TOMB RAIDER UNDERWORLD
Facts and Features
Developer - Crystal Dynamics
Publisher - Eidos Interactive
Release Date - 18th November 2008 (North America) and 21st November 2008 (Europe).
Platforms - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2
Story
For generations, stories have been told of the fearsome weapon of the Norse god Thor. Legend holds that he who wields the hammer has the power to smash mountains into valleys and the strength to destroy even the gods. For more than a thousand years it has existed only as a myth…until now. In an ancient ruin on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea, Lara Croft uncovers proof of the Norse underworld and the mythical hammer. As she attempts to unravel the secrets behind these myths, Lara’s perilous journey leads her toward a forgotten power that, if unleashed, could lay waste to all civilization.
Characters
Lara Croft
Lara is an adventurer, world traveller and archaeologist who seeks out relics and tombs, fuelled by an obsession to uncover the secrets of the great, ancient civilizations. She is a superb athlete, fluent in a dozen languages, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She has been hailed both as an Archaeological Wunderkind and a glorified Treasure Hunter. There are thousands of rumors surrounding Lady Croft's exploits, invariably involving the unexplained or outright unbelievable. Lady Croft continues to be the focus of wild speculation and intense debate. Idealized and vilified in equal measure, she is perhaps one of the fascinating and enigmatic figures of our times.
Zip
Zip is the tech guy of Lara's team, responsible for providing technical and logistical support for Lara's endeavors worldwide - he's the guy in the van or the server room at Lara's mansion, and Lara's constant remote companion via radio headset. A wisecracking guy who's part ultra-techno-geek and part street savvy. He used to be over-the-top, but a few years in prison toned him down a notch and increased his resentment toward all things established. A former computer hacker, he works with Lara for the challenge and the thrill of it. He's personally loyal to Lara, and it really is the most fun he can have without getting arrested.
Alister
Alister is Lara's research assistant, providing another mind filled with arcane historical information, someone to bounce ideas off of, and provide quick additional research while Lara's in the field. He's in this to test his theories, uncover secrets noone else can, and because it's the only place his eccentric knowledge is really useful. Alister is tense and takes himself much too seriously.
Jacqueline Natla
Natla was one of the members of the triumvirate ruling the lost continent of Atlantis. However, she was later condemned for her misuse of power and was imprisoned in a capsule by the other two rulers, Qualopec and Tihocan. After escaping from her prison in 1945 during a nuclear test in Los Alamos, New Mexico, she took on the name Jacqueline and founded her own company called Natla Technologies using her scientific expertise and cunning. In 1996 she hired adventurer Lara Croft to search for Qualopec's piece of the Atlantean Scion in his Tomb located in Peru. Shortly after finding the artifact, Lara was attacked by another adventurer under orders by Natla. Knowing Natla had betrayed her, Lara went in search for the remaining two pieces in Greece and then Egypt. After obtaining the final piece, Lara was ambushed by Natla and her men. Stealing the now assembled artifact, Natla ordered Lara to be killed and left Egypt in her boat heading to Atlantis.
It is inside the Great Pyramid of Atlantis that Natla's grand scheme is revealed: to use the Scion's powers to breed a new race of mutant creatures. Realizing this, Lara made her best effort to destroy the Scion. Refusing to let her work be destroyed, Natla charged for Lara sending them both falling into a deep abyss. While Lara managed to grab a ledge, Natla continued to plummet into the lava pit below. As Lara tries to escape the pyramid Natla confronts her a final time, revealing her true appearance. After a fearsome battle, Lara defeated Natla and escaped the pyramid, leaving Natla inside when it exploded...or so Lara thought...
Enemies
Mercenaries, panthers, sharks, spiders, bats, tigers and octopus. There will also be a large number of supernatural and ancient enemies.
Locations
Mediterranean
The first level in TRU. Lara arrives at the Med in a luxury yacht after learning her father found something here shortly before he disappeared. At the bottom of the sea lies a submerged temple that hides a lot of the answers to Lara's questions.
Thailand
Lara arrives at Thailand where she explores a dense and dangerous jungle. Within this jungle is a temple dedicated to the god Shiva. This is Lara's goal...
