Tomb Raider

It's a Tomb Raider extravaganza! We dish on the latest incarnation of Lara Croft, female protagonists in general, and the state of the "Cinematic Action" genre, a term which I claim full credit for coining. With Richard Naik, Brad Gallaway, Ashley King, Sara Rich, and (later on) Tim "Skype Connection Dropped" Spaeth.

Also, check out this article by our good friend Rhea Monique if you have time. Well worth a read.

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Please send feedback and mailbag questions to podcast (at) gamecritics (dot) com.

Missing Treasure

HIGH Climbing the Queen's sanctum as it shatters in a storm.

LOW Spending 20 minutes trying to glitch my way past a showstopping bug.

WTF "I hate tombs."

This is Jenn AKA XtremeJenn, AKA Lara Croft. She is what one might call an extreme cosplayer. Jenn is known in the cosplay community for going a little out of her way to get the best shots when dressed as Tomb Raider's Lara Croft. Case in point, this particular image has her hanging off a 165-foot waterfall in Victoria, Australia. Most of her photo shoots strike that perfect balance of peril and authenticity that in her words "capture the spirit of Lara Croft" so be sure to check them out.

With great passion comes great verbosity. We're splitting this week's jumbo show in half, which means our long awaited Too Human / Dynasty Warriors showdown won't occur until next week. This week, though, we step WAY outside our comfort zone and delve into some multiplayer-only experiences, like Monday Night Combat, Castlevania: Destiny of Harmonicas, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, and more. We think we have a pretty good grasp on where multiplayer needs to go from here. Plus! Our Quote of the Week! Tim Sings! Richard Calculates! Oh. the party doesn't stop! Featuring Chi Kong Lui, Brad Gallaway, Mike Bracken, Richard Naik, and Tim "Yes, I Said He Sings" Spaeth.

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Read: Transcript

Topics discussed:

• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
• Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
• Monday Night Combat
• Lineage II

Please send feedback and mailbag questions to podcast (at) gamecritics (dot) com.

Raiding Tombs in an All-new Way

HIGH Some of the best cooperative action I've ever experienced.

LOW Not being able to instantly retry failed challenges.

WTF Why was online co-op not ready to go at launch?

Game Description: Experience the first ever co-op action-adventure game featuring Lara Croft. Team up with a friend or go at it alone as you traverse and solve deadly traps, fight hordes of undead enemies, and collect over 60 artifacts and relics. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light offers fast-paced action and breathtaking visuals shown through an isometric view.

Even better than the real thing

HIGH Evil Lara is the best thing to happen to Tomb Raider since Legend.

LOW The content ends far too soon.

WTF Ten dollars for an hour and a half? Seriously?

Lara Croft's big adventure

HIGH Reaching the top of a particularly troublesome climb.

LOW Dying repeatedly because of the awful camera.

WTF Lara's outfit choices for an arctic expedition: wetsuit or skimpy wetsuit. Apparently no one has ever heard of exposure to the elements. Neither outfit has shoes...