Welcome Back, Lara
I remember when i got the GameInformer issue with the new Lara on the cover. Oh, the power- I felt like I could start the car with it. I had a few misgivings- would SE turn her into a Harajuku emo anti-hero? It looked like it could go either way...
But, I trusted SE. In my opinion, they have always been a company that knew graphics- be it 2d or 3d (and sometimes somewhere in between). If we went with the theory that video games were art, then to me, SE would be Da Vinci.
So, I per-ordered this puppy. I wanted to support Lara, and I also wanted GoL (I figured why pay for it separately).
The night she came out, I had already had her installed. So, I loaded her up. It was amazing- here's a break down of the blood and guts of the new TR remake (on a 5 asterisk standard):
-Graphics: *****. I LOVE the graphics in this game. It is the best looking TR game to date, for sure. Seeing her sweat and get dirty when the environment calls for it, as well as the weather, are all finely realized in this title. And, FINE-UH-LY, we have a TR where Lara isn't super busty. She looks like an honest-to-God person, just trying to survive (how badly I wanted to give her blanket when watching her shiver by a fire).
-Mechanics- *****. While some people will disagree, which I totally welcome, I feel that, personally, this game's mechanics were highly enjoyable. To me, it was like playing "Batman: AC", just without the great hand to hand combat. What I mean is "Batman: AC" did his Universe great justice, just as this TR does Lara's- it captures it perfectly. There are QT events in this sucker, but they are not as up your ass about it as RE6 was. And the shooting, when it comes down to it, is very satisfying.
-Sound- ****. The sounds, while not completely horrible, were the standard fare in big set-piece adventures like this one. There are times when all you hear is the drip of a stalagmite in a cave, or the harsh Winter air ripping by the ear. It's good- but for me, it wasn't as gripping as the aforementioned categories.
-Controls- *****. By George,finally, a TR game where the camera won't kill you! Well, it didn't me, so I can't speak for anyone else. But from what I have seen from people's reactions to this game, the camera is no longer an issue in a TR game! I felt like they were tight- I used a 360 controller, so I can't speak of the keyboard/mouse. Also, the controls felt intuitive (maybe because they mimic popular games like FarCry. I've never played FarCry).
-Overall- ****. I love this game. While it's not the end all, be all game in my eyes, it is a great romp- and indisputably the best TR (definitely since Last Revelation). If you're a TR vet, or a noob alike, I highly recommend this game. I LOVED the ending, all though it felt a little flat. While I won't give away what happened, I will say I pleased to see the gun. And I felt like an idiot for thinking that they wouldn't get around to that.
I just wish it was unlocked once you beat the game- perhaps another one of my gripes.