SUCCESSFUL prologue to the iconic game series

Who would have thought that Lara still makes it to the game innovative modern times. With mild discomfort, which is due to the last two parts, and that convinced me only partially, I fed my console with this game, and waited for what might come.

Since I have all parts in stock as retail version, and these have also played through, the curiosity was with me all the greater because this game is supposed to be so the prologue to the whole series, and thus the youthful Lara, with her career towards the adventuress to explain or demonstrate, and archeology luminary. Without referring Great anticipate, this is managed well for the biggest part, even if not all questions could be answered. After this game I was satisfied because the game did not like many other games series developed purely for shooters, but all grown fond of attributes, such as climbing the executing special moves, but also solve the mystery, which in some cases entire environment involving with, found their place here in this game.

Of course, compared to the old parts of the Action proportion is higher here, but never dominating, so that a still solve plenty of time of leisure to the puzzle, discover artefacts, or just to admire the landscape, remains. Overall, left this game by playing with me after, not like so many other sequels of games series, a stale aftertaste. Square Enix may indeed in some games like Final Fantasy 13 to 13-3, Thief, and also with Murdered: Soul Suspect, have aroused my displeasure, but here again they showed that one still capable a decent game on the legs ask, and to satisfy even the mainstream justice. Also Hitman Absolution, which comes from the same company, also one not to the playful pure cases, but convinces with an excellent gameplay.

At the beginning of the game one must choose between three levels of difficulty, as well as various customization options when it comes to sound, graphics, and music, can be taken. An assignable buttons configuration is a not available. After this has been done, also begins an action-packed intro sequence capable graphically, as well as convincing sound-wise, and leaves you wanting more. Together with her colleagues suffer Lara shipwreck, and is then found hanging upside down in a cave again. Actually, the purpose of their trip was the ancient Japanese empire of Yamatei, instead she finds herself in the middle of a sparkling location again, the members of which unannounced visitors are not friendly, but with costume ending after foods, welcome. After their liberation, and then a stunning escape from the thugs that they have brought into this predicament, she finds herself after many days when she crossed caves full of human remains, climbed steep mountains and so again a campfire.

Having found the backpack of one of their colleagues, it makes use of the included camera use, the more their experienced, but also record all subsequent events. Trembling and at the end of her strength, she tries to make friends with the conditions of the natural environment, and to manufacture from the resources at its disposal utensils that make them fire, but can make even a bow, as these wilderness not only of human being populated, but also of all kinds of domestic animals, which is not exhausted only in cute to be regarded Bunny, but also wolves and other predators holds that with her but at first very meager weaponry, can be dangerous Lara, once the safety of the blazing fire of the camp site leaves. Here you can feel in contrast to all other parts Tomb Raider, Lara for the first time not as tough Fighter bride, but as a vulnerable, lost as well as in the wild nature.

This becomes even more wonderful underlined because Lara's thoughts heard, and thus her torn, as well as still too early exposes naive soul life, and it is thus made emotionally approachable. This makes an identification with the main protagonist easy, and awakens in particular in male gamers inevitably a protective instinct. So it was at least for me.

The beginning still highly differentiated characterization which makes Lara very credible, occurs more and more into the background, the more skills they learned, but also to the fast-growing arsenal is doing its part to do so. Here a slower development towards TAFFEN® gun Girl of credibility would have done well. Let the following in the later course of the Games Baller orgy, the mow down a mass of enemies, and the Action proportion uncomfortable to skyrocket, you could save yourself, especially as a not even the possibility of different approaches will be opened here. While you can take with tricks and distractions several offensive measures, the possibility of many of the venues to infiltrate eg in stealth style Splinter Cells, or completely traverse a level section undetected, but a stay denied. Who wants to finish here in a Lebelabschnitt, this can only be achieved by eliminating all enemies. However, which has been integrated nicely hunt animals, which then brings one again goodies

