Tomb Raider: Legend (Video Game 2006) Poster

(2006 Video Game)

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9/10
What Angel of Darkness?
PlayerSS24 April 2006
First off I'm happy as it seems most people are that this game completely ignores Angel of Darkness. The past two games before Legend didn't speak to well for the TR franchise.

Finally Eidos gave it to a new developer for a fresh look. While I started to think that anything would've been acceptable after AOD. That's not the case with this game.

This game is good and makes sure to stand out. It does bring back a lot of the good stuff that we missed from the TR games. Tombs galore for this game. That's a good thing since the game is called "Tomb" Raider. There are a few city levels, but they are done better than AOD's city levels.

The only flaws I have with the game is there is virtually only one vehicle in the game and it's plays very linear. Also the fact that there are only two main types of enemies excluding bosses. The humans are abundant. There is not a lot of variety with animal enemies in this, but at least they are in it.

There is one thing I kept feeling while playing the game though. It feels as if Crystal Dynamics made this game to draw back in the hardcore fans of Tomb Raider and show they there is hope yet for the struggling franchise. It's almost experimental in a way for something bigger to come and I can't wait.
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9/10
This is what Tomb Raider 2 should have been
unbreakable1611 May 2006
I feel compelled to write something here to counter that ridiculous bad review. Yes, the control is different. That's a GOOD thing. The control in the earlier games was TERRIBLE. I can't believe someone would actually want to go back to controlling Lara like a truck. Yes, you would need a gamepad for the PC version also (just get a 360 pad and plug it in)-but again, this is a GOOD thing. Most ANY game with this type of viewpoint and control will function better with a control pad-so use one! And how many games of ANY type use the keyboard exclusively now? I played the original Tomb Raider DESPITE the control, not BECAUSE of the control… The original Tomb Raider had a great atmosphere and theme, and an interesting character. But it also had a lot of flaws. The control was terrible and unforgiving. The puzzles were frequently arbitrary and too difficult. It was easy to overlook the problems in that first game though, because for one thing it was one of the very first 3D adventure games, and was doing so much new. The problem came when Toby Gard (and I forget the other guy's name) were ousted from Core, and Core then proceeded to remake that same exact game over and over again. The sequels were basically level packs released year after year, without addressing any of the huge flaws the very first game had.

Well Legend gets a new developer (Crystal Dynamics), with a team headed up by Toby Gard-the guy who created the first game to begin with-and it FINALLY fixes everything that was wrong. The control has gone from being a chore, to actually being FUN on a "moment to moment basis". In other words, the act of just moving Lara around and interacting with the environments is fun now. The game has a solid physics engine, which many puzzles use to great effect. The puzzles seem more "organic" now-more "realistic" to the environments, rather than seeming arbitrary. As a result they're also much easier to figure out (which is a good thing, I think). Between that, the vastly better control, and the frequent restart points (at least on the X-Box 360 version), the game has almost completely eliminated the frustrating aspects of the original.

On top of that the dialog is excellent. Lara's banter with her team is quite frequently funny and well acted. (Lara's voiced perfectly by Keeley Hawes from Spooks.) And Lara comes off like she did in the first game (but better)-she has the same feel, and seems smart, competent, interesting…but with a bit of a crazy drive to her. She's once again a more compelling character than Indiana Jones (at least to me she is).

The plot even rises above the minimum. The title, "Legend" makes sense in more ways than one, and the plot is perfect for relaunching the series.

Lastly, both the graphics and music are very well done. As mentioned, I'm playing the X-Box 360 version (which I believe looks the same as the PC version if you turn on that version's "advanced" content on a high-end GPU). It has tons of gratuitous graphical effects. Most aren't strictly necessary, but add to the atmosphere. The soundtrack is similarly excellent. Almost verging on Celtic-ish at times, it always blends in with the environments well.

In short, this is a 100% successful relaunch of the series, and what Tomb Raider 2 SHOULD have been.
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7/10
Good game, not special
tiflawerca25 April 2007
Tomb Raider legend wasn't the best Tomb Raider game due to the lack of challenge, linearity and shortness of the game. However, the controls did give a great feeling, so just think of what can be achieved if they fix the flaws.

If they can fix the stuff mentioned above, bringing back the "Current Position" (Meaning; replaying levels, when you save, you restart from that checkpoint when you load and not restart the whole level), keeping your equipment when replaying (and not finding stuff in the final part of the game and have it in the beginning when reloading a level), beating a replayed level, the game will take you to the next one and not to the main menu, and making Lara hold the guns in the classic way, I think it would be safe to say that Tomb raider really IS back.

