Tomb Raider: Legend

Tomb Raider: Legend marked a new beginning for the series after it was taken over by studio Crystal Dynamics from the founding Core Design. The game returns to the core of what made the original entries famous - Lara Croft once again explores vast environments full of puzzles, jumping sequences, and ancient ruins, this time with significantly smoother controls, a new grapple hook enabling pendulum swings, and a clearer system for interacting with the environment. The story focuses on the search for the mysterious sword Excalibur and the circumstances of Lara's mother's disappearance, giving the game a more personal, more emotional dimension than earlier entries.

Compared to the problematic Angel of Darkness, Legend places much greater emphasis on flow and accessibility - the level design guides the player more clearly, acrobatic sequences alternate with shootouts and occasional vehicle sections such as a motorcycle chase, and the overall length of the game remains more compact and better paced. The game takes the player through several different locations around the world, from South American ruins through technologically equipped underground complexes to the Croft family estate in England, with each environment offering a distinct visual style and type of puzzle. The game was generally well received and seen as a successful relaunch of the brand, giving rise to further Crystal Dynamics entries in the series. On the PlayStation 2, the game also found its largest player base, which for many fans defined this particular version as the one they remember Legend by the most.

Why play it: Legend is the ideal choice for players who want to experience Tomb Raider's return to quality after the unsuccessful Angel of Darkness - fluid acrobatics, well-thought-out puzzles, and a story that gave the series a new, more personal dimension.