Indeed a legend in her own time, Lara Croft returns to consoles in 2006 with a new look, a new game, and a new developer. Revamped physics and an enhanced control scheme allow for more free-flowing action, while graphical improvements present a redesigned Lara who is immediately expressive, more believably proportioned, and as strikingly attractive as ever.
Lady Croft's new look in Legend is based in part on 20-year-old British model Karima Adebibe. Lara now boasts smoother animations, a more realistic deportment, and a number of costume changes. The original Tomb Raider games were popular for their innovative blend of gaming styles as well as for their distinguished female lead, however, and this game is designed to return fans to the winning combination of 3D platforming, environmental puzzle-solving, and third-person shooting found in the blockbuster originals.
While the storyline of Tomb Raider: Legend is told around the series' traditional "tomb raiding" action, Lara must also adventure through modern city levels, proving her acrobatic skill set is as applicable to skyscrapers and cement as it is to unforgiving wilderness and ancient architecture. New equipment, such as the grappling hook and communication device, offer new abilities. A number of vehicles become available along the way, as well, for special gameplay sequences.
For the first time in the series, stalwart Eidos studio Crystal Dynamics (Gex, Legacy of Kain, Project: Snowblind) was developer of this Tomb Raider game, instead of the franchise's creator, Core. The designers at Crystal Dynamics have endeavored to apply their extensive experience in the 3D action genre toward reinvigorating one of gaming's most recognizable and beloved characters.
Controls
MOVEMENT CONTROLS
Left Analog Stick = movement
Circle Button = crouch, roll
Triangle Button = interact, action, pick up weapon, safety grab
X Button = jump
Right Analog Stick = rotate camera
L2 Button = reset camera angle, view HUD
SWIMMING CONTROLS
Left Analog Stick = swim left, right or forward
Circle Button = dive
Triangle Button = interact, action, pick up rewards, fast stroke
X Button = swim toward the surface, surface
Right Analog Stick = rotate camera
COMBAT AND ITEM CONTROLS
R1 Button = fire
R2 Button = throw grenade or flare
R3 Button = accurate aim mode toggle
L1 Button = combat mode lock-on
L2 Button = realign camera behind character
Square Button = throw grapple
Triangle Button = pull grapple, interact with environmental targets
D-Pad Up = use health pack
D-Pad Down = switch weapons
D-Pad Left = personal light source toggle
D-Pad Right = binoculars, activate the RAD in binocular mode
DRIVING CONTROLS
Left Analog Stick = steer
X Button = accelerate
Square Button = brake, reverse
R1 Button = fire weapon
L1 Button = select target
Triangle Button = shoot hazard target
D-Pad Up = use health pack
Right Analog Stick = rotate camera
AIMING AND FIRING CONTROLS
L1 Button = lock-on target
R1 Button = fire weapon
Right Analog Stick = change target
L1 Button (hold) + R2 Button = throw grenade at target
R2 Button = grenade free throw ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide
