It may have sold 30 million copies worldwide, but before the release of Tomb Raider: Legend last year it looked like Lara Croft was ending her video game career in disgrace. Thankfully the new game was exactly the reboot that the series needed, instantly reminding everyone why they loved it (and Lara) so much in the first place. So to mark the tenth anniversary of the first game (actually 2007 is the eleventh anniversary, but who???s counting?) Eidos are releasing this special remake of the first game in the series, using an enhanced version of the graphics engine from Tomb Raider: Legend.

Although the game does feature the same basic settings and levels as the original, this isn???t just the same game with better graphics. Most of the levels are larger, with many new paths and areas to explore. They???re also much more interactive, with Lara using many of the same moves and gadgets she demonstrated in Tomb Raider: Legend, including a grappling hook and a greater variety of weapons. The story has been expanded too, but it does keep the same basic structure with more animal enemies than the later games, including the infamous encounter with a tyrannosaurs rex. Instead of just running straight at you mindlessly, the enemies have also been given much better artificial intelligence than previously.

The new graphics are still the most obvious change but the new fluid movement of Lara is a world away from the awkward grid based system used in the old games. Indeed this should be the first video game remake to actually prove itself as something more than just a cheap cash-in.
HARRISON DENT

I'm unsure if everyone here has played this game through, because great looking as it is, this game is ruined by the Damocles Room. Be warned, look it up - you'll find many others giving up on this game because of a very bad bit of level design that requires a ridiculously hit and miss 'off-wall-jump' that generates immense frustration. There are even web pages with lines and angles trying to help people get past it... If you ever do, well done.

I've played all the TRs so far and this bit is beyond hard, it's just stupid. Before the Damocles Room, 8/10, after 3/10.

The original Tomb Raider is amongst my top 5 games of all time so you can imagine my excitement to discover that the game was being revamped for the modern market.I think I can safely say that 'Tomb Raider Anniversary' is one of the most disappointing games that I have ever played.Why?Simply because I found the controls to be annoying in the extreme.
Yes,the graphics are great and it is always a pleasure to control Lara again.But at times I literally had to try sections of this game dozens of times and when I was successful I found that I didn't really know why as I had done the same thing the same way loads of times before.Very frustrating indeed.
I can at least say that I did complete this game.I can also add that I never intend to play it ever again as I feel that the developers made the controls way too tricky.The original was vastly superior to this effort and is worthy of five stars.This one I can only give two which is a real shame but I feel a true reflection on a classic that should have been left alone.

Buying this game was like looking up and old girlfriend on Friends Re-united and being pleasantly surprised to find her prettier and nicer than you remembered...

I had misgivings about a re-release of TR1 but my fears were allayed within minutes of playing. It is sexier, faster, bigger and much more controllable (walk off a ledge and she'll grab!) than TR1 ever was. It incorporates all the great moves from Legend with the panoramic scenes and puzzles from TR1. It remains faithful to the original though by not incorporating Legend's binoculars, PDA and torch but you do have the grapple which sees a lot of use. (If you liked wall running in Prince of Persia, you'll love this)

All the best bits are there, polished and improved - T-Rex, St Francis Folly, the Sphinx, crocs, Croft Manor, bats, the Great Pyramid. You name it...you got it! A lot of the puzzles have been subtly changed, others more so and lots of new ones added. There are lots of "I remember that " moments but tons more new challenges, secrets, opponents and scenes too.

If I had any small gripes, one is the adrenaline dodge. This is difficult to master but satisfying when you do and you'll need to nail it for the boss battles. Also, I don't think there is not enough of the choral music (particularly in the early levels) which gave TR1 it's unique atmosphere and added to the eerie feeling on entering a new chamber.

It is not an easy game by any means, the jumping is much better than the earlier versions, but the puzzles are difficult and, as mentioned, the adrenaline dodge is pretty tricky at first. It took me a few weeks of sporadic playing to crack it, with the occasional peek at YouTube to help. Mind you, I am an old geezer :o)

This is a fantastic PS2 game, whether you've played TR1 before or not. It improves on Legend and is a real challenge. I still prefer the original though....ha ha ha

As a fan of the original Tomb Raider I was really keen to play TR: Anniversary, and I must say have not been disappointed. The visuals and scale of the levels in Anniversary is really impressive, and the update is worthy of the original.

It brings back warm nostalgia for the original game (which I thought at the time was stunning) whilst offering some new elements to add more depth.

I would certainly recommend this game to other fans of the Tomb Raider series.

I.E Get Rid Of The Stupid Dongy Controlls For Pc You Cant Play It With Out A 360 Controller. On The PS2 (I OWN IT ON BOTH) And Pc The Dongy Controlls For Swimmin I Mean WTF Were You Drunk Or Soment All In All Its Gets 4 Stars Just Though.