IGN takes a look at Tomb Raider Underworld

by Alexander Sliwinski { Feb 1st 2008 at 3:00AM }

Lady Croft may be the first true comeback kid in gaming with a return to form in recent years in Tomb Raider Legend and Tomb Raider Anniversary. IGN got its hands on a demo of Lara's latest adventure in Tomb Raider Underworld and it appears the series will continue its upward trend.

A pre-alpha build of Underworld showed enemy AI actually going for cover and using squad tactics instead of just suicidally staying in the open to get picked off (which doesn't sound like much, but it's revolutionary for the series). Lara has also been given new melee abilities, including the use of a pole to whack jaguars and send them scampering. Not riddling creatures with bullets should make the animal rights people happy.

Check it out and prepare yourself for the inevitable question, "Who is the cooler tomb raider? Ms. Lara Croft or Mr. Nathan Drake?"

Tags: lara-croft, laracroft, tomb-raider, tomb-raider-underworld, tombraider, underworld

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jezreel @ Feb 1st 2008 3:19AM

A gal who raids tombs will always be cooler than any guy counterpart. That's just how it is.

Is Lara really the first true comeback kid though? Off the top of my head, I can point to Solid Snake who took 8 years' vacation after suffering the indignity of Snake's Revenge.

In any case, Legend and Anniversary restored my faith in the Tomb Raider series but I'll be expecting much more for this next game.

ViagraFiend @ Feb 1st 2008 10:41AM

There needs to be a game with both Croft and Drake that ends in a sexy party.

Rated AO

ALH @ Feb 1st 2008 4:14AM

'Not riddling creatures with bullets should make the animal rights people happy. '

Oh yes, the poor little digital animals, SOMEONE HAS TO LOOK OUT FOR THEM.

Am i the only person who was drawn to the tomb raider series originally specifically *because* you got to shoot animals more than people? I mean seriously,i would never hurt a fly IRL but its pretty satisfying to unload a clip into a digital monkey that wasnt even *trying* to jump on you and eat your face.

Brandon @ Feb 1st 2008 5:22AM

Oh come on we know that Lara is the best. She gots the looks, style and moves that Drake just wishes he has.

Dr0ooo @ Feb 1st 2008 5:43AM

I am glad Laura Croft is making a positive comeback. I remember after Tomb Raider 2 everything went down hill. Especially in that terrible tomb raider chronicles game that turned out to be pretty much just a quasi-expansion of that god awful tomb raider 4 The last revelation.

ThornedVenom @ Feb 1st 2008 6:02AM

With a name like that, there better be werewolves and vampires.

Emophia @ Feb 1st 2008 7:00AM

As a stright Male guy, I find Nathan to be a lot hotter than Lara.

Then again I also think Angelina Jolie is not that hot. SHe's not, but I'm biased I guess...

LoopyChew @ Feb 1st 2008 7:24AM

Biased against Angelina Jolie how? Are you Billy Bob Thornton?

Emophia @ Feb 1st 2008 9:33AM

No, biased on Lara Croft because she looks like Angelina Jolie.

Who I think is not that hot.

Phranctoast @ Feb 1st 2008 9:49AM

as a straight guy...... you confuse me.

SID SPACE @ Feb 1st 2008 1:44PM

I actually agree with you on the part about Croft and Jolie not being attractive. I find Jolie to be extremely fake and plastic (and her acting isn't too great either). Jolie may be "all-natural", but she still looks manufactured. And since Croft and Jolie are practically the same woman (physically, anyway), neither is that great.

Though I wouldn't go so far as to saying I think a male character is "hot."

SID SPACE @ Feb 1st 2008 1:45PM

Also, forgot to add that I too am a straight male.

spiral-soldier @ Feb 1st 2008 4:04PM

You guys seriously think the newest vidyagame Croft and Jolie look alike? I prefer vidyagame Croft :P

LiK @ Feb 1st 2008 10:07AM

sorry, too busy staring at the cleavage in that pic to read the article. *drool*

Kazi @ Feb 1st 2008 10:51AM

More like Tomb Raider Cleavageworld, mirite?

t_m @ Feb 1st 2008 10:55AM

12?

t_m @ Feb 1st 2008 10:58AM

Was i the only one completely underwhelmed by legend?

I got to play it free on Gametap and I still uninstalled it after about 4 levels. It was dull.. overly dumbed down, and didn't have half the charm of the old ones. (even if the control WAS better).

And those quicktime cutscenes were just annoying...