Tomb Raider: Underworld -- Beneath the Ashes & Lara's Shadow All in One.

I've finally managed to get around to the download content for Tomb Raider: Underworld. The game offers up two expansion packs, the first Beneath the Ashes, and the second Lara's Shadow. Tomb Raider: Underworld comes to a satisfying conclusion but it leaves a few details out. Beneath the Ashes and Lara's Shadow provide those missing details. As the true conclusion the expansions are well worth the price of admission. I really enjoyed the closure that they provided for Tomb Raider: Underworld. The conclusion they provide is very satisfying and it wraps up the Anniversary, Legends, and Underworld trilogy in a smart way while still leaving a few possibilities open. Graphically and aurally they're obviously identical to Underworld as they're using the same engine and assets. And that means that they're both great looking. They offer more of Underworld's great score and Keeley Hawes' great voice work as Lara Croft. Beneath the Ashes has Lara Croft returning to the destroyed Croft Manor after the events of Underworld looking for an artifact her father may have hidden. This level plays out exactly as any other level from Underworld. The level offers some great platforming action and a couple of good puzzles. It also sets up Lara's Shadow. On the other hand Lara's Shadow plays out in a way that feels apart from the traditional Tomb Raider gameplay. In Lara's Shadow for the first time in series history you're not playing as Lara Croft but as her doppleganger. And as such you have new powers which greatly change how the game is played. You still have the great platforming action and great puzzles at the core of the experience. Lara's Shadow begins directly at the end of Underworld and continues through Beneath the Ashes and goes further to the conclusion. You're definitely going to want to play Beneath the Ashes before Lara's Shadow. I really enjoyed both expansion levels. And they bring the trilogy to a very satisfying close. I'm giving both Beneath the Ashes and Lara's Shadow each a 9. Supposedly Crystal Dynamics will be giving Ms. Croft another reboot. Hopefully it will be as successful as the Legends reboot.