7/10. Would've scored more if the game was challenging and long.
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Short but Sweet
chosen1630_adam16 April 2006
I bought Tomb Raider the day of the UK release, I finished the main story 2 days later. But I'm still hunting for the rewards which is a week later and I'm almost done!

Brilliant game, nice and simple storyline (more or less), which plays on one of the best legends of all time, King Arthur etc.

The levels could have done with being longer, and it would have been better if they're were more. But what was there was brilliant (except for the motorbike bits, a little dull and repetitive). There are plenty of Tombs, my favourite being in Africa. There is a nice change of pace in the Japan and Russia levels that are more modern. All have great puzzles and secrets along the way.

Lara has more to say for once and is voiced perfectly by Keely Hawes of Spooks fame. All the dialogue is perfectly executed for the character of Lara, the scenes with Rutland and Takamoto are excellent and show she is capable of more than making big jumps! A fine role model for young women. Her movements fit her dialogue in the cutscenes, and in the game play she flows like an eagle on an up-drift! Lara is aided by Zip (her tech guy), Alister (her history/research guy) and Winston (butler, minus the hump from the old games). Winston doesn't get much of a look-in but the other 2 provide comic relief, and insight into the story. The weapons are OK, but you only really need her Pistols, which are upgradable.

The only serious problem i have with this Tomb Raider is the mansion. Its crap compared to previous efforts. You can only go outside into a courtyard and apart from that there are 5 rooms. There's a lot to find, but it just lacks the spark of running around the huge house, with the butler slowly strolling after you. It doesn't compare well. A mixture of the two would be perfect.

All in all a good game. Minor flaws in comparison to other Tomb Raider games, but they weren't perfect either. A mixture of the game play and story of Legend with the length and mansion of previous games is all we need. There will clearly be a sequel due to the huge cliffhanger at the end of the game that leaves you wanting more, but hopefully you won't have to wait too long! 8.5/10

P.S She looks great! Real for once!
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10/10
Now I Know Why So Many Geeks Are In Love With Lara Croft
SylvesterFox0072 November 2007
I've just joined the legion. And it's not just because the character redesign is absolutely beautiful (less about Lara's famous chest and more about her appearance as a whole). Lara Croft also has that sexy British accent, plus, she's clever, funny, and physically strong while still being totally feminine. The type of gal you take home to mom.

She's also incredibly athletic, something that comes in handy during the game-play of "Tomb Raider: Legend." As this is my first Tomb Raider game, I have no way of comparing it to the other games in the series. As it is, game-play consists largely of performing gymnastic feats while scaling mountains and hanging from cliffs. This actually takes a lot of thought, as it sometimes requires process of elimination to plan Lara's next move as she hangs from a ledge, possibly leaping to her death several times before finding the next foothold or handhold.

Battles with enemies also make use of Lara's gymnastic abilities. While locked on to a target, Lara can perform cartwheels, somersaults, and flips through the air to dodge bullets while returning fire with a series of weapons. But most of the game consists of wall climbing, cliff diving, and solving puzzles based on moving objects and manipulating items. Even certain bosses require more thought than simple running-and-gunning.

Anyone who still isn't convinced that this is more than a simple actioner merely has to enter "Croft Manor", a bonus game available through the options menu, and try to solve the riddles there to give their brain a workout.

Lara also has a series of tools to assist her. These include a pair of special binoculars and a magnetic grapple hook. The binoculars can be used to analyze the environment and provide hints to solve the puzzles, while the grappling hook can be used to swing across chasms, move distant objects, or even attack enemies. Of course, the similarities to Indiana Jones' whip make it obvious where the material is drawn from, but fans of the genre shouldn't mind.

Lara even has a headset that allows her to communicate with two sidekicks. Of course, this is part of the recent video game convention of having someone hiss orders at you the whole time, but here it actually works. Lara has two sidekicks, a hip American gadget expert and a whiny British historian. Rather than boss Lara around, the two sidekicks offer encouraging hints, but mainly provide someone for Lara to exchange witty banter with and serve as comic relief.

Several sequences also require the player to interact with cinematics, pressing buttons as they flash on the screen to save Lara from terrible fates. These are somewhat exciting, but overall a little too easy, and if they remain a feature in future games will have to be better perfected. There are also a couple of motorcycling levels that add some variety to the game-play.

The graphics are glorious, and not just the new Lara Croft design. Environments are eye-catching as well. The voice acting is also very well done. Keeley Hawes' voice suits the title character very well, while Kath Soucie, of "Rugrats" fame, plays the antagonist, a blonde, American ex-colleague of Lara's gone bad. The orchestral score and camera angles also add to the cinematic feel of the game.

