Tomb Raider (Xbox 360)

I haven't played any Tomb Raider games prior to this, but having enjoyed it so much I recently brought the triple pack to the older Xbox games. I loved this that much. Things I liked were the female main character - who was not a stereotype, was not sexualized, has clear and changing motives and personality, and was very fun to play as. The graphics were beautiful too. The open world play of the game I found really enjoyable as I like games that let you roam free sometimes instead of sticking to the main plot and as this is set on an island it made sense. With the open world, amazing things like seagulls flying in the air you can interact with (and shoot) and small challenges and collectibles are scattered and hidden which adds to the complexity.The plot itself was very compelling as you want to unravel the mysteries of the island. The upgrades as you go along tie in too as her survival instincts grow stronger as it goes along and she collects things to add to weapons and her skills etc. The combat was excellent and felt as real as it could be too I think as she slowly gets better at shooting guns etc. The optional tombs were very fun as I love solving puzzles and I always looked forward to those parts best. But obviously there were flaws. The game took me 23 hours to finish which isn't very long considering I did all the main plot and option tombs. However there are in game challenges and collectibles around that are fun to do but I didn't focus on them because I decided to go back for them after completing the game. Also, I wasn't a /huge/ fan of the ending as I expected a better boss fight as it felt the same level as prior battles but that didn't ruin the game for me. And my main flaw was that there weren't enough optional tombs and puzzle solving. That was by far the best part of the game for me and I wanted to have more than under 10 to complete. I would definitely recommend this game, I don't know how it compares to the previous but I really enjoyed it.

I'm a massive tomb raider fan and I've played them all from the start, this one is a lot different than the usual ones but doesn't disappoint! Plus points; the graphics are smooth and crisp. A lot of thought and time on the detail has gone into this. There is a good story line and there are plenty of weapon upgrades/skill upgrades which makes the game more interesting. The bow and arrow is especially good fun to use especially later on in the game. The only let down is there are hardly any puzzles, its more of a shoot em' up and my person opinion is that is a lot more violence, plus it was a bit bloody which the tomb raiders normally don't really have. The puzzles are on the easy side in comparison to the earlier games as has a survival mode which highlights the things to look at so may not be a challenge enough for some. The bosses are not as hard as the usual tomb raiders to beat. However, this game is very good and well worth the money. Once you have finished the story line you can go back and finish any outstanding challenges. Looking forward now to the next one they produce!!

The first Tomb Raider game I played was Underworld and after I enjoyed that, I went back to play Legend and Anniversary. Underworld really was a great game, with the emphasis on negotiating the terrain and solving puzzles. The Tomb Raider reboot is quite different - it is an action game first and foremost, even if it contains enough brain fodder to stop short of being a FPS. That is by no means a criticism as a sumptuous graphics engine gives the landscapes, environments and action sequences an HD movie-like quality that is a total joy to play within. Lara's equipment and weapons are all easy to use and can be customised and upgraded as the game progresses. Lara herself, as well as looking as good as ever, can also be upgraded using skill points and the familiar XP system, all of which gets you further involved in the story. The story itself is a sort of epic Escape from the Room, with a group of survivors battling dark forces on an island after being marooned there. Again, the more gory and dimly-lit environment is at odds with most of the past games but it's not in any incongruous given that this is a reboot. There are plenty of skills to be learned, NPCs to amuse and various side quests (collection based) that will keep you entertained. There is slightly less emphasis too in this installment on the supernatural - while it does play a part especially towards the end, a great deal of what goes on in this Tomb Raider doesn't defy the laws of natural science and every foe isn't a zombie from outer space. While not total, this generous dash of realism makes for an even more uneasy atmosphere in-game. So there's plenty to enjoy here - fast-paced action, beautiful graphics, a sound if not spectacular story and a new Lara with plenty of good upgrades and skills. All this, of course, in package that as in all origins stories gives us more insight into a character that we already know (and largely love). But it's not perfect. It's not the longest game in the world and while there's so much packed in that it doesn't leave you feeling short-changed, the seemingly endless episodes and chapters of previous installments are reduced here. A couple of the action sequences are punctuated by fiddly jumping/climbing bits that could have been better designed. I also have a bit of a problem with Lara's mid-Atlantic accent courtesy of Camilla Luddington - Keeley Hawes was a much better fit and I think you either have an English or American Lara - not a sort of half-way house. Others have commented too on the linear feel and excessive CGI interludes; I don't have too much of a problem with a linear game that pulls you along as long as everything is done well and it is here - I think the real problem comes when games pretends to be sandbox but isn't. And the CGI isn't too bad - it's a lot better for example than Assassin's Creed 3, which really was ridiculous. I suppose that you can combine the effect of these two and say that some of the "pure gaming" aspect has been removed in favour of pre-determined routes and button-pressing. I think that would be true but it's a different game to the previous Tomb Raiders and you pay your money and take your chance. I wouldn't miss out here. So in conclusion, this is a superb electronic thriller that will have you hooked for a few days - it's quite a departure from the previous TR games but is well worth persevering with.

