Customer Reviews

Tomb Raider

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The original tomb raider, while lacking the visual panache of the third and fourth entries, and the intricate puzzles of all three sequels, is still the best.

The reason is simple. This one is fun! the puzzles are not needlessly obtuse, and you don't have to wander endlessly, backtrack, turn up the brightness, and look in nonsensical places for the solution to problems you can't even spot right away!

the plotline makes the most sense, and the level layout is far superior with the emphasis on striking level design rather than puzzles. Has there been any sequence in any of the sequels to compare with the waterfall plunge and t-rex entry in the lost valley? Or the tower scene in Rome where you battle the rooms of the gods? I don't think so. This is before you needed a hint guide to find any of the bonuses and you didn't die fifteen hundred times trying to solve far too many puzzles.

I've never played a Tomb Raider game until I bought this a month ago and I was really impressed. The graphics are a bit too blocky and choppy, the controls take a bit of getting used to and Laura doesn't always seem to do what I want her to, but I loved the challenge of it all. The puzzles have found that right balance of being challenging without making you rip your hair out trying to figure it out. I've not looked at a cheat book yet and I'm pretty far into the game already. Granted I don't have all the secrets on each level, but I'll go back and do that later. The cinemas are done very nicely as well. The game creates a lot of it's mood by suprising you with baddies popping out when you least expect it. More than once I've been startled and hit the wrong key just to see Laura die. But, with a smile on my face, I just start from my last save and have at it again. And that's another thing you can save at any time you want. BIG plus.

If you're into games at all, you have to give this a try. I've been pulled into the game completely, but others comments are keeping me away from the sequals. Buy this, the original, and prepare for an adventure you'll never forget.

Tip: Make sure you know what kind of sound card you have installed on your computer, because you have to tell the game which kind to use. It took me a few days to figure out which one I had installed.

From the ruins of Rome to the futuristic setting of Atlantis, Tomb Raider takes the gamer through a variety of wonderful worlds. Unlike its sequels, it stays in the tombs and out of other settings. I believe that it is one of the best games ever made, and it certainly is a classic. However, I believe that its sequels in many aspects overshadow it.

The scenery in Tomb Raider is better than most games, although it is mostly cubed and flat. The game play and plot are wonderful, and the graphics and sounds are acceptable. However, the artificial intelligence enemies are less than intelligent, and the gamer is often left feeling underestimated with the ease of some of the puzzles. Laura's moves are limited, and the weapons supply is less than perfect. The bonus levels present in the gold version are a lot of fun to play, but they add little to the game's plot.

I would recommend this game to any fan of the Tomb Raider series and to the average gamer. However, I do feel that other versions have better qualities. Tomb Raider II offers wonderful AI and is perhaps the best for a gamer seeking combat. Tomb Raider III combines the better aspects of the previous two, and Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation offers the best plot and character mobility. If you are looking to stay in the tombs, or if you are not into puzzles, stick with this game. However, don't miss out on the other great qualities the Tomb Raider series offers.

This game is great. It's not impossible but is still challanging. The only thing about this game I disliked was Lara's House. It was boring. (If you wan't a good training ground buy TR3 Jewel Case.) Other wise it was a great game.

Tomb Raider is a really thoughtfull game, full of entertainment, and exciting themes. Although it is not as complex as the other sagas of the game, and "may" not be as good, it is still great for a gamer who likes action/adventure things. After I had gotten the other ones, I wanted the complete collection and bought it. I am sure that no one should be extremely disapointed by it. Sure Lara Croft may not do exactly what you want her to do every once and a while, and the controlls are a bit hard to master the first few times, it is not something that should pocess you to play frisbee with the disks when your stuck. (And if you do, well you could just get the walkthrough guide to it, or go to a website) It is definetly a great game! Even if you don't get this exact one, everyone should at least try out one of them!!! (^ - ^)

now it's a little tricky to get this to run on vista, but i did after like 5 days straight... anyway it's a clasic, i love the story and the graphics may be really low and pixilated but i never minded it that much. it's fun and kinda easy, but you do have to get used to the controls before you fight the big boss at the end... which took me quite a while to figure out how to beat her.

so if you like puzzles and hours of adventure based fun, get this... but be warned, if you have xp or vista you may have a really hard time getting it to work.

Tomb Raider 1 is my favorite game in the TR series. It had the most interesting/exciting plot, the best villians (Natla is pretty cool, and so are Larson and Pierre), and the best puzzles. Even though the graphics aren't as good as the ones nowadays, (they were excellent for 1996, though) the game is still my absolute favorite and takes the cake.

I was looking for a mindless game to allow myself to release some of the day's tensions. Basically I just wanted to shoot zombies. I had no interest in stygian secrets, labrynthine Luciferean lairs, or archteypal archeological artifacts. I got hooked in anyway. I became so absorbed in the narrative of the game that I found myself reasoning out solutions when I should have been doing more responsible things. I also found myself wondering if I could successfully jump the gap in the subway as Lara would do, and when the elevator doors at work would open I found myself reaching for imaginary sidearms.

I agree with Michael below. The original TR is hands down the best in the series. Each successive TR game, though it may have enjoyed better graphics, sound, cut scenes, etc, also became progressively more difficult and borderline unplayable. TRII was fairly strong, although it wasn't as good as the first. But III and IV introduced problematic frustrating levels that sent one running to the internet (or, for the more foolish, to the nearest store to by the official Eidos hint guide).

Gamers need to realize that glitzy graphics and cool sounds do not add up to a great game. I recently replayed TR and loved it. It has atmosphere (who DOESN'T remember standing way up there on top of the Sphinx's head when the camera pulls back giving you a perspective on the surroundings?). It had originality (who WASN'T surprised when a raptor came out of nowhere in the Lost Valley?). Most importantly, however, TR had great puzzles, puzzles that could be figured out through logic. You might get stumped, but if you sat there long enough and stared at the screen, the answer would eventually occur to you. And if you were truly at a loss (as I was during the Cistern), you never got angry when you found out the solution online. You never cursed at the game and yelled, "Hey, that's BS! Who would have thought of trying that?"

Sadly, illogical puzzles plague the remaining games in the series (especially III and IV). I'd stick with the original, the best, Tomb Raider!

I got this game in 1998. It was the first game I got for my new PC. I had never seen anything like it before, this was magic. A game that I could explore in 3D, and with a nice looking character to play. The puzzles also had me captivated. It took me 3 months to complete. Then I went and got TR2. OK, I agree the graphics are dated and that Lara dosn't move so well as she does in the latter TR games. But, to me, this game is still the one that earned the name Tomb Raider most of all. Why? Because it deals with tombs, long forgatten underground chambers, Pyramids (without the overdone deco)and of course Atlantis. In the other TR games the levels are less mysterious and even mondane. The story is also more interesting and well thought out than the others. The puzzles are hard, but in a less frustrating way. Plus, this game was made as an adventure game rather than a shooter, which is what the other TR games resemble too much. If you havn't played it. Play it. It is still good even after all this time.