by Jay "THE FLEA" Wade
Finally we're back to what Tomb Raider was and then some.
Tomb Raider returns for the fourth time and maybe the last time on the PSX.
And I'd have to say, This is best Tomb Raider sense part two.
Gone is the Lara's House training levels and in it's place is the Young Lara training.
When you begin your tomb raiding you play as Lara Croft as a young teenager. (she almost has a Brittney Spears look to her) I was a little disappointed that it's only in the first two levels and it's mostly training. Then Lara grows up and the real adventure begins.
Lara has new weapons and items, including a Crossbow, Binoculars and many different types of ammo. and levels are not only beautiful but are extremely vast in size. The levels have little break up, but still have that blocky wall look. The characters polygons look better then TR3. but with the exception of Lara they still look vary blocky. But now they have a little lip movement when they talk. Not the best lip syncing but acceptable.
The FMV is done well, but nothing on the level of what Squaresoft, Namco, and even Capcom has done in theirs. Enemies Lara faces are a little of everything. From pirates of the desert to the undead. The CPU AI is a little smarter then past Tomb Raiders. Enemies run and hide and counter attack. The puzzles are vary challenging. (I've been stuck many times) And the traps sometimes make you jump due to you don't expect it.
Lara has gotten a few new moves. Including swinging Tarzan style on ropes to kicking down doors. Also Hidden in the tombs are Gold Skulls and of course secret areas, 70 in all. (I'm not sure yet what these do yet. open a secret level maybe?) Overall, this is a Tomb Raider worth getting.
If you liked TR 1-2 and hated TR3 I'd give TR4:TLR a look. Lara has returned to her roots. (or should I say "her boots".)
PUBLISHER: EIDOS
GRAPHICS: 8.5 MUSIC & SOUND: 9 CONTROL: 8.5
SECRETS: 9 ORIGINALITY: 8 FUN & REPLAY: 9.5
OVERALL: 9
