Ladies and gentlemen, grab your adventurer hats and brush off your ancient artifact knowledge because we’re diving headfirst into the 8th iteration of everyone’s favorite archaeologist-meets-action-hero epic! Say hello once more to Tomb Raider: Underworld. Designed by the crafty folks at Crystal Dynamics, who also brought us Tomb Raider: Anniversary and Tomb Raider: Legend, and brought to our eager hands by Eidos Interactive, this isn’t just another rinse and repeat – it’s a new exploration through mysterious realms!
DELVING DEEP INTO MYTHOLOGY
Every great story begins with a quest, and in Tomb Raider: Underworld, our intrepid explorer Lara Croft’s search is nothing short of legendary. The stakes are high, and the myths are steeped in the rich lores of Nordic mythology. The artifacts at stake? Those of Thor, the thunderous god himself. The journey takes Lara from the Mexican underworld, Xibalba, to the ruins of Thai temples and from the hollow depths of the Mediterranean Sea to the frigid Arctic Ocean. These are realms of death – Xibalba, Valhalla, and Niflheim – all tied to the ongoing search for the mythical Avalon, where Lara hopes to find her long-lost mother.
GAMEPLAY: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ACTION
Gameplay in Tomb Raider: Underworld is as vibrant and thrilling as its locations. Our agile heroine uses her wits and athletic prowess, tackling various actions like running, jumping, lever pulling, puzzle solving, and – when necessary – fighting. Our favorite addition? A hook-equipped rope that allows Lara to climb and reach places that are difficult to access. Lara’s not just a climber but a gymnast with 1000 animated moves. And yes, she even takes up motorcycling for those long treks. A speedy vehicle is convenient when puzzles involve a race against time MATTER: SURVIVAL AND STRATEGY.
Tomb Raider: Underworld isn’t a simple on-rails adventure; your choices matter. Stumble upon a poacher in the wild, and your options open up. You can opt for the stealthy approach, waiting out the battle and striking when the opportunity presents itself. Alternatively, you can go all guns blazing, remembering that survival instincts aren’t exclusive to our heroine. Enemies set traps, launch surprise attacks and keep you on your toes. But worry not; Lara isn’t defenseless. She punches, kicks, throws grenades, and can dual-wield firearms – a fantastic new addition to the gameplay.
STUNNING VISUALS: DARK, GLOOMY, AND REAL
The developers have outdone themselves in the visual department. Tomb Raider: Underworld takes a more atmospheric approach with a darker, gloomier visual palette. The environment is interactive and dynamic, with Lara leaving footprints in the mud, her knees getting dirty from kneeling, and even the rain washing off the dirt. Add to this the permanence of a destroyed environment or enemy bodies, and you have a game world that feels genuinely alive and reactive.
LARA CROFT: THE GYMNASTIC ICON
In terms of character design, Lara Croft has never looked more realistic. Her movements are fluid and believable thanks to the use of motion capture and an Olympic gymnast’s skill. And though she retains her iconic braided hair, gone is her distinctive outfit. Instead, Lara dons black shorts and a shirt, though she changes her business several times throughout the game. Once again, the dulcet tones of Keeley Hawes bring our intrepid adventurer to life.
Tomb Raider: Underworld is a testament to the evolution of video games, wrapping up classic adventure and exploration in a beautifully rendered, immersive world. Get ready, folks – Lara’s journey is about to begin, and you’re in for a thrilling ride!
