Tomb Raider II For Playstation

I got this game years ago and got very angry with and chucked out the window. Now im older and less of a drama queen, i got it again. i really did forget how frustrating it was, the controls are a little easier (because you can use the analog sticks) than the first Tomb Raider but the jumps and challenges are alot harder. Sometimes it takes you 5 or 6 tries just to get to a ledge but after that its a pretty good game. Yet again it sometimes takes a little bit of logical thinking but it still makes another great addition to the Tomb Raider Legacy.

Tomb Raider 2 was released on the PSone in 1997. Eidos and Core Design brought together a brilliant story, a more satisfying challenge, and lots more gameplay features than the first game, all in one package. Some fans reckon that this game is the BEST Tomb Raider game ever made. Do I agree with that? You've probably already figured that out by reading the review title. Oh well, read on and enjoy the ride!

Lara Croft travels to the Great Wall of China in...er...China, to look for the Dagger of Xian, a blade which is said to grant its holder the powers of a mighty dragon. That is providing they're crazy enough to stick the dagger through their heart. Ms.Croft, however, is not the only person interested in the artifact. A stereotype Italian mafia boss called Marco Bartoli is also looking to get his hands on the dagger so he can use it for his own evil deeds.

Once again Lara clocks up the airmiles. Her adventure starts off in China, but soons takes her to Venice, Italy, plus many other locations. However, unlike the first Tomb Raider game, some of the levels in this second outing are actually set outdoors. Being able to see the bright skies makes the levels feel more open. One example is when you make it up onto The Great Wall of China in the first level. The view of the sky and the grassy hills you're presented with are very impressive. It's like taking a deep breath of fresh air when you step out of the house in the morning.

New features have been added since Lara's debut outing. As well as the familiar pistols, shotguns and uzis, new weapons have been added. New weapons include a harpoon gun for underwater use; a grenade launcher which can be used to blow up enemies; and an M16 rifle which looks very cool and takes down enemies quick. Lara's mansion has also been extended to feature outdoor areas like a garden and an assault course to test your skills on.

Tomb Raider 2 was the first TR game to feature vehicles to ride around in, including a speed boat to drive around in the Venice level. Lara also has a couple of new moves: the ability to wade through waist-high water (still allowing her to use her pistols), and climb up ladders and climbable walls. The latter move was something of a stroke of genius, as it allowed Core to play around and think up more interesting level designs. TR2 is a little more challenging than TR, but to compensate for this you can now save your game anywhere you like. Just select the passport from your Inventory and just save. That's it, simple.

The graphics are an improvement over TR. Both the in-game graphics and the FMVs run smoother; and Lara's movements are not only a shade faster than in her last game, but also look better (Core even animated her pony tail this time round). The lighting has been improved as well, with light areas showing things clearly whilst dark areas are very much pitch black. In dark areas you can use flares to help you find your way through dark caves and passages. Having said all this, the graphics are still a fair way behind Tomb Raider 3 in terms of other details, such as fire and water effects, and it doesn't contain TR3's minor touches like footprints and smoke.

The music in TR3 is better too. But that's not to say the music in TR2 is terrible. The tunes range from being very intense to pleasantly relaxing depending on the surroundings, and there's a nice Italian styled orchestral score that fits perfectly with the Venice level. It can also be heard on the music player in Lara's mansion. Also the acting is much improved from TR, with Judith Gibbins providing a brilliant upper-class British voice for Lara.

Despite its slight graphical shortcomings Tomb Raider 2 is a cut above most if not all other PSone games. The reason for this? Its sense of adventure. The story is well written, and constantly has you craving for more as the game moves from location to location. Speaking of locations the levels are beautifully laid out. You have The Great Wall of China in all its greatness, despite missing a little piece of wall (It's only little! Honest!); Venice with its rivers (and gondolas) flowing around old buildings; the industrial metal-clanging surroundings of the Offshore Rig, plus much more. Both the story and levels combined make for a wonderful experience, and as you play this game you always have THAT feeling. THAT feeling of...you're really going on an adventure, and not just playing a video game.

It's very VERY close between Tomb Raider 2 and Tomb Raider 3 in terms of which is my all time favourite TR game. But TR2 just gets the nod. The storyline and the overall sense of adventure make it number one in my eyes. Regardless of whether or not you agree with that opinion, Tomb Raider 2 is simply brilliant. It's an adventure that PSone lovers must have in their possession.

I first played this game when I was around 5-6 years old, and now nearly 17. This is my all time favourite Tomb Raider game because I just love the gameplay, level designs and graphics (for the time). Although I'm not a person who compliments graphics.

This is a recommended by me who loves the old 90s games. It's addicting, fun, and great to play with a friend or family member. Even though it's one player but ey', who cares right? It's freakin' Tomb Raider!