Tomb Raider: Legend (Xbox, 2006)

It has been quite a few years since the last Tomb Raider game was released. Anybody who is a fan of the series can relate to how Angel of Darkness was a huge disappointment by Core's last attempt at a Tomb Raider title. With Crystal Dynamics developing the latest Tomb Raider, a lot was riding on the new title and the series itself. Luckily, CD does not disappoint and brings Tomb Raider back to its roots (the new Lara is also much visually pleasing than the old one). Visually, TRL is beautiful on all the consoles. Reflection, shadow, water, etc effects are done nicely. Game play wise, TRL delivers about 80% adventure and 20% action. The gamer will spend most of their time with leaping from vines, poles, to solving puzzles and challenges to continue on, to short elements of driving on a motorcycle, to third person shooting elements giving a satisfying change of pace. There are also elements of interactive in game cut sequences much like Resident Evil 4. As you would expect, the gamer must press certain buttons in time to complete out the scene, and overall is implemented very well giving a sense of nostalgia to that of Resident Evil 4. Overall, the challenges vary nicely, and keep the gamer coming back for more.

Sound effects are done nicely, and the music fits the environment well. The only problem is if you have a mono or stereo television you might need to turn the sound up more to hear the music that is playing in the background as it is muted much more to amplify all the in game sound effects. The game itself has many unlockables (from cheats, costumes, and other elements), and tons of reply value. The only problem with the game is that it is rather short, and can be finished anywhere from 3-9 hours. However, with three different difficulties and a ton of unlockables, help make up for the shortcomings. Overall, Tomb Raider: Legend speaks for itself as a great game. Speaking for myself, I am not a Tomb Raider fan but fell in love with this game very quickly. This should be taken into account for anyone in the casual and hardcore gaming scenes who have never been into Tomb Raider, as it is a great beginning to get into the series. I hope that in a positive light, Crystal Dynamics will continue this trend.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider "Legend" has been around for a while now and I had previously finished the game on the PlayStation2 platform. By now, you've (if anyone actually reads these things!)experienced the controls that actually work and the flawless framerate and all which is all thanks to Crystal Dynamics and Eidos, for dumping Core, as the "developers", a move which was long overdue. ANYWAY... I was able to get a great deal on Ebay for an XBOX version of the game, just in time for both the game and the platform to be rendered obsolete by the relentless march of time and technology! So, I have to tell you: I can't see any real improvement in the graphics, there may be one but not much of one. Sound quality is definately improved and the controls are way better! They seem to be more intuitive so therefore easier to manipulate. Weird, when one thinks how this series of games have been more or less developed for Playstation all of these years. If you're game playing is on a budget, as is mine, then Ebay, and a little patience, is a great way to extend the life of your videogaming consoles which have been left behind by the manufacturers... if not the fans!

We are tomb raider fans from the begining...and this one is great...Lara looks beautiful and the controls are great! It has multiple levels of difficulty and I still haven't found all of the secrets after playing thru twice! You will love it! (ps...I am a 45 year old female and got it for my birthday!)

Lara Croft is back. This is a game like no other. The grahics are awsome, and the control is so much easier then before. It has many twists, and revels some stuff into Lara's past. You can get over 6 different weapons, inculding her costamary pistols, UG112, Desert Eagle, grenade lancher, and sub machine gun. You can scale the world on 7 different level, with at least 30 hours of game play(20 if you are an advanced gamer). You can collect artifacts, and drive motorcyles and jeeps. I HIGHLY recommened this game....So what do you say...Are you a Tomb Raider???

For many years my Oldest son & I have spent time together playing Video Games. During these Years we have become addicted to Lara Croft!!! We have bought all the Tomb Raiders & enjoyed many hours of trying to get through them. But I will tell you, I felt this game was a waste of money. Cool Graphics & all. But way to short. We only play 1 hour a day & we take turns during the hour. This took us 4 Days!!! 4...! I was so disapointed!