When one thinks of the Tomb Raider, Lara Croft, one thinks of a voluptuous woman, with a long braid, holding pistols while climbing cliffs in short cut offs in a tiny tank top. In 1996 “Tomb Raider” was developed by Core Design, released by Edios Interactive and has since then changed developers and publishers. With ten games, two movies and a theme park ride under its belt, the franchise has gotten a little stale.

Developer Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix have teamed up to reboot the franchise in a way that will revitalize the “Tomb Raider” in a grittier, edgy new way: by making her human. The new Lara Croft adventure is a prequel that will take players back before Croft became a “kick-ass,” gun-toting adventurer; a young woman thrown into adventure who must fend for herself on a seemingly deserted island.

Along with this new take on “Tomb Raider,” Croft is younger and her body type design reflects this. It is no longer one that will be just gawked at; rather, her skills will be put on display. In the game videos Lara is seen hunting, falling from great heights, using stealth to evade enemies and surviving the elements of the island. The use of a bow and arrow is a welcomed addition as it reflects the best possible skill that Lara would need in surviving on an island. Using a gun would be too loud and give away her location to enemies. In addition, it would also scare away prey. The player would also be using a weapon not often seen in a third person adventure game. It will be interesting to see how the bow is incorporated into the gameplay as Lara acquires other weapons.

Another interesting aspect of this reboot is the inclusion of multiplayer. As a game that is heavily reliant on the single player story, it is curious that Crystal Dynamics would choose to include a multiplayer aspect to a game that did not need it in the first place. In an interview with IGN, the Creative Director of “Tomb Raider,” Noah Huges, stated that multiplayer is, “…important to establish Tomb Raider for the future […] that is part of what a reboot is about.” So far, the multiplayer will include a team vs. team mode and the bow will be available as a weapon of choice. What  is refreshing to see about the multiplayer mode is, that the third person point of view adds an extra challenge that the usual first person point of view does not create for the player. The character can also swing on ropes, climb on top of structures and hang from said structures, which means the player has more options for offense and defensive strategies.

The rebooted franchise sports two editions: regular edition ($59.99 USD) and “Survival Collector’s Edition” ($99.99 USD). The collector’s edition comes in an “endurance” tin from the game, has an eight inch figurine of Lara Croft with her bow and arrow weapon, iron on patches as well as access to a weapons pack in game. In addition for those who pre-ordered there is “Scavenger Hunt” that players can access online and play to win other in game items. The scavenger hunt integrates community elements and trivia questions by having players take photos of themselves with the answer to the trivia question for that particular week.

Gamers that buy from Amazon.com will get “The Final Hours Edition” which comes with “an exclusive Art Book, In-Game Skin for Lara  and a digital copy of Geoff Keighley’s, “The Final Hours of Tomb Raider” for the Kindle Fire.”

This exciting new twist on a fan favorite will be released on March 5, 2013.

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The adaptation of a game into an-hour-and-a-half movie is a difficult task to accomplish. A video game is not only telling a story, but is also interactive. The challenge that a director faces is not only catering to the fans of the game, but also catering to the classic elements that make a successful movie.

Luckily, both video games and movies share a common thread of rise and fall story telling as well as the ability to engage an audience. In the end, movies based on games try and increase the public appeal of a game series that most certainly turns into a franchise. The success of the movie is therefore oftentimes indicative of the success of the overall series.

5. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Lara Croft brought to life, this movie was a hit for fans of the classic pixilated hottie played by Angelina Jolie (Mr. and Mrs. Smith). High-flying and ass-kicking, the film owes much credit to Jolie’s casting as the starring role for which the film might have otherwise failed.

The role of Lara Croft demanded an actress who could be sexy, athletic, and commanding rather than ditzy, underwhelming, and humorless. A younger Daniel Craig in his pre-James Bond days is also on the film, along with Jon Voight, the real life and on screen father of Angelina Jolie.

Besides the treasure hunting elements of the film, the relationships between the characters really make the film come alive. Lara Croft and the relationship with her father Richard, is one of the best aspects of the film since her memories of him are the key to unlocking key information for the plot of the film.

