Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness

 PlayStation 2
User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 149 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 149
  2. Mixed: 47 out of 149
  3. Negative: 40 out of 149
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  1. David
    Jun 26, 2003
    9
    A very good game despite all of the criticism.
  2. Kadeemluvmusic
    Nov 24, 2012
    8
    It's really hard to criticize a Tomb Raider game, but I think Angel of Darkness is one of my favorite underrated PS2 games of all time. There are a lot of problems including the glitchy graphics, messed up controls, and that really hurt them because of the bad feedback from fans and critics. However, since I'm still a fan of the series, I don't think it was either Core Design and Eidos'It's really hard to criticize a Tomb Raider game, but I think Angel of Darkness is one of my favorite underrated PS2 games of all time. There are a lot of problems including the glitchy graphics, messed up controls, and that really hurt them because of the bad feedback from fans and critics. However, since I'm still a fan of the series, I don't think it was either Core Design and Eidos' fault in the first place. Sometimes it needs a little more time to finish completing the whole game. But it was a good game and I hope critics should be really sorry about the frustrating things Lara admired in this game. Let's be bygone's be bygone's and call this a truce.… Expand
  3. RickD.
    Jun 25, 2003
    7
    The controls are awkward at first. Directional movement a function of the camera angle which is hard to control. Once you get used to it it's not so bad but definitely needs improvement. A few bugs should've been worked out before release. Slow downs in drawing even when little is happening is annoying but if your a TR fan I think you'll still like (if you can get used to The controls are awkward at first. Directional movement a function of the camera angle which is hard to control. Once you get used to it it's not so bad but definitely needs improvement. A few bugs should've been worked out before release. Slow downs in drawing even when little is happening is annoying but if your a TR fan I think you'll still like (if you can get used to controlling her)… Expand
  4. JessicaS.
    Aug 19, 2003
    2
    Graphics, fine. Story, interesting. Controls/Camera? THE WORST EVER. They are the most frustrating controls. If you tap the analog stick she practically jumps forward! I'm glad they at least have the save-whenever-option. psh.
  5. Monkeyboy
    Jul 14, 2003
    7
    I've been playing this game quite a lot. Initially, the controls seemed awkward, but you do get used to them. You move Lara with the analogue stick in pretty much the same way you move Tommy Vercetti in Vice City. So when running through large areas, control is fine. However, problems DO arise when Lara is in a tight corner and good positioning for jumping and grabbing is needed. The I've been playing this game quite a lot. Initially, the controls seemed awkward, but you do get used to them. You move Lara with the analogue stick in pretty much the same way you move Tommy Vercetti in Vice City. So when running through large areas, control is fine. However, problems DO arise when Lara is in a tight corner and good positioning for jumping and grabbing is needed. The controls become cumbersome at this point. Graphically, you may think it's not up to much, but compared to the PSOne versions it is. It looks very nice and the music is great. I was shocked by the number of times the game stopped to load the next section. In some areas, this happens nearly every time you run round a couple of corners. Not good. If Rockstar Games can create an entire thriving city (GTA) with very few load screens, why couldn't Core do the same? It seemed a bit sloppy. It doesn't live up to expectations, and has a curiously old-fashioned feel to it. But there are worse games out there.… Expand
  6. AndrewJ.
    Jan 15, 2004
    7
    I really enjoyed the story and graphics, but the controls are a nightmare. If Lara was easier and less frustrating to control, I definitely would have given this game a higher rating.
  7. Sarah_Hardy
    Sep 16, 2018
    10
    The best plot of the franchise, innovative for its time. The only problem is the constant bugs in the gameplay, but nothing to get in the way.
  8. DaveF.
    Jul 4, 2003
    10
    Ace Ace Ace Ace Ace Do i need to say anything else?
  9. Hannajoe
    Oct 10, 2004
    10
    Brilliant game though very difficuilt but wicked.
  10. JenniJ.
    Jan 24, 2004
    10
    it is fantastic Game!!
  11. Tina
    Jun 26, 2003
    8
    The Graphics Are Better Than Ever, Lara Looks Better, I Like The Game, But, They Should Of Delayed It Until They Fixed The Sometimes Freakish Glitches.
