Lara Goes Liquid- Tomb Raider Underworld Reviewed

After returning from E3, a fellow game reviewer asked for my impressions of the new Tomb Raider title. I had to be honest with him- I fell asleep. This was no fault of the game itself, but rather the setting of the presentation. The Eidos representatives had led the fatigued press into a darkened room which was supplemented by the gentle sound of flowing water. It didn’t help that we didn’t actually play the game; instead, we watched a tester guide Lara through a serene, underwater level. The setting was completely contrary to the rest of the crowded, bright halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Despite the conditions in which the game was shown, I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Tomb Raider: Underworld. Within the past few years, the series had gone through a renaissance, fostered by the power of now-gen consoles. Tomb Raider: Legend had not only given Lara’s environments an exponential increase in graphical appeal, but also revamped the control system. With our protagonist no longer limited to large, discrete motions, the title took on a fluid, organic aesthetic. 

                                                         Lara practicing the ‘stop, swing, and roll’ fire drill.

After a brief tutorial where Lara escapes a burning mansion, players begin the Underworld atop a small yacht floating in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Diving into the water shows one of the games largest additions- the ability to travel though sizable underwater locations. In previous titles, Lara was restricted in her diving ability by a breath meter; now, she utilizes scuba gear for full sub-maritime exploration. The functionality of Ms. Croft’s grappling hook has also increased; she can now use the device to climb, repel, as well as wall-run. These tools masterfully disguise the linear nature of the game, giving an open-ended feel to the games’ levels.

We appreciated Lara’s ability to free climb- she now has the ability to scale walls that contain a series of handholds. By adding this new gameplay wrinkle, our attention was diverted away from scouting for the next ledge to grab, to truly examining the levels. Hopefully, this technique will be expanded into Croft’s next adventure. Underworld also adds a tips system for frustrated gamers. While a welcome concept, the text-based hints generally state would the player should do next, and don’t give specific areas to find a hidden artifact. In short, cheat guide publishers have nothing to worry about in the foreseeable future.

                                       Ms. Croft doles out double-fisted .45 caliber lead for massive damage.

Although Lara Croft has always been at the center of Tomb Raider’s marketing push, the true star of the game has always been the title’s environments. At their best, the locales in a Tomb Raider game continually promote a feeling of discovery and accomplishment. Underworld’s setting is fantastically realized, from underwater caves illuminated with an iridescent glow, to leafy jungles complete with moss-covered temples. It’s a shame that the framerate isn’t consistent on either platform, although the drops are a bit more prevalent of the PS3 version
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Unfortunately, there are a number of impedances that accompany Underworld’s improvements. At a bit over eight hours, the title feels a bit short. This problem is compounded by a conclusion that feels tacked-on and offers little sense of narrative closure. We’d like to think that the abrupt conclusion has nothing to do with Eidos’ plans to offer future download content for the game, but a hint of skepticism remains in us.

                                                                Two guns and three tigers- what’s a girl to do?

Overall, Tomb Raider: Underworld is an enjoyable game that offers a number of significant changes to the core gameplay, while still maintaining the sense of wonder and exploration the series is known for. Fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy Lara Croft’s latest adventure, although they might walk away from this game craving a bit more precipice-hanging action. Not surprisingly, Eidos will offer 360 owners the ability to rightfully conclude these adventures, making Underworld a stunning, albeit expensive, globetrotting expedition.