The film also boasts high production values, with mansions, high end sports cars, and multiple filming locations, along with a total budget of $115 million. The film grossed more than $275 million at the box office, netting huge profits and paving the way for the sequel Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life.

4. Hitman

Agent 47 makes his full screen debut portrayed by Timothy Olyphant (Fx’s Justified). The Silent Assassin was required to successfully eliminate a target by the name of Mikhail Belicoff played by Ulrich Thomsen (Kingdom of Heaven). A movie tie-in was also printed for the movie, though the plot of the book differs from that of the movie itself.

Still, actor Timothy Olyphant brings an emotional quality to the part of Agent 47 that is otherwise not often seen in the games. Throughout the movie, fans of the game series can see Agent 47 go through several changes from heartless assassin to contemplative savior. Agent 47 questions what his duties are and begins to show a protective streak for Nika Boronina played by Olga Kurylenko (007: Quantum of Solace) , who was used as bait during the film.

More than a simple movie about assassinations taking place, this movie is about character growth through the perspective of both Agent 47 and his adversaries. There are many other agents in the film that feature the bald head and dual wielding guns, but none of them are like Agent Number 47.

3. Resident Evil

Action Horror at its best, this movie set the stage for a modestly successful film series. The first in the run of five movies so far, this  film earned more than $100 million at the box office. Starring Mila Jovovich (Fifth Element) and Michelle Rodriquez (The Fast and the Furious) the two battle across The Hive while Jovovich’s character, Alice, tries to regain her memories. Both are trying to escape the untold horrors of the zombie-filled world that Capcom created.

One of the most celebrated parts of the film are how the characters must move through a maze of horror that can only be traversed with great difficulty. Echoing the games, there are scenes in the movie where characters must flip a switch, connect a plug or otherwise gain access to an item that requires actual thought.  The Resident Evil games were a survival horror series like none other, and the movies certainly hold the same qualities.

Fans of the games will also recognize signature creatures within the series. The Red Queen, a form of conscious intelligence, is in control of the security and movement within the facility, which make for many of the most terrifying scenes within the movie.

The scene featuring the laser beam defenses in the Red Queen corridor had manyviewers simultaneously horrified and impressed with the filmmakers. Part horror movie, part AI movie gone wrong, this movie is one of the first in a long line of biochemical nightmare that features some of the best zombie scenes in recent memory.

2. Mortal Kombat

The oldest movie on this list was also one of the most exciting of the ’90s. The first Mortal Kombat movie, despite critical reviews, was a success in the eyes of fans, and was a worthy tribute to characters like Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade and Thunder God Raiden.

Fans joined their favorite heroes in OutWorld as they struggled in the deadly contest of Mortal Kombat. Watch as Sonya Blade battles Crime Lord Kano in her quest to bring him to justice, just as action star Johnny Cage dukes it out with Scorpion in a deserted forest. The central role is played by vengence seeker Liu Kang, guilty over the death of his brother at the hands of Shang Tsung.

One fight scene after the next, the entire movie is an homage to fans of the games. As one of the most successful game to movie adaptations it has become an instant hit with gamers and brought in a new legion of fans to play the games. Not only was the video footage stellar but the music that accompanied the movie was one of the best movie soundtracks of the ’90s.

1. Advent Children

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children is the only movie on this list that has no human actors. At the same time, it has some of the most iconic characters in video gaming history, and is derived from one of the longest running game franchises. More a continuation of the game itself rather than an adaptation, this movie stands apart from other video game adaptations since it feels like the filmmakers took the time to make a great movie rather than simply a movie tie-in.

The director’s cut contains some of the best high-flying action sequences around. They manage to combine an intricate story with great choreography. In the face of many other subpar games-to-movie projects, fans agree this one is the most successful in recent memory. With production value is that is not only high, but also features an excellently well crafted storyline, Final Fantasy Advent Children renewed the faith for an entire generation of fans in the power of Cloud and his allies.

Honorable Mention: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is newer than some of the other films on this list, and the franchise has more than enough plot points to make a noteworthy sequel or two. The game itself features jumps and climbing similar to Tomb Raider and martial arts similar to Mortal Kombat and Advent Children.

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