The Red Zone Republic

Tomb Raider: Underworld, also known as Tomb Raider 8, is an action-adventure video game developed by Crystal Dynamics, Buzz Monkey Software, and Santa Cruz Games and was published by Eidos Interactive. Crystal Dynamics developed the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC versions and was released in November 2008. Santa Cruz Games developed the Nintendo DS version and was also released in November. The Wii and PlayStation 2 version was developed by Buzz Monkey Software, although the PS2 version saw a January 2009 release in North America and March 2009 in Europe. Eidos released two new chapters of Tomb Raider: Underworld as exclusive downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace—Beneath the Ashes and Lara's Shadow which was released in February and March 2009 respectively.
It is the eighth game in the Tomb Raider series and resumes the adventure where Tomb Raider: Legend left off and addresses elements of the plot left unexplained in Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary.[9] It is the third game in the series to be developed by Crystal Dynamics and is also the first game to be released on the PlayStation 3.
Underworld received mostly positive reviews for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC versions. Critics praised the environments, Lara's motion captured movements, story, puzzles, exploration, graphics and the less linear style of gameplay, although some aimed at its "haywire" camera angles and "dodgy" combat system. The PS2 and Wii versions received mostly negative reviews. Most cited them as having poor graphics, being oversimplified and "dumbed" down, and being full of bugs.
As of 27 February 2009, the game has sold 2.6 million copies worldwide. On 25 May 2009 it was announced Tomb Raider: Underworld would be re-released as part of the Xbox Classics and Platinum Range lines for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, respectively


Differences from previous iterations in the series are that Lara's environment reproduces a more "interactive world that reacts and remembers", such that footprints left in the mud or mud transferred to Lara's knee from kneeling on the ground is washed away by rain, the bodies of the foes she encounters remain where she killed them, and any destruction to the environment she causes are permanent.[11] According to creative director Eric Lindstrom, this is "to not only reward the player for the effect they're having on the world, but to give them navigational aids."[12] The game uses an animation blending system that allows Lara to interact dynamically with her environment, such as pushing foliage aside with one or two hands, depending on if she is carrying a weapon.[13] It also features a "hybrid lighting model that combines dynamic lights with carefully created light maps" and a weather system that changes the environment, for example, "If Lara’s negotiating a wet ledge she’s more apt to slip or lose grip," which makes "the environment ... her adversary" for a large part of the game.[11][14]
Previously seen separate aspects of gameplay were combined for a new experience. Lindstrom explained that "in the past, there was climbing, and there was shooting, and there was puzzle solving. And they often didn't overlap. We've now integrated all of those elements."[15] This instalment also features a new melee combat system, requiring Lara in some instances to use "direct combat and evasive manoeuvres to distance herself from her attacker". Notably, Lara's bike, among other things, is a key component in solving the puzzles she will encounter in her adventure.[11] Pick-ups have multiple uses as weapons and tools in interaction with the environment, and Lindstrom stated that Lara "can also split up her guns and fire at two different targets simultaneously,"[12] or hold an item with one hand and fire a gun with the other.[15] The grappling hook can be stretched taut and used to pull objects off ledges unlike in previous iterations, illustrating what project lead Rob Pavey said, that "Lara will be able to do anything that you'd expect her to be able to do," which he called "the big theme this year."[16] Lindstrom describes this as "a philosophy called 'What Could Lara Do?'—WCLD. It's short-hand for having the player be able to use their own intuition about what someone with her abilities should be able to do in an environment such as this, and consistency across the different mechanics and abilities. If she can throw a grenade, then if she can pick up this pole, why can't she throw it?" Crystal Dynamics also aimed to make the game non-linear, unlike Tomb Raider: Legend, and eliminate the need for hint icons that indicate the ability to interact with objects.[12]
The interactive cut scenes from previous titles were replaced with "adrenaline moments". Instead of specific button presses, time slows down and gives the player a chance to get out of harm's way while retaining complete control of Lara.[17]
[edit]Story

[edit]Synopsis
Tomb Raider: Underworld begins where its predecessor left off, with Lara Croft searching for the mythical resting place of King Arthur, Avalon. Underneath the Mediterranean Sea Lara discovers Thor's gauntlet and then has an encounter with an old enemy, Jacqueline Natla, who has been imprisoned by Legend's antagonist, Amanda Evert. Natla tells Lara that the Norse underworld, Helheim and Avalon are one and the same and that she will need to find Thor's Hammer to open the Underworld. Lara soon discovers to find and wield the hammer she will have to find Thor's other gauntlet and his belt, to retrieve these artifacts she must explore underworlds all around the globe, facing the creatures, traps and puzzles that guard them. However, Lara discovers that Helhiem may contain a powerful weapon that could put the world in danger. Lara also finds herself faced with a doppelgänger of herself created by Natla, who burns down her house and kills one of Lara's assistants, Alister Fletcher.
