| QUOTE |
Tomb Raider has made a successful comeback, with the latest game, Legend, debuting at number one in the official UK games charts. Lara Croft creators worked to revive the game's reputation after the previous version, Angel of Darkness, was critically panned. The new adventure has already sold three times the number sold by The Godfather, which holds second place. Its success may be partly attributed to its release on several formats. Legend is available for the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Xbox and PC. A version for the PlayStation Portable is also in the works. Record heroine It is the seventh title to be released in the Tomb Raider series, which originally launched in 1996. It is one of the best selling video game franchises of all time, with more than 28 million copies sold. The Tomb Raider brand was badly damaged by the last game in the series, Angel of Darkness, which was widely criticised for being virtually unplayable. Lara Croft publisher Eidos handed over the making of the game to US developers, Crystal Dynamics, in an effort to give it fresh development and avoid the failures of Angel of Darkness. "Tomb Raider legend is the fastest selling game of 2006 because it is such great fun to play and we are confident it will continue to sell and sell," said Scott Dodkins, managing director of Eidos in Europe. "The first lady of video gaming has well and truly returned." On Friday Lara Croft entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the "most successful human video game heroine" in history. She was described as "transcending the boundaries of video games and becoming a recognisable figure in mainstream society". Story from BBC NEWS: |
| QUOTE |
| Tomb Raider still dominates chart Over 28 million Tomb Raider games have been sold since 1996 The latest Lara Croft adventure, Tomb Raider: Legend, is at the top of the official UK games chart for the second week running. The game is a return to form after the last instalment of the series, Angel of Darkness, bombed. Legend knocked The Godfather: The Game off the top spot when it was released two weeks ago. Its success could be partly because it is available in formats for the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Xbox and PC. |
| QUOTE |
| Lara back on legendary form By Christine Jeavans BBC News Lara Croft, the ballsy, under-dressed first lady of gaming returns to glory in Tomb Raider: Legend. With the seventh in the Tomb Raider series, it feels as though the sorry mess of the previous episode, Angel of Darkness, has been wiped away like dust on an Inca relic. Three years have passed since we last met Miss Croft. In that time, Eidos have dropped original developers Core Design from the project and brought in Crystal Dynamics, best known for the Legacy of Kain series. So, a new design team. But from the word go, Legend feels like the vintage game the world fell in love with in Tomb Raider I and II. It is not without fault, but it has an engaging plot, neat puzzles, epic landscapes and a nifty new trick or two tucked in Lara's holster belt. After a James Bond style title sequence, we are even treated to some character development. Legend starts with a flashback in which a young Lara and her mother are travelling in their private plane, discussing Yetis naturally, when it catches fire and crashes. It soon becomes clear that Lara's present-day hunt for artefacts will also be a quest into her own past. Playing controls The game starts in classic TR territory: a pre-Incan palace on a mountain top in Bolivia which hides some Arthurian magic. From there, Lara visits Peru, Japan, Ghana, Kazakhstan, England and the Himalayas, solving puzzles, meeting old adversaries and blasting baddies along the way. TOMB RAIDER LEGEND Format: PlayStation 2 (reviewed), Xbox 360, Xbox, PC, PSP (due spring) Graphics: 8 Sound: 9 Gameplay: 8.5 Enduring appeal: 9 Overall: 8.5 The graphics are smooth, particularly on Lara, who has had quite an overhaul, and the scenery is rich and varied with a different feel on each level. The first level is a chance to try out some new moves and kit, including a set of binoculars and a magnetic grappling hook. The gameplay is fluid. Lara is easy to control and she has a much-improved range of movement. It is usually fairly obvious which is the next ledge or rope to grab hold of, although you will have to w**k hard to find the gold rewards. There is less prescriptiveness than before in the moves. For instance you don't have to take off in exactly the right spot to pull off a leap. While this all speeds up play and helps avoid some of the more frustrating aspects of earlier Tomb Raiders, it can also feel nannyish at times. Clever shooting When it comes to combat, Lara still has the trademark dual pistols with unlimited rounds. She can also pick up guns dropped by enemies and use grenades. All weapons have a lock-on facility so our trigger-happy heroine can blast away to her heart's content. She is also prompted to shoot objects such as the fuel tank of a lorry to take out a job-lot of foes. The dialogue is excellent and Lara's cut glass English tones are the real thing, provided by Keeley Hawes of Spooks fame. In fact, the sound throughout is magnificent with satisfyingly spine-tingling music and depth to the effects. There are some gripes. The early challenges feel too easy and it also grates that Lara is in constant radio contact with her base team who interject inane "be careful now" comments along the way. But for a legion of Tomb Raider fans who have been waiting patiently for Lara to get back to what she does best, this is unlikely to disappoint. Story from BBC NEWS: |