But looking back doesn't it alarm you that you could think such a low level of detail and model design could make you so appealed? Obviously at the time she looked fantastic because they were high end graphics, but even then you took the Michael out of her pyramid shaped chest and square shaped body. Lara has visually improved with every Tomb Raider released and now is the latest and greatest addition on TRA. But let's not forget that Lara was the first game centred on a heroine, and not a hero.
Since her appearance onto the gaming scene she has encouraged developers all over the world to imagine new, exciting stories with women as the centre role, and in today's society I think this is brilliant. Lara Croft has changed the face of the gaming industry, spawning not only several computer games but also two very successful films starring the gorgeous Angelina Jolie.
What's that coming over the hill...?
One of the only slightly unusual things about the game is, for example, fighting the T Rex on level 3. Every Tomb Raider fan will remember this and how you used to be able to hide in a small cave, wait for the T Rex to move away or just blast as it stands there hopelessly trying to get to you. This is not possible on TRA as there is a cut scene, and then after pressing some buttons to dodge the escaping raptors, you are in what could be described as an arena. The T Rex takes quite a beating and is a lot more difficult to defeat this time round which is good, but also I find the circular pit you find yourself stuck in poses little opportunity in terms of fighting style other than shoot, dodge, shot dodge. This is somewhat annoying in the sense that Tomb Raider is usually more than just gun and run, however this remains, for the most part, an isolated incident.
Storyline
Recap
Those of you who have played many games since back in the day might need a quick recap. The game starts with a cut scene of a UFO crashing in the middle of the desert and the shape of a winged humanoid escaping the crystalline wreckage and flying away. Then we are taken to Lara, who receives a message brought to her courtesy of Larson, the not too bright henchman of Jacqueline Natla, owner of Natla Technologies. Her research team have discovered the location of the Tomb of Qualopec in Vilcabamba. Lured by her obsession with treasure hunting Miss Croft has no problem accepting the offer and sets on the journey to discover the first piece of the Scion.
Sticking to Tradition
The people at Eidos have not deviated far from the original game's plot. You still come across the same characters and the levels are similar, but they have given the game new life by adding more puzzles in other areas without being detrimental to the story itself. Although it's very similar, cut scenes aren't reproduced word for word and don't pan out exactly as they did in the first, which is good because the game is being sold on the idea that its so much more than a remake and I couldn't argue with that. The game could be its own. Some games when remade should be left untouched, and there are quite a few us gamers would like to see remade exactly as before but with next generation graphics. Final Fantasy VII is a prime example of this and, being a big fan myself, I would love to see this remade with no deviation or new content added to the storyline. Tomb Raider can get away with this as the storyline was not so central to the playability of the game. Though it makes the game more interesting, it does not sell it. Lara and her incredible use of guns, and her athletic abilities are what made this game an instant hit back in the 90's.
Or not...
The use of checkpoints helps you to get back to that problem area quickly and reduces the amount of time messing about with saves and re-doing all you had done before getting killed. But also it leaves you more willing to try something that might or might not lead to certain death. That ledge you're not quite sure you will reach all of a sudden becomes a gamble you're a lot more willing to take.
As I said earlier these changes that move the game away from the original are not bad though, nearly everything about this game is a vast improvement or additional feature that makes the game that much better.
Pros/Cons
Pros
Conclusion
TRA in itself has captured the essence of the original with the level design by making them all have the same features the original levels did. Sometimes you're left scratching your head wondering what to do next. I'm actually at one of these points myself but I don't want to read a walkthrough to find the solution, I'm a bit of a stubborn player like that. The other trait of Tomb Raider is to die several times trying to figure out solutions to the many puzzles littered around the levels, and doesn't deter you from playing because every time you have a sudden idea about how to do it, which can quite a few times end up with you being dead again!
Now I am faced with an unusual angle on this as I could almost see TRA and Tomb Raider as 2 different games. Yet I am ever demanding of high quality graphics and welcome any remakes with an open mind, so would actually be tempted more so by TRA than the original. Although the original was a classic to be remembered I shall not be re-visiting that anytime soon. TRA is a successful attempt to right all the wrongs of the original AND add a bucket load of new features in the process.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Many of the readers of this particular article will remember, of course, the original Tomb Raider. I doubt you've even be looking at TRA or any reviews if you hadn't already played the original. Tomb Raider was for lack of a better word, amazing, the game had puzzles, action, and story that was believable yet still took a bit of imagination.