[edit]Characters
Main article: Tomb Raider characters - Tomb Raider: Underworld
Tomb Raider: Underworld, like all others in the series, stars the fictional British archaeologist Lara Croft, who is voiced by Keeley Hawes. She is the only playable character in the main part of the game. Lara's butler and recurring character, Winston (voiced by Alan Shearman), also reappears during the Croft Manor segment. Lara's assistants, Zip (Alex Désert) and Alister (Greg Ellis) return from Legend, though their contact with Lara is now limited to cut scenes rather than during gameplay. Jacqueline Natla (Grey DeLisle) and Amanda Evert (Kath Soucie) are the game's main villains, reprising their roles from Anniversary and Legend respectively. Greg Ellis also voices the leader of Amanda's mercenaries in the Mediterranean. The game also features the Doppelgänger, a creature created by Natla that is nearly identical to Lara, but with pale skin and red hair. Throughout the main part of the game, she acts as an antagonist serving Natla.[18][19]
Lara, Zip, the Doppelgänger, and Natla reappear in the Xbox 360 downloadable content. The Doppelgänger, who does not speak during the main game, is voiced by Keeley Hawes,[citation needed] and serves as the playable character in Lara's Shadow.
[edit]Setting
Tomb Raider: Underworld is set across several countries. The game begins in the Mediterranean Sea, where the first set of levels are set. There, Lara spends some time swimming among sharks and discovers the Norse underworld of Niflheim where she faces a giant Kraken and takes her on board Amanda's boat. The second set of levels takes place on the west coast of Thailand. There she discovers Bhogavati, a mythical hindu underworld, which Lara finds to be guarded with Nāga, creatures that the hindu religion describes as snake people. The third part of the game takes place in England at Croft Manor. Lara discovers, via clues left by her father, a chapel hidden underneath Croft Manor which leads to Richard Croft's secret study. Lara then must escape her mansion as it burns to the ground. The next group of levels takes place in Southern Mexico. Lara explores ruins in the middle of a jungle, she then explores the mayan underworld of Xibalba, which is guarded by giant spiders and Lara is forced to face zombie like thralls as she goes deeper into the ruins. Lara then travels to Jan Mayen Island to find Thor's Hammer. There she discovers Valhalla. A short segment then takes place in the Andaman Sea where Lara infiltrates The Tisiphone, which is the twin of Amanda's original boat. The final part of the game takes place in the Arctic Sea, where Lara discovers the entrance to Helheim. Upon opening Helheim, Lara discovers the Midgard Serpent.