Lara's main quest throughout the game is to collect shattered fragments of Excalibur and solve the disappearance of her mother that took place when she was a young girl, but with extra effort Lara can also uncover artifacts which will unlock special features and new costumes for the Tomb Raider. Levels can be returned to at any time to recover more artifacts. Once a level is completed, there's also an option to replay it with a time limit. This provides the game with at least a small amount of re-playability.

As much fun as the game is, it, like so many games, falls apart at the end, and not just because the storyline is left open for a possible sequel. The last couple of missions and puzzles and the final boss fight are far too easy, even anticlimactic. However, as my introduction to Lara Croft, Tomb Raider, "Legend" was well worth playing.
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10/10
Perfect entry in a great series.
sadie_thompson17 October 2006
I suck at video games. Really, I'm godawful at them, but I play them constantly. However, I beat this game and that's one of the reasons I love it so much. As everybody and his grandma knows, the Tomb Raider franchise was rapidly heading down the drain and Angel of Darkness had the distinct odor of sewage about it. (I liked it, but it is pretty darn terrible.) Gone are the days of precision positioning for jumps, and welcome to the new era of "That's close enough; I guess I'll grab it." There were several occasions where my jumps were way off but Lara obliged me anyway. The emphasis in this game is on making the action look good, and not difficult to pull off. This results in a game that anyone can play--a game that many people consider way too easy. I must concur--if I can beat it anyone can. The lesser difficulty is all but forgotten though, when you send Lara jumping and swinging across a room without stopping once. "Damn," you say to yourself, "that was COOL!" Speaking of COOL!, Lara may be practically superhuman but she still has that damned Breath Bar. Purists of the series were glad to see that the Angel of Darkness Grip Bar is nowhere to be found--if you want to hang Lara off a ledge and go eat lunch, she'll wait patiently until you get back.

I have both the Xbox360 and Xbox versions of the game (and I'm getting the 'Cube version as soon as it hits the shelves) and I can honestly say they both look stunning. Lara's character model is practically identical in both versions, but the backgrounds are where the main difference is. The 360 version has a lot more polish to it, with some fantastic lighting effects, but the Xbox version actually features some details the 360 doesn't. For instance, when Lara pulls herself out of the water, she drips. No dripping in the 360 version, but she does get shinier. (Anyone remember the Shiny Everything Period on the original Xbox? Even rocks shimmered in pitch black darkness.) Also, there are several moments when Lara is covered in dirt and bruised after sustaining damage, but the 360 version doesn't show that. Maybe I just didn't get damaged enough, but I never noticed any cosmetic changes on the 360.

Ah, cosmetic changes--Lara looks pretty darn good for umpteen thousand polygons stuck together. She's more muscular and athletic looking, and those breasts are a little less "at attention" than previous outings. In fact, Lara Croft has undergone a dramatic personality change as well, in that she actually has one now. Big thank you to whoever called Keeley Hawes and said, "I know it's not your usual thing but would you be interested in doing some voicework?" She is PERFECT in the role, and I'm not exaggerating. Our new Lara has a sense of humor, and even a little sarcasm. (Favorite line: when she loses communication with Zip and Alister she mutters "All those satellites and computers just to perfect the art of talking to oneself." Not only is that hilarious, but she sounds so irritated when she says it! Now THERE is a globetrotting archaeologist that would be fun to talk to.) That's not to say that she's all sunshine and giggles, because the end of the game actually features some pretty intense acting, and Miss Hawes handles it wonderfully. Lara's intensity is actually a little frightening, but it's what the story calls for.

The story--this game explains why Lara does what she does. She is actually searching for someone that was taken from her when she was a little girl. It seemed that the person (no spoilers here!) died, but perhaps there's another explanation. Lara is determined to find out, and as things progress she discovers an artifact of immense power and a myth with branches that span the globe. (Sound epic? It is!) The journey takes Lara everywhere, from Bolivia to Kazakhstan. It's also nice to note that she actually dresses for cold climates now, as opposed to braving them in that little tank top and those trademark shorts of hers. As if you can concentrate on flinging yourself from one icy precipice to another when you're freezing your butt off! As per usual, I shall end this review with griping and whining--not much though, because as I stated earlier, I LOVE THIS GAME. The camera presents problems, because it frequently shows the most aesthetic view and not the most practical one. The motorcycle sequences are a little tedious, but Zip's cheering makes them more bearable. The game is incredibly short--it took me several hours to complete it, but I was replaying levels like mad. Lara's house can be finished in one sitting with a little patience, so there's no need to visit it more than once. Last and least, the game ends quite abruptly and you'll feel left hanging like you wouldn't believe. In fact, I had no idea the game was over until the credits started to roll--that's how abrupt it is. That's a very minor complaint, though, because it just shows us that another game is in the works.

