Images taken from my own gameplay, using Steams' screen capture function.
Any TL;DR's will result in rabid ferrets being inserted into a random orifice.
Ah, Tomb Raider. That name alone brings back many memories of my childhood, running around as Lara Croft, raiding tombs, running the assault course at her mansion over and over and, when the mood took me, locking the butler in the freezer and chuckling when his head clipped through the door. I also may have shot at him a lot more than I would care to admit. That said, my last dalliance with the Tomb Raider series was with Angel of Darkness, which was about ten years ago. I remember it being an OK game, nothing amazing but nothing horrible. However, with this reboot of the Tomb Raider series, have they got the magic back or will it be another forgettable entry into a long standing series I grew up with?
Tomb Raider this time is an origin story, focusing on how Lara became to the tomb raider we all knew and grew up with back in the late 90's and early 00's. We join her on her very first expedition, as she and her group head out to find the lost kingdom of Yamatai. After going against the wishes of Whitman, a celebrity archaeologist who is heading the expedition, they head into the Dragon's Triangle. Of course, this is where things go wrong for Lara and the group as they end up being caught in a massive storm and washed up on a mysterious island. It's not long before Lara is captured by a strange man and awakens in a creepy cave. After freeing yourself and escaping his cave, you soon begin to notice that you may not be alone on the island. You soon see dead bodies, strange carvings and ritual sacrifices of animals. Eventually, you find her friend Sam, who was part of the expedition, and Mathias who claims to be have on board the ship with you. As Sam tells Mathais the legend of Himiko, who was the ?Sun Queen? of Yamatai, Lara passes out from exhaustion.
Later, after Lara wakes up, she notices that both Sam and Mathais have disappeared and no one else in the expedition team have seen or heard from Sam or Mathais. Whitman decides to help Lara look for Roth, Lara's tutor, while the rest of the group look for Sam and Mathais. As Lara and Whitman explore, they discover that other inhabitants of the island are worshipping Himiko and that the island they are stranded on is in fact Yamatai. They are eventually captured by the inhabitants of the island and after trying to escape, you try to hide but are found, which is the lead up to the ?rape? scene. The story of Tomb Raider isn't one of trying to find artefacts and claim riches; it's one that shows us how and why Lara became the tomb raider we all know today. We're shown how she handles being thrust into incredibly difficult situations and how she uses her knowledge to find a way out of them and how she can try to help her friends in any way she can. It's refreshing to play a character in a game like this that isn't a certified badass right off the bat; in the early stages, Lara shows disgust at the fact she's killed someone else instead of just passing over the matter like it's an almost daily occurrence to her and later on, shows remorse that a failed rescue attempt killed even more people.
[Img_Inline width="325" Caption="stuff" Align="right"]http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y533/SassafrassReviews/oie_8171250jV7MvFuN_zps5423be48.jpg[/Img_Inline]
However, later in the game, Lara is soon being intimidating, yelling at enemies to run and that she'll kill them all. While I can understand that she might be getting an adrenaline rush it doesn't really fit in with her character, or at least the one that's been portrayed so far. When you start Tomb Raider, she's scared, uncertain of what's going on. While she does become a bit less scared as we go on, Lara is still new to this entire situation. Having her go from being stealthy and a little scared to charging at enemies, shouting that she'll kill them all is a little jarring to say the least. Fortunately, these moments are rare and don't happen too often. I know that half of the gameplay on Tomb Raider consist of Lara mowing down enemies with a small range of weaponry available to her which contradicts what I said above about her being scared most of the time, but she isn't cracking one liners of trying to be a badass in every combat situation. You're not a hero here, looking for lost treasure; you're doing what you need to do to survive. I'd like to think that most of us would, when given a gun and trapped on an island full of people who want to kill you, that we'd at least try to fight back. You just wouldn't sit back and let a small group of guys shoot you to death if you had a chance to fight back.
