The first Tomb Raider was groundbreaking. It was one of the first games I can remember

that offered such a large open world, with so much to see and do. And while going back,

the game definitely still has its charm, its gameplay has really seen its years. Coming

off the success of Tomb Raider Legend, Crystal Dynamics decided to give the first game a

complete makeover, with new graphics, level design, and gameplay. And what they created

was a game that could be argued to be as good as the original, just without the nostalgia.

Lara Croft is back, for the first time in her now iconic short shorts and blue tank

top. Lara is hired to find an artifact called The Scion of Atlantis. This leads Lara on

an epic quest from Peru to Egypt and some even more exotic locals. The story is pretty

much the same as the original, with little changes coming here and there to help it fall

more in line with the other games in the series.

But the biggest improvement comes in the way of the overhauled gameplay. The game plays

much like Tomb Raider Legend, which is a very good thing. The combat feels very smooth,

with Lara being able to perform a kill move now by lining up two circles. And the platforming

feels as good as it can be, with Lara being able to shimmy, climb and jump with ease.

The game is jamm-packed with great moments. From the simple ones like feeling the tension

build as you have to press triangle so Lara can regrip a ledge before she falls, to the

times tension boils over like when you are running for your life from the T-Rex. Each one will stay with you as you explore

more and more of the game.

The levels have seen major improvements in design. These areas are huge, with many different

paths to take and get lost in. The hallmark of the series has always been the intricate

puzzles and this game doesn’t disappoint. They have been streamlined a bit, but there

are still plenty of times you will have to take a couple extra seconds to figure things

out.

The original Tomb Raider will always remain a classic in its own right. But with all the

major improvements Anniversary makes, it makes for a better flowing game than ever before.

It will not completely replace the original but should be experienced.