Fantastic platformer that keeps you exploring and not killing endless numbers of enemies.
The story is great and I really love all the cut scenes and dialog.
The graphics are incredible and the locations and levels are all beautiful.
The level design is great and the platforming is a blast. This game reminds me of playing the old Sonic or Mario games (waaaaaay back when on NES to Genesis) in that it feels like a 2D side scroller but in 3D. The running, flipping, jumping, scaling is a blast.
I also play the Tomb Raider games and this one is just so much more fun because it's not all complicated (with multiple enemies, gadgets etc)...it lets you run around a level and execute the moves in a way that there are no breaks in the action. It's hard to explain but I love this game so much I had to write a review.
PEople bash on it saying it is easy...well...that depends on your definition of what 'hard' is with this type of game. Do I like cheap deaths and a punishing save system that so many other games use to make their games 'hard'? No. What's the difference between this game and me using a quick save feature after every jump and being saved right after I blow the next jump. There is no difference. I would get bored of having to repeat the same long piece of game play 10 times and would probably never finish the game. The way the lives system is setup it maintains the pacing of the game and lets you enjoy the central theme they are trying to give us...I am an adventurer exploring this beautiful place and engaging in really fun moves the entire time. The game is 'hard' because you need to complete all the objectives and that takes time and some thinking, but it is not 'easy' in that it is not a challenge. It is a challenge but one that is forgiving. It's the same as regenerating health or quick saves in a FPS. So enough of that because instead of me hitting quick save every 20 feet they do it for me.
BAck to the game. The powers you get are a nice break from the regular platforming but it's the sense of exploration and wonder as you uncover the different environments that really has a hold on me. I love games that let me explore and this game really has me hooked. It really feels like I am playing a movie, and one that is fun and keeps up the pace.
Ubisoft did a great job on this and I can't wait for a PoP2.