Tomb Raider Underworld (PS3) for $10 At Amazon (12/21/2009)
Amazon has Tomb Raider Underworld (PS3) for $10. Shipping is free with Amazon Prime or if you spend $25 or more.
Price: $9.78
Product Features
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
Tomb Raider: Underworld for Nintendo PlayStation 3 by Eidos resumes where Tomb Raider: Legend left off and introduces a new, interactive playing environment
Lara Croft explores a wide array places, such as the Arctic, Mexico, and beneath the Mediterranean Sea
Environment is much more realistic and interactive -- footprints will be left in mud, for example, but only until it rains and then they will wash away
Melee combat system that requires players to strategically strike with offensive, defensive, and evasive maneuvers
Improved AI allows enemies and animals to make decisions based on surroundings, employ ambush and squad tactics, and even retreat if deemed necessary
Product Details
Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
ASIN: B0012N746W
Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches ; 4.8 ounces
Media: Video Game
Release Date: November 18, 2008
Amazon.com Product Description
Tomb Raider: Underworld for PlayStation 3 by Eidos resumes where Tomb Raider: Legend left off. This installment introduces a new, interactive playing environment that gives players a chance to immerse themselves more fully into the game. Players once again take the role of Lara Croft as she explores such wide-ranging places as the Arctic, Mexico, and beneath the Mediterranean Sea.
Interactive Worlds Introduces Realistic gameplay
Unlike the previous games in the series, Lara's environment is now much more realistic and interactive. Footprints will be left in mud, for example, but only until it rains and then they will wash away. Lara's shirt will also get wet, and she's more likely to lose her grip if she is standing on a slippery, rain-soaked ledge. When the sun comes out, her shirt will dry and the slippery surfaces regain their friction.
In Underworld, Lara also has a lot more flexibility in how she makes her way through a level, as there is often more than one way to get from here to there. She can now climb walls with texture and rocky outcroppings to reach areas she previously wouldn't have been able to access.
All of these additions have been made to give the game a non-linear, open feel. Players can interactive with the environment by doing things they find to be intuitive, and the game will respond in an appropriate way. When Lara interacts with trees, for example, she will push aside leaves using either one or two hands depending on whether or not she's holding something. These details give a lifelike, immersive sensation to the game.
New Melee Combat System
Underworld introduces a new melee combat system that requires players to strategically strike with offensive, defensive, and evasive maneuvers. Lara can now attack enemies with different punches, kicks, knees, and other acrobatic onslaughts. Items lying on the ground, such as poles that were previously walked on, can be picked up and swung at enemies. Players can also perform a greater variety of actions with weapons; for example, Lara can now hold onto a ledge with one hand and fire a gun with the other.
Realistic Enemy and Animal AI
The AI in Tomb Raider: Underworld has also taken a big step forward--both enemies and animals now make independent decisions based on their surroundings, employ ambush and squad tactics when fighting, and will retreat if deemed necessary.
With updated graphics and a more immersive and realistic gameplay, Tomb Raider: Underworld will have both fans and newcomers excited about the newest installment in this popular video game-pinup franchise.
Review:
I just got the game today and played for a few hours. And these are my opinion on the game.
Bad:
- Environment collisions are bad. You could fall quite easily even from a simple ledge, due to bad collision detection. And you often bump into invisible walls, or even stuck on them, in stupid places that they shouldn't be there.
- Animations look bad. The poses are alright, but timings and in-betweens are bad and too fast. I feel like watching a speedy Charlie Chaplin's film. Lara looks like a monkey when she does wall-climbing. And too-fast animations also cause very annoying errors in controling the character.
- Camera sucks. They make the camera follows Lara too much and track-in too fast. It could cause controling mistakes and a headache. Especially when you stand too close to environment collision, the camera will shake like crazy. I feel dizzy after playing for a few hours.
- Combat system are pretty bad. The gunplay doesn't include cover system, which makes you take the bullets too much. Dodging moves don't help much because a lousy camera don't stay still, so you lose track of enemies very easily.
Good:
Well... it's Tomb Raider after all. That means the story and puzzles are still interesting enough to keep you playing, even with lousy controls and camera. The models, textures, shaders, and lighting look great.
In conclusion:
The developers tried to put new things to keep the series fresh. Unfortunately, they don't really work. On the other hand, the weak points destroy what made the past games in the series so great.
I wouldn't recommend this one to anybody new to the series. Judging from this one, you might hate the entire series all together. Tomb Raider Legend and Anniversary are better than this one.
For average fans, you might want to download the demo and try it first, or wait untill the price drop.
For die-hard fans, well, it's still Tomb Raider. If you're dying to collect every Tomb Raider games, it might not be so bad for you. Just don't keep your hope up so high.
Actually, I wanted to give it 3.5 stars.
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