[edit]Development

[hide]System Requirements
Minimum Recommended
Microsoft Windows[20]
Operating System Windows XP or Windows Vista
CPU Intel Pentium 4 3+GHz or AMD Athlon 2.5+GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or Athlon 64 X2 4400+
Memory 1GB (Windows XP) / 2GB (Windows Vista) 2 GB
Hard Drive Space 8 GB of free space
Graphics Hardware NVIDIA GeForce 6 series 6800GT (or better) / ATI X1800XT (or better) NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX or ATI HD4800
Sound Hardware DirectX 9.0c compliant card
In November 2007, Eidos was reported to have filed for a trademark on the phrase, Tomb Raider Underworld.[21][22][23] and soon after reserved the Tomb Raider Underworld domain name.[24] In December 2007, Eidos filed for a second trademark for Tomb Raider Underworld, reserving the right to provide "computer games that may be accessed network-wide by network users."[25] In the January 2008 issue of the magazine Play, details from the "first-ever demo" of the game were revealed.[11] SCi, which owned Eidos at the time, officially announced Tomb Raider: Underworld on 10 January 2008, and confirmed that all platform versions of the game would be released simultaneously in November 2008.[26]
Play's assertions that the game is the "first true next gen Lara with one big physics smorgasbord that looks altogether photo-real"[11] led to speculation that Tomb Raider: Underworld might be using a new game engine for its next-generation graphics rather than the system used by Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Later, the Senior Producer and External Designer separately confirmed that Underworld uses an all-new engine that was built especially for it.[27][28] This new engine will also be used for upcoming game Deus Ex 3.[29]
Lara's costume was redesigned and she no longer wears her trademark green sleeveless top and khaki shorts, but instead, a dark brown halter top and black shorts. Additionally, her hair is no longer braided, but worn in a ponytail. According to Play, Lara "moves as good as she looks [and] no longer moves like a video game character" due to her being fully motion captured.[11] Olympic gymnast and NCAA Women's Gymnastics champion Heidi Moneymaker was the model used for motion capturing.[15] Lara Croft is said to have over 2,000 animations.[30] Keeley Hawes provided the voice of Lara in this installment,[31] as she did in Anniversary and Legend.[32] Gymnast Alison Carroll was selected as the new official Lara Croft model to promote the game, replacing Karima Adebibe.
The first official video, entitled "Beneath the Surface", was released on 17 July 2008, and featured interviews with members of the development team and showed screenshots, artwork, and several clips of gameplay footage. A teaser trailer was released on 19 July 2008,[33] and the first gameplay trailer was released on 15 August 2008.[34]
[edit]Music
Music info table
Data Info
General mood Journey,
Chased, Relaxation
Main composer Colin O'Malley
Main theme 3 minutes and 30 seconds
In-game score 110 minutes/80 tracks
Average track length 1 minute and 21 seconds
Troels Folmann composed the main theme of the game, and was the music supervisor for Underworld while Colin O'Malley was scoring the bulk of the music. Underworld's music is purely orchestral in style.[35]
There are pieces that do not loop, meaning they will only play one time and will be triggered on specific events. The score is made more of musical fragments, similar to the first five games of the Tomb Raider series, and there is less constant music than in Legend.[35]
The first four seconds of the main theme are the last four notes of the well known seven-notes of the first Tomb Raider game main theme. A similar beginning was already used in another track composed by Troels called "Egypt - Cinematic Mix 2". The end of the main theme gets louder than the beginning by adding choirs and percussion. It then drops into a solo performance of the same four-notes reminiscent of the Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness main theme.
In addition to gameplay music, Underworld's Theatrical Trailer also uses orchestral music. The featured piece is the 3rd movement: Lacrimosa, from Mozart's Requiem in D minor. This particular theme, which is almost the same but the middle part cuted, by Colin O'Malley, is entitled 'Roll Back Destruction', and features a recorded choir.
[edit]Downloadable content
After an agreement with Microsoft, Eidos released two new chapters of Tomb Raider: Underworld as exclusive downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace:[36] Beneath the Ashes on 24 February 2009[37][38] and Lara's Shadow on 10 March 2009.[39] According to an MTV Multiplayer blog post, an Eidos spokesperson has stated that there are no plans to release the content for PlayStation 3 or Microsoft Windows.[40] Following a negative reaction from fans, Eidos released a statement explaining that they were approached by Microsoft, and to confirm "there are no plans for additional downloadable content for PS3".[41]
It was also announced that two new outfits, made by Québec fashion designers, would be available for free download on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The outfits were chosen by jury and public vote on the Festival Arcadia's Virtually Fashionable on 8 November 2008,[42] and released on 10 March 2009.[43]
On 15 December 2008, Eidos announced the release of two classic outfits from past Tomb Raider games ("Classic" and "Legend"), which would be released for free exclusively on the Xbox Live Marketplace.[44] On 30 December 2008, two additional wetsuits for Lara were also released for free on the Xbox Live Marketplace.