Southern Mexico
Lara explores ancient tombs where she attempts to gain entry into the Mayan underworld...
Arctic
Lara explores the frozen islands of the Arctic Sea.
Graphics Engine and Environments
Lara Croft Model
• Lara's body reacts to the weather and environment - if it is hot, she will sweat. If it is raining, the water will trickle down her body. If it is
muddy, dirt will cling to her and gradually wash off due to the rainfall. Her clothes will also react to changing environmental conditions. Lara
interacts with environmental foliage, sweeping it away as she passes through it.
• Crystal Dynamics have introduced motion capture for the first time in a Tomb Raider game. Motion capture brings increased realism and
fluidity to Lara's movements. CD have hired an olympic gymnast to provide animations for Lara.
• Lara will have high quality facial animations and lip-synch.
Environments
• TRU uses a realistic and dynamic weather system including torrential rainpour, thunderclouds and lightning. Each level will have its own
weather system.
• An improved physics engine means that the whole world is reacts to Lara's presence and has memory. Lara leaves footprints in the mud.
Debris and bodies will no longer vanish, providing valuable markers of where the player has been in the massive game world.
• An innovative lighting system moves beyond simple dynamic lighting to create stunning and realistic environments. A new piece of lighting
technology called Spherical Harmonics is being used to make Lara appear connected with her environment; if she walks through green foliage,
for example, her skin will take on a subtle green cast.
• The game is more open-ended than ever before, giving players the choice of how to tackle puzzles.
• Crystal Dynamics travelled on location to photograph the Mayan tombs ensuring a realistic look to the ruins.
• All cutscenes are made using the in-game engine.
• An overhauled camera system dynamically follows the action with theatrical angles to show off moves and provide directional hints.
Moveset, Acrobatics and Combat
Combat
• Lara can now perform close quarters combat and melee moves. These moves are focused on repelling enemies so she can shoot them with
less risk to herself.
• Multiple targets can be shot, with one gun focusing on one target while the other gun focusses on another.
• She can shoot while clinging from ledges and hanging onto ropes.
• Environmental objects like spears can be used as weapons against enemies.
• Adrenaline Moment are an alternative to the button matching mini-games from Legend or Anniversary, which causes a flash of slow motion,
giving Lara a split second to evade dangers.
Moves
• Crystal Dynamics' philosophy for TRU is 'what could Lara do?'. They claim that anything you want Lara to do or feel she should be able to do,
she can!
• Lara can now perform more free-form rock climbing similar to Assassin's Creed. She can grab and climb most surfaces.
• Lara can perform a sprint move which enalbes her to get from one point to another much quicker.
• The handstand is back.
• Lara can balance on beams and vault and backflip along them.
• Lara can rappel down vertical surfaces, perform wall kicks and melee kicks.
• Lara can now bounce between 2 close wall surfaces to reach higher places.
Weapons and Gear
Weapons
• Grenades. Lara has traditional hand grenades and also sticky grenades which can stick to enemies before they blow up.
• Spear gun for use underwater.
• Tranquiliser gun for knocking out enemies.
• Dual Pistols (which also work underwater)
• Environmental objects (spears and lances)
• Uzis
• Shotgun
Gear
• Lara will have numerous costume changes throughout the game with more available as unlockables. Lara will have traditional tomb raiding
gear consisting of classic shorts and tank top. For underwater levels, Lara will have a wetsuit complete with respirator.
• Environmental objects can be used in a variety of different ways, both as weapons and tools to aid climbing. Lara can pick up spears and
lances and use them to jump over gaps.
• The grapple hook tool is back and will have a major role in puzzle solving as it did previously. Grapple hooks are much less noticable and
blend into the environment.
• A Personal Light Source (PLS) will be attached Lara and can be used to light up dark passage ways.
• Lara has a new sonar map. Lara can send out sonar pings and the reflected sound waves create a 3D map revealing hidden doors and clues.
The sonar system isn't just for underwater use and works just as well on dry land.
