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Tomb Raider Anniversary Review for the Nintendo Wii

Tomb Raider Anniversary Review for the Nintendo Wii

Lara’s Gotten a Face Lift

The original Tomb Raider was among the first games I got with my original PlayStation years and years ago. After playing the first few, and then watching the franchise go downhill as better titles came along, I had given up hope for Miss Croft. After picking up Tomb Raider: Legend and falling in love with its Prince of Persia inspired gameplay, I couldn’t hide my excitement when it was announced that a sort of remake of the original title was being done, but using the new engine. I wondered if the original would hold up by today’s standards, and more importantly, if the title would work as well using the Legend engine. Most importantly though was how well the game would carry over to the uniqueness of the Wii console itself.

Tomb Raider Anniversary screenshot

The game is spent exploring tombs in order to find an artifact and defeat the evil group trying to get to it before you. The story isn’t very fleshed out, and frankly isn’t important here. The real story is that of exploration: Finding your way around the various tombs and solving all the different puzzles sure to be thrown at you, all while collecting a variety of weapons and defeating the various enemies and creatures that are sure to be out to stop you from getting to your goal. Why do they want to stop you? It doesn’t matter. They’re in your way, and that’s enough. Why is this tomb built in a manner that none of the people who built it could make their way through? Don’t ask yourself those kind of questions; they just get in the way of the fun.

The best part of the whole experience is how fleshed out and unique the whole world feels, yet at the same time it is sure to bring back moments of nostalgia that will remind you of the original title and still feel like more of an homage than a graphical update. You’ll recall just how unique and terrifying it was the first time you saw that T-rex come barreling towards you. Some of the puzzles are reminiscent of the original, but everything has been changed and redone in order to take advantage of Lara’s new abilities. You’ll be swinging, dangling, running up walls, flipping, and using all the new moves Lara has picked up over the years. Fans of the original who’ve gone astray will be shocked at how new-and-improved Laura is, but fans of Legend will feel right at home.

Tomb Raider Anniversary screenshot

Don’t think that this means the game is without its issues. The camera itself can cause issues when attempting some of the more acrobatic moves available. Hitting the C button brings the camera 180 degrees behind Lara, or you can hold the same button and then use the motion controls to swing the camera where you’d like. It simply can’t replicate the ease with which one can move around with a second analog. It’s still a serviceable experience, and one that you can get used to, but many times I simply wished for the ability to use the classic controller and have things function similar to the PS2 version of the title. No matter how well you adjust to the new method, the Wii’s motion controls can’t substitute for another analog when it comes to camera control.

Most of the game is spent solving puzzles, with a bit of combat tossed about to spice things up. The puzzles are some of the most satisfying you’ll find, truly making you feel as if you’ve accomplished something, instead of the simple “where’s the switch” variety. You’ll very often find yourself investing an entire play session on one lengthy puzzle; something as simple as opening a door can become a length series of steps, but things never feel tedious or forced. Every puzzle feels unique and satisfying. If only the combat elements were as fluid. You use the Z button to lock onto enemies, aim with the controller, and then fire of shots with the B button, but you’ll often find yourself fighting with the camera to aim where you want, as it will continue to follow the enemy, and in turn change where your reticule is on the screen. This can particularly frustrating when facing multiple foes.

Tomb Raider Anniversary screenshot

Added to the combat specifically for the Wii is the adrenaline rush, which occurs when you shoot an enemy repeatedly, and then they charge at you. Then, if you shake the Wii remote at just the right time, you’ll accomplish instantly killing that enemy. You’ll also be faced with the death defying quick reaction events that have become so popular nowadays, where in order to make your way through a scripted sequence, you’ll have to time your button presses and controller motions with on-screen cues. The problem is that on the Wii version, the controller may not always register your movements correctly, forcing you to play through the sequence multiple times, despite getting it correct the first time. Some of the puzzles also make unique use of the game’s capabilities, requiring you to trace certain objects, to place cogs on a machine yourself, and other various activities that aren’t present in the other versions. It’s nothing ground-breaking, but it does serve to add something unique to the Wii version to help set it apart from the others.

Tomb Raider Anniversary screenshot

Graphically the game is brilliant despite it’s flaws. The various areas you explore feel unique and vibrant, and Lara is modeled perfectly, appearing lifelike and agile. When she performs her feats, you’ll believe them to be possible, despite the fact that many of them probably wouldn’t go so well in a real-world situation. Enemies are equally well done, and overall the whole experience just takes you in in a way not many others can. Even the little touches of sound that Lara makes while scaling a wall or leaping between ledges help bring the experience to life. Enemy motions are convincing, and their sound effects are generally a step below Lara’s, but still well-done. There are some occasional issues ranging from occasional slowdown to areas where things simply look awkward, but more often than not they’ll go unnoticed due to the sheer beauty present elsewhere on your screen.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary is the perfect way to revisit Lara Croft. Instead of a remake, we’ve been given a remade version of her original adventure, bringing with it all the improvements that have been made to her character over the years, yet retaining the qualities that made us fall in love with her games in the first place. The title has its flaws, and the Wii version is not the definitive version, but that doesn’t mean it’s inferior either. The motion controls are enjoyable, and do add a level of interactivity not present in the other versions. A second analog stick could have done wonders for the title, but as it stands the title is both competent, and a joy to experience once again. This one may be lost in the rush of Holiday titles, but Wii owners are doing themselves a disservice if they skip out on this one in favor of another mini game collection.

Features:

  • Redesigned Puzzles: All-new puzzles have been created specifically to take advantage of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk providing a dynamic new experience not available on any other platform.
  • Archaeologist’s Tool Kit: Draw runes and hieroglyphs in the sand to activate ancient mechanisms, break fragile walls with the pick axe to find secret areas, uncover clues buried in layers of ancient grime with the chisel and brush, and take charcoal rubbings of findings to put in your journal.
  • Remote Flashlight – Illuminate dark areas by pointing and aiming the Wii Remote like a torch to reveal ancient clues. Twist the Wii Remote to narrow the beam of light allowing you to uncover secrets hidden in the dark. If the light flickers, shake the Nunchuk to turn the light back on.
  • Flick of the Wrist Controls: Use the movement of the Nunchuk and Wii Remote to climb and shimmy along ledges, swim, grapple, swing, and shake free from enemy clutches.
  • Active Aim Combat System: Use the Wii Remote to aim your pistols at the screen and unleash a hail of bullets at charging enemies.

    RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.5 Graphics
    Beautifully done, despite occasional awkward areas. 3.0 Control
    The Wii remote just can’t substitute for a second analog stick. 4.0 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
    Well done, but nothing that stands out besides Laura. 3.5

    Play Value
    Not much to do or see once you’ve played through.

    3.9 Overall Rating – Good
    Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

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