Firstly, I am a fan of Tomb Raider games. The last two games (Legend & Anniversary) were top-notch and great fun to play. So I was really hoping for something vaguely similar with Tomb Raider: Underworld.
Yesterday the demo was released on XBL Marketplace and I jumped at the opportunity to download it. Underworld is something more.
For those interested or skeptical about the franchise, I would suggest a download of the demo. The level is set in Thailand and gives you a taste of what's to come this November.
The first thing I noticed was how lush and interactive the environment was compared to the previous two games. Lara actually pushes foliage away when running through it, sharks swim in the sea under her boat… what I'm saying is that the environment “breathes” with a little more life.
The climbing and vaulting aspects of the game have changed too. You can live out your “Cliffhanger” and “Mission: Impossible” fantasies by rock climbing up certain points of cliff faces, balancing on beams, stand on vaulting posts and even take a vaulting post out and moving it to another location.
The battle system is a mix of the last two games but I still need a little practice to use the revamped Adrenaline Dodge feature correctly. Albeit the combat seems a little faster and more fluid.
All the little nuances are still there, you can do acrobatics by running and tapping the B button multiple times,you can Swan Dive with a quick switch from A to B in mid-jump and you can hold A when climbing a ledge to handstand.
So to sum up, Underworld looks set to be the best Tomb Raider yet. For fans and newcomers, I would highly suggest a download of the demo to make your mind up for a purchase.