Several unique cutscenes were created for this pack, and the production values of the visuals, sound, and cinematics are equal in quality to those found in the main game. The enemies that pop up here are also identical, though emo-Lara’s new fighting moves do add some spice to these encounters. While the specific set pieces of the level are all new, the environments should seem very similar to those who played through Underworld as a lengthy segment of Lara’s quest took place in the same location. The Xbox version of the game has additional outfits that are purchasable as DLC that can be used on any level. Lara’s Shadow has you wandering around an ancient temple that is surrounded by pits of liquid blue energy that-when touched-instantly leads you to a liquid blue death. This game doesn't give you much choice with outfits unlike Legend and Anniversary, you'll get a small choice at the start of each major section and that's it. Repackaging levels is never cool, but making you replay an area less than an hour after running through it for the first time is just downright lazy. This involves you retracing your steps and performing the same climbing, jumping, and shimmying that you did earlier, with the only difference being a few new environmental hazards. Half way through Shadow, you are told that you will have to undo everything that you previously did. While this could be seen as a welcome change of pace, the well-crafted riddles of earlier Tomb Raiders helped the series stand out in the third-person adventuring genre, and not having them represented in this download makes the included level feel like it is lacking something.Įven more befuddling is the fact that you are required to run through every section of the level twice to complete it. There is nothing to be solved here, except when you must occasionally study the environment to see what path you need to take next. Lara’s Shadow’s focus on platforming comes at the sacrifice of a major element from earlier Tomb Raider titles: puzzles. These additions are generally welcome, as they add an extra layer of complexity to the acrobatics. There are also certain walls that can only be scaled when your shadow abilities are activated, and fast-moving traps that cannot be passed unless time is being slowed down. Using Dark Lara’s powers, you can climb and shimmy much faster than before. When not engaging in fisticuffs, platforming takes center stage. You are only forced to fight twice in Lara’s Shadow, so those who prefer to explore more than brawl will be able to avoid most of the conflict. While an improvement on what was available before, the combat still isn’t that compelling overall, and I found it best to just run past the bad guys as often as possible. You now have punch and kick buttons, and each can be combined with your “shadow power” to unleash a number of devastating attacks. Hand-to-hand attacks have been implemented-a first for the series-and these moves end up being more fun to use than Lara’s guns ever were. As soon as the level begins, we are told about Dark Lara’s “shadow powers,” which allow her to slow down time, move much faster, and put a little extra “oomph” into her guns and fists.
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