We have to admit that sometimes we wish we were action heroes, travelling to exotic locations, wasting garrisons of guards and bagging the (surprisingly buxom) young lady. But in reality, it probably wouldn’t work out. After all, cowered behind our keyboards the closest we get to a daring tropical adventure is supping Lilt from a chipped glass. The more we think about it, who really wants to be an action hero? Looking at some of the greatest action men of our time and the danger levels have definitely taken their toll – Harrison looks older than father time himself, Brendan Fraser is shedding hair quicker than Jordan sheds undergarments and Steve McQueen… well, let’s just say he’s looking decidedly worse than the both of them right now. No, we’ll leave it to the professionals thank you very much. However, there is one adventurer that always looks amazing. No matter how many life-threatening expeditions embarked upon, knuckle-biting battles won or double-crossing sociopaths encountered, this (surprisingly buxom) archaeologist always emerges looking impeccable. We are, of course, talking about Lady Lara Croft.

While it might be true to say that she has always looked the part, she’s not always delivered the gameplay to match the stunning presentation. Critics and gamers alike panned the last Tomb Raider game – Angel Of Darkness – which was perhaps one of the biggest contributing factors in the choice to change development direction. Now in the hands of Crystal Dynamics, Legend is Lara’s first next-gen outing and has been touted as a back-to-basics Tomb Raider adventure, so it’s time to ask the million dollar question: Does it deliver? Well, in a word, yes… and no. Sorry to be so evasive but this really is a game that will split opinion. Tomb Raider stalwarts hoping for a return to the expansive environments and chin-stroking puzzles of the original may feel a little shortchanged by what is in essence a very linear experience, but newcomers to the series will no doubt consider this a thrilling and enjoyable game that is as every bit as engaging as the likes of Prince Of Persia.

What does remain intact is the suitably far-fetched storyline in which Lara is on the hunt for a sacred sword that holds mysterious secrets of the past and the power to resurrect Lara’s mother, who disappears in the opening stages of the game. Of course, there are plenty of twists along the way and nothing is quite what it seems. The narrative plays out with a mix of flashbacks and present-day plundering, and there are some references to previous games but nothing to make newbies feel alienated. During the obligatory continent-hopping, you play a deadly game of cat and mouse with a petulant American named James Rutland who plans to harness the sword’s power for nefarious means. Just how do you thwart the plans of a twisted megalomaniac? The only way a videogame character knows how – by solving environmental puzzles, swinging from ropes, and shooting your way through the bad guys.

With this type of action making up the bulk of gameplay it’s a good job that this is the most dynamic and user-friendly Lara we’ve ever known; clearly taking hints from Ubisoft’s Montreal Studio, Miss Croft is extremely manoeuvrable and her agility knows no bounds. Whatever situation she finds herself in, whether it’s jumping between platforms, driving off cliff faces or swimming in some ancient cavern, control is effortless and organic. Perhaps the sense of command is most evident when jumping from pillar to post, no longer are you punished for the slightest miscalculation, leaping with one hand outstretched you can grab hold of almost any surface regardless of the angle you strike it at. Successful leaps are met with a satisfying whimper from Lara but even if you have all the grace and poise of Emile Heskey and completely mistime your jumps, you have the chance of a reprieve by tapping the Y button. The camera also deserves praise, adjusting angles and frame to give you the best possible view in whatever situation you find yourself in. There are also visual and verbal prompts peppered about each level to help you along by showing where to swing or where an important puzzle mechanism is located. While many may bemoan these elements for being far too casual, it does keep the action flowing at a nice pace.

Pacing is aided further by a range of easy-to-access gadgets being assigned to the d-pad – an element that prevents irritating selection screens from punctuating play. Simple taps of the pad equip Lara with binoculars, health packs, new weapons and a handy torch. By far the most useful addition to her repertoire, though, is a grapple hook that's used to swing over chasms, latch onto objects in the environment, or pull an unsuspecting enemy closer for an intimate kiss of death. The hook also plays a lead role when it comes to the puzzle elements, which crop up sporadically in each locale. We say ‘puzzles’, but it’s more one puzzle that’s repeated several times over in different guises; while Tomb Raider may be strong in terms of action, it comes at the cost of innovation. With games like POP and God Of War already on the market we would have thought that Crystal Dynamics might have tried to really push the envelope and make this game ‘legendary’ with some genuinely perplexing conundrums. Instead it has opted for rather more standard fare, consisting of dragging rocks or crates onto buttons. Ho hum.