In closing, the game reinvents and reinvigorates a beloved franchise and it does it beautifully. Let me finish with this statement--IF THE NEXT GAME IS A WEAK TIE-IN TO ANOTHER GODAWFUL FILM WITH ANGELINA JOLIE I WILL MURDERIZE SOMEBODY! I'm sorry for the drama but I've heard the rumor and it scares me.
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9/10
A very fun tomb raider game that in fact has a lot of tomb raiding.
Aaron137519 July 2007
Yes, this was a fun Tomb Raider game and it is more like the first one unlike a couple of the later ones are. Here you are mainly exploring tombs, granted, you take a side trip to one skyscraper in Japan. The controls are a bit different, but more like real life as you may still have unlimited ammo with the default guns, this time you will have to reload. The game features some very beautiful locales, especially if you are playing on the X-box 360 as the backgrounds look all the more grand on this system. The character looks are about the same. The fighting is good as you are going to be involved in a lot of shoot outs, but for me the best parts of the game were the jumps from here to there and such. Almost like those found in a Prince of Persia game, albeit without the wall run. The story, Laura once again while just trying to find an artifact runs afoul of another group also seeking what she is. This leads to startling revelations into Laura's past as those thought dead might not be and myth and reality seem to merge. Of course, you must go from location to location to search for pieces of an artifact, that is usually a must in most of the tomb raider games. The only complaint I have is this is a very short game. Not that I want a game that goes over twenty hours all the time, but I won this one in only six hours. Still, it was fun while it lasted, though the ending suggests a sequel will be made.
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10/10
Uh..........Wow!
wcunningham-17 May 2007
This game is amazing. It saved the series after the disappointing Angel of Darkness (the storyline is the only reason why I kept playing). Lara looks stunning, the new moves are awesome, and the backgrounds look real! The plot is also great. I love the new grapple hook. The only problem with the game is that it's too short, but, each level has the funness of 5 levels in any other Tomb Raider game. The headset is great, too. I love the new voice of Lara Croft, and her friends, they keep the game funny and witty. I'm a die-hard Tomb Raider fan, I have 1-6 on my computer, I have this one on PS2, and have both of the movies on DVD and on my iPod. I've already pre-ordered Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and I will continue to pre- order the games as they come out. This brought me back to the series. I hope it never stops!
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6/10
Good for its time
Rob_Taylor8 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
It's always hard being objective when reviewing a game that is several years old. Technology moves so quickly, that anything more than, say, five years old, will always looked dated when viewed by someone who plays more modern games.

That said, having played the Tomb Raider reboot recently, I decided to give this earlier outing for Lara a go. So, how does it stand up? Pretty well actually. I admit, considering that it was "only" released back in 2006 I was at first a little dismayed by how primitive the graphics looked in 2015. However, though dated, they serve well and in some respects the lack of visual clutter actually helps. In the reboot, for example, I quickly tuned out the extraneous fluff (textures, waving plants etc.) and focused on the things that were important. With Legend, the game essentially does that for you.

Gameplay-wise, Legend is surprisingly similar to how the reboot works. All the mechanics are immediately familiar and accessible. The controls are sufficiently similar that the learning curve is very slight. That said, the tutorial occasionally seemed to lack telling you about a particular mechanic, leaving it to pop-up hints to inform you of things later on in the game. I may have just missed the it, however.

So, okay graphics and familiar gameplay. Is there a story? Yes, but it isn't particularly inspiring. It is worth paying only slight attention to, but it unless you are a die-hard Lara fan then I wouldn't worry if you miss bits. The cinematics all appear to be done using the in-game engine and aren't terribly good, though some of the dialogue is funny and worth listening to.

So what's bad about the game? Well, the targeting mechanic is a bit wonky when it comes to firefights. It always seems to auto-target the wrong bad guy. It's more irksome than game-breaking, since on the medium difficulty enemies aren't too dangerous and a simple repositioning usually fixes the aim.

There are occasional "Assassin's Creed" moments, where Lara will leap to her death in the wrong direction for no good reason, but so long as you try and keep the camera either behind, or ahead of her, these can be minimalised.

However, the motorcycle sections are intensely frustrating. Not because they are that hard, but because the controls are so awfully over-sensitive. Twitch slightly and Lara rides into a tree, ending her ride with a scream and a rag-doll physics sprawl that, whilst humorous, quickly becomes intensely annoying and all too commonplace.

