I've never played a Tomb Raider game until I bought this a month ago and I was really impressed.  The graphics are a bit too blocky and choppy, the controls take a bit of getting used to and Laura doesn't always seem to do what I want her to, but I loved the challenge of it all.  The puzzles have found that right balance of being challenging without making you rip your hair out trying to figure it out.  I've not looked at a cheat book yet and I'm pretty far into the game already.  Granted I don't have all the secrets on each level, but I'll go back and do that later.  The cinemas are done very nicely as well.  The game creates a lot of it's mood by suprising you with baddies popping out when you least expect it.  More than once I've been startled and hit the wrong key just to see Laura die.  But, with a smile on my face, I just start from my last save and have at it again.  And that's another thing you can save at any time you want.  BIG plus.