  12. Dragonghost
    Jul 28, 2003
    10
    It's not strange that the people that ranked The baldur's gate as one of the best games (the easiest and worst game of all times) did not like the Angel of darkness. They are simply LOSERS.They could not even use thecontrols.F**k the Metacritic! F**k the critics of Metacritic!! Lara is great in this game.
  13. Lance
    Jun 23, 2003
    10
    You need to learn the controls and then this game is the best ever! PERFECT STORY, PERFECT LOOKS and PERFECT LARA! Just a PERFECT game, BUY IT! You'll LOVE it!
  14. cherryboy1
    Aug 30, 2010
    10
    **** ... Dredful ... Crap ... Just the worst tomb raider game Ever ... i didnt like the controls , the gameplay, the plot , the story , we waiting to long for core design to produce this :L:L ?
  15. Reginafan1995
    Jul 29, 2015
    10
    I know what people are going to say when they see this if they do. They'll be like someone gave Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness a good review because he likes **** games. People who think that screw them because I love Angel of Darkness. This happens to be my second favorite game in the series after Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft on the original PlayStation. TheI know what people are going to say when they see this if they do. They'll be like someone gave Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness a good review because he likes **** games. People who think that screw them because I love Angel of Darkness. This happens to be my second favorite game in the series after Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft on the original PlayStation. The artwork of Lara Croft in this game is my absolute favorite from any games within the series. Long live Lara Croft.… Expand
  16. M.G.
    Jul 1, 2003
    5
    I give this game a 5 because it is only half done. This game never should have been released with as many bugs that it has. I want my freakin money back! What a rip off!
  17. CozoniW.
    Jul 4, 2003
    1
    I'll give it a mark for actually releasing it at last! Other than that, wat is the point of buying money grabbind sub-standard trash like this when there are 100's of better games out there. Do your selfs a favour and don't buy this. Core dont deserve your money and are the kind of developer who would bring the games industry to its knees.
  18. AdamP.
    Aug 5, 2003
    9
    This game is great,it looks excelent and the controls are good.story is also great.grafic is amazing.what more to say:BUY THIS GAME!!!
  19. ShellyT.
    Sep 5, 2003
    8
    The best Tomb Raider game, of course! The controls were kind of difficult to use at the beginning but I got used to it .. but really it's worth buying the game!
  20. MikeG.
    Oct 4, 2003
    3
    If Maxim aren't prepared to objectively review a game, they shouldn't bother. Ten out of ten?! Good grief. After this abomination, Core have lost the right to produce future Tomb Raider titles, so one hopes the glory days of the PSX versions will return one day. Where the PSX games staggered us with huge, open vistas and highly colourful, varied interiors to explore, such scenic If Maxim aren't prepared to objectively review a game, they shouldn't bother. Ten out of ten?! Good grief. After this abomination, Core have lost the right to produce future Tomb Raider titles, so one hopes the glory days of the PSX versions will return one day. Where the PSX games staggered us with huge, open vistas and highly colourful, varied interiors to explore, such scenic delights are mystifyingly absent from Angel Of Darkness, perhaps demonstrating that the programmers weren't the same people responsible for the early greats. The poorly thought out puzzles are obscure in a way good puzzling (Silent Hill, Resident Evil) never is. Tjhe camera is a joke, and dying because the game is at fault is a cardinal sin. It's a good job we have far, far better third person adventures to play, because this should never have seen the light of day.… Expand
  21. PaulN.
    Jun 21, 2003
    3
    The controls are terrible and the frame rate is very slow at times. Don't buy this game! The graphics are good but the controls just don't respond. (if it ain't broke don't fix it) that as there mistake- bad game.
  22. GWest
    Jun 20, 2003
    8
    Lara Croft is back and the best!