The one good thing to counter the above are the numerous checkpoints spread throughout the game's levels. This makes it possible to soldier on and get through these more difficult sections eventually. Without them I think the game would have been put to one side and not finished. I guess maybe I'm just crap at those sort of game mechanics!

I suppose the biggest laugh I got out of the game was Lara Croft's game model. It's hysterically awful. Those boobs, man... They will haunt me to the end of my days. I mean, I had heard that she was a little... overdone... shall we say. But until you've seen it for yourself, you can't appreciate how comically cartoonish and unrealistic she is. No wonder feminists got upset!

Looking back at the game from a 2015 perspective does make you realise just how far certain aspects such as graphics have come, but the gameplay is reassuringly familiar and workable.

SUMMARY: Pretty good for its age. Graphics a bit primitive by today's standards but fun gameplay and puzzle-solving that isn't too hard.
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10/10
just GREAT!!
reffzz30 April 2006
One of the best if not the best tombraider games. I actually like the whole series but this game takes the cake. The animation is so smooth and fantastic. New moves are added which help create a realistic feeling. Stages are very well designed and sound effects are stunning. The whole idea of cinematic cuts where the player intervenes to save lara is amazing. Only two things I didn't really like about this game, first it's a bit short, second lara can only hold one weapon in addition to the pistols and grenades. However, it's must buy for all TombRaider fans , God I love this game, Way to go crystal dynamics because you did a great job, Keep it up :)
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6/10
This game is too short!!!
donnahanlon10 May 2006
What there was of the game was good, although a little samey and easy. I only really struggled in the final fight and that wasn't for very long! I would not recommend paying £50 for this game if you own x-box 360. It only took me 10 hours to complete. It feels like, just when you are beginning to enjoy the game, its over. Most irritating. It feels like the first third of a great game.

I think the game makers excuse for making such a short game is that you can then go back and replay the levels as time trials in order to unlock extra costumes and stuff. But frankly, I think that is a little bit of a cop out.

The look of the game is beautiful and Lara looks more than a little like Angelina Jolie from the movies, which is no bad thing.

All things considered, I'd recommend renting it and hope that the franchises next release has a little more meat and potatoes to go with all the frosting.
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10/10
Don't Listen to Negative Reviews
squall78020038 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
If you are a fan of the series, but have hated the repetitive puzzles, horrible controls, and humorless levels then this is a must play. Everything about this game is great, this is what Tomb Raider II should have been. The controls are a heck of a lot smoother and the backstory is so good this should have been a movie. Even the mansion and Lara's back story have changed to relate more to the movies than the games. Eidos did a great thing by hiring Crystal Dynamics. Whoever had the nerve to say that the levels are unplayable has definitely never played any other games with better controls than the old Tomb Raider games. This is THE best of the series.
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5/10
not a bad game..but so different from the previous ones
crazy_caz11 September 2006
I am a big Tomb Raider fan...and when i found out that the latest game was coming out, i was excited about it. I'm 16 years old and round about when the 1st ones came out, i sat at the side and controlled the guns while my dad played the game, as i got older we started to take it in turns to play.

But its sad to say that Tomb Raider Legend has lost a lot of the qualities, it was the little things that made tomb raider what it is and different from the rest. Such as the little "Ahhh" noises Lara made when she had a medipack. the way she made a struggling noise as she pulled herself up on any box or cliff. Tomb Raider Legend has none of these things, and i think its a real let down.

The controls for Lara have also changed, and just the general way she moves. Backflips can only be done with the guns out..and you cant just press space bar and let her run around with her guns out and ready. The turning has changed, when you pressed right...she used to swivel right..and now she moves right. its just different.

Any one remember the good old days with the longer story lines, more free to roam around, the levers, the tigers and even in one tomb raider, the dinosaurs? Saying all that...there were a few things that i really liked in the game aswel, such as the grapple, the general graphics of the game (although i preferred it when the cut scenes were more like proper movies and you couldn't see that it was a game). Laras mansion was good, the indoor gym was excellent and generally fun to roam around. But i would have liked to be able to go out on the assault course like in some of the previous tomb raider games. The story was generally good and entertaining..and the characters were believable.

