Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation
Score: 100% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Eidos Interactive Developer: Core Design Media: CD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Action
Graphics & Sound: Wow! That's all I can say after viewing some of the visuals in the Dreamcast version of the game. Not only is this version leaps and bounds ahead of it's PlayStation cousin, it's also very close, if not better then my very expensive PC set up with a high end 3D card. Finally, console owners can experience what us PC players have been experiencing for quite some time. Taking advantage of the unsurpassed power of the Sega Dreamcast, Eidos has greatly enhanced the graphics of this title. Lara Croft has been remodeled so that she is displayed in high resolution to match the game's lavish environments, thus creating unprecedented realism in the game. The game also features an enhanced lighting system, a greater draw distance than seen on other versions, real-time shadow casting (which hasn't been seen on any other version to date), bump mapping, environment mapping, volumetric fogging and an enhanced sound system. Individual environments are more reminiscent of the original game - tightly focused and puzzle orientated, but with higher levels of detail and a greater number of objects than seen before. The music is nice as well. It plays at key points in the game, which fit the current situation, and this helps add to the overall atmosphere of the game.
Gameplay: Egypt. Land of mythology, mystery, Pharaoh's and the most complex tombs known to man. Tombs littered with mazes, puzzles and traps, designed to drive even the most persistent raiders to distraction, or to their deaths. Lara's objective is clear from the outset - she must escape a terrifying destiny and rectify a situation that threatens to destroy humanity. So begins Lara's latest adventure - Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation. In terms of accessible gameplay, Last Revelation is able to offer greater range than any of its predecessors. New technology features a wealth of original elements and effects designed to give a more focused and compelling experience. The storyline is driven seamlessly through gameplay via advanced engine technology. A range of new moves, both simple and complex, have enabled designers to create an assortment of brand new puzzle and trap mechanisms for Lara to negotiate. New programming routines allow gameplay to dissolve into cut-scenes and FMV - loading screens are eliminated and the adventure becomes a continuous experience. Last Revelation's redesigned inventory system gives Tomb Raider brand new gameplay. The traditional inventory rings are now obsolete and the interface is totally redesigned, allowing items to be combined, collected and stored. Clear objectives and smaller locations result in less time spent traveling between areas. An emphasis on ancient locations and tombs etc. allows mystery, suspense and characteristic atmosphere to play key roles throughout.
Difficulty: Let's face it - some games are just meant to offer a great challenge, and Tomb Raider LR does just that. The game isn't so incredibility difficult that you will want to pull out your hair and toss your Dreamcast through the window. For the most part, Tomb Raider LR does a great job of making most puzzles seem very logical, but a few puzzles are pretty tough and more than likely will send fans new to the series searching the net for a walkthrough or flipping through a strategy guide for the solution. To increase the replay value and difficulty, Core has included secrets scattered throughout the game's many levels. Although there are no hidden levels for acquiring all these secrets, you get the satisfaction of collecting all of the secrets and seeing each level in full. Also exclusive to the Dreamcast is a Gallery option that is opened when you complete levels and collect the levels' secrets.
Game Mechanics: Tomb Raider LR does a fantastic job of bringing both old and new users into the Tomb Raider Universe. The games' training level which sports Lara at the young age of 16 is a great way to become familiar with all of Lara's somewhat complex moves which include sprinting, swimming, climbing, and monkey swinging, just to name a few. After all, Tomb Raider LR features the most moves Lara has ever had. Two new key moves include the use of ropes and new 'shimmy': Use of ropes - This opens up brand new methods for negotiation of environments and puzzles. Lara may climb up and down, grab, swing from and build momentum using ropes. Shimmy round corners - Lara can now move hand-over-hand around corners. Again, this opens up new possibilities for exploration. At first, controls are somewhat awkward, but once you get the hang of things (which I found was after the training level), you'll be playing like a pro. I found the controls very responsive, which is important in a game like this where one small slip-up could see you falling face first into a bed of spikes. In the end, I was very delighted with the Dreamcast port - everything in the PC and PlayStation version and more is included here. I think it's great to finally see Lara grace another home system besides the aging PlayStation, and hopefully it's a sign of what we will see in the future. Do yourself a favor and pick this game up. Even if you're not a fan of the series, you might just surprise yourself. Raid on!
-Raider, GameVortex Communications AKA Chris Duran
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