Here the levels are only a true recovery, if you have this firstonce "cleansed" of opponents, and can then start looking for the diverse existing gadgets, or discovered by chance a few side quests. Again, there are as in the earlier parts again challenging climbs, as well as integrated puzzles that not only is exhausted to press A, then run to point B action. Many of these puzzles are created very spread out, so that is essential prior exploration of the entire area with an open mind and attentive eye. Here, however, help the entire environment was also impatient characters built by can put into action with the Schultertatste Lara's "Instinct" mode in which then appears in black / white, raetselrelevante important, as well as other significant points, but yellow . lights

The simple, as well as intuitive control leaves no questions unanswered, and allows a variety of transportation options, such as the very useful in the fight off and roll away to. The weapons selection is made via the D-pad, so which one. Even in hectic battles without much fuss, the weapon can change The tutorials that accompany a beginning of the Games, are easy to understand, and also carry casual players slowly into quite simple and intuitive gameplay, a. Graphically, the game is a joy to behold. The Locations are varied, as well as staged in detail. In particular, the foresight, once you get on a higher base inserts a playful break can enjoy the area a variety. The camera, which is following the activity depending on the situation getting out of the correct point of view, as well as the most advantageous perspective, deserves special praise, and can experience a downright cinematic desöfteren moments. In addition to the references to be found, as well as in eingechaltetem "Instinct Mode", Lara gets desöfteren survival tricks from her boyfriend Roth communicated acoustically.

Effective lighting and shading effects support the adventurous atmosphere of the Games. Larger graphical errors I could throughout the season not notice except for a few occasional Tearings, as well as rare drops in the framerate, which could, however, take only as a negative point in the balance when one of the absolute graphic fetishists, or predisposed very pedantic is , the game does not dim. Realistic, and always matching ambient noise underline the whole production, as well as the background music, which always adapts to the respective stuation. Here I would then point out once again on the German dubbing really successful, which always matches the Kontex, and does not act like so few other games, without connection to the events, read from the Journal.

In addition to all the temporary storage points that were invariably set fair, you can also save the campfire, which play a special role in this game. In certificates of crackling fire, many skills of Lara can be improved, if you have collected The required skill points (XP). These points can then be divided into 3 basic skill types, such as a survivor, which is mostly about skills, an easier life in the wild nature, the hunter, where it hautsächlich comes to enhanced weapons skills that one on the hunting of wild animals how but may also be in the fight of benefits, and to the third Oprion the fighter who Laras Möglickeiten better compensate enemy attacks, as well as to learn some very effective Nahkampfffähigkeiten, Lara in many cases can be very helpful. At the campfire you can not only distribute its ability points, which have implemented with the RPG element in the game, but also upgraded weapons, be improved.

However, these improvements are an unlocked gradually all available, but are not equal throughout the Games to start. In addition, this equipment is required, which can usually be found in hidden, but occasionally quite obvious rumstehenden chests. Here, of course, the principle, the more significant the improvement of a weapon, such as the sport bow, shotgun, rifle, handgun, etc., the higher the use of materials needed to. Here orients the crafting system in other games of this genre, which is by no means a disadvantage. Here it is advisable to concentrate initially on a gun, and you should do this even with the skill points distribution. If you already allowed to visit some places in the later course of the Games, opening up a campfire and the possibility of a quick trip function. A long, arduous path towards a certain goal can be run without great expenditure of time

Players that what there is to gadgets like collect everything will be fully satisfied here, starting with archaeological finds, which in turn are divided into groups, such as vases, daggers, coins, masks, and much more, as well as findings regarding the on Lara's story of how take the island are plentiful, inform of diaries, scrolls, documents, as well as many others still Hinwiese who take for example also with regard to the sect that has spread on the island. Geocaches that are particularly hard to find, contain coordinates for particularly valuable treasures, and then complete the smorgasbord of objects to be discovered. There, however, this search to make easier by appropriating the designated capacity, which then can one find the treasures of the "Instinct", but also by reference to the map, the possibility in the later course of the Games.

