lara croft has been through some tough times. she's been mauled by wild tigers, shot at and boobytrapped, yet the worst she's had it was when eidos drove her franchise into the ground. after angel of darkness (the last time eidos said they were reviving tomb raider) she got a slight makeover, but she still looked more plastic than gidget. where were the tombs she was so famous for raiding? were they traded for the worthless stealth system, or the dark sewers of paris?

after a few years hiatus, she's come back, and she - looks - marvelous! a complete visual overhaul and a back to the basics attitude was just what she needed. in the 360 demo i played, she looked to be in fine shape, jumping and climbing about like one persian prince we're all familiar with. the controls feel natural, and no goal feels out of reach. if you see a ledge, chances are you can climb it. puzzles are fun to solve and poles can easily be danced -er... swung from.

it suffers the usual calamities of complicated afterthoughts like her pda and binoculars. combat is wonky, and i'd much rather the bad guys stayed home. they ruined my and lady croft's vacation. lara's voice actress does a wonderful job, as her silky delivery gives you a warm feeling, and for once you feel like you are there with a real person, not a "real doll" in hot pants.

lastly, i'd like to mention the pure sex that is: karima adebibe. yum. from rhona mitra to nell mcandrew to lucy clarkson to karima adebibe, eidos certainly has good taste in who represents the most famous archaeologist since indiana jones. karima is all kinds of gorgeous.