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Tomb Raider Aniversary Author Blog
Updated August 1, 2007

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary.
Author Blog.
David S. J. Hodgson.

We’ve come a long way in the 11 years since I took Lara out on her first global expedition, and the most recent trip is arguably the finest yet. Working on Tomb Raider: Anniversary was great fun, and not just because of the legendary control scheme, tightened and perfected by Crystal Dynamics. It also wasn’t just because Toby Gard (the creator of Croft) brought the series back to its roots with impressive direction and renewed excitement. No, the main reason this project was so much fun was the fact that I was revisiting old (but completely revamped) haunts such as Peru, Egypt, and Greece, and having a more entertaining and completely brand-new experience along the way.

I crammed a host of new and improved tactics on Lara’s increased repertoire into the guide’s 256 pages. One of the important tactics is Lara’s slow-motion “Focused Attack,” a technique for tackling the various wild animals and undead monstrosities that prowl dark corners of the tombs. Coupling a dashing leap with pinpoint crosshair gunplay, this new takedown makes combat all the more thrilling. Naturally, I covered dispatch tactics for every single entity in the game, including the gigantic ones you may remember from a decade ago. Included are special techniques for blasting a huge dinosaur stomping around a lost valley, and the more grotesque monstrosities prowling the later levels of the game.

There are multiple moments when complex maneuvering is the key to success (and not a plummet into the inky and bottomless gloom of a chasm); grappling and wall-running is a particular favorite of mine. Grappling allows you to swing from hooks or wrench loose masonry down in a spectacular rumble of rocks. Wall-running enables you to scamper back and forth along the sides of clambers. There’s also some precarious balancing where the tips of tall poles can be used as airborne stepping stones to avoid danger. And yes, the handstand and swan dive are in there as well!

Exploration is also handled with meticulous detail (including full-color maps directly from the developers), as you explore areas familiar to some, but mostly different in terms of structure and the location of key objects. Fortunately, every major object (like new weapons), and every minor object (like every health pack or piece of ammo) is revealed. And naturally all of the extras — which include a new escapade through Croft Manor and dozens of hidden objects — are located to maximize your unlockables. I even calculated the quickest possible routes through each stage for those with no time to spare.

I’ve striven to help create the most in-depth companion guide to Lara’s latest outing, and I sincerely hope you’re happy with this lavish Tomb Raider tome.