This is where Tomb Raider really started to go downhill. As we know, the team at Core was starting to get very weary of making games in the same series. This was the fourth game in four years, and it shows. There are plenty of very convoluted puzzles and some levels are overly long. The lack of a partitioned off tutorial section was a loss for sure, as the in-game tutorial is a bit long, and feels unnecessary if you're already a pro at playing these games. The UI feels pretty uninspired, too. The loss of the ring menus made it feel like TR was losing its identity.

Still, the setting in Egypt was interesting, if a bit uninspired, since we've visited Egypt before in the series. Though, actually going into tombs again was a nice change of pace. Unfortunately, the setting can get a bit boring at times, as the games up until this series wisely changed up locales to keep things interesting.

In the end, it feels like the team was not here for the game, because they did try to kill off Lara on purpose.

Very impressive for a 2011 game and honestly very forward thinking in terms of what the game wanted the main gameplay loop to be about. Yeah, there is shootouts and car chases (especially towards the second half of the game), but those felt like they were largely added in to apeal to the market at the time which was very action game centric. I feel like if the game were made in 2022, there would be signifigently less of the action scene moments to give the game a more realistic Noire feel. The game is also super impresive for really capturing the feel of 1947 LA, such a specific moment and place in history digitally preserved through a videogame. My biggest gripe with the game though is really the middle of the game. The pacing felt ATROCIOUS in the middle and i kinda just gave up for months because the game would just drag and feel repetitive when your just doing case after case that dont really feel like they are linking. It wasnt until (to avoid spoilers) the demotion happens, that the game really hooked me back in and I was back on board. I understand that in Noire, the point is that the main characters arent supposed to be very likable, but Cole is so stiff and lifeless for a majority of the game. I understand that is a point in the story, but it doesnt make it any less unenjoyable. When Biggs comes along, coles personality actually feels like its opening up. And playing as Jack amplified all the anoyances that I had with Cole. Overall, really stand out game that gets COMPLETELY draged down by pacing for me. Also, if you dont play the game in Black and White you are objectively a loser.

I'm already at full health!

This is a good game with some issues, it has a janky camera that follows the view of your character but only when standing still, combat controls that don't feel as responsive as they should and pretty much faked dualshock support. However, the game has interesting and some surprisingly big levels, boss fights with iconic villains that can be a little odd but fun nonetheless, writing that reminded me of watching the cartoons as a kid and it doesn't overstay its welcome. As a bonus, the levels have many secrets with unlockable extras, mostly for viewing galleries with some art and character bios but also alternate costumes!

The soundtrack is pretty funky, certainly something that you would only get on games from its time and I really like it, there's also cameos from a bunch of different Marvel heroes which are all just there to be silly, puts a smile on you. Voice acting is of mostly average quality but they really nailed it with Spider-Man and Venom, enjoyed listening to them the most along with Stan Lee as the narrator, he's not heard often but it's always a joy.

I can very much see why people enjoyed this game so much back then, especially as children, it has the right vibe for someone that likes the silly of Spider-Man and is still pretty playable once you get used to the controls, it's fun.

I love you todoite kono omoi
kitto itsuka wa kanau yo ne
konna kimochi setsuna sugiru no

hajimari nante wakaranai no
namae mo heibon de doko ni demo isou
demo nanmannin ite mo watashi
kitto kimi wo mitsukeru yo

sunao na kimochi tojikome
kara ni komotta jibun ga iya de
ki no nai furi suru sono tabi ni
tada itami ga fueteku

kimi wa nani wo negau no?
soba ni ite hoshii
zutto zutto sore dake na no ni

(doki doki…)

koi no yokushiryoku
hora GAME ga hajimaru
mitsumeaeba wakaru desho?
hajimari no BERU ga naru

Listen To My Heart
koe ni naranai kono koe
tomete koi no yokushiryoku
tsutaetai watashi no subete

nanige ni kami wo kitta keredo
hontou wa kimi no sei nante ienai
uso tsuite nigete bakari de
mou kono mama ja dame da yo

hoka no hito waza to miteiru
sonna tsuyogari shiranai mama de
sugu soba wo sugiteku senaka ga
itai hodo tooku kanjita

kimi wa dare wo omou no?
oshiete futari wa itsu made
kono mama tsudzuite yuku no?

(kyun kyun...)

koi no yokushiryoku
hora GAME no hajimari
karamiau omoi wa mou
hodokenai ugoki hajimeta

Listen To My Heart
motto sunao ni naretara
tomete koi no yokushiryoku
kokoro dake soba ni iru no

itsuka iu no "daisuki da yo"
yume de iu no "itsumo gomen"
itsuka itte zutto issho datte
hanasanai tte gyutto gyutto shite yo

(zuki zuki...)

koi no yokushiryoku
hora GAME no hajimari
massugu na omoi ga hora
ima afure hashiridasu

hitori nante mou
iya da yo
mite yo
watashi no koto
zenbu kimi he to tsunagaru no
donna kako mo mirai mo zutto
zutto….

kono deai ga sekai wo kaeru
houkago CLASS ni ima wa futari
kamisama ga kureta CHANCE yo
jikan wa tada sugite yuku

kitto kono mama
futari wa sudoori
senaka awase de
hanarete yuku….

I love you todoite kono omoi
kitto itsuka wa kanau yo ne
konna kimochi setsuna sugiru no

onegai tomete…
koi no yokushiryoku

Sleeping Dogs is a really good game, it just needs a bit more to make it a classic. The story is by far the best part about this game. Wei is an interesting protagonist and his story keeps you hooked until the end. The combat is very rough around the edges (there is one combo that completely folds 90% of the enemies, and gunplay is rather lacking) but it's fun enough. I think the game could have used more depth overall. Improved combat, more developed minigames, and a longer campaign (to add more depth to the characters) would improve this game in my opinion. It struggles to break out of the "GTA/Yakuza Clone" mold, and that's a shame. Sleeping Dogs does so much right, and it's unfortunate that it will likely never get a sequel. The developers made something with tons of potential.