Game review: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light - Xbox 360 (From Your Local Guardian)

Game review: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light - Xbox 360

12:28pm Tuesday 31st August 2010 in

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Last time we saw everyone’s favourite buxom archaeologist was in 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld.

A lot has changed since then.

Firstly, the obvious – this is not a Tomb Raider game, it’s a Lara Croft game. Why Square Enix have decided to drop the Tomb Raider brand for this game is a mystery, but it’s safe to say that Lara Croft’s name and reputation in the gaming world is solid enough for it to be included in a title, without the need of the words “Tomb Raider”.

Secondly, the presentation and style of the game is a first in the series – gone is the 3rd person action adventure. What has replaced it is an isometric view that gives the game a nice retro feeling.

So what is it all about?

Well, two thousand years ago a battle took place between Totec, the Guardian of Light and Xolotl, a dark spirit.

Ultimately, Totec defeated Xolotl and banished him – and himself – in the Temple of Light, along with the magical Mirror of Smoke.

Skip forward to the modern day and Lara Croft finds the temple and the mirror, typically, a bunch of mercenaries follow her and steal it.

Xolotl and Totec wake up, Xolotl kills the mercenaries, takes the mirror and makes a run for it.

After some initial bickering, Totec and Lara team up in an effort to stop Xolotl.

The isometric view serves the game well and despite the fact that it is completely different to anything else we’ve seen Lara in, the game still feels familiar. This is no doubt helped by the fact that Keeley Hawes has once again returned to vocal duties.

The game flows along quite nicely, mixing things up with a bit of action and following it with a bit puzzle-solving.

Lara comes equipped with several weapons– first and foremost a never ending supply of golden spears.

Quite handy when in combat, these spears also serve Lara well when working her way around the various tombs. Lara can throw a spear into a wall and then jump on it, giving her an extra platform to navigate round.

When in combat the spears are usually the most effective weapon, however, Lara still has her trusty dual pistols.

Another piece of kit that Lara has is the grappling hook – simply hold down the LB button and Lara will sling the hook in the hope that it will grab on to something, allowing Lara to climb up a wall or sling to that pesky platform.

Aside from the singleplayer campaign, Square Enix have also included a co-op mode that puts a good level of emphasis on teamwork.

Taking control of the character of Totec, the second player can assist Lara in a manner of different ways.

Like the singleplayer campaign, Lara will be able to jump up on the spears that Totec has thrown into walls. Totec’s shield also acts as a portable platform for Lara to jump up on.

Graphically the game is quite strong. The lighting effects are nicely rendered and the cutscenes look the part too.

All in all, Lara Croft and The Guardian of Light is a superbly paced isometric action adventure. It’s asking price of 1200 Microsoft Points may be a little steep, but the level of production is of a very high standard and definitely worth checking out.

Score: 8 out of 10

The Good:
Nicely paced action
Good co-op mode

The Bad:
a bit repetitive at times