It was only a matter of time before Lara Croft returned to our screens. So successful was the original Tomb Raider that a sequel was inevitable. And here it is Tomb Raider II - The Dagger of Xian.
Legend has it that the Dagger of Xian has the power to give you the strenght of a dragon when plunged into one's heart and it lies deep within the Great Wall of China. There's a three way race to find it. Tibetan monks want the dagger back in it's rightful place, an evil cult intent on utilising the daggers power for world domination and Lara Croft....well she just though it might fetch her a few bob in the local museum. Starting at the Great Wall the adventure will take Lara to Venice, onto an oil rig, an underwater shipwreck similar looking and in size to the Titanic, off to Tibet and finally back to the Great Wall in her quest for the dagger. As with the original Tomb Raider, puzzles and animals present problems. But this time there are bigger problems.....humans!
The same third person perspective has been used in the sequel but the game as a whole has been given a makeover. The graphics have been enhanced with finer detail being given to our heroine and her assets. Levels are much more interesting and varied than the original and the detail within these levels is excellent. Lara also boasts new outfits in certain episodes and a wider range of movements including the ability to climb walls and shoot, side-paddle and roll underwater. Flares have been introduced to enhance lighting in certain areas to reveal hidden items and a bigger arsenal is provided including the devastating grenade launcher. In TR2 Lara also gets the chance to drive a speedboat and ride snowmobiles which is immense fun. Enemies come in the shape of eagles, Bengal tigers, dogs, sharks, gun-toting guards, underwater snipers and Yeti's amongst others. The crystal save game method has been scrubbed and a save anywhere function introduced. The training level has also been enhanced which is still set in Lara's mansion but boasts a timed assault course and a garden maze.
The Tomb Raider style graphics have been retained but they have been given a much smoother, more detailed look which you would expect as the technology advances. Lara herself has also been given a makeover and looks alot more curved and lifelike. There have been some lovely touches added for instance when Lara paddles in the water her pony tail is seen floating on the surface and the detail within the levels have been substantially enhanced. As most of the levels are based on man-made environments there is a lot more to see. The FMV sequences are again superb but the only complaint I have is that the clipping problem from the original is still there and maybe even a little more noticeable as a lot of levels are set outdoor.
As with the original the music is excellent and is used like a movie score. There is a particularly excellent piece in Venice where the title music has been given a full string section overhaul as you wade through the canals. The spot effects are again good and do th job effectively.
A lot of people disliked TR2 because of it's shift over to acion from the exploration element of the original. I personally preffered TR2 as it kept me more interested as there was more interaction with people shooting back at you. The save anywhere system had pros and cons but I preferred it to the crystal system. Tomb Raider was a massive success and Tomb Raider II is just more of the same with enhancements. After all why change a winning formula. No doubt Tomb Raider 3 will be just TR2 with more enhancements and will be just as if not more successful.
