Action/adventure at its best
This is the game which created a pop culture legend: Lara Croft. Although the series is now nearly twenty years old, it shows no sign of running out of steam, but many gamers will have never experienced the classic which started it all. However, to miss out on Tomb Raider's charms is to miss out on a superb action adventure that holds up well today. The plot sees players travelling around the world, exploring dusty tombs and various exotic locales in their quest to discover the mysterious artefact known as the 'Scion'. While the story may not be overly original, similar to countless Indiana Jones-styles books and movies, it is certainly engaging enough and will entertain players with its twists and turns. Gameplay takes the form of a third person shooter, and while the style may be overly familiar today, at the time it was pretty revolutionary. Tomb Raider is very much action-oriented, with plenty of highly satisfying gunplay to be enjoyed as you encounter the various beasts which stand between you and the artefact. However, adding to the game's appeal are the many cunning puzzles to be solved and the slick platforming sections which harken back to the classic days of Mario and Sonic in their sheer fun-factor. While the game is obviously slightly dated in its visual styling, it still remains charming, but it is in the gameplay where it really shines and it remains as enjoyable as ever. While you might want to steer clear of Angel of Darkness, the low point of the series, Underworld is also a fine game and definitely worth checking out.
