Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary

PSM3 Magazine UK

Tight design, stunning vision. [June 2007, p.66]

Playstation Official Magazine UK

It doesn't hold your hand the way "Legend" did, and it doesn't arbitrarily murder you like the original "Raiders". What it does is excite, impress and enthral like nothing else. [June 2007, p.93]

Play Magazine

Just because she is showing her age doesn't mean 10 years later Lara can't still surprise and excite. [June 2007, p.76]

Eurogamer

It takes the inspirational level design of the original, improves upon the atmosphere, and makes the whole thing so much more fun thanks to the hugely refined control and camera system. Far from being a tired, cynical cash-in exercise of a brand past its prime, Tomb Raider Anniversary goes back to its roots and shows how remakes should be done.

Cheat Code Central

The graphics are stunning on any console, the voice-acting and writing is more Hollywood quality, and the level designs feature obstacles that have been featured in many adventure films. It's perfect in a way that reminds us of Lara's past yet introduces us to modern game physics and design.

AceGamez

Tomb Raider Anniversary is a back-to-roots classic adventure - there's no annoying woman in your ear and no GPRS tracking or other fancy pants technology to distract you from your little piece of paradise gameplay.

Thunderbolt

Anniversary delivers everything the first game did eleven years ago – backed up with 2007 technology – to wonderful effect.

Pelit (Finland)

An enjoyable action-adventure which takes the best bits from the first Tomb Raider and updates them with better playability, nicer graphics and deeper puzzles. A surprisingly good rehash of the old. [June 2007]

Games Master UK

It's a beautifully balanced melding of old and new values that creates an experience that's surprisingly fresh...A riveting and sumptuous adventure. [June 2007, p.76]

PGNx Media

With Tomb Raider: Anniversary Crystal Dynamics has successfully updated one of 3D gaming's first classics. It combines everything we loved about the original with the modern gameplay mechanics of Legend.

GamerNode

The bottom line is this: Tomb Raider Anniversary is a great game. It's perfect for any Tomb Raider fans or just fans of the action/adventure genre alone.

GameTrailers

Due to the occasional frame rate dip and the inevitable, constant circle strafing, this re-imagining of Ms. Croft’s premier pursuit falls just short of top shelf. But the new control scheme has made it infinitely more playable, and the additions of quick time events and new areas tint it modern, and the grand cave explorer from 1996 is still intact, and still fantastic.

PSM Magazine

Lovingly pay[s] tribute to the original. [Aug 2007, p.82]

PALGN

This game is a splendid remake to an already excellent game, but with heaps of extra bells and whistles making the experience that much better than before.

GameZone

Even if you played this game before a long while back, Tomb Raider: Anniversary does bring some new features to make this a worthwhile remake of a true gaming classic.

Game Informer

The first Tomb Raider game garnered a lot of attention in its day. Its remake is a worthy tribute to that success. [July 2007, p.99]

Computer and Video Games

If you're a fan of the series then you should take a look at Anniversary. There's enough action, unlockables and extras to keep you busy for weeks while Eidos and Crystal Dynamics draw up plans to take the series to greater heights.

Play UK

Crystal Dynamics may still be playing things a little too safe...but that essentially means it knows what it's doing. And so far, we're enjoying what that is immensely. The Tomb Raider franchise is important again. [Issue#153, p.62]

GamePro

You'll experience the wonder and awe of feeling like you are discovering lost tombs, which is what made the original so compelling in the first place. [July 2007, p.87]

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

In the end, though, it's a testament to the game's quality that even in the face of the imperfect camera and combat, the wonderful adventuring aspects manage to make up for whatever other shortcomings this game may possess. [July 2007, p.54]

1UP

It may not offer the same degree of wonder you may remember if you were around for the very first game, but it's a damn fine homage -- and a damn fine game in its own right.

GamingExcellence

Anniversary is a great game that stops just short of excellence due to a few nagging issues.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Overall though, Anniversary's a fine showing, an excellent service to fans, and proof that the series is back on the right track for real. [July 2007, p.90]

GameShark

The visual upgrade and redesign breathes new life into the old game and even though it does have a few faults here and there, it is well worth the reduced price point and is a great way to travel back in time and see how the saga of Lara Croft all began.