All the areas that traverses Lara during the Games, reminiscent almost of an Open World Game, this, however, the individual area sections are a little on the small side, although they are all more or less connected to each other. In addition to the whole-to-find collectibles, you will very often find arrows for the bow. This should also be the main weapon for Lara, and be upgraded as well as the first, because it is silent, as can also be equipped with a variety of different arrows, such as fire arrows. However, of particular importance are the arrow chop, with which one can normally make inaccessible areas reachable. Here also is again one of the strengths of the game Climbing a again, as with eg a rockfall small reaction tests, in the form of Ouick-Time Events (QTE`s: rapid key presses that are displayed on the screen) can perform ,

The story, with its whole historical turns, as well as surprises can convince also by the many-to-find evidence. Unfortunately, it weakens towards the end but a little, because the differentiated approach that allowed Lara to come at the beginning of games still, towards the end, barely plays a role. The path from the helpless being who is alone to fend for themselves in the woods, toward the taffem Fighter Girl who knows how to Lara from the previous parts took place, for me too fast to not say outright, by leaps and bounds.

The enemy AI can be occasionally be desired, and can be best described as patchy, and where there is a mass of enemies, some dynamite barrels are also usually rum, which make with the enemies of short process, one should those with a firearm detonate. Area circumstances you can use for many purposes, since they were well integrated into the game with. The interim and final opponent is relatively easy to defeat because it is usually already or will receive during the fight tips like these are what technology is best off. This one has here integrated in Game also stealth kills, seems a little put on, but will probably also these gamers group, at least from her approach, satisfy.

Overall Conclusion:

Lara makes this game a good figure. Graphically, as well as sound and music technically, there is nothing to complain about. Unfortunately, the story that still fascinates the beginning can, in the course of the game more and more according to record then only shortly before the end again momentum.

The gameplay, as well as the controls are simple and intuitive, and can be mastered by accompanying tutorials also of opportunity gamers, as well as Game newcomers quickly. Climb, jump, roll, duck, dive, etc. occasional quick time events, as well as the simple weapon selection on the directional pad, as recurring in the later course of the Games Notes who want a slimming even the smallest intrinsic action left, not bad, but at least a mixed impression, because this indeed is perfect for game beginners, for experienced gamers, however, more than nannying could be perceived.

Any player who is addicted to the collector's instinct is satisfied here. Unfortunately, this, as well as the fight against the enemy, very simple, as most items are to be found already marked on the map. Should one then this were not enough, you can among the skills, through proper selection, make the search even easier, because treasures etc. then seen by the "Instinct-view", comparable to the "eagle eye" of Assassin's Creed, open are. Also puzzles lose in part by this feature their claim.

The RPG elements, inform the construction skills, but also the crafting system for weapons, are of interest, acting in some areas, however, superfluous, as well as set up, because the improvements are available only gradually. In this respect, the Crafting could also occur automatically. The enemy AI, can be a few exceptions times, described as mixed. Dynamite barrels, as well as other items designed to improve the environment of the action involve, as well as arming to the teeth, make arguments for Lara partially breeze. Lack of ammunition there is not here, because all are at important, critical points, weapon crates as drop ammo to the enemy off enough.

Luckily the Shooterisierung has not assumed such proportions in this part, as it was the case with other altwürdigen games series. An exception to this rule is the "barracks level" in the center of the Games, which insszeniert a pure shooting Inferno / fireworks. However, this is the only truly nameable low point of this game for me. Others, however, see this perhaps as the highlight.

For collectors of the Tomb Raider series, this part is a 'must have', as well as fans of the Uncharted series probably should not be disappointed here. Taken Imgrunde has this Game over individual elements of almost every game genre, so that ultimately every player type could be reflected here. However, this happened in a few cases, however half-heartedly, so that some still seemed immature.

Overall, a wonderful adventure game where a little less, might have been more. Nevertheless, I was able to entertain for many hours the game wonderfully. Anyone looking for challenging, playful claim here is either wrong, or should play under the highest difficulty setting.

Despite some insignificant, but noticeable deficiencies, but gets the Game of me in the standings 4 stars as graphics, sound, music, German synchronization, as well as the playful fun and the story, could convince me though, it in some areas for improvement are. Has fun in the rating from me very clear 5 star because this game second to none really bored, but wonderfully entertained for a couple of evenings.

PS

Looking forward to your feedback, and everyone who has taken the time to read this rather detailed review. So if I could achieve no gain in knowledge with you, I hope you still have at least entertained.

Otherwise GOOD GAMING !!!