All in all i hope the next Tomb Raider game keeps to the standards and traditions to the earlier tomb raider games.
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Baby, I could never stay mad at you!!
kels-errific16 April 2006
All right, here's the deal. Tomb Raider:legend rocks. In fact, this game is sOoOoO much better than any other Tomb Raider, it's safe to say the series has indeed, been saved. Why? Off the top of my head ( as minutes before this online entry I wrapped the game): 1. It's pretty. My only bitch slip is that when Lara is done pumping some baddie or rabid cougar full of the ol' metal injection via her two pistals, shotgun, or semi-automatic, they blip and disappear. Kinda takes the realism out of it, a mistake they should have noted in Angel of Darkness. I know it sounds morbid as more or less I'm demanding the presence of my enemy's corpses, but it's just strange.... whatever. 2. Lara is no longer the stiff, frigid, mechanical, rigid, cubic, movement inclined... OK, you get the point, character from the previous iterations. She -get this-... MOVES! And moves properly! You'll be playing through this game, and the controller literally cradles your every whim with the best controls for this series... EVER! And since this game involves split second button presses, it's an aspect of the game that if not done properly, would have ruined the franchise and damaged it... a lot. 3. The story. What the hell was with Angel of Darkness? You know what, I don't even wanna know. You know what I do wanna know? When Legend will become a movie, it's that good. I loved this story, and I won't spoil it, but wow. It's not the best story ever, not a Final Fantasy or Metal Gear, but it urges you to continue long after an area or puzzle has you stumped, and that's just fine by me. I loved the character of Amanda, and Lara is wicked witty in this game. The ending leads nicely into the next game, unlike Angel which just left me with an urge slathor my game disc with meat sauce and feed it to my dog. 4. TOMBS! A tomb with a view... I love the tomb areas, as... ya know, your raiding again! Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of moments outside the archaic monuments, but nothing even compares to the tomb moments. The puzzles are more organic, and although the "pull the lever crap" is still in this one, it's minimal. So I likey:) A lot! 5.Bottom line, Lara is back. I like where the series is headed. Crystal Dynamics really did their homework for this game. On a personal note, I loved the music as well. The ambiance the music creates is subtle, but just as easily as it can permeate like a whisper, it has thumping moments of bravado, and I love the motorcycle music, of which there are two instances. Yeah for Ducati! This game has restored my faith, and I know it will be successful, as they have retained the essence of Tomb Raider, while importing new ideas ( the grapple mechanism rocks!). I am guessing a movie reprise will surface at some point or another as the games begin to become more refined. Now that Cyrstal Dynamics has stepped into the water, I wanna see what they have planned next. BUY THIS GAME!! * (the mansion you get to explore kicks a lot also!:)*
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8/10
It's good,but not as much as a Lengend
brucewayen30 January 2007
what should i say?when i finished the amazing adventure by playing the role Lara Croft in TR Lengend,i have to say,i cannot believe they made it!!as we all know,the AOD(Angel of darkness) is a total failer,i am a "iron" fan of TR,and at that time i felt sad because TR is going down,they are ruining Lara and the Game,so when they say Lengend is on sale,i think" another failer is coming...",but it 'not!!though many player say it's better then AOD but still too bad,i think it's good,the video and sound effect,especially the music!but i think the name"Lengend"is not proper for the game,because not matter how well and what great achievement we have made,we cannot say we have made a legend,we want to do better,and better,the whole Game and Lara Croft is legend,if the designers want to prove TR is legend,then keep doing and give us more exciting adventure!
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8/10
Excellent
NoHeadedHershel7 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The only thing this title is lacking is more, and longer, levels.

As with previous Tomb Raider games, the over-the-shoulder camera can get wonky in tight places, which makes some of the game very difficult to play.

The addition this round of a very Dragon's Lair-esqe cut-scenes with user intervention was interesting; during some cut scenes the appropriate button to push flashes and you have but a moment to press it or... well... there's an "extra" you can unlock with a compendium of all of the tragic ways Lara can bite it. Fun, fun, fun! I've been a Tomb Raider fan since I had the first one on my Sega Saturn. The graphics and the controls of Legend is by far the best. Still not perfect, though.

In short, wonky camera and sometimes annoying controls aside (I don't know how else they could do it, frankly), the game was too good to be so short.

(and here's the spoiler) Looks like a nice sequel might be coming down the pike, unless they leave this story unfinished. Seeing as how we're going to have at least one, if not two "anniversary" editions, I hope it's not too long before another original story comes out.
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10/10
Tomb Raider
bbybtxpz20 December 2023
Tomb Raider i Like tomb raider I'm a big tomb raider fan if you're married or when I was a kid I like tomb raider a lot I'm a big tomb raider fan I played shooters when I was six years old I'm a big tumor raider fan a big gym raider fan a big tumor raider fan a big tomb raider fan I'm a big tumor raider fan tumor raider is this based off of comic Books And when the best I have on the PlayStation three I Love tomb Raider I think Laura croft is beautiful whenever I like to marry your daughter a lot I like tomb raider I love to murder her a lot I love tomb raider girl I love you married or unlock my big tumor raider fan.
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8/10
The return of the legend.
johnnymacbest15 August 2010
Believe it or not this is the first Tomb Raider game I've ever played. I've been familiar with Lara Croft ever since I've owned a PSone. Although Lara Croft, whose character is mainly inspired by Indiana Jones, Lara is a heroine with her own style and personality. I never played any of the games in the series; this is due to the fact that I've had fairly any interest in the midst of FPS. Having owned an XBox 360, I decided to purchase this game out of curiosity. And by that I'm glad because Ms Croft has made me a new fan of her adventures.

