Hands On With Lara

Few franchises are so vaunted that a single word can conjure a chain of memories a decade long, but utter the name Lara to a gamer, and that's exactly what you produce. At one time revolutionary, another legendary, for a bit obscure, and now revealed again in all her substantial glory.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider™ LEGEND marks the first arrival of the vivacious heroine on Xbox and Xbox 360, and it couldn't have come at a better time. The series has been rejuvenated under the development care of Crystal Dynamics. What follows here is a long time fan's first impressions.

Loving the grapple.

Model and Movement
First things first—Lara is, as always, easy on the eyes, but gone is the plastic model look of previous incarnations. Though still retaining the signature look, Lara appears more athletic, and some of the more ridiculous proportions have been appropriately scaled back … I could say more, but let's just leave it at that.

Nearly every classic platforming element has been
tweaked to become more natural or more dramatic.

More important than the character model is the fluid animation apparent with her every move. Though capable of some truly spectacular acrobatics in the past, each back flip, somersault, ledge shimmy, and leap across a chasm is now performed with what may best be termed "grace." Lara has always looked the part, but now watching each movement offers its own reward.

Svelte but powerful.

Embracing Her Roots
The danger of any long-living franchise is saddling itself with unnecessary features, but longtime fans of the Tomb Raider series can rejoice in the fact that Tomb Raider LEGEND is a lean, mean, action/platforming machine. The game reminds you what made the franchise great, but better yet, while it brings back the "feel" of the original titles, it revolutionizes the control and mechanics involved. Nearly every classic platforming element has been tweaked to become more natural, or more dramatic:

• Leaping across to a ridge may trigger a button reflex mini-game to hang on.
• You can now move around a corner when shimmying across a ledge, allowing for more natural platforming formations.
• When grabbing hold of an object to push or pull, you no longer have to disengage at any time to move it in a new direction. Simply pull it around and push it wherever it needs to go.
• In-game cinematics sometimes utilize reflex mini-games to influence the animation and outcome of the scene.
• Lara's jump-flip move over an enemy now turns to slow motion for more dramatic effect, and allows time to target enemies with her dual handguns.
• Environmental hazards are highlighted, allowing alternate ways to eliminate enemies. For example, you may see a rock formation above a group of enemies unaware of Lara's presence. Instead of firing a shot at one and alerting the rest, you can tap Y to shatter the rocks and bury the whole group.

Can't I raid in peace?

Classic Brain Teasers
The mind-bending puzzles the Tomb Raider series is known for are also in full force, but again, like everything else, they're more refined than ever. Detailed mini-cinematics offer an intelligent look at each forthcoming puzzle.

Pay attention to this first look and you're already a long way towards completing the puzzle. The puzzles are based far more in logic than in the past. Using the game's physics engine naturally often cracks the problem. Lara also has at her disposal a scanner which helps identify the purposes of different puzzle elements.

The Feel
All the gameplay refinement in the world won't make a Tomb Raider game tick unless it nails the presentation as well. However, with the spot-on voicework, the classic globe-trotting story, the supernatural elements, the highly exotic locales, the level design, the bevy of available costumes, the ability to visit and explore Lara's infamous manor, the treasure/artifacts you collect … I could go on and on. There are dozens of little touches that simply scream Tomb Raider, and the ambience is pitch perfect.

Article by Ryan Treit