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Tomb Raider Underworld

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7.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 20 critic reviews
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Based on 58 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Eidos Interactive

Developer: Crystal Dynamics

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: November 18, 2008

Summary

Master your surroundings: Reach new heights with the broadest range of acrobatic abilities and utilize objects within the environment to uncover new paths to explore. Explore epic and unknown worlds: Discover ancient mysteries of the underworld hidden within the coast of Thailand, frozen islands of the Arctic Sea, the jungles of Mexico, and more. Each level is an elaborate multi-stage puzzle masked within an interactive environmental playground offering more flexibility over how the area is solved. New range of combat options: Choose to pacify or kill, target multiple enemies at once with the new dual-target system, and shoot with one hand while suspended with the other. New state-of-the-art gear: Utilize the latest technology in Lara's upgraded inventory to navigate the world including: Active Sonar map: A revolutionary new tool that emits an active sonar ping to create a 3D image of Lara's surroundings, perfect for uncovering hidden items and locations; Multi-purpose grapple: A claw-like device with a high-tension cable designed for climbing, rappelling, performing wall runs and manipulating objects within the environment; All-terrain hybrid motorbike: A unique vehicle design built to drive on everything from mud to snow and ice. [Eidos Interactive]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

PC Gamer

But it's the puzzles that elevate Underworld to new heights. [Jan 2009, p.54]

PC Format

Lush, satisfying and thoughtful. [Jan 2009, p.92]

Game Chronicles

There aren’t many titles that can come close to the glory of Tomb Raider. If you’re looking for some gun totting, cliff hugging action then look no further than Tomb Raider: Underworld for the PC.

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PC Gamer UK

The remarkable architectural vision, coupled with ultra-smart level design, all produced on such a huge scale, makes this as good as Tomb Raider has ever seen. [Christmas 2008, p.74]

GameStar

Tomb Raider: Underworld is a source of joy as long as everything works as intended and Lara follows the controls, leading the player to beautiful panoramas, seamlessly moving from gameplay to cut-scene. But at the same time, the game can be quite depressing if Lara doesn't reach moving platforms, the camera plays up and it's hard to solve a problem. It's an emotional roller coaster and great entertainment.

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Gamers.at

It seems as if Lara is finally back on track. More puzzles, less action – that’s tombraiding as it should be! My only complaint is the lack of guidance the game offers – standing about in clueless stupor happens too often by far. [Issue#17]

3DJuegos

Tomb Raider Underworld is a fantastic proposal for fans of puzzles and platform gaming. Sadly its camera and control issues let down its many virtues. Nevertheless the new adventure of Lara Croft is brief but intense, and is plenty of good puzzles and great environments.

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Cheat Code Central

Tomb Raider Underworld was far more enjoyable than I ever thought it would be. The expansive environments, solid platforming sequences, challenging puzzles, and adventure-filled storyline should appeal to anyone who loved the Prince of Persia games and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. Disappointingly, combat is fairly mediocre, and a lot of technical inconsistencies are troublesome. Nevertheless, Underworld is a very good game.

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VideoGamer

A visually stunning, epic adventure that continues Crystal Dynamics' excellent run. We reckon it's the best completely original Tomb Raider (Anniversary was, of course, a remake) we've had in years, and is only let down by the odd control quirk and camera issue.

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

We like the way she moves – Lara excels in both body and environments visuals that are great. It’s still the good old Tomb Raider cliché, but is there anything wrong with that? We don’t think so. Do not underestimate the Underworld! [Dec 2008]

IGN

While the PC version has much sharper visuals and some tighter control, the camera can still hamper gameplay.

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Gameplanet

Tomb Raider: Underword manages to impress on so many levels.

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Cynamite

Okay, the new Tomb Raider adventure is not really innovative. But Lara has never looked so good before. The gameplay is smooth and the puzzles are great. But the stupid motorcycle trips, the camera and the senseless gadgets are fun-killers.