The game has good production values with a stunning, James Bond-esquire intro that details our heroine's exploits across distant lands of the world. The controls are well-made and made playing the game a lot of fun though it took me awhile to get accustomed to Ms Croft's world. But after beating the game, I became more and more anxious to get my hands on the next installment in the franchise. And it's got great graphics to boot though they looked at bit too cartoonish for my liking; this is evident that the game didn't take full advantage of the 360's hardware. Even though I never played TR, I knew the story by reading a detailed synopses online back in the mid '90s. Not a great story per se, but it later on foreshadows future events in the franchise. As for TRL's plot, I say the story is really good, even going into the Arthurian mythology and Lara's past with plot twists and a few dangerous surprises for good effect.

I also liked how Zip and Alister provided useful hints and insights into the story with a dash a comic relief, giving the game a hip attitude to an otherwise dark story of betrayal and retribution. And the voice acting doesn't hurt either with Lara voiced superbly by Keeley Hawes and Amanda Evert played by Kath Soucie(my fave voice actor, BTW) and others as well. And the musical score is another achievement that encompasses rock, techno, and orchestral. It gives the game atmosphere and dangerous tension and excitement. Not one to accuse anything of plagiarism but if you listen closely to some of the music, it sounds a lot like the score in Batman Begins. Not that it's a bad thing, but it does give the game an added punch to some of the action scenes, that are, simply stunning in their execution.

It's true that combat isn't one of the series strong points but I wasn't fazed by it. Not by a long shot. And being a fan of FPS and action games, this is a nice change of pace as violence isn't the only option out of a dangerous situation(which our heroine constantly finds herself in). This game does what it does best: Exploration and discovering/raiding tombs.

Tomb Raider wouldn't be called...well, Tomb Raider, without huge levels. They are HUGE with pits, platforms, and crevices to climb on and jump/swing from not to mention some deadly critters. These levels are the main aspects of the franchise. Ironically, despite it's title character, the levels themselves are the TRUE stars of the show and almost steal the spotlight away from Ms Croft. A combination of brainpower, reflexes, and sheer skill are required to complete them. Some of them can be infuriating but that's part of the fun of it. And after solving them, you feel a great sense of satisfaction prior to what's around the corner.

After the disappointing The Last Revelation and the truly execrable Angel of Darkness, Lara has made a grand comeback as one of gaming's greatest stars. With improved controls, huge levels, more organic (and at times seemingly complex puzzles) and just great fun, Legend is the best out of them all. If your new to the franchise or just want to play a good adventure game, then Tomb Raider: Legend is a treasure worth seeking.
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8/10
Great game, thoroughly enjoyed it!
Sitruz26 April 2006
Not once have I ever managed to pick up a Tomb Raider game in all of the series and stick it to the end, but with this one I did.

Although short, it was one of the few games I have thoroughly enjoyed playing so far this year.

You don't often get a great musical score with games these days, but "Legend's" really added to the gameplay experience.

"Legend" has great everything; story, dialog, gameplay, score. The final cut scene was the icing on the cake for me! Do yourself a favour and enjoy this game on the PC with a quality graphics card, you'll not be disappointed.
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8/10
Great game though a bit short
nicholaspace18 May 2006
I have played all other tomb raider games and must say that legend is definitely the best one out there in my opinion. Though it is a rather short game (which i am sure you have read elsewhere) it is still a great game. For one the graphics are excellent, making characters look more realistic than ever, and also there is more conversation than the previous tomb raider games which makes you feel more involved with the story. Overall it does use a lot of elements from the Prince of Persia games, but then again there isn't anything wrong with that since they were great, so adding a few things from them isn't bad.

So great game, great graphics and story, rather short. Well if you don't like the idea of it being short, try renting the game, its definitely worth a try!
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1/10
If you love the TR games keep away
andy-48626 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
OK, plain and simple, if you are a fan of the other Tomb Raider games (yes, even AOD) KEEP AWAY FROM LEGEND.

