Crystal Dynamics has always
seemed to have had issues with the camera in Tomb Raider and these problems are
similar to the complaints we raised about both previous games, but much worse.
It’s a shame. We could have tolerated a few camera issues and awkward jumps,
but there are so many that it really starts to detract from the enjoyment
factor after a while. Not enough to kill the game, true – but enough to thrash
it to within an inch of its life.
Still an essential game for
platformer fans, or those who just want to check in with Lara and see if she
really has evolved from waterballoon saleswoman to something you can actually
have on-screen in front of your girlfriend, Underworld is an ultimately
worthwhile frustration despite the issues – but that doesn’t absolve them. The
game is playable, but sometimes you’ll think it isn’t.
In the end what holds Lara back is that though she may have taken one step
forward on the story front, she’s taken a step backwards on the control side.
What we really need to do is get her to turn around on the spot three times,
drop a flare and leap forwards to see if we can cheat our way straight onto the
next game and see if that’s any more polished. @ bit-tech
