Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - Legend

Game Informer Magazine (8.75 out of 10)

In some circles, Tomb Raider has become a joke. What was once a prized and praised franchise in its early years now evokes healthy skepticism, even from some of its fans. Thankfully, Lara's latest adventure is in good shape to reset perceptions for those still willing to give her a chance. Sporting a totally redesigned control scheme, for the first time a Tomb Raider game feels natural and intuitive. Even more importantly, this newest entry in the series brings back the adventure and awe that made those early games so exciting. Tomb raiding is fun again.

Gamesmania.de (87 out of 100)

Das Comeback der wohl bekanntesten Videospielikone ist gelungen. Nach dem eher enttäuschenden The Angel of Darkness bringt Tomb Raider Legend die Archäologin wieder auf die richtige Bahn. Abgesehen von der exzellenten Grafik und dem treibenden Soundtrack hat mich in technischer Natur am meisten die überarbeitete Steuerung positiv überrascht. Endlich muss man nicht mehr punktgenau abspringen oder umständlich einen Gegenstand aufheben. Bei den Schauplätzen herrscht auch viel Abwechslung, sei es nun Peru, Japan oder Ghana, Lara kommt viel herum. Das Leveldesign überzeugt, besonders die Missionen in verlassenen Ruinen oder Tempelanlagen mit komplizierten Mechanismen und Fallen erinnern an die besten Episoden der Tomb Raider-Reihe. Letztlich ist das Spiel für Profis vielleicht einen Tick zu leicht (im Gegensatz zu Prince of Persia) und die Durchspielzeit ist mit unter 10 Stunden zu kurz ausgefallen, aber Lara Croft wird sicherlich bald wieder kommen.

Game Informer Magazine (8.5 out of 10)

After suffering a bone-shattering fall from grace, the spunk has finally returned to this spelunker's step. Tomb Raider: Legend rekindles the thrill of adventure and sense of discovery that once made this series a juggernaut. Masterfully crafted architecture and lushly detailed landscapes fill your eyes with wonder. Your brain will twist over the ingenious physics-based puzzles.

GameZone (8.5 out of 10)

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend is not only a return to the classic form we have all loved from the beginning but it’s also a much deeper adventure that is engrossing from start to finish. While there are some small sore spots here and there, Legend succeeds where Angel of Darkness has failed. With gorgeous visuals, plenty of extras, a solid story and interesting new features, this is a Tomb Raider long-time fans of the old girl will certainly enjoy.

Quebec Gamers (8.4 out of 10)

Aventure, exploration, puzzles, tout ça s'agence de façon simple et efficace dans Tomb Raider Legend. C'est un jeu bien balancé avec des tableaux amusants et des environnements superbes et intéressants à parcourir. Je n'ai pas trouver de bouts plates ou ennuyants. Ce jeu peut être apprécier par quiconque qui cherche un bon jeu d'aventure. Malgré sa "courteur", il y a toujours quelque chose d'original qui survient et il y a beaucoup de variétés. Je le recommande fortement aux fans de Tomb Raider et aux autres qui sont nouveaux à cette série, c'est une belle façon de la découvrir. Si Eidos et Crystal Dynamics reviennent avec un autre Tomb Raider coulé dans ce moule, ce sera un achat sûr pour moi.

IGN (8.2 out of 10)

Nearly 10 years ago a little-known British developer crafted a title whose impact on the videogame world would be massive and permanent. Tomb Raider starring Lara Croft graced game systems in November 1996. Within a year, the sexy, smart and sassy heroine would go on to become world-famous for her voluptuous build, can-do attitude, and endless mass market appeal. Along with Shigeru Miyamoto's brilliant Super Mario 64, the first Tomb Raider illuminated new corridors in 3D game development, showing fresh possibilities in character and game design, 3D control, and camera work.

TeamXbox (8.1 out of 10)

Control wise, it’s out with the old and in with the new…sort of. The clunky controls that were so limiting in previous Tomb Raider efforts have been replaced with a more free form mechanic. It’s not completely open-ended, as the geometry and level design ultimately determines exactly where Lara can explore. Those familiar with Legacy of Kain: Defiance will immediately notice how similar both games feel.

