Tomb Raider: Anniversary (PSP)

Tomb Raider was the way forward in 1996. Everything about the game was revolutionary; the gameplay, the graphics, the story, the heroine that would go on to become the most identifiable icon in the gaming industry. It was critically acclaimed and sold millions, and I HATED it!!

It was the opposite of what I felt a game should be, what was about, at the time was mario, sonic, street fighter 2; games that were fun, colorful and, well... not very challenging. Even the more mature gaming titles of the day like goldeneye, doom etc. were nothing like this, nowhere near as difficult as this, or as frustrating. So my first venture into lara's world lasted about half an hour before i threw the disc across the room never to be played again.

However, as other games came to catch up with the idea that challenging is the way forward, the way to capture your target audience Metal gear solid, resident evil, splinter cell), my opinion of games started to change (5 years behind everyone else on the planet, but better late than never.) I went back to Lara, this time on the Ps2, and realized just how wrong i'd been.

This game, and the others in the series are among the best games ever made on any console. They have their flaws and of the many entries in the series there are one or two sub par games, but even these are engaging, challenging and will entertain you for hours.

This is the best of the lot, though; and that is high praise. This version of tomb raider is almost the perfect game; the graphics are great on the PSP, the game is polished and looks great, the levels are vast and beautifully detailed,the gameplay is exciting and addictive, the puzzles are difficult enough to get you frustrated and scratching your head at times, but its the reward of figuring it out for yourself that has always been at the heart of what makes TR a truly great series. Also, the story in TR anniversary is the strongest of any TR so far.

My only complaint is the controls can sometimes be dodgy, near ledges where you are required to jump to a pole it will sometimes go for the opposite of what you were aiming for and you may find yourself on a ladder to the left or right where you intended to be and having to retrace your steps. This gets more annoying as you tackle harder traps within the game. The same applies to the gunplay, if you have a static target on your screen that needs you to shoot it to progress this becomes Lara's target if you are facing it, even when in the middle of a fight with some hellish bad guy.

As annoying as these control glitches can be they are not very often, and while I have taken a star away from my rating due to the glitches, they are a small irritation in what is otherwise an excellent game.

If you like adventure games and have a PSP then you need this game! Its as simple as that. Spending many hours in the company of the queen of games, what are you waiting for?

There's an interesting story regarding the development of Tomb Raider Anniversary, a remake of the 1996 PSone game, Tomb Raider. In 2006 the game was originally gonna be developed by Core Design who made the PSone Tomb Raiders, suggesting that Eidos were prepared to give Core another chance after the disastrous Angel Of Darkness game.

Then the project was cancelled. Then a few days later Eidos said the project was back on, though this time it was being developed by Crystal Dynamics, who made Tomb Raider Legend. Finally, after much confusion, Tomb Raider Anniversary was released on PS2 in June 2007 with the PSP version released in August of the same year.

In case you're new to the Tomb Raider scene, and have never played the original game before, let me fill you in. Lara Croft is an athletic, intelligent (not to mention attractive) archaeologist-adventurer who has discovered many artifacts and graced the front cover of several Archaeology magazines. For this adventure Lara has been hired by Jacqueline Natla, a wealthy businesswoman and owner of Natla Technologies, to recover an artifact known as the Scion. The adventure sees Lara traveling around the globe, searching the depths of ancient tombs for this artifact.

Crystal Dynamics have done a good job with Anniversary. The developers have thought long and hard about how to present this remake, and have come up with a game that not only pays tribute to the original, but also introduces some new ideas to make it feel like a fresh game that's never been played before.

Like the original Tomb Raider, Anniversary features Croft Manor. This place acts as something of a training level. Here you can check out the rooms, solve some puzzles and collect rewards (a little more on those later). Lara's home is based on the same design featured in Tomb Raider Legend with a few modifications, like a back garden. It's OK, but I prefer the mansion featured in TR1, 2 and 3. That mansion was much bigger and made you feel like you could go anywhere. This Anniversary one feels like living in a money deposit box. Awfully cramped.

Onto the actual game. This being a PS2 and PSP game Anniversary has been updated in several departments. The graphics of course are more detailed and realistic, as are Lara's movements, and several cutscenes have been added or updated for a more movie-like experience.

But Tomb Raider veterens will still recognize elements from the original game. For example: Lara climbing to the top of the doorway and pressing a button to open up the cave in Peru; although you actually have to do this yourself, unlike the original where it was just a cutscene. There have been a couple of line changes in the remake; but it still follows the same story as the original game as well as having similar scenes, like Lara interrogating Larson regarding the whereabouts of the other Scion pieces. The remake also recaptures the uneasy feeling of being alone in the tombs. There's no radio head set. There's no Zip or Alister to keep you company. It's just you, Lara and a tomb, just like the old PSone days.

To make the game feel more modern Crystal Dynamics have inserted features from their previous game, Tomb Raider Legend, as well as a couple of original ideas. The grappling hook makes a return, as do the cutscenes where you have to press certain face buttons quickly and at the right time to avoid instant death. The main new idea for this game is the Adrenaline Dodge. When Lara shoots certain enemies they'll become enraged and charge at her. When this happens the game goes into slow motion, and at this point you need to press the circle button and move the analogue stick in any direction to dive out of the way. Whilst diving wait for a target reticule to aim at the head of the enemy, and when it turns red you can perform a head shot and kill it instantly. The move actually looks pretty cool, especially when you've mastered the move and can kill enemies with it regularly.

Tomb Raider Anniversary is a big game, and it'll be a while before you get to see the ending. But there's plenty of replay value to be found even when you do complete it. The time trial mode makes a return from Legend, and several rewards (in the form of silver statues) and relics can be found hidden in the levels. The successful completion and location of these things will unlock extras in the main menu, like new costumes and character biographies.

In conclusion Tomb Raider Anniversary is a game that's ideal for everyone. Hardcore Tomb Raider fans will feel nostalgic playing through the same story and levels they conquered once before. Newcomers will find enough new features in this game that will make them feel not-so left out on the whole Tomb Raider phenomenon. Being a 90's guy I still prefered the original PSone game (it has sentimental value) but Anniversary is a worthy remake.

Tomb Raider anniversary is well put together and is very entertaining. I bought my psp 3000 a couple of months ago and I new the tomb raider series are good as I watched my brother playing on them when I was younger. This tomb raider game is pure skill. The graphics on this game are amazingly good for a hand held console.
I often find some of the levels are hard so it is definitely challenging as well as entertaining.
I would recommend this game for 10- any age.