• Lara now carries a camera with which she films her discovery. She'll often speak into the camera as she films, cluing players into the path that
lies ahead. In a similar way, Lara can now take pictures of her exploits - there's even a ten-second timer on her camera so she can set up that
insane action shot as she leaps across a gap. These images will be uploadable to the Internet, so players can share their adventures and
advise other gamers about secret locations and hidden pick-ups.
Vehicles
• Lara's motorbike will return and this time it will have a greater role in puzzle solving.
Tomb Raider Underworld Walkthrough and Game Guide
Featuring All Secrets and Hidden Rewards
Thailand [ Demo Edition ]
Coastal Thailand
Move to the rear of the yacht and gracefully perform a dive into the clear blue water. Swim towards the cliff and explore the bottom of the lagoon. Two sharks are circling, so you can either avoid them or kill them with your pistols. For added amusement, detonate them with a sticky grenade. To perform this action you have to wait until they come close enough then launch a grenade.
Swim to the cliff and locate the small ledge where you can climb out. Climb on it, then walk towards the wall and start climbing. Head up and right until you reach the crevice. Press Jump while holding Right to reach the next wall. Grab the ledge running along the wall and shimmy right. When you reach the end, jump right to the next ledge and shimmy to the right. There's a small outcrop you can climb so pull up and enter the alcove to collect a pickup. There are three spiders running around, so take care of them. If they jump on Lara, you can dispense with them by using the Interact button.
Go back (or dive and swim) to the small ledge near the cliff and start climbing again. Head up and left to the edge of a stone structure, then jump to reach the next one. Press Jump to pull up and go left, hugging the wall. Locate the outcrop and the entrance in the cliff and jump forward to reach it.
The Remnants
Follow the path and collect a pickup in the left corner then head right. Slide down the slope, jump and grab the pole. You can either swing or pull up. Stand on the pole for a few seconds to find your balance then jump forward and grab the crevice. Jump up to grab the next ledge and pull up. Follow the passage and take care of two spiders. Locate a ledge on your left, grab it and jump up to reach the narrow ledge above. Pull up and notice another ledge in front of you. Press jump to reach it, then jump again to grab the upper ledge and pull up.
Find your way between the plants and the rocks and follow the path on the left until you reach a small pit. Use the Grapple to catch the golden ring above (you can also launch the grapple while you’re standing on the ground and start climbing up the rope). Swing and jump forward, then follow the narrow passage on the left. Crawl under the rock to reach a room with an architectural structure and four pillars.
Explore the area between the pillars, where you can collect two pickups. Go between the second left pillar and the wall and perform a wall-jump. To perform this, jump towards the wall and immediately press Jump when you hit it. Keep repeating this to climb up to the space between the walls and grab the ledge on the pillar. Traverse to the left and jump left to reach the next pillar’s ledge. Jump up to grab the upper ledge, then look behind and locate a crevice running along the wall.
Jump and grab the crevice. Shimmy to the right until the end and jump to reach the crevice on the pillar behind you. Traverse to the right and jump up, then left to grab the ledge and shimmy to the left until the end. Jump up and shimmy to the right. Pull up. Run towards the temple and make a mental note of the stairs and the doorway in front of you. Watch the six pillars in front of the temple and jump to grab the ledge on the left one. Jump up and shimmy right, then jump backwards and grab the ledge on the right pillar. Traverse to the left, drop down and grab the horizontal pole.
Move to the right and face the next pole. Press forward to swing towards it and jump to grab it. If Lara loses her grip, you have to immediately press the Interact button. Swing again and jump forward to grab the ledge running around the wall. Shimmy to the right end. Look behind to locate a crevice on the pillar and jump to grab it. Turn around the pillar and manuevre to the left. Jump while pressing left to catch the horizontal pole. Traverse to the left pillar and drop down to grab the crevice, then drop down again to land on a block. Grab a pickup and follow the river to the right.
Take care of three tigers attacking from the bushes. If you want to shoot them from a safe place, don’t try to step on the lower blocks, where they can follow you. The best bet is to reach the architectural structure on the left and to jump on the beam. Grab a pickup on the floor between the columns, get on the beam and traverse to the right. If Lara loses her balance, you have to completely stop moving to regain it. Jump up to grab the ledge and shimmy to the left. Turn around the corner, then look behind to locate a small ledge and jump to reach it. Walk towards the pillar and jump up to grab the ledge. Shimmy to the right and turn around the corner.
