Games

Best of 2009 | 08 |07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary

EMAIL PRINTxbox360

8.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 33 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 6 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Eidos Interactive

Developer: Crystal Dynamics

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: October 23, 2007

Summary

Inspired by the first Tomb Raider videogame, originally released in 1996, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a totally new 2006 adventure for Lara, faithfully preserving the elements which made the original Tomb Raider such a classic. Using an enhanced "Tomb Raider Legend" game engine, the graphics, technology and physics bring Lara's adventure and pursuit of a mystical artefact known only as the Scion up to today’s technology standards and offer gamers a completely new gameplay experience. The puzzles are now more in depth and incorporate environmental interaction and physics driven solutions. The level design and flow of gameplay are inspired by the original videogame making Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary a brand new experience in gaming, while still invoking the nostalgia of the first adventure in Tomb Raiding. [Eidos Interactive]

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...

Eurogamer

For the price, and for the quality of offer, Tomb Raider: Anniversary is easily one the best games released all year. Blessed with an excellent control system and chock full of masterfully designed levels, as far as puzzle-based action adventures go, there have been none finer for years.

Read Full Review >

GameDaily

With slick graphics, beautiful level design and of course, the puzzles and action that first captivated us completely, Anniversary lives up to the name of Lara Croft.

Read Full Review >

Game Chronicles

It’s a timeless experience for the entire family.

Read Full Review >

Play Magazine

This really is a special game for the truest fans. [Dec 2007, p.84]

MS Xbox World

If you have fond memories of Tomb Raider from 10 or so years ago, then it is very likely you will be able to pick up Tomb Raider: Anniversary and relive good times. The game might not have the best graphics and some may dislike the Tomb Raider style, but for fans, its a dream come true.

Read Full Review >

Play.tm

This is retro gaming as it should be, other developers please take note!

Read Full Review >

Game Informer

Tapping into the sense of isolation and level flow of the original game, Crystal Dynamics has completely overhauled the individual puzzles and encounters to match more modern expectations. [Dec 2007, p.152]

Cheat Code Central

Playing it today felt just as new and exciting as playing it ten years ago did. And that is this game's main strength.

Read Full Review >

Digital Entertainment News

If you've never played the first Tomb Raider, this is a great way to go about it. If you have, this is a great way to get reacquainted with it.

Read Full Review >

XboxAddict

It’s been a long and tumultuous ride over the years for our girl Lara. It’s nice to see her go back to what made her the woman she is today. Solid controls, huge areas to explore and conquer, and larger than life ancient block puzzles to solve all make an appearance.

Read Full Review >

Gamers Europe

Overall the differences between the two versions are slight and other than the inclusion of achievement points - usually rewarded for the successful completion of each level, as well as the completion of time trials and the collection of scattered artefacts – it’s literally the same game in a higher resolution with a few tagged on graphical effects.

Read Full Review >

Gaming Nexus

With its attractive price and workable controls, Tomb Raider: Anniversary is easy to recommend to anybody who enjoys exploring dank and dark caves looking for hidden treasure.

Read Full Review >

Official Xbox Magazine

With three "episodes"--two story episodes and Croft Manor--the price tag is easily justifiable: Anniversary offers a respectable four to eight hours per slice. [Holiday 2007, p.76]

Deeko

This is a game that delivers to both the fans of the series and newcomers and it honestly delivers in spades.

Read Full Review >

Armchair Empire

Those expecting a more action heavy experience will feel a little let down, but as a puzzle heavy action game, Lara can more than hold her own.

Read Full Review >

VideoGamer

It brings a classic game world up to date, throws in simple but intuitive controls and doesn't rely on constant fire-fights to bring excitement.

Read Full Review >

GameTap

The 360 is much crisper in appearance, but you'll run across frame rate hiccups while you're playing.

Read Full Review >

GamingExcellence

Anniversary is still a fantastic game, and well worth playing, that is, if you haven’t already.

Read Full Review >

Console Monster

Overall, Tomb Raider: Anniversary features an age old style of gameplay that is beginning to struggle against the test of time.

Read Full Review >

Gamer 2.0

Again, this remake of the original is based on the engine found in Legend, but really could have used more from it. It’s absolutely worth playing because it’s fun and actually better than the original Tomb Raider.

Read Full Review >

Team Xbox

It’s almost the lack of innovation that makes this fun, as it’s a throwback to the original TR game of 1996. It just doesn’t take a lot of chances either.

Read Full Review >

GameTrailers

The game is worth a shot, especially if you’ve never jumped into Lara’s short shorts before.

Read Full Review >

IGN

Even with its technical shortcomings, annoying camera angles, and slightly underdeveloped storyline, the original Tomb Raider adventure remains fun in this new iteration.

Read Full Review >

Planet Xbox 360

The AI isn’t much more sophisticated than that of Space Invaders, but if you look at the reasonable $40 price tag, the good aspects of Tomb Raider Anniversary begin to outweigh the bad.

Read Full Review >

PALGN

Tomb Raider: Anniversary on the Xbox 360 may not be all that different from the PlayStation 2 version, but it's still a great game that should please those who enjoy their action games.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

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

Read Full Review >

GameSpy

Nobody expects the remastering of Tomb Raider to be game of the year material, but Tomb Raider: Anniversary provides enough of the original game's thrills to be considered satisfyingly decent.

Read Full Review >

Total Video Games

As an experiment to push the capabilities of downloadable content over Xbox Live, there's little to doubt Anniversary's originality - on Microsoft's console at least. However, a few extra touches to the lighting and a few soaked vests aside, the Xbox 360 edition of Lara's first outing will be more for the fans.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

Everything is good about this game except the graphics; the developers really didn’t put any effort into making this game look good at all. It looks like a straight port from the PS2 version.

Read Full Review >

X360 Magazine UK

It's an improvement on the distinctly triangular original for sure. [Issue 27, p.90]

Video Game Talk

Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a nice throwback, but doesn’t offer much innovation to adventure gamers in this generation of consoles.

Read Full Review >

1UP

I'd have to consider this the version of last resort: If you have the chance to check out the game on any of the other platforms, I'd recommend doing just that.

Read Full Review >

360 Gamer Magazine UK

Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a solid title whose next-gen credentials are offset by a concept that’s starting to show its age. Those with a penchant for all things Croft will relish this overhauled blast from the past, but ultimately this alone isn’t quite enough to make Tomb Raider: Anniversary a must have title for most other people.

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes

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

Simon C. gave it a9:
Great action / puzzle game! Provides an excellent game for its minimal cost. The controls are intuitive, the length is pretty good and there's replayability. Tomb Raider at it's best. Recommended.

Toby O. gave it a5:
When a next-gen remake is buggier and more broken than the PSone original, it's trouble. This game has so many bugs, I felt dirty playing it. Combined with the insane amount of backtracking required in the "improved" levels, I'd seriously rather bust out Tomb Raider 1. Big disappointment here.

Lara C. gave it an8:
If you like the Tomb Raider Series then this is a must have. I think this is the third best one released, The first and second on the PSOne are the only ones better than this one.

Scott W. gave it an8:
Just as good as the original, updated just enough to make it not a repeat with a face lift, like Resident Evil for the Gamecube. Many new puzzles and redesigned levels. Levels have a familiar feel, if you played the first one, but rarely are the traps and level design are the same as the first. If you liked the original this one will make you smile ear to ear.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases