Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

For the first time, Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft was completely revamped. Well, not her specifically. She still has obscenely large breasts and runs around decrepit, giant spider-infested locales in short-shorts (rolled-up nonetheless); publisher Square Enix wouldn't change this until the 2013 reboot.

Guardian of Light plays nothing like a Tomb Raider game, but still manages to incorporate the puzzle and exploration elements that work while fixing what has always held the series back, the combat. Best described as an action-adventure title played from an isometric perspective, the game plays like Gauntlet if it grew a brain.

You (and a partner via co-op) travel through 30-minute levels solving puzzles, fighting hordes of enemies, and exploring all corners of a map. The game is not only extremely polished but has many clever nuances that show the developer was driven by a passion to do something new. This is no cash grab spin-off. For example, each level has its own achievements that can be met, encouraging replays until one has reached the point of mastery. Another novel feature are the optional caves spread throughout levels that offer a brain-teaser to separate the seemingly endless gun fights. You might not think “engaging, fun with a friend, and variety” when thinking of the Tomb Raider franchise, but they removed the namesake for a reason this time around.