Tomb Raider: Anniversary
 

Basicly it's a remake of the original Tomb Raider, with extra stuff added. For example, the mansion is much bigger and actually has a role in unlocking things (costumes, music, cinematics, whatever) and levels will suddenly have something the hardcore Tomb Raider fan didn't know from the original game.

I didn't have time to play it much, and frankly I spent all time wandering around the mansion solving the puzzles and jumping around like a lunatic. It looks beautiful and the controls are quite good (yet not perfect). On PC it can be kind of tricky to use the arrows to move, the mouse to look and shoot and the left side of your keyboard for a variety of commands.

I never played the game (beyond testing it out) but this would definitely be the version I'd start up with if I did. This in particular caught my attention:

I've been really excited for this game since I first heard of it. Loved the original game a ton, and the remake looks pretty nice from the trailers and it's nice to see that. Would love to revisit the game especially with the updates made. I tend to be scared of remakes but I've been nothing but excited about this. I downloaded the demo a little while ago so I'm gonna see if I can actually deal with using my keyboard to play it unless it allows a controller.

I did really like a lot Tomb raider Legend in fact it's one of the few game that I still like to replay and never get bored.

so seeing the first one being remade and with the legend engine, I'm pretty excited to try it out, even more because I never played the first tomb raider ^^

(downloading now XD)

I'm getting this for PS2 when it comes out. I have the first three on the PS but I never did play Legend but I always wanted to play it on that new graphic engine. A remake of the original doesn't sound like a lot but if they can make that game look even prettier than it did back in 1996 I'm all for it.

Wow, I thought the demo was very fun. I haven't played Legend yet so I don't know much about the engine/gameplay they used from it, but I really like how it was implemented here.

I would say that the hardest thing for me was basically setting up and getting used to the controls on my PS2 controller 'cause I didn't know what to assign everything, but I remembered the original game controls after awhile so I used that. I guess there was no camera feature*, any time I wanted to look around I would use Manual Aim, but it wasn't a problem, most of the demo was straight forward.

I got stuck for like...10 minutes trying to figure out how in the world to grapple that one ring in the middle of the waterfall tunnel. But once I got past that it was all good. The game looks great, even though my comp is not the greatest. The familiar music would cue up at appropriate points which made me happy, even the "secrets" music is the same. Then I got to the grassy area of the Lost Valley and memories came flooding back. I can't wait to play the full game.

EDIT:
*okay I'm a total retard 'cause I missed the z-rotation/z-axis part in the gamepad options, now I can work the camera and I'm much happier.

I had some more fun with the game than just wandering around the mansion.

+ Beautiful graphics. Simply beautiful.
+ When there is music, it's good.
+ Loading time? None.
+ HUEG levels.
+ Replay value, because of the relics/artifacts plus the time trial for each level. Unlocking costumes will be nice.
- Controls suck sometimes.
- Annoying bug prevents you from saving, meaning you have to remove your profile.

wow I have to say that this game make you really think a lot some time XD

I like that the game is a little less linear than legend.

So far I've complete the mansion and i'm in the second level and I'm having a blast!

I've been playing this a lot [on PC] and I have no qualms AT ALL with the controls. I'm using my X360 gamepad to play, and it's awesome. The graphics are nice, and I'm loving this game. Partially because I never had a chance to finish the original TR. Sad, I know.

I'm liking the mansion though, it's just like the mansion in TR: Legend, except from when she first moved in, I guess. I kinda miss the pool being open, but it's still cool.

I've been thinking of just getting the whole game for now and buying it later on PS2, but there are so many torrents out. Some of them seem to imply that one version was buggier than another but I dunno how reliable those comments are. Do you guys recommend any specific torrent file I should get or are they all more or less fine?

I like the game, it's a remake but still brings enough new stuff to make it feel fresh. The best part about Anniversary compared to Legend is that the exploration and platforming parts are much bigger and that has always been TR's strongest side. The action parts are still a bit tame but the enemies are fewer so it never gets annoying as it was in some parts of Legend.
The manor though... was a bit of a letdown to be honest. I understand that making a whole new one would require too much time but I still cant help feeling disappointed. It was too easy and too short compared to how big the Legend manor felt.

Atmosphere alone is so great in this game that it's just a joy to play. Really recommend it to anyone that is looking for a adventure game.

Anyone know if there is a demo for the PSP?

I've been playing it on the PC with a GameCube pad and the controls are perfect most of the time. It's got a really great feeling to it, and it's a joy to play as it has a good balance between battles, puzzles and platforming. Not like Prince of Persia where every time you enter a new room you have to kill 10 identical enemies using the same moves over and over, just to be able to continue exploring.

In fact, it's good enough that I think I'm going to order it from CDWOW come Monday.

It's set up perfectly for a game rip too, as it has a sound test with track names and they're in chronological order to boot. ;) Haven't checked if there's anything you can do with the files yet, but I've ripped the couple of music tracks (also for TRL) that were on the bonus disc for the collector's edition, you can download them both here.

If that sounds appealing, definitely check out Tomb Raider: Legend. From the reviews of this game I've been reading, it's basically Legend with more intense puzzles and less cinematic gameplay. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, it's just more old school.

I was all set to pick this up the day it came out, but then I heard that there was a collector's edition in the UK with a bonus features disc and a mixed Legend and Anniversary soundtrack disc (!).

It cost me 60 bones, but I've been in a spendy mood lately.

Check the post above. ;) Although I could be wrong, I don't think there's an actual soundtrack disc, the various tracks are just playable from the DVD menu of the bonus disc.

Heh, yeah, I noticed that after I posted. Thanks, buddy. I loved the music for both, so much appreciated.

Is the DVD in surround or stereo, out of curiosity?

Well, I downloaded the Demo off Steam, so I'm going to check it out and see how it plays. Been such a long time since I've played a Tomb Raider game.

Just regular stereo.

Played on PS2(PAL version) , initially it sucked badly. Having played Legend on 360, i was missing lighting and shaders. Later the only thing hooked me in was gameplay, CrystalDynamics managed to hold the spirit of original game, the feeling of solitude and exploration puzzles.


Update: Reached upto last portions of Egypt levl, i have to say that i am completely blown away.

Amazing puzzle design, one of those games where using walthroughs is sin.
Loving the gameplay, Ambience is great ,lots trial and error puzzles.

Also loved the bossfights, and enemy design is cool.

All in all this game is a GEM , one of best remake, fan of original should immediately get it. PS2 graphics are great in Egypt level, previous levels were not mindblowing but did the job. Now i have complete grasp over jumps and gameplay too, camera is no more pain.

Its good sometimes to have rough texture look of ps2 in levels where there is sand and stones , like Egypt level. I haven't played PC version but my guess is that it will have too much shaders giving shiny look to sphinx, rocks etc. Or not?

If someone can make Egypt level videos on youtube of PC version, so that i can check the difference.

I played the first Tomb Raider back on Sega Saturn.
It was fun exploring. I also had a habit of looking for interesting places to kill myself. It was so amazing to swan dive off the top of the Sphinx in the Egypt level and see the entire view until you hit the ground. Can you still do that in Anniversary? Did they add more enemies to the game or did they remain faithful to what was originally there?

Is there anybody that is willing/capable of ripping the music from the DVD.

I have wanted an official Tomb Raider Legend soundtrack for a long time. I even e-mailed the composer (PhD in Game Music Theory, don't be jealous), and he said there were plans for one, but nothing happened. Of course the Legend Main Title is A+.