Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, the downloadable version of Tomb Raider, is starting to look like another great title and at E3 we got to see a bit more of the game. Created for especially for co-op gaming it allows online or offline multiplayer, puzzles for in the game were originally built for the co-op section.
Before you worry about frustrating AI spoiling the game, if your mates popped out and it’s only you playing the game adapts for single player. Lara receives the spear the second player usually has allowing the completion of some tasks while others will simply change to allocates for the lack of a second player.
One way the game will cater for both casual players and fans of the Lara Croft series is via the options when it comes to the tombs. While the developers have aimed to give tools to players enabling them to complete puzzles in multiple ways they have also created easier routes. If you stuck on a hard tomb by taking the easy route will allow you to progress through the storyline but it may mean only fans that complete the hardest tombs get to use some of the 20 special weapons which you can unlock. The developer says giving this option makes you want to go back and complete the harder challenges that you may not have completed on your first play through.
Whilst playing co-op the game attempts to keep the flow by respawning a dead character next to the surviving character after about 5 seconds and if both characters do both die they will quickly respawn very close to the puzzle they were at.
The game is described as a mix between exploration, platform, action adventure and combat: with the game being split into chapters which have different aspects, some being more action and less exploration and others focusing on puzzle solving to give different paces to the game.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is certainly shaping up to be a very good addition to the Lara Croft series. The downloadable game, although the attempt to set it apart with the dropping of the Tomb Raider name, seems to fit well into the puzzle based Tomb Raider games. I’m sure we’ll see much more of this title in the coming months as it’s defiantly one to watch.
