Tomb Raider Underworld (Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows)

common sense media says

Platformer spoils gorgeous visuals with lackluster action.


parents & educators say
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this adventure sticks to the traditional Tomb Raider formula of platforming, puzzle solving, and straightforward shootouts. Heroine Lara Croft uses weapons like assault rifles, handguns, and grenades, as well as her fists. Sometimes, you'll see blood when Lara kills humans or wild animals. As always, Lara dresses rather provocatively, often wearing outfits that show a lot of skin. There is mild cussing.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Lara Croft is a strong lead character whose female attributes are exaggerated.
Violence: Lara uses weapons like assault rifles, handguns, and grenades to defeat enemies both animal and human. Foes spurt blood after being shot. Lara does have the option to use a tranquilizer gun to knock out foes as opposed to killing them. She also fights with her fists.
Sex: The female characters are presented as having somewhat exaggerated figures and dressed provocatively. In the opening level, for example, Lara wears a wetsuit revealing a little cleavage and showing lots of leg.
Language: The worst words used are "damn" and "hell."
Consumerism: This is part of a series of Tomb Raider action adventure games.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Tomb Raider Underworld

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the Tomb Raider franchise. What has made the game so successful? Also, could Lara still be a really cool hero without an exaggerated figure and the need to wear revealing outfits?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Gaming's most recognizable heroine makes her big return in TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD. And while Lara Croft and the environments she explores look exquisite, the action is less impressive. Lara's latest quest takes her on a search for the hammer of Norse god Thor, once considered a myth. She eventually finds proof of its existence in the Mediterrean Sea, and sets off on her journey to discover the item.

Tomb Raider Underworld sticks to the concepts that made the franchise so popular: platforming, puzzle solving, and acrobatic gunplay. For this adventure, Lara boasts a bevy of new moves and tools. A sonar map creates a 3-D image of the environment to better spot hidden areas. Instead of just killing enemies, Lara can opt to use tranquilizer guns to knock foes out. Lara travels all over the world in search of the Hammer, from the jungles of Thailand to the frozen landscapes of the Arctic Sea.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Underworld is definitely one of the most attractive Tomb Raider titles in the series. The environments are gorgeous. Ancient ruins sport fine details etched in stone, while jungles look lush and vibrant. You'll even see Lara get dirty as she climbs walls and darts through ruins. Unfortunately, the action doesn't match up. For a game with these epic locales, the actual adventure feels boring. Underworld emphasizes exploration, yet the game feels pretty linear. For newbies, the game provides a field guide that offers tips in case you're stuck on a level. However, the platforming and puzzles are pretty basic, so most players won't need this option.

The platforming suffers because of an erractic camera. If you're moving too quickly, the camera struggles to follow, leaving you viewing the action from a bad angle. This makes executing big leaps all the more difficult. The combat is solid, but not very explosive. While Lara looks quite agile leaping away from gunfire as she shoots enemies, most opponents put forth little effort. Some even stood still while Lara picked them off with ease. Tomb Raider fans will enjoy Lara's latest quest even though it's lackluster. But if you are looking for a great platformer, you're better off exploring different options.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows
Not available online
Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: Eidos Interactive
Released on: November 18, 2008
Price: 30-60
ESRB Rating: T for Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

This review was written by Brett Molina
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue
  • 50% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

jammy145
kid, 11 years old
 
good for 11 and over but not for anyone under that age
i like this game its got good graphics and a good story but laras outfits are quite revealing and she says the acasional swear word but not often and you can choose a variaty of weapons like assult rifals pistols and loads more and in the first level you have to drop a huge block with spikes on the bottom onto a giant squid and blood spews out and in other levels you have to kill tigers but its still quite a good game

Risturo
kid, 12 years old
 
I liked Tomb Raider Legend Better.
I got this with Tomb Raider Trilogy and It wasn't exactly the best Tomb Raider ever, the gameplay and story are fun but there is a lot of technical issues like screen tearing and invisible walls also the camera angle can be slightly out of place at times. Kids aged 10+

 
Hopeless but not that violent.
Tomb raider underworld is not a good game. The violence is moderate. Using guns to shoot people and animals. Only a bit of blood is shown but not in detail or any gore. The sexual content is the fact Lara barely ever wears anything. There is a bit of language but not much to worry about. But back to the violence. Its a PG type violence and not bad at all really. Its alright for younger teens or a bit younger than that Its a bad game and not that mature.

prince of persia
teen, 15 years old
 
im buying it for sure

EricGA
parent of 15 and 15 year old
 
Mild game great for teens
The game is excellent. Curse words are mild and are used VERY rarely. She does wear clothing that is a little ify especially since you can change the angle that you view her. However, the game play makes up for this. The movements, open world, and puzzles makes this a very exciting game that the whole family can take part in. I highly recommend it.

fytwife
parent of 15 and 23 year old
 

SLUMDOG
teen, 14 years old
 
BEST TOMB RAIDER YET
THIS S THE BEST TOMB RAIDER TO DATE THE GAME IS THE 3RD MOST GORGOEUS SECOND ONLY TO JUST CAUSE AND STREET FIGHTER IV THE ACTION GAMEPLAY IS BRILLIANT. THE GAME REQUIRES PUZZELS THAT ARE JSUT FUN AND BRILLIANT YET REQUIRE A CHALLENGE TO SOLVE

gamerboi
kid, 11 years old
 
Awesome Game But Hard
I have this game for pc and wii.The pc and wii are a little bit hard. This game is worth your time and money!

 
Not worth a buy, more of a rent
The game has good graphics but it's too hard and boring.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age