The games industry seems to be doing what the music industry does all the time: re-releasing the classics instead of inventing new ideas. Now that statement in itself is flawed because the game is not only a graphical remake but also adds a lot of new features and puzzles, expanding on the great classic.
Graphics
Now one of the main reasons this game has been re-released is for vast graphical improvement. I can quite satisfactorily say that this is very much the case, with no more triangular body parts but highly detailed facial expressions (seen especially in the cut scenes, most of which are produced by the game engine). Even simple things like being covered in water after going for a dip with Lara's clothes looking waterlogged, it shows how much the boys and girls at Eidos are trying.
Let's get physical!
The physics are brilliant, jumping and general movement are a lot more lifelike, when Lara falls great distances, her body uses ragdoll physics upon impact (not the best subject to use to emphasise this but it's only a game), and so do the various animals you fight against during your adventure. The water looks very good apart from some waves which look unusual from a distance.
The simple things in life...
A game can truly have so many little features that you don't notice for quite a while (and when these culminate into one big feature it's extremely impressive). A prime example in TRA is the fire effects. In one room, there are several platforms with towers in the middle, which are used to gain access to various coves within the room itself. Once a certain switch has been activated these platforms become fire traps, activating on timers. After falling off one of the platforms to escape certain death, I noticed that the entire room has an ambient light from the flames. This light dies down when the fires go out in between bursts and comes back up again when the flames are visible.
High resolution textures, player models, and general lighting/smoke effects make this game one to play as it is pure eye candy yet does not seem as hardware hungry as some of the other games out on the market. While it still requires a good spec PC to run full detail, it's not as high as games like Tiberium Wars or Rainbow Six: Las Vegas, both of which are also reviewed on BNW.
System Requirements
1.4 GHz Processor
256mb RAM
100% compatible DirectX 9.0c 64mb Graphics Card
Audio
Voice casting for TRA seems to have been done pretty well as Lara sounds similar to the previous voice actor (and there have been a few of them) and other people like Larson sound like the no brain muscle for hire they are. Pierre does sound a tad too French though, and in a game like Tomb Raider I think it does lower the quality of it, but only by a tad.
As ever there is some brilliantly appropriate music to accompany the maps and this sometimes does give you a second or two heads up on any incoming attackers as the music can kick in before you see them but if anything this can help game play and the attackers are quick to appear. Upon entering new areas the eerily calm background music gives you the feeling it's anything but. But also in the same respect it can tell you that you have little to fear and it's surprising how game music can give you an indication of this. I'm not sure if a lot of other players pick up on this but generally for me it seems to be the case.
Gameplay
The game itself replicates and then extends the original in so many ways, but you still get that familiar feeling when you walk into a room and the animals that attacked you in the original will still be in TRA too. The enemies themselves have a rage attack that allows them to charge at you, which you can then avoid by using the dodge function. Though depending which way you dive you may still end up getting hit.
The trick on the original Tomb Raider, to beat the enemy, was to get up on a ledge or climb up something and shoot them as you stood in relative safety. That is not an option here as the animals will disappear out of sight, though I doubt an animal would have that kind of intelligence it does make for interesting gameplay as you can't always find a good spot and climb onto it to make the combat easier. It seems in TRA that you have to fight properly and with the rage feature the monsters are difficult to defeat. But when you're using the new movement system instead of the rigid style of the original, combat is instantly made easier along with general movement.
Movement
The movement system itself is amazingly updated and gives you much more freedom with the player, and objects that can be manipulated within the environment. Much smaller steps can be taken and jumps are a lot easier to perform than previously, making general gameplay a breeze in comparison. The old style of control left players annoyed, but at the same time this was something that made you remember the game. That awkward basic control actually made the game difficult, and the inclusion of all new puzzles help to re-establish the balance of difficult gameplay.
Expanding further on the movement system is the inclusion of the grapple, which allows you to wall-run and swing from one balcony to another, provided there is something to grapple onto. This also means you can jump out and grab onto ropes or other dangling lifelines. The use of pole swinging can make for some interesting level obstacles when used with slopes to make some fast button bashing action. Lara can now balance on poles as well as shimmy up and down them.
The beautiful...Lara Croft!
