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Tomb Raider Anniversary For The Wii: Geek Out All Over Again

GeekSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:00:55 -0800

If you were as big a fan as I was of the original Tomb Raider, and spent hours in front of the TV (or PC) trying to figure out puzzles, flipping switches, and finding keys, this anniversary edition for the Wii will definitely keep you occupied this coming Winter.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary does a great job of reliving the game, but throwing in so much extra content, it seems like a whole new game that you've never played before. Think of it like a good high school friend that you haven't spoken to since graduation and then you meet up at your ten-year reunion. She's the same person, just . . . different. Grown-up perhaps, but much more interesting.

Multilayered puzzles and the addition of minigames make for a more involved experience. Not only are you searching for keys and unlocking seemingly unreachable doors in bigger and grander settings, but you are dodging traps, bobbing, and weaving past rabid animals and of course, facing Jacquline Natlas's thugs. Yeesh! It's enough to make a girl cry out for Calgon.

It's not all wine and ancient artifacts though, I did have a few gripes. To find out what they are, read more

The only real downside to the game is the controls take some getting used to, especially the camera. There's nothing I hate more than not being able to see when it matters most. More than once I had to start again because I couldn't get the angle right. The battle sequences are a challenge as well. I liked the new target and aim system but it seems the action movements are a little slow on the uptake every so often with the Wii remote. Nothing too irritating, just enough to notice.

Overall this is a great game to spend some time on. The game itself is totally enveloping. You can really feel the difference when Lara is making her way through tight spaces and leaping from ledges in huge catacombs with no floor in sight. The visuals are great, which is no surprise since Tomb Raider always delivered for me when it came to atmosphere and cool things to look at. Additionally, Lara's movements and athletic skills have improved since the 1996 version. Trust me, you'll be glad she's in such great shape when you are trying to figure out how to get from one point to another in some of these levels! Renting is a good option if you don't want to fork over the $40 to own, but If you are lucky enough to know a Tomb Raider fan, this would make an awesome holiday gift. (Hint, Hint! )

You can pick up Tomb Raider: Anniversary for the Wii online or in stores now.

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Early Preview: Tomb Raider Underworld For Wii and DS

GeekSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:01:26 -0700

I've totally been on a gaming binge these past few weeks, and who can blame me? We're ramping up for the holiday season, and I'm trying to figure out which games to add to my wish list! There are a whole slew of games hitting the shelves in the next few months, and I got a chance to check out one of them at an early preview last week. I got my hands on Tomb Raider: Underworld - both the Wii and DS versions - and I already have a clear favorite between the two.

Tomb Raider: Underworld takes us to the depths of the oceans and to new locales like Thailand, Mexico, and the Arctic to unlock the mystery of Thor's Hammer - a mythical Norse God who was said to smash mountains into valleys, and possessed the strength to destroy Gods. Of course, Lara is not the only one seeking this hammer, and finds herself in some interesting situations. Natch.

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To see which console I'd prefer to play on, just read more.

Although the Wii's controls are great in games like Wii Sports, Resident Evil 4, and Wario Shake It, they seem like they aren't really needed in this game. You use both the nunchuck and remote to play, sporadically incorporating the motion sensors to pull a lever or open a door. But it was just not enough to proclaim that this is a totally new experience, like we saw when Resident Evil 4 made its appearance on the Wii. If anything, the Wii version left me feeling a little out of control of Lara. Plus, the camera was a little crazy, and between you and me? I got a little motion sick while playing. Don't tell anyone.

When I sat down to play the DS version of TRU, I was wondering how they could adapt a game that has been known for its graphics and challenges to such a small screen (not to mention that it would be a side scroller) but I was totally surprised at how fun this version actually was! Not only are the controls intuitive, but the game was overall just a better experience. Unlike the Wii version, where I found myself lost as to what to do next, the DS version was easy to follow and understand. Besides, you can only go left, right, up, or down! This is not to say that I don't like games that challenge me to think and solve complex puzzles, but I do like a game that makes me want to continue playing - and that's exactly what the DS version of Tomb Raider: Underworld achieved.

Tomb Raider: Underworld will hit stores November 21 on your PS2, PS3, XBox 360, Wii, DS, PC, and select mobile phones.

Mini Ninjas DS vs Xbox 360 Smackdown: Which Is Better?

GeekSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:06:44 -0700

You already know about my addiction to Mini Ninjas, which I played on the Xbox 360 at this year's E3, but did you know that this game also came out on other platforms? I haven't tested out the Wii or PS3 editions, but I have been able to get my hands on both the Xbox 360 and DS versions to test and play.

