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By goyami @ Friday, November 28, 2008 :: 4691 Views :: Action
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 My first response upon starting up Tomb Raider Underworld by Eidos Mobile and Distinctive Developments was “Hey, you can’t turn!” There is a decidedly restrictive movement engine to this 3rd person Laura Croft adventure. You can only move forward or back down the middle of a hallway until you reach a predetermined junction where you press 4 or 6 to turn left or right. Being restrained to a track is initially disappointing but as you descend deeper into the crypt, you will find that there are treasures to be mined.
Strangely enough, after awhile you get used to this movement system and become involved in Laura’s jumping, climbing, swinging and hanging. Most of her movements can be handled with the d-pad until she reaches the rock climbing sections where you must grab the next handhold by using the numbers on the keypad to climb or avoid rockslides. When Laura confronts the inhabitants of the tomb, all of whom want a piece of our hot heroine, you are free to move her side to side and forward and back with the d-pad while firing her automatically drawn side arms with the center key. It’s a simplified system that works well.
  
Opening certain doors requires Laura to solve some nice visual logic puzzles to break up the acrobatics. Along the way she’s assisted by Zip through her PDA who will explain the puzzles she needs to solve. When Laura reaches a large room she needs to cross you can press the 0 key to go into first person mode where you’re free to look around the room and plan out your moves.
  
The variety of things to do is great for a mobile game. You’re required to exercise some brain matter while Laura does the muscle work in getting through the many obstacles and puzzles. Unfortunately, there is no map available as it is possible to get confused by the many turns in the catacombs. In one level Laura gets to show off her versatility by driving an all terrain vehicle.
  
The story begins as a search for the pieces of Thor’s gauntlet which turns out to be a weapon but as Laura picks up clues the story evolves and maintains your interest. As you progress through the game you unlock puzzles and time trial mini games that can be accessed through the main menu.
  
Tomb Raider Underground 3D contains nice music and sound, although not a lot, just enough to give life to the game world. My initial disappointment with the movement restraint was quickly forgotten in the game play as I found more and more to enjoy about this latest Laura Croft adventure. More than a quick knockout mobile game trying to take advantage of the console release, this Laura gets 4.5 stars.
Reviewed by G.Yamaguchi - Nokia N73
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