[PS2/PSP/PC] Tomb Raider: Anniversary

[cyclonmaster]

Now here's a game that can even make you young punks out there feel old. Tomb Raider is a name and game that all but the youngest gamer will recognize and to celebrate on the series' 10th anniversary. To commemorate this special occasion, Eidos gives us an updated of the very first game for the new consoles. And I'm surprised to say, this is actually a pretty worthy purchase.

Storyline (8.0/10)
It was Ron Moore and his re-boot of Battlestar Galactica that got the phrase re-imagined into the pop culture consciousness, but the term works just as well here. While the overall plot of Tomb raider Anniversary remains faithful to the original 1996 game, the gameplay itself has gotten a considerable retooling.

The story centers on Lara's first "big adventure", hunting for an artifact known only as Scion of Atlantis, a fabled relic that both Lara and her deceased father hunted for fruitlessly for years. Now a mysterious benefactor has unlocked the vital clues that will lead to the Scion, and the raiding of tombs proper begins.

Graphics (8.5/10)
Graphically, there's a world of difference this newest iteration and the factory original that ran on the first Playstation. While it doesn't approach the insane level of detail found in games like Gears of War, the tweaking of the Tomb Raider: Legends engine has created large, good looking environments filled with nifty little details like dust, shafts of sunlight and bits of falling leaves to drive home the fact that Lara is the first person in thousands of years to set foot in these grounds.

Original Playstation 1 version

more screenshots here

One of the extras you can unlock in the game is a "panel comparison" showing environments from the original side by side with their revamped Anniversary ancestors, and it's a shocking blow to your nostalgia to see just how ugly and primitive those 96 polygons are compared to their 2007 cousins.

PC version

more screenshots here

Gameplay (9.0/10)
The other area and the most important one that this game excels from its predecessor isd in the gameplay department. Anyone that found Lara an agile, elegant wonder to control from Tomb raider: Legends is in good hands here.

Once again, except for a few issues with the camera, Lara goes exactly where you want her, and she is no longer confined to an invisible system of grids that demands you take two or three small steps to make a precise jump for crossing gaps and chasms. her magnetic grappler has been replaced with an old fashioned hook and her lively chatter with intel support via a headset is gone as is her flashlight.

PSP version:

more PSP screenshots here

While the game manages to retain a surprising amount of faithfulness is in the size and style of its gameplay, in some ways, it does feels like a bigger game than Legend, with its massive, sprawling and empty environments. There's also less emphasis on "guns blazing" and more on exploration, using your brain and your reflexes to get through some fiendishly designed levels that will have you thanking the gods for the checkpoint system.

Sound (8.5/10)
Another nice improvement is that Keeley Hawes, the British actress that voiced Lara for Legend comes back for Anniversary and gives a nuanced performance that actually adds a little bit of character to Lara during the spare cutscenes interspersed throughout the game. It's not going to give Lara the depth of a Neil Gaiman character, but it does make her a little more human and empathetic.

Replay Value (8.0/10)
This game is an easy recommend. It is one of the few times that I can say that if you're objective enough to remove your nostalgia goggles, the remake surpasses the original in every way. Better grahics, better gameplay, better story and a decent amount of replay value make Tomb raider: Anniversary a great game.

Overall (8.4/10)
Overall I'm not going to score it higher because it is a REMAKE after all. So no point for originality. However, what's there has been tweaked magnificiently. A must for Lara fans and gamers looking for some thoughtful, inspiring adventuring among ancient ruins. If you like Prince of Persia style gameplay, this is the original done properly to match your taste. You can't go wrong with this purchase. Just get it

Others info:
Walkthrough - Great guide with screenshots and videos

Well, this is my first game review. Hopefully, my word is understandable. Tell me if there are any mispelling.

[ariano_romanov]

Good review. I do believe it must be better than Tomb Raider: Elixir of Life

[Silenus]

Really good review Cyclonmaster.
This game looks great on my 6800.

[KanedA]

Good review, but I somehow don't like the term "PSOne"... Playstation 1 sounds much better

[cyclonmaster]

Originally Posted by KanedA

Good review, but I somehow don't like the term "PSOne"... Playstation 1 sounds much better

As you wish Thanks for all comments. I'll write again sometimes.

[cloudsBro]

I never did play the first game properly on the Playstation but reading this review has rekindled my interest. Thanks!

[thomasz]

Cheering for Anniversary. I love Angelina and this game also.

[jonc2006]

just out of curiosity what are the system requirements (both min & recommended)?

[Phil]

pentium 3 900 ghz and a geforce 5000.....i think

[cyclonmaster]

My specs might be better. Or may be lower.

[Phil]

well for the pc version, a pentium 3 or 4 would be more then enough.