I know how long it's been since the game came out, so I won't bother with the whole questionnaire thing. Fact is I loved TRA. I played it like I did the original, on PC, and the only thing I have to say that is noteworthy is to answer your question about checkpoints.
The checkpoint system is actually an improvement on the save crystal system, so it's superior as far as that goes. That said, I don't like the checkpoint system at all, in any game, because its only purpose is as a gimmick for making the game harder so the game developers don't have to work as much. It can take hours to learn entire sequences right, which means they can use the checkpoint system to extend the number of gameplay hours they've developed undeservedly.
Oh yeah, and one other thing: I hate interactive cut scenes. They only exist to give the player something to do during the movie, and since you are told whiich button to press every time, only provide a challenge when they limit the time they give you to react, which means that sometimes you can't get past a certain point even though you know exactly what to do, for no better reason than that a cutscene was playing. It's a departure from normal gameplay, too, which makes it a cheat. I don't like it when the game developer cheats. To my mind, the only one who should be allowed to cheat is the gamer. Others may look down on gamers who cheat, but I like to know that a game is still interesting even though one is cheating. I consider it the mark of a great game.
I meant what I said though. TRA was the best Tomb Raider game since game 5, better than Legend or even Underworld. Lara has always been at her best when far from the modern world, and the more she has to do with society, the less entertaining she is. Not saying that can't or shouldn't change, though. Obviously SOMETHING needs to change. I mean, near as I can tell, I'm the first one to comment on this site in over a year. I'd like to see that change.