S&S Review: Tomb Raider

Title: Tomb Raider Format: PS3, Xbox360, PC Release Date: 3/05/13 Publisher: Square Enix Developer: Crystal Dynamics Price: $59.99 ESRB Rating: M
Another addition to the classic series has arrived with a bang. Tomb Raider is one of the best I've seen in years. As Laura, you experience heartbreak, sorrow, and regret, all the while eliminating those who threaten her. 
Presentation: Crystal Dynamics has captured one of the most key elements in a game, its presentation. As you roam the island you'll notice just how much detail has gone into the visuals itself. Every move you make changes the world around you. As Laura is walking, dirt particles get kicked up from underneath her. Her face is covered in blood and soot, arms scraped and cut. Every detail seems to have been rendered perfectly, except in some cutscenes. One of the first scenes in the game shows Laura in the ocean. Here you can see the frame rate drop, the water seems blocky and Laura's hands look like something from an advanced PS2 game. Luckily, though, Tomb Raider's music helps you get by these small but noticeable problems. The soundtrack adds a ton of depth to the game. As enemies grow closer the music grows louder and makes you feel overwhelmed. This puts tension on you and makes the game a heck of a challenge, but a fun one at that. 
Story: Laura is an average explorer looking for treasure and the discovery of her life. Her funny attitude and and not-so-down-to-earth ways make Laura a prime candidate for getting shipwrecked. Laura thinks she is stranded, but thankfully is not alone. The rest of the crew she was with is in an unknown location on the island and Laura needs to find them. At first you think you're too far away from your crew, and that thought stays with you until you're knocked out. You awaken in some sort of death dungeon surrounded by human remains. Laura is faced with death for the first time, and that first time is emotional. Crystal Dynamics did a fantastic job of capturing the emotion in Laura as she kills her first person. She cries and apologizes but deep down knows that it was for her safety. Laura is able to find her friends, again an emotional toll for her. Her mind is racing, confused about what is all taking place, which makes you feel what Laura feels. The game can become a bit confusing though as you progress. At some points you can't tell if she is the soft gentle Laura we know, or a stone cold killer that we've never seen before. At times Laura mentions that she needs to prove herself to her father. It is difficult to differentiate whether she is trying to survive or prove her toughness to others. 
Gameplay: Tomb Raider has some fantastic AI and you shouldn't see a problem with it. Surprisingly though, Laura seems to know how to use a bow perfectly from the start. The weapons of Tomb Raider are crucial to Laura's survival, meaning you need to use them correctly. When you first pick up a gun, Laura sways back and forth, making it difficult for you to shoot. This isn't a bad feature, however; it just demonstrates that Laura doesn't have much experience with a gun. This is where skills come into play. As you level up, you earn skill points. These points can be spent on skills such as survivalist. This skill earns Laura experience points from harvesting killed animals. Skills like these are very helpful as you progress through the story. Hunting plays another key role in the game. Laura will need food for when she camps out. You can use the stealth approach on animals and kill them with a bow. The same can be done on enemies. Laura becomes deadly with her bow, especially when upgraded. Stealth not only adds a level of difficulty to the game, but also adds a good amount of fun and options. Thankfully, Laura's controls are very smooth and fighting is a breeze, making it somewhat easy for a newcomer to the series. Final Thoughts: Although Tomb Raider does have some flaws, the game offers newcomers a somewhat easy experience and veterans a variety of tools to mix up their game. Smooth controls and tough decisions are vital in a Tomb Raider game and thankfully are there. The game's fantastic visuals and music mix together perfectly, creating a beautiful game. So prepare for an emotional ride as Crystal Dynamics shows what Tomb Raider is all about.                                                                                                          S&S Rating: 8.5/10