Think Lara Croft. Think less-than-gentle archaeologist, think vest top, think slightly posh English accent. Well, at least one of these facts is likely to be tested when the rebooted version of Tomb Raider hits shelves in March.
For the first time in action-adventure game history, Tomb Raider will feature full Arab localisation. Anyone buying the game in Middle East (and, we guess, selecting the Arabic option) should instantly notice that gone are Lara's aristocratic well-to-do English tones, and in are the vocal talents of Lebanese actress Nadine Njeim (who has recently been presenting the Middle East version of The Voice on MBC).
"It was amazing to see yourself acting out a character that has such as legacy in the international community," said Njeim at the game's unveiling in Dubai this morning.
Nadine Njeim, pictured here in Dubai in 2011, voices Lara Croft as the rebooted Tomb Raider will feature full Arab localisation. Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Cartier
The game itself takes Lara right back to her roots, as a curious archaeology graduate lost on an tropical island and some way from the pistol-toting action hero of old. She's more human, more vulnerable and has to come to terms with killing for the first time (which, in her case, is a deer with a bow and arrow - don't worry, it does get more exciting). And publishers Square Enix are no doubt hope that she's just as dominant a force in the gaming charts as before.
We'll be publishing full interviews with Nadine Njeim and the developers closer the game's launch on March 5.
