Lara Croft Kicks Ass Again

Tomb Raider

[easyreview cat1title=”Tomb Raider” cat1rating=4]

PS3 (Rs. 2499), Xbox 360 (Rs. 2499), PC (Rs.999)

Square-Enix

The latest entry in the Tomb Raider series does a few things differently. Some of these are apparent such as Lara Croft now sporting a realistically proportioned chest and others come to light after a few hours in. Such as the fact that the combat is varied and the story a cut above your average video game fare.

You play Lara Croft, pre-days of fame and possible plastic surgery, trapped on an island with not-so-hospitable residents looking to sacrifice your friends. Though the gist of it seems rather run-of-the-mill, there’s enough mysticism and action to keep it going.  

This however, doesn’t allow the nice folks at Crystal Dynamics to get away with having a few characters that are blatant stereotypes for your stranded on an island adventure, ranging from your token skeevy TV celeb to the snarky geek. At times, it feels a little too familiar.

But familiarity isn’t always a bad thing. The combat takes the best from hallowed franchises such as Gears of War and Uncharted and makes it better. Lara automatically and instinctively moves behind cover to avoid enemy fire and the gunplay is satisfying, thanks to slick controls and fantastic animation.

While on the topic of instincts, there’s a mode for that as well. Borrowing from Batman and Hitman: Absolution, a tap of a button allows Lara to see her surroundings in black and white with the necessary clues needed to progress being highlighted. However, it’s executed in such a way that you’re never completely dependent on it so as to hamper your view of the game’s fantastic graphics.

On the whole, Tomb Raider is a solid reboot for a franchise that desperately needed one. It’s gritty, smart and most importantly entertaining. A game you’d do well not to miss out on.