At a glance...

Reviewer	Platform	Publisher	Developer	Players	Screenshots
Ross Gilder	PC	Eidos Interactive	Crystal Dynamics	1	Here
Requirements				Also on...	Buy from Amazon.co.uk
1.4GHz Processor, Windows 2000/XP/Vista (Games for Windows enabled), 256MB (2000/XP) or 512MB (Vista) RAM, 64MB Video Card with TnL, 4GB HDD Space, DVD-ROM Drive				PS2	Click here to buy Tomb Raider: Anniversary.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary review

To start, Tomb Raider: Anniversary IS a great game. It takes everything that was enjoyable from the Legends engine, adds to it, refines it, and removes everything that wasn't to like. Furthermore, it takes everything that was enjoyable from the first game, adds to it, refines it, and creates a brand new game by combining the two together. So then, the thing you should really be asking yourself, is why should you not get this game?

Reason 1: You either don't have a PlayStation 2, or think your PC isn't capable of playing the game. Well, I can understand not having a PS2, but if you own a PC built after 2001, then I'm pretty confident that you can play this game, albeit at a low graphical setting. Not that it's going to look much different on higher settings, and it'll probably at least look as good as the PS2 version. Besides, there's always the PSP or Wii versions to come. Reason 1: DEBUNKED

Reason 2: You don't have the money to buy it. Well then, you're either not getting enough pocket money, or you're a student. In either case, go complain to your parents about not giving you enough money, because Anniversary is actually available on the cheap at places such as Amazon. Reason 2: DEBUNKED

Reason 3: You thought Legends was too easy, you're a hardcore gamer and require deadly hard, hardcore games. Not to worry, Anniversary is deadly hard, requiring near perfect timing and an unprecedented amount of skill. While there may not be a "Game Over" screen, you'll see plenty of dead Laras throughout your explorations! Reason 3: DEBUNKED

Reason 4: You hate any game not made by Nintendo, because they always have really long loading times. Fear Not! Anniversary has some of the quickest load times I’ve seen for a non-Nintendo game! The game streams all of the levels, as such you only see a loading screen if you die, or if you move to a new location (not a new level). Reason 4: DEBUNKED

Reason 5: It doesn't come with a "making of" CD/DVD. That's true (unless you buy GAME's exclusive edition), but there is in-game commentary in most of the major rooms in the game, comparing the remake to the original, disclosing the original concepts for each of the rooms, how they came to be, and some of the secrets they hold. I was amazed at how interesting they actually were, as well. There are also art galleries and even a bonus "testing stage" made during pre-production to try out the art styles of the game. Reason 5: DEBUNKED

Reason 6: You hate killing people in games. I don't know why you would, but you'll be glad to know you'll be killing animals for the most part, and also some mythical creatures. Reason 6: DEBUNKED

Reason 7: You don't like killing innocent animals. Their eyes glow orange in the dark. I say that's reason enough; no real animals' eyes glow orange in the dark. Reason 7: DEBUNKED

Reason 8: It won't take me 100 hours to complete it. Yes, that's a good thing! It isn't designed to be a mindlessly repetitive RPG that gets dull after about 20 hours, but you push on because you want to know if they kill Sephiroth... It is, however, a brilliant platformer, much in the same respect as Mario and Sonic titles; you could complete the game in a matter of hours, but the designers have carefully hidden tons of items and secrets down all the nooks and crannies, and its finding these that makes up the major bulk of the game. It should probably take about 15 hours to complete first time around. Reason 8: DEBUNKED?

Reason 9: Combat in Tomb Raider games sucks, big time. Yes, yes it does. But fear not, it's better than Legends and it's really only there so that you can kill the things that jump out from the shadows and scare you half to death. Especially if you have the sound off and can't hear them, that is. The big problem is that some of the enemies can knock you down, and before you can get up, they knock you down again... very, very annoying. Reason 9: JUSTIFIED

In short, this is a brilliant game. It is creepy, atmospheric, challenging and a perfect introduction or re-introduction to Lara's adventures.

Ratings

Graphics	If you didn't have the 'next-gen content' enabled on Legends, the graphics here are at the same level. This is no such option in this game.	7/10
Gameplay	Tight controls, with no margin for errors. That's not a complaint, that's a good thing! Brilliant platforming, imaginative puzzles, but so-so shooting. At least there are no bike segments!	9/10
Value	At under £18 on the likes of Amazon, it's well worth it! Fans of the original should note that a lot of the game has been altered to fit with the new abilities of Lara, so don't think of this as simply a re-make; think of this as a re-imagining of the original.	9/10
Lifespan	Relatively short; 15 hours to complete and then another 10 or so to get all the secrets. After that, it may take you some practice to master the time trials!	7/10
Audio	Same sort of music as in Legends, except there's less use of it and more "ambiance". It is often so good it's generally terrifying at points, even on my laptop speakers!	10/10
Overall	Excellent game, that has exactly the right blend of fear, challenge, anxiety, relief, and many more emotions! Now we want a proper sequel.	9/10

Click here to buy Tomb Raider: Anniversary from Amazon.co.uk.

Copyright Information

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