by Bouchie and Temujin

What follows is a conversation between Bouchie and Temujin on the new release, Tomb Raider Legend. Done via YM. This is the abridged version as I had to stop Tem hitting on me constantly, so once I cut that out this is what we were left with. Enjoy!

Temujin -: You've played lots of Tomb Raiders, so how do you think this compared to the others?
Bouchie: I thought it was a return to form and like the first game. Back in the tombs and outside as well. She became quite irritating in the Last Revelation and Angel of Darkness. I don't even remember what chronicles was like. Plus Angel of Darkness took her out of the tombs, and made her some sort of stealth character and the controls were nasty! You haven't played many before have you?
Temujin -: I've played a couple early ones a little. I was always annoyed by being a tiny bit off a jump and dying, whereas this one has the cool triangle feature if you nearly make a jump.
Bouchie: Yeah she just jumps and if she can get to it she'll reach for it, so no more lining jumps up precisely and falling to a nasty death. And she can jump sideways from ledge to ledge when she is hanging from them, which helps, and it really opens up the landscape to you. Now it's all accessible
Temujin -: I thought the controls were generally very good too. Movement was pretty much intuitive, and combat was easy...probably too easy, I think.
Bouchie: It was very easy, but she had an automatic lock on in all games which is a big help. Maybe it is a bit too easy in that sense.
Temujin -: I remember in prior games you could collect a small arsenal of guns, whereas this time you get the essential dual pistols and one other only. I think that's fair enough, as combat would be laughably easy if you could haul around an armoury with you. What did you make of the new toys?
Bouchie: I liked the fact you only had two guns too, as in previous games she magically produced Uzis from the same holster as her pistols! The grapple hook was a great idea, made the fast run and jump sections a challenge; similar to prince of Persia in that sense
Temujin -: I liked it too, but it took me a while to get used to the fact it was just magnetic. Not played PoP, but I'm sure you too saw GoW similarities in certain places.
Bouchie: Yes I do. In POP there are sections that involve running jumping and climbing from section to section in fast succession and tomb raider had those in which I always find fun to play. Her house is a level in itself now as well. Switches, secrets and stuff in there for you to find, which unlock more outfits and concept art and various other stuff.
Temujin -: Yeah, after the annoyed phase, I found the mansion pretty good, and not too difficult. I miss not being able to shoot the butler though
Bouchie: Oh yes, at least he doesn't follow you around this time. He was so annoying. I locked him in the freezer! I think an assault course would have been a good idea. She had one in previous games.
Temujin -: *makes note: stop stalking Bouchie* Ah yes, I remember an assault course...the gym was good fun though.
Bouchie: She has a gym which can be moved around with the grapple to access different bits. Did you like the voice acting?
Temujin -: The trick is finding the grapple though. I liked Zip and I thought Keeley Hawes did a decent job as Lara. They always refer to her main job as being in Spooks, but I remember Tipping the Velvet much more, for some reason. I thought Rutland and Amanda were adequate and Alister was an annoying prick.
Bouchie: I remember her from Tipping the Velvet though we probably watched that for different reasons!! (Tipping the velvet was a period drama about two females who impersonated men on stage. They eventually fell in love with each other and it featured scenes of lesbian lurve which Temmy probably loved!)
What do you think was the single biggest downside of the game?
Bouchie: It was nice to get Lara back in the tombs outrunning boulders again I have to say. Downside? The block moving was a pain in the ass. The controls were dodgy there, you had to get the camera behind her and try and do it that way. It was a bit short as well, about 8 hours of playtime which is adequate I suppose. Shadow of the colossus not much longer.
Temujin -: Yes, I always dragged the blocks, if I could. I thought the short length was a bit disappointing too. Lots of time trials and secrets, if you like that sort of thing.
Bouchie: Yeah, finishing the story is easy but there are the unlockables which I do like! I did the first level on time trial and making only a couple of mistakes I still only had 10 seconds left!
Temujin -: Yes...I find it quite annoying to hunt for a single bronze statue sometimes. I think later time trials are, strangely, far easier than the earlier ones.
Bouchie: the first level I failed twice! But I think they will certainly be a challenge. I thought the inclusion of a couple of bosses was a good idea, as there have been very few in past games and they break it up a bit.
Temujin -: Yeah, the bosses were a bit easy, as with most combat. They did however make you think about how to beat them.
Temujin -: Did you ever use the RAD function much? (Binoculars feature a RAD function which allows you to scan the environment looking for switches, boulders, movable items etc.)
Bouchie: Yeah there were things you had to do rather than just shooting and shooting. I did use the RAD function. I thought that was a really good idea as I got stuck on a few bits and that helped me.
Temujin -: The puzzles were well-designed I thought, I got stuck for a while on quite a few of them. I felt like a right moron after I worked out the first one.
Bouchie: the one with the seesaw?
Temujin -: Yep!
Bouchie: Took me a good while that as well.
Temujin -: Specially designed to make people feel thick when they finally figure it out. Do you think the large number of costumes add something to the game, or that 30+ was a bit excessive?
Bouchie: No I love things like that!
Temujin -: Alas, I have yet to acquire the bikinis. Got the Union Jack top though.
Bouchie: The length is pretty much all that has disappointed me with it to be honest. They couldn't get much worse than Angel of Darkness, taking Lara croft tomb raider out of the tombs was a stupid idea!
Temujin -: So the moral of the story is Lara belongs out of buildings, Snake belongs in them?
Bouchie: Indeed, the only buildings Lara should be in are the ones that are full of cobwebs and various crazy switches and traps like in the goonies!
Bouchie: What did you think to the graphics?
Temujin -: Generally I was impressed. The few other characters had ok features, Lara was well drawn and the water effects were excellent.
Bouchie: Yeah I always look at those. I just wish the game had been a bit longer but I was smiling when I finished it, and having difficulties and time trials give it plenty of replay. Plus I have fun while I'm playing it.
Temujin -: Bit like God of War.
Bouchie: Yes but not nearly as frustrating!
Temujin -: Anyway, I'd give TR:Legend, 8.5/10. If it was a little longer and the combat was more balanced it'd be a 10.
Bouchie: yes it would be, longevity is all that lets it down with me. I'm nearer a nine for it
Temujin -: So, 8.75 overall
Bouchie: I just think she's an awesome character, who is even more kickass than before and it's well open for a sequel.
Temujin -: I hope Alister dies though. God he annoyed me. (Alister, one of Lara’s team on her mobile.)
Bouchie: I didn't mind him! Anaya was a bit pointless.
Temujin -: Yeah, I didn't see much point to Rutland either.
Bouchie: No not really. It took a lot from the films I think.
Temujin -: Yep, one of the costumes looks like the one from the 2nd film. Snowsuit I think it's called.
Bouchie: But I don't think Lara has died now, I think she's back on form. Core ruined it, but Crystal Dynamics made it fabulous again. Not disappointed at all!
Temujin -: Nice chatting avec toi, Bouchie, seeya.
Bouchie: A bientot!