Since seeing the trailer sometime in November 2012 I had high hopes for Tomb Raider, never having played a Tomb Raider game before, I decided I would pre order it! The excitement built up for me quite a lot as I pre-ordered it in December 2012. I just couldn't wait to play it! On the trailers and other videos that I watched on YouTube, the graphics looked astounding. On the day before the release date (Monday 4th March 2013) the game dispatched, but didn't actually arrive until that Friday. I suppose it fell right within the 3-5 day delivery slot, but usually they deliver two days after dispatch. When I first started playing, I was hooked, I wouldn't come off it and my eyes were glued to the screen. The gameplay, storyline and graphics are amazing and the character development, of Lara in particular was very good and I found myself feeling upset when she was up set and courageous when she felt courageous. The only fault on this game that I could point out is the fact that the game is shorter than I would want it to be and I finished it in under 12 hours. Which is about 2/3 days for serious gamers. But don't let this put you off in anyway, the game is fantastic and when it finishes you will be begging for a sequel. To conclude, I think this game is one of the best games I have ever played. If you don't like the old Tomb Raider games, or don't think they are your kind of thing. Well, just pretend this is a completely different game to them, because they are NOT in any way similar.

Life long fan. Gave 3 stars because, well its a tricky one this. Lara has never looked so good. Luddington IMO did a cracking job on her voice, love the swearing and genuine peril in her tone. Love the environments, very real (if a little Farcry-esque), love the weapons, although few, upgrade-able and effective, like the idea of hunting, retrieving and having instinct mode. Now for the downside, not alot of tombs, seems to be a sideline here (ironic, since this is called Tombraider). But although the tombs are scarce and small they are somewhat 'cute' and makes for a relief from hunting and mass murder...which brings me onto the major downside...REDRUM!! I loved the scene where she kills her first man, lots of regret and remorse in Lara and Luddington, however that seems to be quickly swept aside and so starts a mass killing spree. Once you reach 'Shanty Town' the killing begins. For me it almost turns into a first person shooter!! Far too much arcade-like killing for me! The mass murder continues for a good chunk of the game, approximately the middle third I would hazard a guess. Once you reach the swamp, (Hunter Hideout I think its called) you go back into a slow but steady stealth hunt, which comes as a great relief. After which some nice monastery architecture including some promising tomb-like puzzles, woot! The ending for me was a little bit of an ante-climax but the real kick in the head is that there is zero replay value. I found all the items which opened up a small gallery and that was it! No extra weapons, no secret locations, no outfits, no nothing. Like W Lee said, a great game if it wasn't called TR!! Worth playing, but i really hope the sequel is much better. Lost meets Farcry meets Metal Gear Snake Eater.... ... ... ... ...