PSX Extreme

Outside of that very iffy camera, all of those drawbacks are indeed minor, and the game is fun as fun can be.

The New York Times

The visuals are grander and Lara has some new tricks up her sleeve, but no effort has been made to flesh out the negligible story.

Boomtown

Let's hope that the next all-new Tomb Raider adventure is just as strong and as focused on puzzle solving and exploration.

GameSpot

The success of Tomb Raider: Anniversary is twofold; it does well by the memory of the original Tomb Raider, and also makes a dynamic action adventure game that's fun to play in 2007.

GameSpy

Camera issues and frequent (but quick!) reloads aside, this is one of the best Anniversaries you could hope for.

VideoGamer

Everything a remake should be. It makes the most of modern technology to bring a classic game world up to date, throws in simple but intuitive controls and doesn't rely on constant fire-fights to bring excitement.

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

It's definitely not something for dipping into on a whim, and anyone after brutal, nose-cracking action should stick with "God of War II." But for the rest of us, this is the Tomb Raider game we've been waiting for. And it speaks volumes about the games market that something's that's essentially a remastered update can seem such a breath of fresh air. [May 2007, p.70]

GameTap

Anniversary continues what 2006’s Tomb Raider Legend started--cleansing the palate from the sour taste left by some of her prior outings.

G4 TV

A fantastic throwback to those heady days, and hopefully a lot of other game developers will study what Crystal Dynamics has done here long and hard before sitting down to design their next platformer.

Gamer 2.0

Tomb Raider Anniversary is not only a better game than the original, but also one of the best additions to the series as a whole.

Gamers Europe

Despite the combat issues, Anniversary is a brilliant take on the Tomb Raider phenomenon.

Console Gameworld

A definite purchase for potential and veteran Tomb Raider players alike.

Worth Playing

You will find a solid and enjoyable platforming experience that has some flaws, but nothing really detracts from it. Staunch fans of the original will probably take issue with the shorter levels and missing puzzles.

IGN

The controls are light-years better than the original but still aren't solid like Prince of Persia's; the graphics are beyond anything the original could muster but still not up to today's standards; and the puzzles are just as tough as the original, but the enemies are just as lame.

Play.tm

This is a game well-worth investing both time and money in. If you remember the original then you can visit an old friend. If you missed the boat the first time around then here's a rare second chance to get on board.

Gaming Age

For those unfamiliar with the franchise, you may be better off grabbing Legend and waiting for the sequel.

TotalPlayStation

Anniversary is not quite the game that Legend was. Though initially I was floored by how well the series had been updated, as time went on and the frustrations piled up, it started to lose the raw appeal. It's good, but not great.

Edge Magazine

To describe it as quaint would sound derogatory, but the sense of taking on the environment, alone but unintimidated, is something rare amongst today’s adrenaline-addicted big-budget releases. [June 2007, p.90]

GameDaily

The lack of action will bore most gamers, but unlike its predecessors, Anniversary's puzzles are the main attraction. People searching for a lonely, thinking person's adventure should consider it, especially at only $29.99.

Total Video Games

Like a middle-aged makeover, Tomb Raider Anniversary papers over the nooks and crannies, but it can't conceal the aged and dated overall structure.

Armchair Empire

For those who've delved the depths with her before, Anniversary serves as fond remembrance and renewed hope for the series. Ten years later, the old girl still looks good.

Game Chronicles

Budget visual production values, while not usually bothersome during play, certainly lend this title the feel of a game cranked out largely to capitalize, rather than build, on the reputation of the Tomb Raider name.

Gamer's Hell

In the end all I can say is that a Tomb Raider remake is for Tomb Raider fans. Everyone else, move on.

games(TM)

The fact that Crystal Dynamics has managed to turn Tomb Raider into a competent modern adventure is more than admirable, but when judged at face value and on a shelf next to Kratos and company, it just doesn’t stand up. [June 2007, p.106]