A survivor is Born!
So this game has been out for quite some time now, in fact the Definitive edition was released at the start of this year. I have really enjoyed many of the tomb raider games over the years, from the early days on the ps1 right through to the Anniversary game on the ps2. However I felt that by Underworld it was really getting outdated as a series. This prequel game has rebooted it, and has shot it to the heights of my favourite series once more!
Really there aren’t really any aspects of this game that I whole heartedly dislike. I did find that while going back on free play that there are certain flags and sea mines that are just a faff to find but while it makes for a frustrating afternoon of exploring areas over and over, ultimately it really isn’t that bad. That conveniently sets me up to talk of one of the best aspects of this game. The world in which it is set. I mean really this game isn’t free roam as there are set points that cannot be moved between without fast travel but while playing the story I didn’t even notice. Every area comes with it’s own mix of animals and enemies to plough down with the small but very varied armoury. The Bow will forever hold a place in my heart but the rifle, shotgun and of course the iconic Tomb Raider handgun are used to great effect in the game play (there are even nods to the iconic double pistol use). There is also a climbing axe which you can use as a melee weapon for close quarters combat but that is an unlockable skill set. That is another great thing about this game the way you learn skills means that there is a degree of personal style to be imposed although once you get through to the later levels everyone will end up with the full skill set. That having been said there is still room for personal flair. While there are definite uses for some of the weapons (for example the shotgun is used to breakthrough barricades) whether you use the rifle, bow, handgun or shotgun in combat is largely up to you. I must admit to somewhat neglecting my shotgun; which I felt very foolish for doing once watching my girlfriend killing the enemies I struggled with, with just one or two shots from the shotgun… yeah.
The story line is interesting if a little slow at first, ad the characters as a whole are fairly intricate (all but Whitman!). Lara herself is convincingly young while you can see glimmers of what she is to become. It really does’t seem to bother her much that she is killing quite a few people but hey I guess it is kill or be killed right! I don’t really want to go into detail about the story itself because really you should find it out for yourself! The tombs of this game are another minor blip in this game. They are on occasion fiddly and truly irritating (as I am talking about you “Hall of Ascension”!! But I do get the feeling that the tombs really aren’t the point of this game and in fact I’m not sure I would have questioned them not being there…. although the name may have been a problem. The overwhelming positive of this game (for me at least) was the level of involvement I felt while playing. At the begging I was jumping when a dear ran across my path but by the end I was all like “yeah bring it on you big Samuria man!” (minor spoiler there sorry but nothing too big I promise). I liked the fact that I wet through that journey of growth with Lara and by the end I really did feel emotional (not in a weeping of the floor kind of way) almost like a sense of closure. That having been said I did shed a tear or two when a certain someone dies. Also on a side note why would you leave that note there! Why would you do that Eidos! If you have played it and found all the documents you will know which one I mean! Also find a jumper Lara it is cold!! Sorry rant over.
In short play this game if you are at all into that kind of thing. I got my copy for £10 second hand so it won’t break the bank and will really be worth your while! The infinitive edition supposedly offers a massive jump in graphic quality as well as some new content I believe. But that obviously comes at a cost and is only available on next gen consoles.
I will leave you with the main theme from the soundtrack- ‘A survivor is born’ with the trailer visual playing in thee background:
Also a link to a video with all the cut scenes and story stuff for those of you who don’t want to or can’t play but fancy watching a longish Tomb raider film (alas no Angelina Jolie): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSkTAbbXKfc
Traineetimelord 