Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2738 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Eidos
• Released on: 2007-05-29
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Platform: Windows XP

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It may have sold 30 million copies worldwide, but before the release of Tomb Raider: Legend last year it looked like Lara Croft was ending her video game career in disgrace. Thankfully the new game was exactly the reboot that the series needed, instantly reminding everyone why they loved it (and Lara) so much in the first place. So to mark the tenth anniversary of the first game (actually 2007 is the eleventh anniversary, but who’s counting?) Eidos are releasing this special remake of the first game in the series, using an enhanced version of the graphics engine from Tomb Raider: Legend.

Although the game does feature the same basic settings and levels as the original, this isn’t just the same game with better graphics. Most of the levels are larger, with many new paths and areas to explore. They’re also much more interactive, with Lara using many of the same moves and gadgets she demonstrated in Tomb Raider: Legend, including a grappling hook and a greater variety of weapons. The story has been expanded too, but it does keep the same basic structure with more animal enemies than the later games, including the infamous encounter with a tyrannosaurs rex. Instead of just running straight at you mindlessly, the enemies have also been given much better artificial intelligence than previously.

The new graphics are still the most obvious change but the new fluid movement of Lara is a world away from the awkward grid based system used in the old games. Indeed this should be the first video game remake to actually prove itself as something more than just a cheap cash-in.
HARRISON DENT

Manufacturer's Description:
In 1996, the original Tomb Raider was launched. The 3D game design, controls and graphics were truly ground breaking for their time. Furthermore, gamers were also presented with a unique, female human playable character with whom they could become emotionally attached, Lara Croft. The original Tomb Raider sold over seven million copies and is still heralded as an absolute classic and one of the best action adventure games ever. Tomb Raider defined the PlayStation and changed the way that people played games.

In tribute to this and to celebrate and commemorate the continuing development of the Tomb Raider franchise and its central character, Crystal Dynamics are developing a new Tomb Raider adventure for Lara. Inspired by the original Tomb Raider video game; Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary faithfully preserves the elements which made the original Tomb Raider game such a classic.

Using an enhanced ‘Tomb Raider: Legend’ game engine, the graphics, technology and physics bring Lara’s adventure and pursuit of a mystical artefact known only as the Scion right up to today’s technology standards and will offer gamers a completely new gameplay experience.

STORY OVERVIEW:
Tomb Raider follows the adventures of Lara Croft after she is hired by a powerful syndicate to retrieve a mythical object called the Scion. After discovering that she has been used as a pawn in some larger scheme, Lara takes matters into her own hands deciding that she must uncover the mystery behind this ancient artefact.

Customer Reviews

Choose the right controller
As a player of tomb raider since it was first released on a pc I have always used the keyboard to control Lara, on the later games this has become more difficult and spoiled the game since they moved away from the block grid approach.

Changing to a USB gamepad has been a revelation. Controlling Lara is much more intuitive and allows you to enjoy the game once more. They have brought back the feeling of isolation and the tricky puzzles in 'Anniversary'. Graphics and music/ effects are top quality. Gone are the annoying chats with your 'support crew' and 'bad guy shoot outs'...for the most part anyway.(A demo of the game is also available online if you want to have a try before you buy).

It's just you and the Tomb.....

Lara mixes Retro and modern
After the slight dissapointment of Legend, mainly that you could finish it in 15 hours, TR:Ann needs a lot to impress and lara does it in spades. Having only played so far (the end of the 1st Peru level) I can tell you that the PC version is gorgeous (not DX10, but the best 9C has to offer), the control system is fluid and easy to handle, the puzzles range from jumping, looking for ledges and ways to get from A to B and some back tracking, but gone are the box moving after box moving affairs.

To be honest, I cant see that much of a graphical change, its the Legend engine, less the bugs. Yes, this game has been polished and sleeked so bright and clean it shines in the dark. CD have really done well.

The game itself has all the old places (what ive seen so far).. the fantastic City of Vilcabimba, The lost Valley (Jurassic Park Anyone) amd St Francis Folly to name a few and yes Kurtis Trent, Pierre du Pont and Natla are back, but in shiny 3D glory as are the Gorillas, Lions, wolves and various monsters that inhabit the tombs that Lara traverses to find parts of the mysterious Scion.

Basically, I love this game because CD have done a fantastic job and deserve praise for ironing out the bugs that plagued the short and million times done before lame non-coherent knights templar, king arthur plot of Legend.

So, go get it and relive that year when Tomb Raider wow'd us all with its unique 3rd person view point, puzzl swinging glory and if your too young to remember, go and check out what we older gamers were all on about and where the ideas for your 3rd person PC/Console games originally came from.

Have fun and live the legend that is Tomb Raider.

What Tomb Raider was always about
Those that accused the makers of losing the real essence of what Tomb raider was before it became a megastar rejoice.
From what I've played so far they've kept the fluidity of the last outing and mixed it with the puzzle's of yesteryear. The result is a much harder and enjoyable experience.
The AI of the creatures hasn't been top notch - so it's true to the original too!
The sound and graphics are top-notch, although not using the DX10 muscle yet (boo!)
Favourite game of the year to-date.