Tomb Raider is in fact one of the best video games i have played so far. The graphics were phenomenal and the story line was unique and quite interesting alongside that there was Lara Croft a brave warrior fighting for her and her friends lives. The game was truly gripping and made the player feel as if they were in the game as well, setting the player on edge. I only wish that there was more missions and targets to achieve, as i felt the game was quite short. There was also a glitch that i encountered during a battle to exit from the cannibal pit, after Lara attempts to save her friend Sam from being sacrificed to the Sun Queen Himiko. So as I was fighting my way to freedom i realized that all my arrows were used and that if i didn't find some soon i would die. I then started playing around with the buttons and i found this glitch that even if you use all your arrows you can still shoot some by pressing LB although this does not simply allow you to fire an arrow instead, it drags the target close to you in order for you to punch them and so on. Despite the fact many people loathe technical faults that could ruin your game experience, this glitch was actually in my favor, so you wouldn't see me complaining. But apart from that, in hindsight, it honestly gets a deserving 5 star rating from me. Well done and thank you to all the people involved in making Tomb Raider the magnificent masterpiece that it is. Bravo.

very well , they made a very good reboot from the series , a good history with cut scene , a good graphic (the island is very beautiful ) and a balance gameplay , the game is linear but every zone is big enough and you can explore the area for items, relics and documents(which they explain better what's happened in the island) and another things , the combat system is good , Lara go to stealth by herself when there are enemy near and she use the cover by automatism when she is near a wall o a box , the aim isn't automatic anymore , is manual and i prefer that , Lara is pretty and very well characterized and her evolution in the game from a afraid child to a brave adventuress is made very well , during her path she will evolve herself and equipment's and get new ability for the combat and for the exploration , the enemy is a little bit stupid but they compensate with the number and a variety of attack , the puzzles is very simple but i prefer that, i don't have the time anymore for too complex game in the evening (i am working a lot) for me is a very good game one of the best for the first part of 2013 i recommended it

Well I love this game so much I just had to write a review and I don't normally do these but the reasons below are why I gave this product 5 stars. DELIVERY I used the 'next day delivery' option and heaven behold it was on my doorstep the next morning, very fast considering I ordered it the night before at around 6pm. As well as arriving quickly the packaging was very snug and secure, game was sealed and I was proud with how quick Amazon preformed their delivery service. Very proud to be a customer! GRAPHICS Ok having played all the Tomb Raider games, I can safely say I am a big fan. I remember and I'm sure all you do the days of the blocky body parts, points and edges in places they shouldn't be. But back then it revolutionized gaming, it defined it. Since then the definition has been edited. The evolution of our technology is evident in every new Tomb Raider game. This one however completely took me away. The graphics are beautiful. Brilliant on a full 1080p TV although I'm sure they'll look good on any screen. Lara is as realistic as can be, she's gorgeous. The animations are very stunning and overall the game just grabs you and pulls you inside the experience and adventure. I did feel as if I was there. STORY Ok, I have only played about 10 hours of this so far and haven't completed it, there's just so much to do! Which is good because again remember those old Tomb Raider days when the game was so linear? You get in a tomb, complete it and that was it. With this there are so many tasks for you to do. Including hunting, learning survival techniques, killing and oh we can't forget raiding! I don't want to ruin the story line too much but basically Lara is ship wrecked on an island with some friends and using her natural instincts must fight to survive. And Crystal Dynamics didn't filter out gore with this game, oh no! There's blood, there's pain and screaming. Something the other games in the series lacked and it took away a lot of feelings which in this game are present. I felt her pain when she fell off ledges (not physically obviously). I can promise you that you'll be gripped into this game. There's a lot of weapons too! Including a bow, pistols (clearly, it is Tomb Raider for crying out loud!), shot guns, rifles and more. All of which can be upgraded. OVERALL I think this game is amazing and for the price definitely a bargain! Seriously you're missing out if you haven't got it, so pay up and go and raid some tombs! You won't regret it. This game has had me glued to my screen for so long I suppose the only disadvantages I have from it are a headache and cramps. But with what Lara goes through I can't complain.