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| Tomb Raider 4 - The Last Revelation |
 On November 21, 1999, the fourth installment featuring the most popular computer game heroine, Lara Croft, was published (in Germany, at least). Given the hundreds of covers on which she has been portraited of late, it would have been a big surprise if this event had gone unnoticed. But despite all the fuss about Miss Croft, which already scared off even some of her staunchest supporters, the games themselves have so far been acceptable enough, although both graphics and game design have been recycled a wee little bit too often. |
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 Graphics: |
 TR IV is based on the same, slightly modified graphics engine like its predecessors. The graphics haven't lost their appeal, but though some new effects have been added, they do appear somewhat outdated when compared directly to games like Ultima IX or Wheel of Time. As a (positive) consequence, the game runs even on a 233 MHz Pentium at high resolutions. The old graphics engine notwithstanding, it soon becomes evident that the programmers have concentrated their efforts on taxing the engine to its limits. For instance, they have integrated lens-flare effects, as well as beautiful lighting and fogging effects. What's also striking is that Lara's weapons smoke after usage and that the empty bullets hit the floor quietly clinking. Cool: when Lara pulls herself out of the water, you see small waterdrops dripping from her body. Numerous in-game cutscenes and the greatly enhanced rendered cutscenes contribute immensely to the game's dense atmosphere. |
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| Story & gameplay: |
 Similar to Ulitma IX, the story is linked with the tutorial. TR IV starts in Cambodia in 1984, and while accomplishing her first adventures, we can look 16-year-old Lara over her shoulder. Under the tutelage of the famous archaeologist Werner of Croy, we do not only learn to cope with Lara's new movements, but also how she came to get hold of her backpack. Unfortunately, her first excursions ends with a catastrophe: of Croy, becoming careless, seems to fall prey to his own greed and only Lara can make her way out of the suddenly collapsing ruins...
Years later, however, Lara has to learn that of Croy is pretty much alive and shows no intentions to queue up for a signed postcard from her. Their hunt takes them through half of Egypt, and at the same time Lara has to face the wrath of old Egyptian gods. Although the story is restricted to one location only (have a guess), there's lots to do and see: at times you explore musty dungeons, then pass through nice landscapes and sometimes you stumble upon a vehicle. You even have to manage a breathtaking ride on top of a train. Naturally, during her adventures Lara makes ample use of her arsenal of weapons (crossbow, colt) to fend off all sorts of undead and living thugs. To solve some of the interspersed puzzles, it's often necessary to combine two objects in her modified inventory. And there are new movements as well: with the help of ropes, she swings over precipices; while dangling from a ledge, she can now overcome corners; and levers placed high in a wall are pulled down with a jump. |
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| Pros & cons: |
 Compared to the third installment, TR IV is more linear and has less unfair sections. Nevertheless, some puzzles require you to jump between two or three levels, and the new inventory adds some more depth to the game as well. The new moves and different vehicles guarantee in a miraculous way that you aren't plagued with fits of boredom. Although the gameplay has now been recycled for the fourth time, Lara's array of movements and the game concept are still without any serious competitors (except for Drakan, perhaps).
The consequence of restricting the game to one location only, however, is that both enemy types and textures are bound to come up more than once during the game. Question is, for how long Core Design can continue publishing Tomb Raider spin-offs every year while leaving graphics and gameplay nearly untouched. So far the concept has done extraordinarily well, but even fans of the games will sooner or later turn their backs on lovely Lara.
To put it directly: the positive impressions and the fun still win out against the game's flaws. Lara "afficcionados" and friends of solid action adventures can help their favourite heroine out once more to save the world. |
| © 2000 by CE |
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