As you may know, not all games are created equal on all platforms. Just take Tomb Raider Underworld for example - although the game is entertaining on both the DS and Wii consoles, when push came to shove, I much preferred the DS version of the game for its controls and fun factor. So where do these two versions of the same game stand? Find out when you read more.

Everything I love about the Xbox 360 version of Mini Ninjas - the painfully cute graphics, the music, and the easy and intuitive control system - is missing on the DS version. It's a given that the graphics on the DS will never match up to that of the Xbox, but honestly, this is a major part of what gives Mini Ninjas its charm. Even the music of the Xbox version (a nice and calming soundtrack) gets ramped up to a beat-driven tune in the DS version. I'm not sure why this particular change was made, but I'm not sure I like it.

Overall, the Xbox version of Mini Ninjas is superior in nearly every way (well you gotta give some credit to the DS here - at least you can take it with you on the road), but if I were investing and had a choice, I'd go for the Xbox version here.

Buzz In: What Do You Think of Movies Based on Video Games?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:30:44 -0700

War play video game Call of Duty could join the ranks of Max Payne and Prince of Persia by going from gaming console to big screen: an adaptation of the game may be in the works (admittedly, all I know about Call of Duty is that it's the video game Jim, Karen, and Andy played in the Stamford branch on The Office).

Video games have been mined for years for movie potential, but only a few have proved successful. Sometimes the movies are entertaining, but other times the plot lines come second to special effects. I have mixed feelings; I think Tomb Raider is great but Super Mario Bros. majorly missed the mark. Where do you stand? Do you hold a particular video game movie close to your heart?

Buzz In: Who Should Take Johnny Depp's Place in the Pirates Franchise?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:45:09 -0700

Rumors have been swirling for the past week or so that Johnny Depp isn't as excited about Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides now that former head honcho Dick Cook has left Disney studios. Depp is still attached to the project for now, but supposedly Disney is already preparing to search for his replacement if necessary.

The character wouldn't be recast, but the new challenge will be finding an actor and fictional pirate worthy of Depp's Jack Sparrow. It's hard to even imagine someone else with the same mix of swagger and comedic timing, but hey - if Depp could create one memorable pirate, who's to say that another brilliant actor can't follow suit?

I could see Robert Downey Jr. as a pretty badass raider, and no doubt he'd have fun with the role. Who do you think should take Depp's place?

What To Sky+: Friday

PopSugarUK — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0700

BBC1 has Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
BBC2 has The Tudors
BBC3 has EastEnders: the Return of Sam Mitchell
Ch4 has Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Derren Brown: the Events and David Blaine: What Is Magic?
E4 has Big Brother's Big Mouth: the Reunion
Sky Family has Raiders of the Lost Ark and Kung-Fu Panda

Halloween Look of the Day: Lara Craft, Tomb Raider

FabSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:00:22 -0700

I'm not a gamer, but anything involving Angelina Jolie piques my attention. Bvivian looks amazing in her Lara Craft costume. The braid is key to achieving Jolie's sexy look, and bvivian did it perfectly. Throw on a tank top, harness, khaki shorts, and you're set. I'm inspired.

Congrats to bvivian!

Everyone else, submit your looks and I might feature you on FabSugar!

What To Sky+: Monday

PopSugarUK — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0700

BBC1 has Would I Lie to You?
BBC2 has University Challenge and Caribbean Food Made Easy
BBC4 has Only Connect and Wallander
ITV1 has Monday Monday
Ch4 has On Tour With the Queen and Big Brother
Film4 has How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Sky Family has Raiders of the Lost Ark
Sky Comedy has South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
Sky Indie has There Will Be Blood

Tomb Raider: Underworld Screenshots

kristyrk — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:36:49 -0700

Out November 21.

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Fab Flash: London Fashion Raiders Strike Again

FabSugarUK — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:53:07 -0700

Just a few weeks ago we reported on London's Fashion Raiders targeting the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique on Bond Street and last night they did it again. This time, the gang known as the 'Scooter Gang' targeted the Fendi store on Sloane Street.

The gang who have been identified as six men made off on a motorbike with plenty of bags of Fendi goodies. They were caught on camera by paparazzi (who says they have no use?) as they speeded past celeb hot spot Cipriani's (they were hoping to catch a glimpse of Rebecca Loos).

The gang struck just before 10pm and mainly took handbags which are obviously easy to sell on. The police are struggling to recognise the gang as they always wear helmets and ride bikes without number plates. See below for images of the gang and the store on Sloane Street.

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