Away from the hulking brainteasers of the tombs you have to use your mental prowess on the mean streets of Japan, an abandoned soviet lab and the county of Cornwall (don’t ask). Legend’s locations will probably prove another bone of contention, as almost half of Tomb Raider is spent far away from Earth’s musky womb. Forsaking tombs in favour of more cosmopolitan settings is somewhat of a double-edged sword; on the one hand it makes for a much more varied game, but on the other it showcases the lacklustre combat system. Don’t misunderstand us, the gunplay is competent enough and never really threatens to frustrate, but unfortunately the range of moves on offer when engaged in hand-to-hand combat is minimal, as is the selection of guns. Straight-out fisticuffs is never really an option, as it’s much easier to pull the trigger and move on to the next poor victim than stick around and attempt to beat the bejesus out of them. This is due in part to your gun’s reliable lock-on system that targets enemies quickly and efficiently, although it does tend to target oncoming enemies rather than ones that need more immediate attention. The game does feature environment kills, but these can often inflict more damage to you than your adversaries – just like Geri Halliwell, they’re more loud and showy than clever and useful.

While suffering from no serious combat control issues, Legend never tries anything that new or innovative; it’s basically shoot, dive, and jump about. This extends to elements like the boss battles where a few well-timed ducks and dives combined with quick-trigger finger will see the no-good douche bag take a dirt nap sooner rather than later. This is indicative of Legend as while success equals smiles, you never really feel challenged – the constant handholding and straightforward objectives make you wonder what could have been done if Crystal Dynamics refused to play it safe. A prime example of this is the motorbike sections where staying on the machine seems to be the hardest part.

If we wanted to be cynical we could say it was a case of style over substance but that would be doing a huge disservice to the development team, as this is an endearing game without doubt. At times you might try not to like it but then something of immense graphical subtlety will catch your eye, like the water streaming down Lara’s chest after she emerges from a shallow pool (calm down boys – think Margaret Thatcher naked on a cold day) or a neon-drenched city below as you peer over the edge of a towering skyscraper. Seriously, some of the vistas on show will take your breath away, but the real draw here has got to be Lara herself who looks fantastic – truth be told, we had to sit in a bucket of ice for most of the game. Legend gets it spot on and puts Lara at the centre of the experience and really creates an affinity with the lead character. Sporting a pair of oversized anime eyes and more contemporary looks, Lara and company are a joy to behold. Twin this with some great animation and astute voice work, and you’ve got a winning formula.

It’s not just the character models that are worthy of note; by harnessing the power of the Xbox 360, we have a contender for one of the best-looking games on the system so far. Light and texture effects are excellent, with our old friend water playing a starring role. Though the environments aren’t as destructible as they could be, they’re incredibly detailed which, when combined with an atmospheric soundtrack, draws you in like never before. When you’re in be sure to enjoy it while it lasts, as in terms of scale this isn’t one of Miss Croft’s longest adventures and, as level design is tremendously linear, it can probably be bested with just a few play sessions, ending while still very much in its stride. We’re all for quality over quantity but when a game comes bearing the Tomb Raider moniker, we can’t help but expect something magnanimous. Yes, the developer has focused its efforts on trying to make each level the best it can be, but a few more of them wouldn’t go a miss especially when you consider the total lack of any Live play. Replay value is also limited; of course we’d go back for the coveted achievements and to unlock items in Croft Manor, but that's all.

Strangely, it’s only when you lose the baggage that comes saddled with the Tomb Raider brand that you can really start to enjoy for what the most part is a very accomplished game. Legend is not so much back-to-basics as a new beginning – it was very important that the franchise came back with a strong showing and on reflection Legend just about achieves it. Despite the fact that Crystal Dynamics has played it fairly safe and in many areas are still playing catch-up, what we do have is a very solid foundation from which to build. Though relatively short and a little too linear for our liking, there’s still plenty to keep you occupied. A lack of serious challenge will disappoint Lara’s hardcore following but some stunning visuals, accessible play mechanics and a Croft character that’s virtually impossible not to like cushions the blow. Those who are expecting a truly ‘next-gen’ experience need not apply, as Legend certainly has its limitations in terms of size and innovation. However, we can’t remember many instances in the game when we weren’t enjoying ourselves and so we say thank you Lara, it’s good to have you back.

Keith Hennessey