Yes, looney, there's Easy, Normal and Hard. I played on Normal, and I'm about to try Hard. I think the difficulty level only affects combat, but I'm not sure about the 'quick time' sequences.

Let us know if you think about it.

Congrats oldman and Gremlin! I'm looking forward to playing!

Finished the game a few hours ago and my first impressions of the game are that it's a good game with stunning graphics and plenty of puzzles that forces you to think twice in most places. Sometimes even have to look for a video walkthrough just to solve the puzzles.

Some of the pros and cons are taken from Angry Joe's site
Here

Pors:
Nails its Survivor Story Atmosphere.
Excellent Sense of Progression.
Beautiful Graphics & Environments.
Tombs, Collectibles & the Island itself.
Intense Combat & Cinematic "Running" Sections.
Perfect Blend of Action, Survival, Platforming, Relic hunting & Puzzle Solving.

Cons:
Needless Copycat Multiplayer.
Could use a bit more Tombs.

Cons added (PC version):
Removal of the first Tomb in the Coastal Forest from the game (DLC)
Only 10 mixed soundtracks from the game (Survival Edition)
Downloadable Multiplayer weapons from Hitman: Absolution (Survival Edition)
Requirement of Steam for a Singleplayer game

Conclusion:
While you get plenty of value for your money, the ending is a bit of a let down. Plus that you won't get enough salvage to upgrade all your weapons.
Since I have no interest in Multiplayer I would rather have enjoyed downloading the full 20 soundtracks from the game instead of a weapon pack from another game. And of course Steam, while I get why they made that decision, it feels more like a slap in the face for those who likes hard copies.
Which also brings forth the next question. Is it worth buying the game on a disc now days when the game itself is downloaded from Steam?

Thanks Smiley

I think the "buy the game on disk" question depends on how much you like the game and if you just like to have a physical copy, collect for the boxes, or are afraid the download site will close and you won't be able to play in the future.

Will there be a hard copy to buy? I like having a hard copy because my gaming computer is not used online and there is always the possibility of problems from the downloading site as L4L said.

I found a DVD version at Amazon.com so it's probably available at retail brick and mortar stores as well.

In fact I saw an advertisement on TV the other day that indicated that it was available at Walmart.

Kaki's Sister, sometimes the disk versions still require an internet connection to register and/or play. Left 4 Dead was like that - I still needed to connect to Steam to play it.

Just like oldman pointed out, hard copies are still being made. But you have to be sure to check for either "internet connection required" or "Steam"

Thanks oldman, Draclvr and Smiley. If I can get a hard copy but have to activate online then I guess I'll eventually use my gaming computer online just for TR.

Definitely agree with you there.

Biggest Con: there is a multi-player mode. Period. This is Tomb Raider, I don't want ANY multi-player content, it is entirely irrelevant to me and Lara!


That Tomb is available if you're playing the PC game, it's a free download from Steam.


A good deal of my games these days are Steam games; it's no longer an issue for me, and it's not as if they're requiring an "always on" connection, it's only idiots like Blizzard and EA that think that's a good idea in a single-player game.


I disagree, the ending worked well for me. Loads of open-ended possibilities, which is what you expect from an 'origins' story.
You can get enough salvage to upgrade all weapons. I nearly did it today, but I was about 100 points short at the final 'fast travel' camp, so I missed out on 100% completion by just one weapon upgrade. (I was playing 'Hard' combat level too :), it's not much harder than 'Normal' though, the bad guys are a bit tougher, and can aim slightly more accurately, that's about all I could tell)


I've stopped worrying about Steam being online, but then my study is stuffed to the gunnels with hard-copies, whereas Steam copies only take up space on my HDD when I want them to, and I can still play games I bought on Steam in 2009 without having to root around in dusty piles of DVDs, or worry about a disc being missing, or leant to a friend....
My only long term concern with Steam is if they go out of business, or I can no longer get to my games.

Thanks Gremlin, I have discovered that I very seldom replay a game, so have stopped worrying about the hard copy issue as well.

I love replaying the TR games! I get better at the challenges every time!

Gerry, I just read that this Tomb Raider was the best selling in the franchise's history.

Actually it's 2.50€ for that Tomb on Steam