Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft

Overview

Tomb Raider III tells the story of Lara trying to find four meteorite stones, all four of which are in different parts of the world.

Gameplay

Unlike the previous games in the series, the level progression is not strictly linear. After completing the first set of levels set in India; the player is given the choice of traveling to Nevada, the South Pacific, or London before taking on the game's last set of levels in Antarctica.

The game also contains new weapons, vehicles, and movements. Lara is now able to use monkey bars, duck, and dash. It also includes some new graphical effects; blood visible in water, ripple effects in water caused by shell casings, and smoke emitting from fired guns. New vehicles include snowmobiles, quad bikes, and canoes. In Lara's mansion, there is an unlockable quad bike course.

Weapons

• Pistols
• Shotgun
• Desert Eagle
• Uzis
• Harpoon gun
• MP5
• Rocket Launcher
• Grenade Launcher

Locations

India

The first levels set in India introduce new enemies that include snakes, piranhas, and monkeys (which sometimes pick up items before Lara can get to them). Snakes have the ability to poison Lara; a new gameplay mechanic, which slowly drains Lara's health until death, this can be cured by the use of a medi pack or a health crystal (only available in the PC/Mac versions).

As well as these enemies, these levels introduce the quicksand hazard; quicksand will slowly drag Lara to the bottom, causing her to eventually die.

Nevada

Lara travels around the deserts of Nevada. She eventually ends up in Area 51, in which Lara battles Area 51 security guards and frees prisoners.

South Pacific Island

These levels are inhabited by cannibalistic tribesmen, dinosaurs, and an marooned Australian solider. This is the first time that dinosaurs have appeared in a Tomb Raider game since the original.

London

Lara travels atop rooftops, through subway stations, and other urban areas of London.

Antarctica

The final stages of Lara's journey sees her confront the final villain, after traversing the harsh Antarctic climate. The game also introduces a freezing mechanic to water sections; Lara will start to take damage if she is submerged for too long, this meter drains quicker than the breath meter. These levels range from exploring Antarctica's surface, to descending the depths below.

PC Requirements

• OS: Windows 95/98/Me/XP
• Processor: Pentium 166 (Min.), Pentium 200 (Rec.)
• 4x CD-ROM (Min.)
• Memory: 16MB RAM (Min.), 32MB (Rec.)
• Graphics: Direct3D compliant 3D accelerator card
• Sound: DirectX 6 compatible sound card
• Mouse & Keyboard.