Video Game Review: Tomb Raider Underworld
Rate This Article
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know this adventure sticks to the
traditional
Tomb Raider formula of platforming, puzzle solving, and
straightforward shootouts. Heroine Lara Croft uses weapons
like assault rifles, handguns, and grenades, as well as her
fists. Sometimes, you'll see blood when Lara kills humans or
wild animals. As always, Lara dresses rather provocatively,
often wearing outfits that show a lot of skin. There is mild
cussing.
Families can talk about the
Tomb Raider franchise. What has made the game so
successful? Also, could Lara still be a really cool hero
without an exaggerated figure and the need to wear revealing
outfits?
Gaming's most recognizable heroine makes her big return in
TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD. And while Lara Croft and the
environments she explores look exquisite, the action is less
impressive. Lara's latest quest takes her on a search for the
hammer of Norse god Thor, once considered a myth. She
eventually finds proof of its existence in the Mediterrean Sea,
and sets off on her journey to discover the item.
Tomb Raider Underworld sticks to the concepts that made
the franchise so popular: platforming, puzzle solving, and
acrobatic gunplay. For this adventure, Lara boasts a bevy of
new moves and tools. A sonar map creates a 3-D image of the
environment to better spot hidden areas. Instead of just
killing enemies, Lara can opt to use tranquilizer guns to knock
foes out. Lara travels all over the world in search of the
Hammer, from the jungles of Thailand to the frozen landscapes
of the Arctic Sea.
Underworld is definitely one of the most attractive
Tomb Raider titles in the series. The environments are
gorgeous. Ancient ruins sport fine details etched in stone,
while jungles look lush and vibrant. You'll even see Lara get
dirty as she climbs walls and darts through ruins.
Unfortunately, the action doesn't match up. For a game with
these epic locales, the actual adventure feels boring.
Underworld emphasizes exploration, yet the game feels
pretty linear. For newbies, the game provides a field guide
that offers tips in case you're stuck on a level. However, the
platforming and puzzles are pretty basic, so most players won't
need this option.
The platforming suffers because of an erractic camera. If you're moving too quickly, the camera struggles to follow, leaving you viewing the action from a bad angle. This makes executing big leaps all the more difficult. The combat is solid, but not very explosive. While Lara looks quite agile leaping away from gunfire as she shoots enemies, most opponents put forth little effort. Some even stood still while Lara picked them off with ease. Tomb Raider fans will enjoy Lara's latest quest even though it's lackluster. But if you are looking for a great platformer, you're better off exploring different options.
Tomb Raider: LegendMirror's Edge
Little Big Planet
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