GameSpy ( )

Our biggest qualm with the game is actually one that can be easily remedied when it comes time for Crystal Dynamics to start crafting a sequel: It's too short. Sure, you can spend a few extra hours searching for the hidden artifacts spread about the levels (bronze are easy to find, gold are nearly impossible, and silver fall somewhere in the middle), but the game can be beaten in one extended sitting. It took me just under 8 hours to complete 90% of the game, and it's not a terrible stretch to imagine someone rushing through it in 5 or 6. It's a good sign for a game when players want more, and it's further proof that the Tomb Raider series is back in a big way.

GamePro (US) (4 out of 5)

Lara herself looks as curvaceous as ever, if a bit more realistically proportioned. Judging by looks alone, she's gone from a mighty 36 DD to a more conservative 34 D. Her character is also decked out in some pretty snazzy duds (dig the tiny creases and folds in her short-shorts) but it's unlikely you'll be looking too closely at her wardrobe as she bends and flexes and bounces. One other detail we liked was the way her skin glistened after she climbed out of water. Subtle, tactile details like these give Lara's character more life and vitality than she's had in earlier games.

Jeuxvideo.com (16 out of 20)

Oui le joueur est assisté, oui le jeu est globalement trop facile et ressemble parfois à un pot pourri de jeux Electronic Arts mais quelle claque après le décevant L'Ange Des Ténèbres. Crystal Dynamcis a dépoussiéré Lara pour faire en sorte qu'elle aborde un nouveau cap avec grâce et sérénité. Dire que cette renaissance ressemble par certains côtés à celle de Resident Evil n'est pas exagéré d'autant que le gameplay de cet épisode est à mille lieux de celui des précédents opus. Graphiquement superbe, jouable (malgré quelques défauts agaçants) et surtout très fun, Tomb Raider Legend fait plaisir à voir même si on aurait aimé que l'aventure soit bien plus longue. Ne reste plus qu'à attendre d'hypothétiques suites qui viendraient confirmer la bonne impression laissée par le retour fracassant de notre aventurière prodigue.

Mansized ( )

So adventurers step this way. With perfectly executed controls, combat and design, Tomb Raider - Legend is a must buy.

GameCola.net (7.9 out of 10)

Yes, Tomb Raider: Legend restores the franchise to playable, enjoyable form, but for fans of the original, this romp is more like watching a new Tomb Raider movie than partaking in a classic Croft adventure.

4Players.de (78 out of 100)

Alles wirkt dynamischer und interaktiver, aber gleichzeitig auch eben so verdammt leicht und durchschaubar, manchmal schon fast primitiv - die billigen Motorradrennen, die stupide Ballerei, die schnell gemeisterten Bosskämpfe. Trotzdem: Das Team von Crystal Dynamics hat die richtige Richtung eingeschlagen, indem es die Steuerung fast perfektioniert, die Archäologin wieder in Höhlen und Wildnis katapultiert, die Rätsel über den klugen Einsatz der Physik modernisiert und neue Elemente wie den Magnethaken geschickt integriert hat. Tomb Raider: Legend ist ein unterhaltsames Abenteuer, das in seinen besten Momenten die Nostalgie alter Zeiten entfacht. Es gibt aber im Vergleich zu diesen vereinzelten Höhepunkten mit ihrer grandiosen Panoramakulisse noch zu viele Tiefpunkte, als dass man das Comeback euphorisch feiern könnte. Der erste gute Schritt ist getan, der Nachfolger kann davon nur profitieren.

GameSpot (7.8 out of 10)

It's been almost 10 years since the first Tomb Raider was released, and while video games have come a long way since then, the Tomb Raider series hasn't kept pace. Problems such as clunky controls and a frustrating camera, which were excusable in the early games, have steadily degraded the quality of the series releases over time. The latest installment, Tomb Raider: Legend, finally brings the series into the 21st Century while staying true to the adventurous spirit of the early games.

Extreme Gamer (7 out of 10)

It's a fact; Lara has made a successful comeback in Tomb Raider: Legends. This multi-platform adventure from the most popular lady in gaming is like you remember your Lara. Tomb Raider Legends is a good game worth your investment of time, although I would weigh the option of renting over buying mainly because of the games length. I feel the Tomb Raider series is back on track and I'm already anticipating the return of a clearly focused next generation Tomb Raider game.

Lawrence (B-)

Having never been a huge fan of the Tomb Raider series, this installment came as a pleasant surprise. After the abysmal Angel of Darkness, I thought for sure that this series was done for. Thanks to the hiring of Crystal Dynamics, however, Eidos has resurrected the series and presented gamers with its best title yet.