The next move can be frustrating: you have to reach the upper ledge on this same pillar by using the wall-jump. Jump to the pillar behind you, then press Jump as soon as you hit it, and keep repeating this to climb up (you have to jump four times to reach the upper ledge). Turn around the pillar and drop down to the beam. Traverse it, then jump forward to reach the next pillar. Jump from it to grab the edge. Don’t go up the steps yet. Instead, shimmy to the right, pull up and collect a pickup.
Get back to the steps and head forward, then crawl under the giant root on the left. Hang from the edge and shimmy to the left. Jump over the plant blocking the way, pull up and crawl again under the root. Dispense with three tigers and head to the doorway.
The Temple
Follow the hallway until you reach a deep pit. Walk carefully to the edge and take care of four bats attacking you. Jump on the small beam and walk towards the end. Locate the ledge on the wall and jump forward to grab it. Traverse to the right and, once on the pillar, look behind and jump to grab the ledge in front of you. Move to the left, drop down to grab the lower ledge, then grab the beam and pull up. Walk until you reach the end and jump forward to reach the next beam. Jump left, grab the edge and pull up to crawl under the small stone structure.
Follow the corridor, go up the stairs and drop into a small pit. Run forward, kill the six spiders that will eventually jump on you and turn left. Vault on the small block and grab the beam. Pull up and collect a pickup near the wall. Walk on the beam, then jump to the right on the narrow ledge. Jump forward twice, then grab the horizontal pole, swing and jump. Take the stairs.
As the cut scene unfolds, Lara enters the courtyard of the temple of Shiva. Taking out her camera, she deciphers some Sanskrit inscriptions on a pillar and understands that the place is related to Bhogavati, one of the Hindu underworlds. According to the legend, the place is guarded by the Nagas, the Snake-Men.
The Courtyard
Pad across the wooden platform and pull the lever. The two ropes holding the platform will appear jammed. Take the left corridor, crawl under a stone structure and hang from an edge. Climb down to the ground and collect a pickup hidden behind the plants. Locate the ledge running along the right wall and grab it. Shimmy to the right until the end, then jump right to grab the ledge and shimmy to the right. Turn around the corner, then start climbing the wall to pass the broken ledge. Go to the right, then hang from the edge again and shimmy to the right. After the corner, pull up and stand on the narrow ledge. Hugging the wall, jump forward and immediately jump again. Grab the edge and pull up. On the platform, locate the golden ring on the mechanism and use your Grapple to catch it. Pull the grapple to untie the rope to free one side of the wooden platform.
Go the the right, hang from the edge and drop down on the platform where you find a pickup from earlier. Follow the path and locate the golden ring on the ceiling. Use the Grapple to catch it and traverse to the other side. Collect a pickup behind the pillars. Then take the pole on the floor and locate the pillar with a vacant hole. Put the pole in it, then pull up and stand on the pole. Notice the ledge on the nearby pillar and jump to grab it. Shimmy to the right and jump right to catch the next one, then jump again to grab the ledge on the wall. Start climbing and reach the upper ledge.
Look behind and jump to land on top of the pillar. Jump forward to reach the next pillar, then turn left and locate a small beam coming from the pillar. Jump on it and hang from the beam to reach the ledge on the pillar. Turn around the corner and jump to reach the platform. On the right, collect a pickup. On the left, jump up and grab the horizontal pole. Move near the wall. Use the Interact button to pull the pole from the wall and free the second side of the wooden platform.
To get back to the wooden platform, jump back to the ledge on the pillar you came from, turn around the corner and step on the beam. Jump to reach the top of the pillar and locate the ledge on the wall in front of you. Jump forward and grab it. Then pull up, crawl under the stone structure and follow the hallway until the wooden platform.
Pull the lever. This triggers an adrenaline moment and ends the level.
Full walkthrough coming 21 November, 2008, complete with screenshots and video help.
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