FORGIVE ME LARA!
Written: Jan 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great 3D Graphics, Challenging Play
Cons: Frustrating if you're not a good player
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| Hard_To_Please's Full Review: |
Since this is the only version of the Tomb Raider series I have played, I can't compare it to its' predecessors.
When I first bought the game, I had no game controller at all so had to rely on keyboard commands to make Lara do what I wanted. Yes, the booklet that comes with the game does provide you with a multitude of keystroke combinations that enable Lara to shoot, jump, somersault, crawl, run, spin, rotate, etc. The problem is that there are too many commands to easily memorize (at least for me). If Lara was to catch on fire from one of her flares, she'd most likely perish in the time it would take me to figure out how to make her stop, drop, and roll! That's the main reason I usually end up drowning her when she's underwater - as Lara's gasps for air become more desperate, I'm still on page 3 of the manual trying to find a combination of keys to help her. By the time I find them on page 5, Lara has already breathed her last breath. Sorry Lara!
Eventually my neighbor gave me a basic joystick, but it has only been of minimal help in controlling the game. So I suggest that you have a joystick with alot of programmable buttons if you really want to help Lara find the artifact she's searching for.
I realize that it's not nice to kill the buxom, pony-tailed Xena-Wanna-Be, but it's hard not to smile when you fail to jump her completely over
the bamboo spikes and skewer her like a shish-ka-bob complete with spraying blood and squishing sound effects. Unfortunately for Lara I've also sent her walking into her own fireplace where she combusts into a moaning fireball and suffocated her to a slow death in a pit of quicksand. (Accidently of course- I swear!) This may be one of those games that parents may want to steer their younger kids away from, although I think "Carmeggedon" is far worse for gore. (See my review on it.)
It was fun to explore the excellent 3D surroundings, but I haven't played long enough or well enough to experience much more than the jungle. Word has it that there are quite a few other landscapes once you get Lara out of the jungle. I'm proud to say that I successfully shot all the baboons that tried to attack my precious Lara (see, I DO care about you, Lara!)
There are a variety of ways to get around other than by foot. If you can figure out how to obtain them , you can provide Lara with a kayak, or quad bike, and a few other modes of transportation.
When you and Lara get tired and frustrated after an hour of unsuccessfully trying to escape the jungle, you two can head back to her spacious mansion for some R and R. After a dip in the hot tub followed by a rest in front of the roaring fireplace in her bedroom (be careful!), you can grab a snack in the kitchen and head for her in-home gym to do some work on the highbars to enhance that famous chest. But be warned, her 90 year old butler is never far away, and is constantly interrupting you with his chronic grunting and passing of gas! Unfortunately, Lara doesn't bring the guns into her house so you miss the opportunity to silence the slowest moving target in the game.
All in all, I enjoy playing this occasionally but have no illusions about ever becoming an expert. Maybe you'll be more proficient and actually take Lara to her goal.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Hard_To_Please
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: St. Louis, MO
Reviews written: 47
Trusted by: 741 members
About Me:
MARK IS MISSED!
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