Next-gen Lara Croft gets dirty

US magazine offers up first Tomb Raider Underworld info.

Crystal Dynamics' first true next-gen Tomb Raider game will see the lovely Lara Croft getting dirtier than ever before. That's according to the latest issue of US magazine PLAY.

The magazine (thanks to Tomb Raider Chronicles for the info) states the game is set for a tentative 2008 release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. The action takes place after events of Tomb Raider Legend and is said to feature "pure woman versus wild" action.

The next-gen engine has plenty of new graphical effects up its sleeve, notably Lara leaving footprints in the mud that then wash away in the rain, dead bodies and debris being persistent items in the game world, new motion captured animations and a hybrid lighting model that combines dynamic lights and light maps.

As mentioned earlier Lara will be much dirtier this time around, with mud that actually sticks to her knees. This will also wash off in the rain.

Expect plenty more on Lara's next outing in the New Year.