New Tomb Raider and the return of Lara Croft - if that's not reason to get excited then I don't know what is. This time around all of the action is as you would expect from the title set in the underworld, as with other games you are transported to different continents and cultures each with their own superbly designed environments... although for me Venice will never be topped! The best way to describe the game is as a 'classic' Tomb Raider game - that at it's guts keeps everything that was good about the originals, then it adds everything new and exciting and innovative that it possibly could. The game was always popular for a number of reasons, the perfect gameplay, the brilliant settings and the atmosphere - all of these are here again in abundance and with big shiny bells on. Atmosphere is one area that is a just superb, it makes you feel all excited when you get going, the game has really grasped the next-gen aspect of the 360 and used it to catapult the game into a new era but still maintaining everything that was edgy and unique in the first place. Graphically the game excels, Lara's movement is stunning, the backdrops are inspirational and exciting and action is smoother than the baldest of heads. I hear from some sources that the game doesn't have that much lastability - can't comment on that - I haven't finished it yet. Three kids put paid to that! Lara is looking as good as ever - modelled on an Olympic gymnast and voiced by actress Keeley Hawes (the one out of Ashes to Ashes!) she really comes into her own and feels like a vast improvement on previous games. Lara now has 1700 moves at her disposal, she has a grappling hook and kicks some serious butt. The levels are very challenging and very wel designed, there is a nice mix of exploration, combat, mystery, intrigue and puzzles. The storyline is wicked and homestly I am struggling to find anything bad to say, maybe non-TR fans will be a bit cynical but I loved it - and I am as old school as they come. Oh - she even has her own motorbike! Score 5/5 The DS version is well worth a mention too, built from scratch for the handheld, it offers a very different interpretation of the main game but also a very worthwile one. The game utilises both screens as you battle through the environments unlocking the secrets and undertaking the challenges. The touch screen is perfect for inventory and specific challenges and the game houses some very good graphics and gameplay that make this DS version a really good little game indeed.
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