A kick - even for the non-game player

Let me begin by saying I am not typically a game player. I spent some time at the arcade back in junior high school but I never got much more involved than Centipede and Pac-Man.

When dear hubby brought home Tomb Raider, a game some of his high school students had introduced him to, I was highly skeptical. I was sure it would be a waste of my time. I was sure it would be filled with more violence than I could stomach. And I wasn't all too impressed with Lara's figure - after all, what kind of athlete could you be with breasts like that in your way?

I'm here to stand corrected.

Maneuvering Lara did take me a while to get a handle on. It probably isn't such a big deal for someone who has more experience with games like this. I appreciated the tour of her home as a place I could practice getting her up, over, in and out without having to worry about other issues as well. My 4-year-old loves taking Lara "to the gym" and is probably more adept at maneuvering her than I, at this point.

My biggest problem is when Lara ends up swimming. I think this is probably because I tend to hold my breath the entire time she is under water. Water makes me nervous - what can I say? I guess this fact attests to the fact that the graphics are pretty darn impressive. At least they seem to be to me.

Upon actually playing the game, there are a number of things that impressed me.

First, I was pleased to discover that most of Lara's ammunition is for fighting off wild beasts - wolves, lions, dinosaurs, bats... I find it rather exciting rather than gruesome as I expected it to be.

The game itself is rather challenging. It's basically an act of exploration. You search, you find things, you pick them up and carry them with you. Eventually you get to use those things - keys to open doors. It's like putting together a puzzle. Maybe a bit like putting yourself into an Indiana Jones movie.

As a woman - I still have to scoff at the size of Lara's breasts. I mean, how can she run and jump without any pain? And the way she hoists herself up those walls... please... So maybe there's a little to be said for lack of reality in this game. Her legs, her tight butt - I can see where she gets those. She is a pretty darn active girl!

Overall, the game is a kick! It's a challenge and it provides some good down time when I need it.

I certainly don't mind now when my daughter wants to learn to swim like Lara. She's got her quirks but she's not a bad role-model. I have to say I'm more impressed with her than... say, your typical Barbie doll. My daughter's picked up the accent, too. That's fun to explain to people.

If you're at all in the market for an entertaining game to play - or even if you're not... this is certainly one I'd recommend.