Tomb Raider: Underworld

There wasn't a bigger heartbreaker in 08' than Tomb Raider: Underworld. Despite friends and critic's warnings, I fell for it only to get burned in the end. Its OK to see mediocrity and settle for mediocrity, but Underworld is much more complicated than this. Its hard to judge a game that goes from masterpiece to passable in 8 hours. Like all experiences, you have to weigh the good against the bad. Yet, I feel like I can split these sides evenly with Underworld and have a game of the year contender distanced from another sloppy franchise entry.

Starting off Underworld is a mixed bag. You are immediately thrown into the series' frustrating controls and camera. It leaves you wondering why you bother. Then about 5 minutes in you are completely invested in the setting, story, and gameplay. If you were ever a fan of the series (or similar games like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time) the following 4 hours are near perfection. I felt my jaw drop during the Thailand level, which has to be the most amazing visually, atmospheric level of the series. It's one of my favorite moments in the series and is worth playing the game alone. I've never been as immersed in a world as I did, climbing a giant mountain surrounded by a jungle as I look upon a flock of birds fly circles around a distant temple.

Once you get to the Mexico level, the game takes a turn for the worst and never comes back -- culminating in one of the worst levels in the series. There are some great moments spread between, such as jumping from giant swinging hammers and gaining access to an overpowered weapon. These highlights do little to fix the problems, however. An awful vehicle section, sloppy level design, and uninspired, gloomy temples cloud all memory of the first 4 hours of joy the game provided. Even worse, the combat, camera, and controls that were once forgivable soon become your worst enemy when there is no pretty vistas or fun platforming to distract.

If you want an adventure/platformer you're best bet is Anniversary (the highlight of the series), but Underworld is a good game for those wanting more. It's hard to find a game's place when it contains both your favorite and most loathed moments of the series. The upside is that the best 4 hours are the first and you can shut it off after and tell yourself you played the best game of 2008 and you wouldn't be that far from the truth.