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Tomb Raider Anniversary Review (continued)
More User Submitted Tomb Raider Anniversary Reviews
Date: 2007-06-15
Won't disappoint!
As a rabid TR fan, I had to have this game the instant it went on the shelves. I knew that it could go either way, meaning that it could be either really good, or really bad.
And damn, is it good.
Eidos and Core have reinvented an old classic into something so much more sophisticated. It's action-packed, challenging, and pulse-pounding. "The Lost Valley," an iconic level, is even more exciting with the T-Rex being a full blown-out boss battle.
The graphics are absolutely top-notch. Several details have been added to Lara as she progresses through each level, such as her clothes getting dirty. Once wet, she slowly dries.
Lara's new abilities do reflect Prince of Persia, such as wall-running and column-climbing, but seeing as I am also a rabid PoP fan, I can't complain.
There really isn't much to complain about, either. Lara's cool new moves are constantly integrated into the gameplay as though they were always there.
Overall, this truly is a five-star game.
Don't miss it!
Date: 2007-06-14
Be prepared to have sore, bleeding, fingers...
I think it's so awful how this game comes in having to be redone to fill in the lack of serious true adventure games. It just proves Tomb Raider is really one of the best long lasting adventure games ever and I was more than honored to play this bad boy keeping up over these 11 years. This is a serious game, no holding hands like TR: Legend. Either you got the guts or you don't in this one. Thankfully after dying numerous times, pain stakingly finding all the rewards (except time trials), and dying another round of times, I found that in five days I had the guts as I completed this hardheaded game pounding in the last four levels in one longggggggggg night of terror. Terror that's all worth it and fun.
First get used to the controls. I started feeling like Lara was too loose, too fast, I had her all over the place until I finally got back control and saw how fluid she really was. You can do just about anything in this game.
The fighting is pulse pounding. You're literally IN on the action. There's not leaping sideways or away or backwards. You leap, you pause a moment of shooting. I had wolves GRAB my arm and try to drag me away. I had demon spawns shoot down on me and try to lift me away. Beware though that in fighting the camera can get jumbled up if space is tight and you're against a wall. But the sound of the pistols, the music, and the provided action letting you make the decisions on what to do is great. The BEST part of the fighting is the critical shots and the BEST battle is with the T-REX and the semi-final mutant blob of a boss. If anything, buy this game to fight the T-REX. I found myself pausing the game and cheering for Lara taking deep breathes after I killed him. It was so thrilling. Same with other enemies. You'll find yourself pleased with Lara and cheering her forward on her mission.
The enviornments are crazyyyyyy. There was so much work put into this game and it shows even for the PS2 I suppose. Lara's world is bright, dark, haunting, engaging, thrilling. Once you get to Eygpt, be prepared to die, die, die, and die again. I found this to be the most challenging level all the way through especially when I found myself in the dank trap ridden hallways (takes a breath). I'll also count this is the level I'd least like to repeat as for awhile it felt like it dragged on and on. Same with the race to get to the top where the Scion is located in the lost city inside the great pyramid. You will die, die, die, die, and die again while trying to grapple, time, and shoot your way to the top. SO MUCH FUN!
One of the things I liked MOST about this game is the story. You really get to know Lara in this one as it takes the original up four or five notches. It's filled in so many ways with her character development. I won't tell much however (watch Lara's expressions in the cut scenes), just get ready for a lot of smiles as you see Lara up close and personal. Even the bad guys are a lot of fun to watch come alive.
I noticed the most of the changes from the original to this edition. Some things are obvious and some aren't. Things are repositioned. Like instead of running to find the "gold-turning hand" in a remote part of Greece, it's actually been compacted along with the pool and several other things at the start. So there's a LOT less running around to room after room after room in this version. Everything is tightened up to make more room for new and exciting other things.
This game is fantastic. It put me through a lot and it's worth it. Now before I replay it I'll take a break then come back to enjoy it again. If anyone has any concerns about how TR games have been lately then just... I dunno... get over it. More than anything the series has progressed. It's moving forward and changing. Yes, Legends was short, pretty easy, and had way too many unisolated moments where it felt like a Tom Clancy game in my opinion (only because she's always shooting men). But the games have progressed and it's great to see more of Lara. After so long you questioning fans shouldn't give up. This game really takes you back to where it all started while moving forward to the next level of Tomb Raider.
Date: 2007-06-13
Anniversaries are never this good
1996 marked the arrival of the first, and highly influential, Tomb Raider, which introduced gamers to the Indiana Jones-esque heroine Lara Croft and marked one of the finest examples of true 3-D gameplay at the time. After a number of years, as well as a number of unremarkable sequels that really downplayed what the series was about in the first place, Crystal Dynamics and Eidos marked a return to form with last year's Tomb Raider: Legend, which brought the core gameplay back to it's roots. Now, to celebrate the release of the original Tomb Raider over a decade later, we get Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and be glad for it. A re-imagining of the original game using the Tomb Raider: Legend graphics engine, Anniversary finds Lara in her usual environment: various tombs scattered in exotic locales. While locating artifacts and gunning down baddies, you solve puzzles to progress through the game while engaging in some inventive platforming and acrobatics; all of which leads up to quite an explosive finale. There are plenty of new elements to go along with the classic gameplay, including a new adrenaline dodge and challenging, multi-layered puzzles. The graphics and textures look pretty good for a late in life PS2 game, and yes, Lara herself looks great as well, but there are a few noticable hiccups, especially noticed if played in Progressive Scan mode. That aside, the rest of Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a smashing homage/remake of the classic first installment that is surprisingly pretty flawless in it's delivery. Whether you are a casual or hardcore fan of the franchise, you should definitely consider picking up Tomb Raider: Anniversary.
Date: 2007-06-12
Yeah I love it
No the controls aren't perfect but I can't help but get so much joy out of this game. My heart warms every time I run into a familiar place from the first game and then I have to try and remember how I solved that particular puzzle. The AI is pretty brain dead. Who knew bears couldn't climb stairs? But still, turning corners and not knowing if their are wolves about to spring out at you, creates a lot of suspense that the first game had. And the graphics are just beautiful. The PS2 still has a lot of fight left in her!
Tomb Raider Legends had a lot of great elements that I missed in this game and I hope they will continue with that in the next Tomb Raider. But this is a remake of the first and I understand a lot of the choices they made.
The controls are pretty good. I can now jump to where I want to jump and not die like I did so many times in TR1. The problem is really with the camera which is sort of confusing because it was so good in Legends. Often times, the camera is way too close to Lara and you can't see if there are enemies after you. You have to constantly adjust it. It's a little annoying but nothing that would keep me from absoutely loving this game!
Graphics: 5.0
Sound: 5.0
Controls: 4.0
Fun Factor: 5.0
Date: 2007-06-12
The Best in the Series!
As a diehard TR fan, I have been waiting for this game forever. Now, as I have played this game for hours, I have discovered that I am not disappointed.
"Anniversary" is an enhanced remake of TRI, the game that started it all - only now, levels are huge, the A.I. is amazing, the detailing and textures are incredible, and the storyline is perfect. It is the best in the series and has helped revive the dying franchise, opening the door for newer and better games with improved engines and ultra-realistic gameplay. TRIV was good, but the series began to die then and was killed with "The Angel of Darkness". TR Legend reopened possibilities, and Anniversary gives us a satisfying way to spend hours while we wait for Tomb Raider VIII.
In the meantime... I think I'll buy the original and play it alongside the PS2 version of "Anniversary"!
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