June 24th, 2006 — Gaming, PSP, Sony
Tomb Raider: Legend came out for the PSP this week so I decided to sit down and get it a try. I may be bit spoiled from playing the Xbox version but, I could barely get through the first stage – it just felt clunky. Maybe it's just every game that needs a second analog stick just shouldn't be released on the PSP. For the most part it controls rather nicely – having the benefit of already knowing the stage that is. I couldn't imagine having to actually explore to find where to go next. Gun play isn't that bad – as long as you don't try to turn to fast the enemy! It's easier to just back up till they are on screen. Graphically, the game is on par with most other PSP offerings – it looks nice on that screen. Although, I'm surprised Eidos decided to stuff the game into PSP shape.
To sum it up: Look for my copy on Ebay soon.
April 10th, 2006 — Gaming, Xbox
Well, six hours of game play later and I've finished the story of Tomb Raider: Legend. I still need to collect all the artifacts and do the time trials before the game is 100% but, I doubt I'll bother to do that. I'm a little disappointed that the game was so short and very disappointed with it's "Halo 2" style ending. On the other hand, I don't really have a schedule that it suitable for prolonged gaming sessions so maybe the length is for the best. All in all – pretty solid game for what may be the last in the series.
As I said yesterday the combat mechanics are a bit shoddy. And it gets much more annoying later in the game – I had to consistently run and jump up to where the enemies were standing just to hit them. I always figured Lara for a much better shot then that – I guess I was wrong. The puzzle elements of the game are good and not overwhelmingly difficult to solve. Some of the reviewers didn't like the motorcycle sections of the game but I didn't really mind it. Although, the Kazakhstan (must every game have a Kazakhstan stage these days?) one was a tad to long – made it a bit boring.
I had a good time and was pleased enough that maybe someday I will go back back and 100% it…
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April 9th, 2006 — Gaming, Xbox
I received my copy of "Tomb Raider: Legend" yesterday so, I spent a little while this morning working my way through the first level. I haven't played a Tomb Raider game to completion since Tomb Raider 2 – I'm not the biggest fan of the series. So far the game feels like an updated version of the original game. It looks really good on the Xbox, too bad I don't own a 360 to compare the two. The environment looks great, which it should being so late in the life of the Xbox. All of the character animations are incredibly smooth, I didn't notice anything off with the Lara's movement. The game play is very tight – a lot tighter then I expected it to be. There is section of the first level where you have to dodge your way through a trap with "Dragons Lair" type interaction – meaning hit a button when they tell you. I'm guessing that will pop up a few more times throughout the game. The combat seems OK so far, it's nothing great but since this game is supposed to be pretty puzzle/tomb raiding oriented it should do the job. Sorry about the lack of screen shots – my Xbox is hooked up to the TV at the moment, maybe I'll move it back later and take some. Well, I guess I should get back to the tomb raiding…
