“Whatever you do, don’t call it a Tomb Raider game”, was the constant PR message in the run-up to Crystal Dynamic’s latest. But why, exactly? If they were worried that Lara’s new downloadable status and isometric perspective might cheapen the franchise somewhat, they needn’t have bothered; Guardian of Light is one of the most interesting imaginings of the plum-mouthed adventurer’s escapades on modern consoles, and can certainly hold its own with the best in the series to date – regardless of title.
It manages to ascend those ranks by taking a long look at exactly which facets make Tomb Raider click, and stripping away all other superfluous details in an effort to keep pacing light and breezy. A tight 2GB download limit forces unnecessary cinematics to be jettisoned for brief comic-book style sketch-work, while the manageable scope of each environment ensures that clever exploration and environmental puzzles remain the focus and center of attention at all times.
Thankfully, the excellent level design for the most part works in tandem with those aspirations, and provides just the right amount of head-scratching to ensure you never feel completely hand-held. High score tables, physics-based challenges and speed-runs provide replayability, and – similarly to Assassin’s Creed II - those that wander off the beaten path are rewarded with the discovery of a clutch of ‘challenge tombs’ that feature some of the most satisfying moments in the whole package. Needless to say, their latter examples are fiendish in the extreme, but superbly rewarding for those that persevere.
Again thanks to the perspective, gunplay is no longer the twitchy and frustrating mess is used to be, and now takes form as a tactile dual-stick shooter that sacrifices none of the balletic prowess that previously trademarked Ms. Croft’s choreography. Indeed the wide-angle perspective of your surroundings serves to increase the prominence of her acrobatics, given that you can now see exactly where you’re jumping and rolling for maximum showmanship and efficiency. It feels like this is the way combat was always meant to function in Lara’s universe, and it’ll be difficult to go back to the traditional 3D shortcomings should the next iteration head back to its roots.
Weaponry too, is expanded in scope from basic pistols and rocket launchers to items of more mystical potency, all of which can be enhanced with a series of collectible relic and artifact buffs that serve to inject some extremely light role-playing elements into the mix. Morrowind or even Diablo it certainly isn’t, but those limited choices favouring an attack, bomb, speed or health-based loadout are just enough to make the difference in some of the tougher, well-checkpointed sections and allow for a sliver of personalisation alongside the obligatory unlockable costumes.
Perhaps most importantly of all, GoL never goes as far as sacrificing the core appeal of Tomb Raider at the altar of a convenient reboot and a quick buck from a new audience. Never has a game illustrated to me just how much of a series’ signature atmosphere is tied into into the little things that often go unnoticed. Sound effects, musical cues, animation timings; each of these is carefully replicated and layered amongst fresh ideas that move the action into interesting new territory. As an experiment, it’s an uncompromising success.
Professional enthusiast, videogame "journalist" and all-round spectacular sofa dweller. "
5 Comments
I’ve only played the trial version but I’m afraid I wasn’t that taken with it, not enough to part with 1200 points. Horses for courses and all that.
Indeed. I certainly don’t regret shelling out for it though good sir. Seems most of the good stuff is coming more from downloadable sources these days than anywhere else!
What I’ve played so far, I’m digging it. I originally downloaded it for my Tomb Raider loving wife, but I’ve ended up enjoying it far more than her.
Agree on the level of quality available via download, however. Hydro Thunder, Afterburner, Dead Rising are testament to that.
I can’t wait for all the mini Tim Schafer projects headed to XBLA and PSN later this year and next. That’s the ideal scenario for me, world-class ideas-driven producer working to a smaller timescale with more room to experiment without the thread of studio closure if they get one wrong.
More of that please. It’d be interesting to see what the likes of Molyneux, Wright et al could do within that sort of timescale and budget. I’d bet we’d see much more interesting stuff.