Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (PS2)

The first thing you'll notice when playing The Angel of Darkness is that they've changed the control system to try and make it fully analogue--but it hasn't really worked and lining up for jumps in particular is now infuriatingly difficult. You do get used to it but there's going to be a goodly proportion of fans who'll just immediately give up in disgust. This is a shame because apart from that one (admittedly fairly major) blunder the game is pretty good and far more inventive than any previous Tomb Raider game. For starters there's no set path through the game, but plenty of minor and major plot branching: you now have the chance to talk to people and further affect the route the game's plot takes.

You can also try out a new stealth mode, hand-to-hand fighting, a rather spurious RPG-style attribute upgrade system and even play as a new male character. The Angel of Darkness isn't even close to perfect but apart from the appalling new control system it's mostly all good news and once you start clambering over and under all the new buildings and tombs you'll start to remember just why this series has remained so popular over the years. --David Jenkins

5/5


Tomb raider:angel of darkness(ps2)   September 4, 2003
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

There is only one way to describe this game: if you don't have it yet, run out to buy it now!
On the plus side: - The plot is excellent; the graphics are excellent; the acrobatics that Lara has to go through make you think all the time; getting through a level leaves you with a sense of achievement.
On the down side: - every now and then the camera angle switches just at the critical point when Lara is negotiating a tricky passage or obstacle. Overall: - excellent! 6*!


Tomb Raider Returns to it's Roots   October 18, 2003
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

I can see that this game has not gone down that well with some elements of the gaming community, which is a shame because personally I have really enjoyed it. This is a return to beginnings, an attempt to recapture the essence of Tomb Raider: that perfect balance of mystery, action and adventure. There is a lot in this game that reminds me of the first TR game: exciting locations to explore, puzzles to solve and also that great feeling of awe when you unexpectedly come across an enormous well lit fabulously designed room. If you enjoyed the fantastic looking Roman circus in TR1 you'll appreciate the set piece locations in this game, some of which are amazing and great fun. This game may not be for everyone but I say give it a chance and relive the heady days of TR1!


Boy, was this worth the wait!!!   July 10, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Although it's been a long time coming and has been delayed nearly 10 times Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel Of Darkness was well worth the wait! TR6 is the first instalment of a new Lara Croft trilogy. The graphics are fantastic. Lara is now made of over 5000 polygons and it shows. Lady Croft has never looked so good. The gameplay is detailed and the surroundings are amazing. And now you can talk to other characters. The conversations affect the plot of the game. The addition of the second playable character Kurtis Trent can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it. But without a doubt Tomb Raider 6 is a game to remember