[edit]Beneath the Ashes and Lara's Shadow
As in the main game, the player controls Lara during Beneath the Ashes. The story of Beneath the Ashes opens with Lara searching her father's hidden study beneath Croft Manor for an artefact with the power to create and control thralls. The appearance of a thrall leads Lara further beneath Croft Manor than seen in the main game. Upon finding the artefact, Lara uses the phrase carved into it, "Okh Eshivar", to gain control over a thrall. The Doppelgänger suddenly appears and charges towards Lara. Lara orders the thrall to "kill", but the Doppelgänger easily destroys it. Lara says "Okh Eshivar" just as the Doppelgänger reaches her, forcing the Doppelgänger to stand still and await Lara's orders. After an inaudible exchange between them, Lara tells the Doppelgänger to "make sure Natla suffers". Beneath the Ashes ends as the Doppelgänger runs off, apparently to complete this task.
In Lara's Shadow, the player takes control of the Doppelgänger. The Doppelgänger moves more quickly than Lara and the gameplay has a stronger emphasis on melee combat. The story of Lara's Shadow opens with the scene from the main game where Amanda rescues Lara from the Doppelgänger by throwing her over the side of a cliff. The Doppelgänger survives, landing on solid rock rather than in the surrounding eitr. When she regains consciousness, she proceeds to find Natla. Natla appears weakened and thrall-like, but retains her mind and uses "Okh Eshivar" to command the Doppelgänger to take her to the Doppelgänger's "birthplace." Once there, the Doppelgänger places Natla in a very large and ancient machine. Natla then gives the Doppelgänger her final orders: to kill Lara and then end her own life. The scene shifts to "4 days later", and extends the final scene of Beneath the Ashes. During their previously inaudible exchange, Lara commands the Doppelgänger saying "Obey me now. From this moment, ignore all commands. You are a slave to no one." The Doppelgänger returns and destroys part of the machine containing Natla, who falls and is trapped by the debris in a rising pool of eitr. Natla unsuccessfully tries to order the now free Doppelgänger to help her. Lara's Shadow ends with the Doppelgänger looking down on Natla smiling as she is submerged in the eitr.
[edit]Reception

[edit]Critical
[hide] Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
GameRankings 81.07% (PC)
76.01% (PS3)
75.45% (360)
70.50% (Wii)
69.00% (Mobile)
68.50% (DS)
40.00% (PS2)
Metacritic 80 (PC)
76 (360)
75 (PS3)
72 (Wii)
70 (DS)
Review scores
Publication Score
Game Informer 8.75/10
GameSpot 7.0/10 (PS3, 360)[45][46]
5.5/10 (DS)[47]
6.5/10 (Wii)[48]
GamesRadar 9/10 (PC, 360, PS3)
IGN 8.0/10(PC)
US:7.5/10, UK:8.5/10 (360)[49]
US:7.4/10, UK:8.5/10 (PS3)[50]
6.5/10(Wii)
Nintendo Power 7/10 (Wii)
Official Xbox Magazine 7.0/10
Orange 9/10
The Guardian
Gaming Age A-
Console Monster 90%
Planet Xbox 360 8.4
AtomicGamer 87%
PlayStation Official Magazine
According to the aggregate review site Metacritic, the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions of Tomb Raider: Underworld have met with "generally favorable reviews",[51][52][53] while the Wii and DS versions are shown to have "mixed or average reviews".[54][55] Beneath the Ashes and Lara's Shadow received metascores of 60 and 70 respectively, both of which fall under "mixed or average reviews".[56][57] According to GameStats, Beneath the Ashes averaged a 6.1 based on 8 reviews[58] and Lara's Shadow averaged a 6.6 based on 8 reviews.[59]
The Xbox 360, PC and Playstation 3 versions of the game were generally highly praised, with many critics comparing Underworld to older titles in the series, with GamesRadar commenting "Doing what made the original great, and adding a considerable face-lift" and The Guardian saying "And when you get stuck into Tomb Raider Underworld, it swiftly becomes clear that it is designed to appeal to a generation of gamers – surely now in their 30s – who grew up with Tomb Raider and fell in love with Lara's attributes and attitude."[60][61] In reviews, the environments have been widely praised, many reviewers also praised Lara's motion captured movements and the much less linear style of gameplay, while some criticisms aimed at its "haywire" camera angles and "dodgy" combat system. The game's graphics were also praised, Orange described them as "lush",[60] Lara's appearance and movements received further comment, with the Guardian stating "Lara has never looked or moved better."