It is, without doubt, the most disappointing TR game yet. It looks very nice, it sounds very nice, but it is totally unplayable and I've given up. I feel like I've been robbed by Eidos.

It's very simple. TR was a PC game before anything else. You control Lara using the keyboard. In 6 Tomb Raider games the controls were standard. In AOD they were 'tacky', but still the same general control sequences. In Legend they have changed her movement and control methods completely and she is totally uncontrollable.

I have seen comments elsewhere from people who say 'Use the mouse'. No, why should I? Others say 'Use a gamepad'. No, why should I? Others say 'But this has been the standard for 3rd person controls for years' Well, I don't care, it is not the standard for any other TR game so why mess with it. Oh, I know, because they couldn't care less about their original, loyal fan base, they want to cash in on the new kids who hadn't even heard of the series until the movies came out and make lots more money. Pathetic.

My advice to any serious TR fan is keep away from this game, and if you do buy it complain to Eidos. I have seen masses of other posts, mainly on the Eidos forums, from people telling them how rubbish it is, perhaps they will listen.
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Brings back the Magic of tomb raider but incredibly short
spank_da_monkey89-111 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Tomb raider the angel of darkness saw the Tomb Raider franchise brought to the ground on its knees by Core

Now in the hands of crystal dynamics its has been revived the franchise has been completely rebooted things of Laras life have no changed eg Laras plane crashed when she was 9 and it resulted in the death (or so we think) of her mother her father this time is an archaeologist who died when Lara was only 18.

the story follows Lara stumbling onto mysterious sword fragments scattered around the world.

there is some beautiful environments to explore such as a Hidden Tomb of a Legendry king in england, a secret research lap in Kazakhstan, and lots more.

the game-play has been drastically improved fist they have got rid of the rigid grid system and given the pulls new depth e.g. when Lara jumps to catch a ledge she will grab it no matter what the angle every now and then when she lands at a bad angle she will only grab it with 1 hand you have to immediately press triangle for her to grab it with both hands in addition she now has a magnetic grapple rope that she can use for lots of different thing such as swinging on object or using it to pull something towards you

Laras home is also back for the first time since tomb raider 3 it contains a couple of secrets but is nothing fancy it is a lot smaller than the original and you cant go outside

the voice acting is great Keeley Hawes makes a great Lara, Lara now has a headset with a team helping her along the way the team includes Zip a computer hacker now employed by Lara and Alistair a Bookworm archaeologist some people consider this an issue as it can kill the creepy mood of being alone but i think its an excellent addition it gives you more of a chance to know what Lara is thinking

all in all i think its amazing the only issue i have is it is very short

I give it 9.5 out of 10
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8/10
Enjoyable
NSeelig29 May 2006
I enjoyed the game for the following reasons: The graphics are stunning, and so is the sound (try playing with headphones on!) Easy and relatively short it may be, but especially if you haven't played this before, you may equally enjoy it. Lara is one of the most versatile and possibly THE most acrobatic games character. If you have ever felt utter despair at a character not being able to climb over a bit of rubble or a flower box display, you will love the way she can climb and interact with the environment. The graphics are a leap from the early games, and even though you may be shown what to do next, actually doing it still requires a level of accuracy and alertness that may be a picnic for seasoned gamers but can still be hair-raising at times. Rewards such as one-shot-kill cheat codes help you achieve rather good results in the time trials.
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9/10
Awesome stuff
LadyCroft76323 May 2006
I think that the new Tomb Raider:Legend was fantastic. Lots of people i know hated the PC version, but i tell you now, even if you don't have a PS2, buy one and get the game, it is totally worth it. The end was great, the storyline was wicked and although the control was different from other TR games, i think it changed for the better, all the way! It wasn't especially difficult or anything either, some boss battles got a bit frustrating, but aren't all games like that? honestly, I'm so glad i own the game. It's not necessary, but i bought the strategy guide and it helps when looking for rewards etc. overall, this game was great. No disappointment here.
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8/10
A very good game, but short.
JonL-812 August 2006
First of all i think this is a great game! a lot of action the way i like it :). There could have been some more puzzles i agree on that. But unlike the other tomb Raider games i didn't experienced the "now I'm really stuck I'm gonna burn my CPU kind of feeling". It was more like the Prince of Persia series which i really enjoyed playing. The Voice acting and the story are great for a computer game, you almost feel like you are playing the movie instead of Legend! But, but, but the game is waaaaaay to short didn't take me more than 5-8 hours to complete and thats not long for a game. so my grade is 8/10 Core did a way better job with this one than Angel of Darkness!
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