I came to GameBoomers, it was as a Tomb Raider fan; the only true adventure game I had played was Myst. I still love the TR series but I have found that as they've gotten darker, I've lost interest in them. TR1,2,3 and Lost Artifact are my favorites...very pretty and colorful. I really need to know how "dark" this newest game is before I buy it. Are there any outdoor scenes that are bright and pretty or is it all indoors and gloomy looking?

I would say it's indoors, outdoors and gloomy so far. It's different though in that you can take your time in some parts and study and explore without being attacked all the time. You also have a choice of responses in conversations to give it more of an adventure game feel; but over all it's gloomy.

Hate gloomy It's like watching an X-files movie...even the interegation rooms have no lights on. What's with that? I know I'll end up getting it anyway but I sure do miss the old bright florescent looking colors of the past.

Is it absolutely necessary to have DirectX 9 to play it or will it work with DirectX 8.1?

The game says you must have DirectX 9.0 and it also recommends that you upgrade your drivers to be compatible with DirectX. So, I had the install disk upgrade me to DirectX 9.0 (I have WinXP and had DirectX 8 before). I DIDN'T do any driver upgrades though, and the game plays like a gem.

After about 10 levels I have seen mostly dark scenes, but the Paris Ghetto is in the daylight, although, not a bright sunny day.

Still having a nice game playing experience with AOD!

Dadguy

TR games are cool, that's one of my favourite games. I finished all TR-s except The Angel of Darkness.

There's a PATCH for the PC game already. You can get the patch at: http://www.eidosinteractive.co.uk/support/patchinfo.html?ptid=65

Yes it solves the lack of intro problem. I am just hoping they will do something about the controls: Lara is always a bit wayward when I play but with this game she goes wild; the times I've stopped to think and she's just taken it upon herself to climb up and leap off things, or spin round and round; it really makes those timed puzzles and jumps a nightmare.

What happened to the much publicised upgraded game engine? This game looks surprisingly like the previous 5. If Lara is now made of 5000 polygons then I must have the wrong game.

Angel of Darkness : It looks ugly, plays badly and continues to aggravate with some of the most clumsy movements imaginable. I am sure that thousands of people across the globe are yelling "No, grab the ledge you stupid (insert curse)" right at this very moment.

What a let down, you wait for years, and then Eidos chuck this out. Appalling.

Yes, at the moment Lara has one leg but is managing very nicely. This game is bizarre: it is easier so far for me but the graphics are appalling.

I just got my copy today, and I love it. Have finished the others, exept Chronicles, thanks to a computer breakdown. I like the darkness and more seriosly toned game.

Caroline.

I finished this yesterday; it's a much easier game to play as it's more obvious where you are supposed to go next, most of the time. I usually have to resort to some sort of cheat, but not this game; even the bosses are easier when you know how. Thought most enjoyable level was the bioresearch as it was a pleasant change to see some colour.

Thanks Moogie and Dadguy, for asking and answering re- the intro. scenes. I can't get them to play either. It must be something straightforward, but I can't suss it out ?!?!

They work from Explorer, as you recommended, though.

Cheers,

Gelert.

I gave up on this game a while ago in favour of TR2 and probably 3 next, and 4 and even 5 (which I just picked up for a song). A lot of people liked it, but it seems many felt let down by it. I didn't feel like I was playing Tomb Raider - it was more like a hybrid between TR and something like NOLF, though without the humour.

Greetings Gelert and Hagatha,

The chatter about AOD has gone dark in the past couple months. Seems we have finished or chucked the game in lieu of others. I know Hagatha's feelings from other threads.

Myself, I must be easy to please. I found the game beautiful to look at, fun to explore, and nice to listen to. I had some dissatisfaction with aspects of the movement (Hagatha and I jumped off of many a railing to our deaths) but all in all I had a good time.

Gelert, I can't remember what fixed that video glitch for many folks. I never had it. The videos look better playing on MS Media Player anyway. If you want to get to the bottom of it, make sure you are DX 9.0 and check to see if you have installed the latest patch. Remember, that once you apply the patch that the CHEATS won't work (if that's important to you).

Happy gaming!

Dadguy