Xbox 360 Critic Reviews

Lara’s Shadow is far better than Beneath the Ashes, the previous add-on, and supposes a necessary change in the formula that brings more reasons than its predecessor to buy it.

Stronger than the previous pack in just about every way, Lara’s Shadow provides players with much more than a basic adventure and a re-skinned character model. Instead, it provides a journey that hearkens back to the series’ roots while providing a number of specialized abilities that can only be carried out by another character outside of Lara Croft.

New powers add a zip to the normally stolid raiding. [May 2009, p.75]

There's no doubt hardcore fans will warm to Lara's Shadow in a way that they probably didn't with the rather disappointing Beneath the Ashes. With zero replay value, this latest DLC feels a little overpriced on the whole, but as a proof of concept, it offers some interesting possibilities for the future direction of the Lara Croft series, and satisfies far more often than it frustrates.

Lara's Shadow is significantly more attractive than Beneath the Ashes and offers a better proposal for fans of the series, especially because it gives small clues that may influence the future of it.

Tomb Raider Underword: Lara’s Shadow is an interesting second DLC, presenting a totally different approach to the game, thanks to a gameplay in this new level, more action oriented. The abilities of the new main character are a nice introduction, but at the same time will split the gamers in fan of the fresh gameplay and detractor of the new direction. Nevertheless, Lara’s Shadow is a must have for everyone who want to follow the story of the beautiful heroine.

Beneath the Ashes is short, but well paced mini-larathon which offers nothing really new. Lara’s Shadow is a little bit interesting case, but messing with deadly blue liquid is really frustrating. There are also annoying level re-runs, but generally both adventures offers sturdy but brief Tomb Raider experience. [May 2009]

Lara's Shadow offers a decent slice of adventuring but costing 800 points seems a little steep considering there are no extras or real incentives to experience the level again after completion.

I definitely like the ideas that Crystal Dynamics are flirting with here, it just seems disingenuous to ask players to pay so much for this small taste.

This is a brave first attempt at something new in the world of Lara Croft, but it doesn’t quite manage to match the levels of accomplishment seen in the rest of Tomb Raider Underworld.