Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is not a full-fledged installment of the classic Tomb Raider series. Instead, it is an attempt to approach adventures of the archeologist from a different angle. The game is played from an isometric view, focusing on cooperation between two characters. Despite these radical changes, the game still features elements considered as hallmarks of the Tomb Raider series, such as platforming sections, shooting sequences or puzzle solving.

Plot

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light for PC, X360 and etc. tells the story of an adventure Lara Croft and a Mayan warrior by the name of Totec went through together. The scenario is not particularly deep here, offering an easily digestible story which is full of humor and resembles adventure films. The plot is centered around a mysterious artifact known as the Mirror of Smoke. The main antagonist is called Xolotl - a nightmarish being in control over other ghosts. Xolotl was released from the Mirror, and so the player encounters hordes of fallen warriors, huge salamanders and other monstrous enemies of such kind.

Mechanics

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light for PC, X360 and etc. is played from an isometric view. The game does not allow the player to change the camera angle. Lara and Totec differ both in skills and weaponry. While Miss Croft has two pistols at her disposal (infinite ammunition), Totec prefers spears, which can be used to overcome environmental obstacles apart from the obvious combat-related opportunities they give. For instance, a spear stuck in the wall allows Lara to reach a previously inaccessible place. Lara herself makes use of a rope with a hook attached to one of its ends when climbing. A large emphasis was placed on cooperation-oriented mechanics. More than once, Totec walks on the line held by Lara. In turn, Lara is capable of running on the surface of Totec's shield.

Lara Croft is one of the main characters here, thus exploring different catacombs is part of the game. These sections offer an escape between subsequent combat sequences, as well as enrich the experience with puzzle solving, which is one of the core elements of the franchise. When trying to avoid different traps, the companion's help is extremely useful. The game offers a multiplayer mode online or via local area network. Nonetheless, playing solo is also an option.

Technical aspects

Although Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light for PC, X360 and etc. is an old-school game in terms of mechanics, it offers modern-day visuals which keep pace with contemporary standards.

Last updated on 10 August 2010