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Tomb Raider: Underworld


Tomb Raider Underworld - first look

New screens and detailed scrutiny inside

Interestingly, Lara's now able to fire at two independent targets at once, so long as they're within the 100 or so degrees that her pistols can aim at (crossing in the middle, naturally). We say interestingly because this was a feature supposedly set to feature in the 1996 original (according to Gamesmaster magazine at the time!), although it didn't quite make it in the end. It seems to work well here and we like the idea. It also looks way cool.

The grappling line has indeed been improved, so now Lara can attach it to a far wall, then move right to pull a boulder off of a pillar with the centre of the cord. We were told that the physics are being calculated in real-time, so the boulder would move differently each time, although we assume it's been programmed not to miss its intended target on the floor below. The physics do look great, though, and moveable objects look just as solid as the rest of the environment, which is a welcome improvement. The team are proud that debris and enemies will stay in situ for the duration of the game, although we remember the original Tomb Raider left enemies where they fell for as long as the power was switched on. So not that big a deal.

Above: Panthers would likely kill you without warning, so fair enough. But would poachers shoot a pretty girl on sight? Really?


 
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The Knowledge
Tomb Raider: Underworld
Tomb Raider: Underworld

Genre: Action
Release date: Nov 18, 2008
Published by: Eidos
Developed by: Crystal Dynamics
Franchise: Tomb Raider
Multiplayer Modes:
Offline
1 player SOLO
9 AWESOME
Read the review
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