I have been playing Tomb Raider games since 1997. I have them all. I have played all but the last 2 of them at least half a dozen times over the years. Why? I love the story lines and the puzzles. The killing? Not so much. and there wasn't all that much to begin with until

Tomb Raider 2013. Dear god the body count rivals that of a Bruce Willis movie. I have ranted and raved about that in several places.

Now I'm here to sort of change my tune. Once I figured out that my gamepad controls were not quite in sync with the book I got or the walkthrough I use (Thanks Stella!) when I get stuck or need more info THEN I was able to do-in the bad guys and move on.

FINALLY! A tomb to raid!! And a time puzzle! AHA! to quote the old Lara.

I will say the graphics are stunning, the game play flawless (once you get those pesky controls mastered), and the QT movies smooth as silk. The movies, BTW, integrate with the action so seamlessly that sometimes I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be doing something or just observing.

so all in all I would give this a 4 out of 5. I was SO hoping for a 5 star rating but all that bloodshed? No. If I wanted to mindlessly kill "people" I'd be playing ... well I don't know WHAT I'd be playing since I've never liked those kinds of games.

Would I recommend this one? Yes. As long as you understand what you'll be up against in the first sections of the game. As for me, I'd have preferred going to Lara's mansion for instruction and target practice. But that's just me.