How fitting that 2008, the year that Lara Croft reached her lowest point, is also the year that gave us Nathan Drake, a far more appealing and engaging treasure hunter/adventurer. The styles of the franchises have oft been compared, but where Lara breaks down and fails Nathan Drake excels.
Core Design had been swallowed-up by Eidos at this point so it was left to Crystal Dynamics and Nixxes Software to bring this to consoles, and they did a pathetic job. Even software students could do a better game than this. The camera is epileptic, which is agonizing for a game that requires precision timing and judgment. The graphics are bland. The action is dull. Levels are long and boring with too much detail on meaningless treasure hunting (the Platinum depends on you getting all 179 treasures in the game, but it's glitched, so you're screwed) and not enough action.
It's time for Lara to hang up her hot pants. Tomb Raider is so 1996.
Graphics B- Sound C Gameplay C Lasting Appeal D
Core Design had been swallowed-up by Eidos at this point so it was left to Crystal Dynamics and Nixxes Software to bring this to consoles, and they did a pathetic job. Even software students could do a better game than this. The camera is epileptic, which is agonizing for a game that requires precision timing and judgment. The graphics are bland. The action is dull. Levels are long and boring with too much detail on meaningless treasure hunting (the Platinum depends on you getting all 179 treasures in the game, but it's glitched, so you're screwed) and not enough action.
It's time for Lara to hang up her hot pants. Tomb Raider is so 1996.
Graphics B- Sound C Gameplay C Lasting Appeal D