 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Tomb Raider Underworld
- Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows
- Price: $30-60
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Platformer spoils gorgeous visuals with lackluster action.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
What's it about?
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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Kid, 12 years old
July 4, 2011
AGE
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+
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Kid, 11 years old
October 14, 2010
AGE
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
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Not worth a buy, more of a rent
The game has good graphics but it's too hard and boring.
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AGE
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
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Kid, 12 years old
March 22, 2009
AGE
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!
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| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Eidos Interactive |
| Release date: | November 18, 2008 |
| Price: | $30-60 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence |
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