[61] IGN described the games an enjoyable game for the story, puzzles, exploration and graphics. They went on to praise that quick time events were replaced with adrenaline moments and noted improvements in combat, such as the ability to aim at two enemies at once and new sticky bombs.[62] However, GamesRadar marked the game down for "dodgy combat". The exploration was also highly praised, with Orange describing it as the highlight of the game and GamesRadar urging readers to "go explore Underworld."[60][63] Nintendo Power and GamesRadar also praised the game's platforming elements. Despite mentions of camera issues and weaker combat, critics described it as "as good as Tomb Raider has ever been"[64] and "the Tomb Raider we've been waiting for!"[65]
However, the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions received mostly negative reviews. IGN commented the Wii version "is not a bad game" but went on to say "The whole thing has been oversimplified and dumbed down. The Wii puzzles are a joke, the combat is almost nonexistent, and the game is pretty short."[66] Gamespot added "Tomb Raider Underworld can be an enjoyable adventure, but it’s marred by bugs, camera issues, and ill-conceived Wii extras."[67] While the Playstation 2 version was called "an embarrassment to the franchise" by IGN. They went on to say that the version was such a poor conversion that it shouldn't have even been released, saying "Full of bugs, linear play that discourages exploration and non-existent combat, Tomb Raider Underworld feels as though it's part of the series in name and main character only."[68]
Prior to the game's release, Eidos attempted to prevent any reviews rating the game at less than 8 out of 10 from appearing, with an Eidos spokesman stating "[t]he brand manager in the US that's handling all of Tomb Raider has asked that we just manage the scores before the game is out, really, just to ensure that we don't put people off buying the game, basically."[69]
Tomb Raider: Underworld received a BAFTA nomination in 2009.[70] For Underworld's story, Eric Lindstrom and Toby Gard received a nomination for the WGA’s Videogame Writing Award.[71]
[edit]Sales
On 9 January 2009, Eidos announced that Tomb Raider: Underworld sales failed to meet expectations, selling 1.5 million copies worldwide as of 31 December 2008.[72][73][74] However, on 27 February 2009, Eidos announced that the game had sold around 2.6 million copies worldwide, outselling the previous two titles in the series.[75] Also, on 8 May 2009, Ian Livingstone, President of Eidos Interactive, said "Underworld has met our target expectations".[76] In September 2009 Tomb Raider: Underworld was released as part of both the Xbox 360 Classics range and PlayStation 3 Platinum range.
[edit]Sequel

After the takeover of Eidos by Square Enix, there is reportedly a ninth game planned in the series. The game is also reported to contain multiplayer as a Crystal Dynamics representative said "We are looking for developers who are able to effectively create and lead the multiplayer vision and design effort."[77] The series is going to be reinvigorated once more, in the same way that Tomb Raider Legend did.[78]
In an interview with GamingIndians.com, Ian Livingstone, Life President of Eidos Interactive, announced that the next Tomb Raider was currently in the works. Livingstone stated "I think [it] will surprise a lot of people and reinvigorate the franchise." On 4 March 2010 tombraiderchronicles.com released an official press statement by Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics that named a new game due out in 2010 called Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. This is the first title in the series not to bear the name 'Tomb Raider' and is, at the moment, a download-only game. The omission of the "Tomb Raider" branding was said to separate Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light from the "pillar" Tomb Raider games, which are also still being produced. The game was shown behind closed doors at the Game Developers Conference on 9 March 2010.