Tomb Raider: Underworld

Because most of us came from a forum about Tomb Raider, I think the series deserves more than a general thread or two. And because I've in the mood for a little bit of TRU recently, I thought I'd make this thread to love, hate, and everything in between on this 2008 Crystal Dynamics title.

Story Synopsis: Tomb Raider: Underworld begins where its predecessor left off, with Lara Croft searching for the mythical resting place of King Arthur, Avalon. Underneath the Mediterranean Sea Lara discovers Thor's gauntlet and then has an encounter with an old enemy, Jacqueline Natla, who has been imprisoned by Legend's antagonist, Amanda Evert. Natla tells Lara that the Norse underworld, Helheim and Avalon are one and the same and that she will need to find Thor's Hammer to open the Underworld. Lara soon discovers to find and wield the hammer she will have to find Thor's other gauntlet and his belt, to retrieve these artifacts she must explore underworlds all around the globe, facing the creatures, traps and puzzles that guard them. However, Lara discovers that Helhiem may contain a powerful weapon that could put the world in danger. Lara also finds herself faced with a doppelgänger of herself created by Natla, who burns down her house and kills one of Lara's assistants, Alister Fletcher.

Lara Croft Biography: At age nine, Lara survived a plane crash in the Himalayan Mountains that led to her mother's mysterious disappearance. After miraculously surviving a ten-day solo trek to Kathmandu, Lara spent the rest of her childhood under the close tutelage of her archeological father, the late Earl of Abbingdon, Richard Croft. At 18, following the death of her father, Lara inherited the Croft estate and became Countess of Abbingdon. Since then she has been credited with the discovery of numerous archeological sites of international significance in her efforts to uncover the ancient civilization that underlies all officially recorded history. Lara Croft has been hailed as both an archeological wunderkind and a glorified treasure hunter. Countless rumors surround her exploits, invariably involving the unexplained or outright unbelievable. Lady Croft herself is rarely available for comment, further adding to the fog of mystery that surrounds her life and work. Consequently, Lara continues to be the focus of wild speculation and intense debate. Idealized and vilified in equal measure, she is perhaps one of the most fascinating and enigmatic figures of our time.

Story Synopsis: As in the main game, the player controls Lara during Beneath the Ashes. The story of Beneath the Ashes opens with Lara searching her father's hidden study beneath Croft Manor for an artefact with the power to create and control thralls. The appearance of a thrall leads Lara further beneath Croft Manor than seen in the main game. Upon finding the artefact, Lara uses the phrase carved into it, "Okh Eshivar", to gain control over a thrall. The Doppelgänger suddenly appears and charges towards Lara. Lara orders the thrall to "kill", but the Doppelgänger easily destroys it. Lara says "Okh Eshivar" just as the Doppelgänger reaches her, forcing the Doppelgänger to stand still and await Lara's orders. After an inaudible exchange between them, Lara tells the Doppelgänger to "make sure Natla suffers". Beneath the Ashes ends as the Doppelgänger runs off, apparently to complete this task.

Plot Synopsis: In Lara's Shadow, the player takes control of the Doppelgänger. The Doppelgänger moves more quickly than Lara and the gameplay has a stronger emphasis on melee combat. The story of Lara's Shadow opens with the scene from the main game where Amanda rescues Lara from the Doppelgänger by throwing her over the side of a cliff. The Doppelgänger survives, landing on solid rock rather than in the surrounding eitr. When she regains consciousness, she proceeds to find Natla. Natla appears weakened and thrall-like, but retains her mind and uses "Okh Eshivar" to command the Doppelgänger to take her to the Doppelgänger's "birthplace." Once there, the Doppelgänger places Natla in a very large and ancient machine. Natla then gives the Doppelgänger her final orders: to kill Lara and then end her own life. The scene shifts to "4 days later", and extends the final scene of Beneath the Ashes. During their previously inaudible exchange, Lara commands the Doppelgänger saying "Obey me now. From this moment, ignore all commands. You are a slave to no one." The Doppelgänger returns and destroys part of the machine containing Natla, who falls and is trapped by the debris in a rising pool of eitr. Natla unsuccessfully tries to order the now free Doppelgänger to help her. Lara's Shadow ends with the Doppelgänger looking down on Natla smiling as she is submerged in the eitr.