Tomb Raider Legend (XBox 360)

Tomb Raider 1, way back in the PS1 days was nothing short of astonishing, in a way was Sony's answer to Mario 64. Mario was Nintendo's mascot, and Lara Croft became Sony's.

But for it's time the first 3 Tomb Raider games were brilliant, really bringing alive that Indiana Jones feeling, and were unchallenged in it's sense of gameplay.

However, times have changed. Anyone who remembers Angel of Darkness on PS2 probably won't have many happy memories of it, because it was nothing compared to the older games.

And now Lara has gone multiformat, and we have Tomb Raider on XBox 360, but is it any good?

Well firstly, I should point out this is more or less the same game as Tomb Raider Legends on PS2 and Gamecube, although it's had some next-gen graphics slapped onto it, and as such the graphics are a little disappointing. But having said that the game does look fantastic no matter which version you have; it's just the 360 version could have been so much better.

Nagging aside, this is a new look, and new feel Tomb Raider. As the name Legends might suggest, it is a back to basics taking Lara right back where she belongs, Tombs! Although there are a few non-tomb related stages, they are good enough, and if nothing else at least add a bit of variety to the game. There are also a number of motorbike sections which I felt were pretty bad, especially considering I loved the vehicles from the earlier games. The bikes just feel too loose to control, and the stages are far to linear. It's almost literally just go in a straight line and not much fun to do along it. But thankfully the usual running and jumping is right back where it belongs, but I'm still not convinced it's enough.

Granted, Lara now has more moves than ever, and there are some brilliantly put together sequences to keep you on your toes, but if you've played any of the games from the Prince of Persia trilogy, you'll always feel a little restricted, as these are both very similar games in what they're trying to do. PoP offers so much more freedom in how you control your character.

Another change that works is the combat. It's not brilliant, but neither is it a chore. There should have been far more weapons, but the lock-on system works well, and the last melee weapon you find is brilliant fun. (I won't spoil it as it's a fairly major part in the story).

And the story is actually quite good. It is much better than I would have expected, and it has a hint of the Tomb Raider movies (especially Lara's mansion), and some of the cut scenes have Resident Evil 4 and Shenmue inspired action sequences, where you must press whatever button flashes on screen to have Lara pull off some stunt and stay alive. If you fail then Lara falls to her death or is crushed or impaled etc. It's a nice touch and gives the game some character.

Finally, although I thought all the levels were good (disregarding the motorbike sections) it ends way too quickly, with only a Time Trial section as a reward, and then you realise that these seemingly huge levels can actually be finished fairly quickly, and after that you'll start to forget about it.

So at the very least this makes a great rental, or at least try to find it cheap second hand, because good as it is, and a great return for the Tomb Raider series it still has some issues that need improving, and it's way too short, but it's great while it lasts.

Tomb Raider Legend is worth a dabble and definitely recommended, but hire out the game and save your dough.

One of the very first software titles I bought for the original Playstation One was the first 'Tomb Raider' game and I was hooked immediately! Each subsequent version was eagerly anticipated and purchased within a few days of release.

That was until the previous two titles. I felt that the game was getting too clever, too elaborate and darting from one global position to the next. The essential premise as far as I was concerned was that Lara Croft was at heart a 'Tomb Raider' and I began to question why precisely she was standing atop a warehouse in Venice or shuffling along the ledge of downtown New York. Ultimately, I got bored.

When I heard that 'Legend' was going to be available for the 360 I began to wonder whether it might be worth a go, but it wasn't until my girlfriend's brother (a graphic designer) started marvelling at the pre-shots and waxing lyrical about the proposed scenarios that I decided to look a little closer.

The main thing to note is that Legend addresses many of the complaints that Tomb Raider aficionados had been grumbling about for a long time. Lara Croft is placed right back into the framework of an adventure worthy of Indiana Jones.

Although I have only managed to play the game for a short period of time (approximately 2hrs) I was impressed and felt that this version rekindled my original excitement and curiosity, which I hadn't felt playing Tomb Raider games for a very long time!

Lara Croft herself is blessed with more moves than I can even begin to describe here. The graphics relating to her are very neat and precise, although in essence rather more cartoon than being based on any particular character or actress. For those who are interested in these minor details, her chest size seems to have been up'd slightly and she hasn't lost that little wiggle!

The new and improved Lara is by far the best representation of feisty, butt kicking womanhood to date! She is impish and cute, cunning and brutal all in one - this from a bundle of computer generated pixels! What I am really trying to say however is that Lara Croft is a games character you can instantly recognise and Eidos have been mindful of this.

The video cut shots are still there, however I don't think they detract greatly from the game play. There were the odd instances when I was in the middle of a particular move and up popped a video, which was a tad irritating, but no more than in any other Tomb Raider game. They are however more informative and due to the clarity of the graphics you benefit greatly from the additional information.

You begin the game with an introductory sequence. Lara Croft (as a child) and her mother are inboard a plane, which suddenly catches fire and nosedives into the snow covered mountains...fast forward a few years and you are in the present guiding Lara Croft up the mountain face in what becomes the obligatory "training ground" sequence all Tomb Raider fans endure!

I wish that Eidos considered an option to skip these training grounds for anyone familiar with the controls, but the truth is that this game differs so greatly (in terms of Lara's movements and controls) that in this instance it is essential.

You progress up a gorge cut into the mountain side towards a hidden temple buried amongst piles of stones and boulders.

Through this particular part of the game you are still really learning new moves and abilities (such as using a grappling hook to swing over large gaps).

One excellent feature of this particular title is that you can click on menu and save at any point you desire, rather than having (like some previous games) certain objects or areas where you are allowed to save. There appears to be no limitation, but I noticed when scrolling through the 360 dashboard details that it actually tells you how many times you have saved this game in progress!

I personally don't care whether I come across as paranoid and save each time I perform a particularly difficult section or task, yet some may feel it detracts from their ability to complete games with the minimum of save points. What infuriated me in some versions of the game was the inability to save after completing a very long, step-by-step sequence only to be put right back to square one and repeating the process over and over! Thank goodness for the unlimited save function!

All of the key elements of the original Tomb Raider titles have been returned to form, yet don't be fooled into believing that you are just getting a rehash of a title you've played previously. There is enough in the short section I have played through to satisfy my passion for the Tomb Raider series, yet I got that old 'what's around the next corner' feeling which I have felt lacked in the last couple of titles which left me feeling 'I just want to end this as quickly as possible'.

Graphically I cannot fault the game play at all, the video sequence was pretty standard fair and doesn't appear to be as detailed as the 360 could possibly have achieved had it been pushed to do so. In game however the textures, mapping and colouration is very well produced.

In my opinion, with the little I have seen, this looks and feels as good as any of the 'good' Tomb Raider series I have played in the past. It is possible that Eidos have settled down again after the frustration caused by the hype. There was a time that I personally felt that the games just got too cluttered and less interesting.

A back to basics policy seems to be in play here and paying off!

What you can't call basic however is the overall feeling of richness and smoothness (No 50-60Hz judder issues to relate!)

For me this software title is reason enough to purchase a 360. There have been a number of good titles to recently hit the shelf (after a rather slow start software wise). but this is excellent. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this became a 10/10 reviewed title and it drew some 360 sceptics into the fold.

Brilliant! Welcome back Lara Croft!