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Tomb Raider: Legends

(2006, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated T, Play it on: Nintendo DS, Xbox 360)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Action, strategy, and beauty -- teens.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    The various puzzles in the game have little to do with actual archaeology, but they do present a challenge.
  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Plenty of shooting, explosions, etc. End game has Lara shooting at point-blank range near the head of a defeated enemy, ending with a pistol whip to the head.
  • Sex:

    Plenty of outfits highlight Lara's figure. Unlockable goals include racier outfits like swimsuits etc.
  • Language:

    Plenty of minor cursing.
  • Consumerism:

    Part of the Lara Croft franchise.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Tomb Raider: Legends was written by Jeremy Gieske

Parents need to know that Lara's outfits tend to emphasize her physical attributes, but her portrayal swings widely between a gun-toting femme fetal and a brainy archaeologist. The combat sequences can get intense but lack close-up blood and gore, with defeated enemies fading quickly away. The game's puzzles have little to do with actual archaeology, but they do present a challenge and a welcome break from the reflex-heavy action sequences.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about Lara. How do you feel about the way the game portrays her -- in sexy costumes and wielding weapons? Is she a stereotype, or does her blend of brains, beauty, and bravery break the mold? Who is the intended audience for the Tomb Raider franchise? Is Lara meant to inspire girls -- or to make guys drool?
Did this review help you decide?
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More on Tomb Raider: Legends

What’s the Story?

Opening sequences show a young Lara and her mother exploring the ruins of an ancient civilization, discovering a sword embedded in a stone. When her mother pulls the sword from the stone, she is engulfed in an explosion and appears to be killed; Lara is left to piece together what's happened. Soon, she discovers that much of the secret revolves around the broken shards of a powerful sword, which have been scattered around the world. But it's not so easy to get them: A former friend and her right-hand man want the pieces for their own purposes -- and their methods can be ruthless.

Players need both good reflexes and brain power to advance. Sometimes it's all about timing, and sometimes it's about solving puzzles.

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Is It Any Good?

TOMB RAIDER: LEGENDS is better than most of the installments in the series because it sticks closer to the allure of the original formula: great graphics, a great storyline to carry the action, and game-challenging puzzles. Some levels contain intense firefights, with exploding tanks of propane, mounted machine guns, and vicious guard dogs. Overall, though, shooting sequences tend to be limited to one or two major incidents per level. In the end, this a fun and challenging installment in the popular series.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 04/11/2006, price $$39.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes and Violence)

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See all 14 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    good for 8 year olds but not for 6 year olds

    great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Extremely boring

    I grew tired of playing this game within only an hour or two. It is boring and the graphics are horrible.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Fantastic Game

    This game is not the best in the Tomb Raider franchise (some of my personally favourite games), but that does not by any means mean it is bad. It is actually a very, very fun game, although it is short. The language is a little iffy, but the action is good with little blood. The voice acting is very good, and one scene even gave me chills. The swimsuits you can unlock at the end are pretty revealing, but it's nothing you wouldn't see at your local pool ^_^ Fantastic game anyway. I hope the games revert back more to the way they were, and I'm glad to hear another one is coming out shortly.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    ONE OF THE BEST GAMES I EVER PLAYED!!!!!!

    this is probably one of the best games ever! but it's only for older kids: 1. lots of guns,explosins,killing,at the ending lara shoots point blank at the vilian while scearming at her, and barely missing. 2. lots of mild language,words like d--n ,and h--l are used freacuntly. 3. lara's outfits are VERY sugustive, some moe than others, like the japan ooutfit. 4. lara stels,breaks and enters, and kills with no regret. sso this instalment in the tomb raider ssiries is only apropriate for kids 12 aand up.

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