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2404.org

At its best, it can compete with the best, offering gorgeous vistas and jaw-dropping scenery.

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Play (Poland)

Lady Archaeologist is in her top shape again. This time she's mostly interested in exploring the wonders of nature and she does it better that ever before. Pity that not everything is polished. But who will resist the temptation of putting his hands on - or rather into - the Thor's gloves that can rip the fabric of time and space? [Dec 2008]

Computer Games Online RO

If the release would have been delayed a couple of months (the time required to fix the large number of bugs (some of them being very bad), Underworld could have been labeled as a fruitful combination of Legend and Anniversary. But the impression of an unfinished product also reflects in reduced replay value, puzzle simplicity and insufficient use of the level design. And some options, like (at least partial) camera control, are yet to be seen.

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PC Zone UK

Excellent despite niggles. [Jan 2009, p.66]

PTGamers

Tomb Raider: Underworld is ambiguous, offering the best and the worst elements of the series. The camera is awful and there are quite a few bugs. It lacks polish, but still manages to be a good Lara Croft adventure…. And she's as beautiful and agile as ever.

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Total PC Gaming

A return to form with epic set-pieces. However, there are a few frustrating puzzles and camera issues. [Issue#14, p.58]

PC PowerPlay

Chalk this one up as another PC adaptation hemmed-in by the need to make it all work on the PlayStation 3 If Lara's got a saving grace, it's that she's the archetypal 'pub game' girl. To the sozzled, life isn't an intricate cornucopia of detail and possibility, it's a pinball machine one gets hurled through, head first; linear and idiot-proof. [January 2009, p.53]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 58 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Simon S. gave it a9:
Superb game, a beautiful story in a beautiful surrounding (and Lara doesn’t look too bad herself wink, wink). Controls could have be set up better, and I was kind of hoping to go head to head with the doppelganger… but still an excellent game!!! I have played and owned all the tomb raider games, and they just keep getting better!

Tony B. gave it a9:
Best Tomb Raider visuals and detail ever! Truly next-gen has arrived. Very well designed and challenging levels that are just pure joy for any Tomb Raider series fan. And luckily it isn't over in only 6 hours! Combat complaints are a bit overstated, it's no big deal, I just wish there was a sniper rifle to make it go faster sometimes.

Pixelated gave it a4:
We all know Eidos is not the greatest at making games. But after a dozen or so Tomb Raiders you would think they could fix the persistent problems the series has had. What's with the awful camera controls again? I mean this is an issue that goes all the way back to.. well, it goes back years! Just another publisher pushing a game out the door in time for the holidays. They say piracy is killing the industry but I think it's just forcing these studios to make good games. If they want to make money they need to release games worth $50, not buggy ports. EA is learning the hard way and a relatively small publisher like Eidos should take notice and polish their games a lot more or risk releasing another flop. Then blaming piracy for their money problems. The bottom line is that good games sell and sorry games get pirated instead.

[Anonymous] gave it a0:
Gamespot UK journalist Guy Cocker revealed the tactic in a Twitter post on Wednesday that said: “call from Eidos–if you’re planning on reviewing Tomb Raider Underworld at less than an 8.0, we need you to hold your review till Monday.” Said a Barrington Harvey rep on the phone this afternoon: “That’s right. We’re trying to manage the review scores at the request of Eidos.” When asked why, the spokesperson said: “Just that we’re trying to get the Metacritic rating to be high, and the brand manager in the US that’s handling all of Tomb Raider has asked that we just manage the scores before the game is out, really, just to ensure that we don’t put people off buying the game, basically.”

IntelliMoo gave it a10:
You do get used to the quirky camera control, it's just the nature of the TR series. Combat is, well, kind of an afterthought for good measure, but good puzzle-break fun nonetheless. Underworld truly is epic and beautful -- the adventuring continues! I just hope it's longer than Legend.

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Tomb Raider Underworld

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