What's the best game from the original TR series?

I loved the feel of each individual area - that there were places that I could relate to as well as more traditional TR territory. The concept of Lara being on the run for a crime she didn't commit and having to clear her name was interesting - the decision to take TR in this direction seemed brave to me, and I feel it paid off to a certain extent. We get to see more of Lara's personality - character aspects that we've never seen before; a tender side, vulnerabilies that make her more human, and an indication of how her experiences in Egypt changed her. Her relationship with Kurtis is complicated and multi-faceted; they way they interact is both subtle and obvious but never too clear-cut. Both characters have three-dimensional personalities that engaged me on a much more emotional level.
The introduction of Kurtis pleased me - at last a male character who is every bit a suitable match for Lara. He shares her determination and ability - he can meet her challenges on his own terms, but again with a certain amount of hidden vulnerability that he keeps suppressed to an extent - only revealing his inner self when Lara bests his efforts. The bond and attraction between them is dynamic and electrifying in one sense, but tender and caring in another.
The sheer complexity woven into the story creates a challenge of a more intellectual style - rather than the story being stripped down to 'find the artifact, defeat the villain', we're taken on a journey through morality itself. It's not until fairly near the end that we find out for certain that Lara didn't kill Von Croy, whether we were led to believe that it was an accident or not. That uncertainty presented a new edge to me.
Some would say that the graphics weren't great - in a sense no, but I bear in mind the game was forced out by Eidos when it was only 60-65% complete, and taking that into consideration, they're pretty good. There's an atmosphere in many of the levels that's so realistic that I feel that I'm actually there alongside the characters. Especially on the Kurtis levels. And the twist at the end was so unexpected it took me completely by surprise.
The whole game gave me a rollercoaster ride of emotion - in a couple of places I was actually tearful, and after watching a some of the cutscenes, I could really feel my heart pounding. No other TR (or any other game for that matter) has given me such pleasure to play and excitement to experience and that's why I love it so much. Even it's flaws and obvious unfinishedness don't take the shine off AoD for me.

And as far as I'm concerned, any music performed by the London Symphony Orchestra is amazing, but this classical soundtrack is beautiful as well.

Edited by DPS, 12 December 2005 - 08:01 am.