Parents' Guide to Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris proves the axiom "the more, the merrier." On one hand, it feels like a classic Tomb Raider or Indiana Jones quest, with a distinct goal for your actions. But players must work cooperatively to achieve tasks along the way, which is a nice twist on the classic solo adventure formula of the previous games in the franchise. (Many seasoned gamers may compare the look and feel of the game to Atari's Gauntlet series.) Plus, the mix between combat, puzzle solving, and exploration is nicely balanced, fitting the ancient Egyptian theme well.

The game's graphics and sound production are very impressive. Although the action is seen from an eagle-eye view, it fits the fast-paced nature of combat perfectly, while also giving a sense of drama when necessary. For example, the camera tends to zoom in during some of the boss battles against larger enemies, which really gives you a sense of how immense these creatures are. It's a nice treat that heightens the action of each major battle. The game isn't a perfect 10 due to a story that seems more of an afterthought and some minor control and camera issues -- it can be hard to time the platforming elements from this isometric angle, and controls don't seem as tight and responsive when there are multiple people playing. But overall, this is a great and inexpensive diversion for fans of the long-running series.