Tomb Raider Underworld

Tomb Raider Underworld (Xbox 360)

This is how exploration should feel. Not once on my 360 have I come across a game that delivers the true feeling of exploration. Tomb Raider Anniversary came close and it was a fine game, but nothing compared to Underworld. When I started playing I was hooked onto the game like never before. I could not put my control down until the game was finished. Not only was the story intriguing but just moving around in these huge, atmospheric environments made me grin like a big idiot.

As you move further and further into the tombs, jungles and underworlds you really grasp what shines in Tomb Raider, what we haven't seen since perhaps the original. Lara Croft has had her ups and downs in the past few games but all is forgiven now. Not only does she look better than ever she also moves more gracefully and easily. Finally a perfect control scheme for our Lady!

Lara isn't the only thing that looks great though, the entire game looks almost photo-realistic. Here is some of the best graphics on the platform, especially the Thailand level as you progress further into the jungle. Even the soundtrack is unbeatable this time round. Frequently whilst playing you really feel uplifted by the dramatic score featured in Underworld. What's better is that the music isn't constantly playing, when it shouldn't be, it isn't, leaving the game seem even more atmospheric and bringing back that sense of isolation.

Granted, the combat isn't perfect, but considering the exploration is the main focus, this definitely does not bother me. It's not like the combat is painful, it just isn't as inspired as the exploration. Towards the end of the game we weild a very powerful weapon and the combat suddenly feels much more exhillerating so don't let this turn you away.

I blatantly disagree completely with the negative review on here. For one thing, the game took me longer than 10 hours to complete and I am still playing back through the levels. Underworld is a must buy for anyone remotely interested. If you've given Tomb Raider a chance in the past and have been let down then give the franchise another go. I promise you won't be disappointed this time. Welcome back Lara Croft.

Firstly, let me nail my colours firmly to the mast- I've been a huge fan of the Tombraider series ever since I first bought a secondhand PS1 that came with a demo of TR1 from the cover of a magazine - I played the demo half to death, then zipped out and bought the full game. I've played every incarnation since, not necessarily finishing the later ones. After the pretty sub standard Angel of Darkness, I took a downer on the whole thing, yet I still tried both Legend and Anniversary on the PS2, though in truth I found them a bit ...meh.

Tombraider's strength has always been it's exploration and sense of isolation, and whilst I'm sure many will disagree, the combat could disappear from the games completely as far as I'm concerned.

I've not had my 360 long, and with Underworld at a bargain price, I decided to give it a go, and I'm very glad I did!

Despite what some people have said, the graphics are beautiful, each environment is nicely atmospheric, and by and large, massive. When you are making jumps above some of the long drops, it can give a real sense of vertigo- the fact that Lara lands in a nauseatingly unpleasant, twisted heap makes the long drops even more concerning. The mechanical hammer room is a good example of this, as is the huge rotating column that you have to climb - I'll mention no details of these, save to say it gets nerve wracking when you know that if you mis-time a jump, you'll fall to a grisly end.

I do have a few gripes, the first of which is the combat. Not that the controls are horrendous, or that there is HUGE amounts of it, more that I just don't enjoy it - as I've already said, for me the joy is in the exploration, the puzzle solving and the story (even if it is fairly basic, it's interesting enough), not shooting things. There are two levels based on boats with the enemies being soldiers/mercenaries, and I found these a chore, though in truth they are mercifully short, so no real problem there. Although some people like bosses, I was glad not to come across any in all honesty.

A second gripe are the motorcycle riding levels - I just fail to see the point, and the bike levels could have been easily done away with altogether, not to mention that it's the most peculiar looking bike I've ever seen - it seems to have a square-section off road car tyre on the rear, and the bike itself seems to have been designed by someone who has been TOLD what a motorcycle looked like, but has never actually seen so much as a picture of one.

A number of reviewers seem to have had problems with the camera and whilst I did have the odd moment of frustration when it got stuck, these were few and far between, and adjusting the camera angle manually usually sorted it out.

One thing I've completely failed to mention so far is the controls - on the block/cube based levels of the earliest games, the old control system was to my mind, near perfect (I appreciate not everyone will agree, but it really worked for me). As the level designs have become looser and less geometric, the control system has had to evolve to cope, and on occasion in recent outings it has failed miserably, but once you get to grips with it, the controls on Underworld are pretty nice, and slowly you'll gain confidence in making those leaps and jumps (huge drops and crumpled death thoughts notwithstanding). Combat is a little awkward, but nothing horrendous, as has been stated earlier.

Overall it's very much a fun game, and challenging enough to while away a good few hours - another reviewer claims to have completed it in two hours, and if that's true he must be a damn good gamer is all I can say. I have no idea how long it took me, but 12 hours or more would be my guess.

For fun, I've given it five out of five - this is Tombraider, and few fans of the original games will find too much to complain about here. Overall I've given it four stars - I've taken a star off purely because for me there's too much combat in it- some people would doubtless like to see more action, not less, but remove more (or even better, all) of the fighting in the next episode and I'll be a truly happy bunny.

It's a pretty good game, the controls aren't anywhere near as frustrating as the playstation games. Now not only is it easier to get around but you get to do so in amazing graphics.

GRAPHICS - 10/10
The game has amazing visuals, from the water/fire and lighting effects on lara and surfaces to the ancient ruins and jungles, also the smart HUD disappears when not in combat; leaving the screen open and honestly looking like a cutscene.

SOUND - 09/10
The music and effects are nothing captivating but do offer a pretty good feel of the environments you're in; at some points allowing the game to even be jumpy.

GAMEPLAY 09/10 - The controls are almost perfect compared to the original games, traversing the environment is a breeze as lara automatically vaults over objects and can move around freely, the only thing i dislike is the guns and shooting, it's ok but other than locking onto enemies and firing away, using the free aim by clicking the R thumb stick isn't of much use in a fight because lara goes into slow walking mode. The gadgets are all nice to use (mainly the grappling hook)
there is a 3D map sonar that is handy and 2 hints that can be used if stuck (basically hearing lara's thoughts and then her saying what she needs to do) but even that doesn't take the challenge away as there are lots of well thought out puzzles.

STORY 07/10 - The story isn't mind blowing but is well put together and manages to hold your attention, it uses real life mythology and adds to the overall feel of the environments you visit.

LIFESPAN 06/10 - It's not a game you'll be playing over and over but is certainly worth the one play through