Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008) (VG)

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Writers:

Toby Gard (story)
Eric Lindstrom (story)

Release Date:

18 November 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Plot:

Lara Croft continues in her search for her long lost mother in the legendary land of Avalon.

Plot Keywords:

Tomb Raider | Lara Croft | Superheroine | Sequel | Busty

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Keeley Hawes	...	Lara Croft (voice)
Kath Soucie	...	Amanda Evert (voice)
Grey DeLisle	...	Jacqueline Natla (voice)
Alex Désert	...	Zip (voice)
Greg Ellis	...	Alister Fletcher / Mercenary (voice)
Alan Shearman	...	Winston Smith (voice)

Also Known As:

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend II (USA) (working title)
Tomb Raider 8 (UK) (working title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:T | UK:12 | USA:M (special edition)

Company:

Crystal Dynamics

Trivia:

The reptilian creatures that Lara encounters in Thailand are called Nagas. In mythology, are half women half snake creatures and are usually larger than normal humans.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Lara states that the "Beneath The Ashes" level is a medieval dungeon. In one of the large chambers there is a guillotine, but the guillotine was not invented until the French revolution, well after the end of the medieval era.

Quotes:

Jacqueline Natla: [Speaking to the subservient doppelganger, who is identical to Lara] Now I give you your final order: Kill Lara Croft! And once you succeed, kill yourself as well.
[the doppelganger scowls at her]
Jacqueline Natla: I don't wish to see her face ever again!

Movie Connections:

Features Tomb Raider: Legend (2006) (VG)

Tomb Raider, angel of darkness 2.0

Whoa. Am I about to tear into this game given the fact I gave it a 5 out of 10? You bet your adventure seeking a$$es I am. Because crystal dynamics is more capable than this. Because Tomb Raider deserves everything they promised sans the glitches and horrible collision detection. Because not since Angel of Darkness has Lara re-discovered her ability to phase through solid objects, and get stuck on the smallest twig, stuck enough to make you wander what happened to quality control. So the story is intriguing, the environments gorgeous and the soundtrack beautiful. Excellent job there, CD! Now... Seeing as how Tomb Raider has evolved, they got one step right. Motion capture for Lara. However, after SO many iterations of this game, I want to see a realistic Lara. It seems detracting to have realistic movements placed over a character playing in realistic environments, but possessing the face of a Brats doll. Seriously, after all these games, she still has the same nose as in the first playsation game, which to PSOne's credit was all they could render at the time. If they want to retain a cartoon-y look, have continuity. Make the game all cohesive, not cartoon-y Lara vs. realistic world. Next, the collision. OH LORD, this, and the camera have seriously impeached my love for Lara. You know what I take this as? A product suffering because of multiple ports. If they want to reach every console owning gamer under the sun, take care with each version. The camera is terrible in this game. I can't count the number of times I freaked out as I was on a ledge, and couldn't see where to go next, so I gathered I was to take a leap of faith in the game, only to find my deduction like two inches off. Seriously. I don't remember having this much of an issue with tomb raider legend or anniversary. Thirdly, combat. Combat on my PS3 sucked. It felt sloppy, evading and shooting is a terrible affair, the camera starts freaking out as you are locked on to an enemy, but you can't see the enemy, as the game engine is trying to stay on Lara bouncing around. I literally wanted combat reduced by like 95% it is that bad. Unless the next tomb raider can somehow design a combat system that is amazing, like... A-MAZ-ING , then I almost suggest taking it out completely. Exploration was what made me continue to play this game. And it sucks, as had these problems been rectified, this could have been THE tomb raider experience to get. As it stands, boo CD. Plus, where is the bonus content for PS owners? You know, the company your initial user base took you up on? 360 exclusive content? Color me offended.