Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Angel of Darkness (Limited Edition)

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Angel of Darkness (Limited Edition) is a special 2003 release of the sixth installment in the Tomb Raider series, featuring exclusive physical extras like a mini-maglite, soundtrack, poster, and behind-the-scenes content. The game follows Lara as she investigates a black magic cult while clearing her name in the murder of her mentor, blending action-adventure gameplay with stealth and platforming elements.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Angel of Darkness (Limited Edition): A Flawed Masterpiece

Introduction

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Angel of Darkness (Limited Edition) is a game that has been both reviled and revered since its release in 2003. It is a game that dared to push the boundaries of the Tomb Raider franchise, introducing new gameplay mechanics, a darker narrative, and a more complex protagonist. However, it is also a game that was plagued by development issues, resulting in a final product that was far from perfect. This review will delve deep into the game’s development history, narrative, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and its lasting legacy.

Development History & Context

The development of The Angel of Darkness began three years before its release, under the working title Tomb Raider: Next Generation. Core Design, the studio behind the original Tomb Raider games, aimed to fully utilize the power of the PlayStation 2 and reinvent the character of Lara Croft. The game was intended to be the first in a new trilogy, but development was fraught with difficulties, including technical constraints and a lack of leadership.

The team at Core Design was overambitious, scrapping the entire project once and only completing the game’s basic story. The developers admitted to being unprepared for the added complexity of developing for the advanced PlayStation 2. Despite these challenges, the game was rushed to meet the deadline, resulting in numerous bugs and technical issues.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The Angel of Darkness follows Lara Croft as she attempts to clear herself of being the suspect of her former mentor Werner Von Croy’s murder while investigating the activities of a black magic cult. The game’s narrative is complex and dark, exploring themes of betrayal, vengeance, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

The story begins in Paris, where a serial killer known as the “Monstrum” has been terrorizing the city. Lara arrives to visit Von Croy, only to find him dead and herself framed for the murder. As she flees from the police, Lara uncovers a conspiracy involving the Obscura Paintings, ancient artifacts that can revive the Nephilim, a hybrid creature descended from angels and humans.

The game’s narrative is notable for its mature themes and intricate plot, which was a significant departure from the previous Tomb Raider games. However, the rushed development led to plot inconsistencies and continuity errors, detracting from the overall experience.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The Angel of Darkness introduced several new gameplay mechanics, including stealth, hand-to-hand combat, and a stamina meter. The game also featured a role-playing element, where players could choose Lara’s dialogue options, affecting her interactions with other characters.

However, the game’s controls and camera were widely criticized for being awkward and difficult to manage. The stealth mechanics and strength upgrade system were seen as unnecessary and poorly implemented. Despite these flaws, the game’s core gameplay loop of exploration and puzzle-solving remained intact, providing moments of thrill and excitement.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s world-building is impressive, with detailed environments and a strong sense of atmosphere. The game’s visual direction drew from various artists and elements of films from the likes of Luc Besson and David Fincher. The soundtrack, composed by Peter Connelly and Martin Iveson, was far more orchestral than previous entries in the franchise, adding to the game’s dark and atmospheric tone.

The game’s sound design was one of its few areas that did not suffer setbacks or similar problems. The score was recorded live by the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, London, in 2002, and was orchestrated by Peter Wraight and conducted by David Snell.

Reception & Legacy

Upon release, The Angel of Darkness received generally negative reviews from critics. While some praise went to its story, the game was widely faulted for its poor controls, camera, and numerous technical issues. Despite selling 2.5 million copies worldwide, the game’s poor reception led to the cancellation of planned sequels and the transfer of the franchise to Crystal Dynamics.

In the years that followed, The Angel of Darkness received retrospective praise for its unique story and ambitious vision. Its original soundtrack performed by the London Symphony Orchestra also received praise, with composer Peter Connelly remaking and releasing its music as part of Tomb Raider: The Dark Angel Symphony in 2019.

Conclusion

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Angel of Darkness (Limited Edition) is a flawed masterpiece. It is a game that dared to push the boundaries of the Tomb Raider franchise, introducing new gameplay mechanics, a darker narrative, and a more complex protagonist. However, it is also a game that was plagued by development issues, resulting in a final product that was far from perfect.

Despite its flaws, The Angel of Darkness remains a significant entry in the Tomb Raider series. Its ambitious vision and mature narrative have influenced subsequent games in the franchise, and its unique story and atmospheric tone continue to resonate with fans. While it may not be the best Tomb Raider game, it is certainly one of the most interesting and ambitious.