  23. Tiger
    Jun 24, 2003
    10
    in fact, with my own opinion, i think the controls are better than ever. i am good at them. they give me a new sense of freedom, of looking around, compared to previous tomb raiders. i can't help it. this game is perfect for me. the graphics are beautiful. this tomb raider is so interactive. it has a deeper, wonderfully written story. i am moving right along, and none of it is in fact, with my own opinion, i think the controls are better than ever. i am good at them. they give me a new sense of freedom, of looking around, compared to previous tomb raiders. i can't help it. this game is perfect for me. the graphics are beautiful. this tomb raider is so interactive. it has a deeper, wonderfully written story. i am moving right along, and none of it is disappointing me. instead, it impresses me, gratefully. core did a bang up job. play it. don't play it. i don't care. i love it. :)… Expand
  24. AlexG.
    Jun 24, 2003
    10
    great game. great history i dont know why everybody is crying about the control is very easy to use it. the only bad part is the frames rate but despite of that tr is a great adventure.
  25. MattR.
    Jun 28, 2003
    0
    Terrible. If you want to ogle Lara, watch the movies. They didn't resurect this series, they buried it.
  26. D.Railer
    Jul 1, 2003
    2
    The graphics and the soundtrack are about all that would be worthy of keeping if you were to strip this game down and toss out the fat. The controls are so bad that I returned the game a day after I bought it and felt happy to at least not be wasting any more of my time. Somebody else said Eidos/Core buried this series, I am SO in agreement here. Congrats to them, Tomb Raider is dead to me.
  27. SophieD.
    Jul 2, 2003
    2
    I have read nearly all the reviews across many sites, I have seen it with my own eyes, and I have heard all the negative feedback. This is a travesty to all the game players waiting for so long only to be confronted with an inferior product. I just want to know one thing has, or is EIDOS/CORE going to make a statement to their customers, if this was any other product there would be a I have read nearly all the reviews across many sites, I have seen it with my own eyes, and I have heard all the negative feedback. This is a travesty to all the game players waiting for so long only to be confronted with an inferior product. I just want to know one thing has, or is EIDOS/CORE going to make a statement to their customers, if this was any other product there would be a recall solely on poor performance. It is a shame that such a popular game was not only delayed in its release but the expectations on AOD have not sufficed in the slightest. What a disappointment.… Expand
  28. JonathanC.
    Jul 9, 2003
    7
    Yes the controls are different, yes there are slowdowns and yes there are a lot of loading screens. If eidos and core got past those this game would be awsome. I love the story and the levels are great. the graphics are not bad considering they were put together 2 years ago, the next tomb raider better look like todays standards. give this game some time and u will get used to the controls.
  29. Uter
    Sep 5, 2003
    2
    Some people truly deserve to be fired for this monstrosity. The controls are so frustrating. The gameplay is moronic, and the graphics aren't even very good.
  30. BonehoChane
    Jan 3, 2004
    4
    Why you ask is this game so bad? The controls and the story. First the controls. You'll maybe take 20 mintues trying to get Lara to jump, walk, turn, climb, or grab the way to want her to. It makes you want to throw the controller into the glass screen of your telivision causing it break open and catch on fire. You won't even bother to put it out after playing this game. Next Why you ask is this game so bad? The controls and the story. First the controls. You'll maybe take 20 mintues trying to get Lara to jump, walk, turn, climb, or grab the way to want her to. It makes you want to throw the controller into the glass screen of your telivision causing it break open and catch on fire. You won't even bother to put it out after playing this game. Next the story...it make no sense. She accused of commiting a murder, so in order to prove she's not guity, she murders a bunch of people. Other than the stuff I just mentioned this game has the a lot of the stuff that made the original so good.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
54
#54 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 37
  3. Negative: 15 out of 37
  1. Games Radar
    78
    The pedestrian pacing of the early levels, the fiddly controls and the fearsomely flighty camera still means that if you have played the entire series from day one or if this is your first encounter, Lara has certainly seen better days. [Playstation 2 Max]
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  2. PSM Magazine
    50
    Painfully average... With the trial-and-error gameplay, lack of very much innovation, and the occasional annoying bugs, it might just require more patience than you have. [Sept 2003, p.36]
  3. GMR Magazine
    40
    Controlling Lara is like a dream - that one where you simply can't get to where you want to go fast enough, no matter what you try. [Sept 2003, p.74]
See all critic reviews »