Yes Lara was admired by many male gamer back in the day and is still now. But looking back doesn't it alarm you that you could think such a low level of detail and model design could make you so appealed? Obviously at the time she looked fantastic because they were high end graphics, but even then you took the Michael out of her pyramid shaped chest and square shaped body. Lara has visually improved with every Tomb Raider released and now is the latest and greatest addition on TRA. But let's not forget that Lara was the first game centred on a heroine, and not a hero.
Since her appearance onto the gaming scene she has encouraged developers all over the world to imagine new, exciting stories with women as the centre role, and in today's society I think this is brilliant. Lara Croft has changed the face of the gaming industry, spawning not only several computer games but also two very successful films starring the gorgeous Angelina Jolie.
What's that coming over the hill...?
One of the only slightly unusual things about the game is, for example, fighting the T Rex on level 3. Every Tomb Raider fan will remember this and how you used to be able to hide in a small cave, wait for the T Rex to move away or just blast as it stands there hopelessly trying to get to you. This is not possible on TRA as there is a cut scene, and then after pressing some buttons to dodge the escaping raptors, you are in what could be described as an arena. The T Rex takes quite a beating and is a lot more difficult to defeat this time round which is good, but also I find the circular pit you find yourself stuck in poses little opportunity in terms of fighting style other than shoot, dodge, shot dodge. This is somewhat annoying in the sense that Tomb Raider is usually more than just gun and run, however this remains, for the most part, an isolated incident.
Storyline
Recap
Those of you who have played many games since back in the day might need a quick recap. The game starts with a cut scene of a UFO crashing in the middle of the desert and the shape of a winged humanoid escaping the crystalline wreckage and flying away. Then we are taken to Lara, who receives a message brought to her courtesy of Larson, the not too bright henchman of Jacqueline Natla, owner of Natla Technologies. Her research team have discovered the location of the Tomb of Qualopec in Vilcabamba. Lured by her obsession with treasure hunting Miss Croft has no problem accepting the offer and sets on the journey to discover the first piece of the Scion.
Sticking to Tradition
The people at Eidos have not deviated far from the original game's plot. You still come across the same characters and the levels are similar, but they have given the game new life by adding more puzzles in other areas without being detrimental to the story itself. Although it's very similar, cut scenes aren't reproduced word for word and don't pan out exactly as they did in the first, which is good because the game is being sold on the idea that its so much more than a remake and I couldn't argue with that. The game could be its own. Some games when remade should be left untouched, and there are quite a few us gamers would like to see remade exactly as before but with next generation graphics. Final Fantasy VII is a prime example of this and, being a big fan myself, I would love to see this remade with no deviation or new content added to the storyline. Tomb Raider can get away with this as the storyline was not so central to the playability of the game. Though it makes the game more interesting, it does not sell it. Lara and her incredible use of guns, and her athletic abilities are what made this game an instant hit back in the 90's.
Or not...
The use of checkpoints helps you to get back to that problem area quickly and reduces the amount of time messing about with saves and re-doing all you had done before getting killed. But also it leaves you more willing to try something that might or might not lead to certain death. That ledge you're not quite sure you will reach all of a sudden becomes a gamble you're a lot more willing to take.
As I said earlier these changes that move the game away from the original are not bad though, nearly everything about this game is a vast improvement or additional feature that makes the game that much better.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- All the fun of the original Tomb Raider but updated for 2007
- New controls mean greater gameplay, causing less frustration
- Includes new content without ruining the brilliance of the original
- Lara looks as good as ever
- The T Rex fight drags on a bit
Conclusion
TRA in itself has captured the essence of the original with the level design by making them all have the same features the original levels did. Sometimes you're left scratching your head wondering what to do next. I'm actually at one of these points myself but I don't want to read a walkthrough to find the solution, I'm a bit of a stubborn player like that. The other trait of Tomb Raider is to die several times trying to figure out solutions to the many puzzles littered around the levels, and doesn't deter you from playing because every time you have a sudden idea about how to do it, which can quite a few times end up with you being dead again!
Now I am faced with an unusual angle on this as I could almost see TRA and Tomb Raider as 2 different games. Yet I am ever demanding of high quality graphics and welcome any remakes with an open mind, so would actually be tempted more so by TRA than the original. Although the original was a classic to be remembered I shall not be re-visiting that anytime soon. TRA is a successful attempt to right all the wrongs of the original AND add a bucket load of new features in the process.
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Name: Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary Publisher: Eidos Developer: Crystal Dynamics |
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Audio: 90% Gameplay: 95% Graphics: 90% Lifespan: 80% Overall: 90% |
