Summary It's Fun Again!!

Pros: I had high hopes for this title since i heard about it's inception. I'm pleased to report that the change in developers has done this title the wonders i had hoped. The game plays so much better now that the ridiculous square grid based movement has been removed. Lara moves more naturally and is much easier to control. Gun fights are exciting (nothing special, but entertaining nonetheless). The soundtrack fits the mood exceptionally well and all the characters have well done voice overs.
Cons: The camera, as with most 3rd person games, can occassionally be a pain. The new lock-on mechanic used to target enemies sometimes has a habit of not necessarily targeting the enemy you may want to target. The character models in the game cinematics look awfully under detailed. Thankfully, the environments look fantastic though. Animations tend to range from excellent to kinda jerky, which can be distracting at times.

Reviewer's Comments

Without a doubt, Tomb Raider: Legend re-establishes Lara Croft as a true contender in the video game realm once more. Many kudos to Crystal Dynamics for making the game a much more entertaining romp. While it doesn't exactly reinvent the genre, it at least makes this series playable and, most importantly, fun! The game is by no means perfect, but from what i've played of it, it is highly enjoyable. The story thus far is well written, the gunfights can be quite exhilirating, and there's no question that when you enter a HUGE room and have to solve a puzzle to get out, it's very much awe inspiring. Speaking of puzzles, you'll be happy to know that the physics they are based on is much more fun then simply pulling a block on a switch. While there is still plenty of that, it's done in a more interesting way this time around. And it's not nearly as mechanical as it used to be. The accompanying soundtrack is put to good use and platforming your way up a cliff side is as enjoyable as it should be. Just go buy it. You'll thank me.