The combat in Tomb Raider is fairly simple, only requiring you to move Lara next to cover so she can duck behind it with no additional button presses. The gunplay is fairly simple as well and has moved towards an over the shoulder view instead of an auto lock on system, but it works great and is very easy to familiarize yourself with. You can also unlock new moves for Lara as you progress through the game and gain experience by playing through the story, finding hidden trinkets scattered around the island and completing optional tombs. You can also upgrade Lara's equipment by collecting salvage, which is pretty easy to find as you explore the island. I didn't do much exploration in Tomb Raider yet I still found enough salvage to upgrade most of my weapons. You do all of this at camp-sites, which act as a save point and fast travel hub around the island, allowing you to go back and explore previous locations if you're the type of person who wishes to explore the island completely and find all of the little secrets of Yamatai.
[Img_Inline width="325" Caption="stuff" Align="right"]http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y533/SassafrassReviews/oie_817958OWwvOVT8_zps17642239.jpg[/Img_Inline]
However this might have to wait until you're near the end of the game as you also unlock equipment to use as you go along, with some areas being locked off to the player until you get given the needed equipment. Climbing axes, rope accelerators, rope arrows and much more are introduced as you play through Tomb Raider, helping you navigate Yamatai and helping you find hidden trinkets scattered around. I personally liked the rope accelerator the most, as it allowed you to go up ropes faster than going hand over hand would. The climbing axe also doubles as a melee weapon as well, allowing for stealth kills as well and some pretty nasty looking takedowns in close quarters combat which is, thankfully, kept to a minimum. Most of the equipment you get is mainly used to navigate around Yamatai, helping you progress through the game as you work your way through the story and allows you to access areas that may have previously been blocked off to you, although they don't reveal much when you find them, just some optional pick-ups and ammo for your weapons.
Outside of combat, Lara controls very well too. Within minutes, you'll be scampering around Yamatai with ease, making jumps and climbing ledges like you're a master at it. It's pretty hard to fail jumps as well; I only missed two or three in my entire playthrough. It flows together pretty well too. You'll soon be flinging yourself off a ledge, latching onto a craggy rock face with your climbing axe and then jumping from craggy rock face to craggy rock face with the greatest of ease. However, where Tomb Raider suffers is the quick time events. Now, there are a few dotted through out Tomb Raider and whilst not too bad, they go against the entire quick time part of their name. I failed a few of them the first time out as, after mashing left and right to struggle out of something, I had to then press another button. However, you have to time that press at the right time so Lara doesn't get crushed, mauled or shot which goes against my instincts. I'm in a quick time event, not a ?wait for a bit then hit a button? event.
[Img_Inline width="325" Caption="stuff" Align="right"]http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y533/SassafrassReviews/oie_8172071NzPIw4f_zpsa882cee2.jpg[/Img_Inline]
Tomb Raider also has a couple of other niggles niggles too. The lack of explorable tombs is one of these. There are still a handful of them scattered around Yamatai, allowing you to loot them for experience and salvage. Sadly though, these tombs aren't brainteasers. They're fairly simple and take about five minutes to complete, leading up to the exact same animation for opening the chest every time you get to the end. They do offer little insights into what the inhabitants of the island did, which is a neat touch, but it just doesn't feel like much when you complete them. Another niggle is how long the story takes to get to the meat of why you're there. The first three or four hours are spent looking for a way off the island and trying to regroup with your friends, which leads into the final half of Tomb Raider. Yes, the final half is a blast and plays on old Tomb Raider themes, with supernatural explanations being offered up for what's going on, and ties off the story very nicely but it just takes a little too long to get there. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want a game that has a five hour story, far from it. It just feels like Tomb Raider meanders a little bit, adding filler that makes it feel a bit long.
Tomb Raider is a fun game to play, don't get me wrong. In between good gameplay, solid exploration and the sheer beauty of Yamatai and of Tomb Raider itself, I can't really find too much to fault Tomb Raider for. Yes, it can be a bit slow to begin with, the quick time events can be an exercise in annoyance, Lara's sudden attitude shifts can be a little jarring when they do occur and the simple tomb raiding puzzles might rub some old fans the wrong way. However Tomb Raider does draw a great line for how Lara changes from the inexperienced adventurer to the seasoned one we all knew and grew up with back in the 90's. A good entry into the series and well worth your money if you have any interest in Tomb Raider.
[small]Tried and dismissed taglines for this review were the following. Tomb Raider: The Gritty Reboot, Tomb Raider: Now that's what I call tombs and Tomb Raider: It's not a rape scene.[/small]
Films and TV: Hot Fuzz (First and original review) [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.163840] - UK Big Brother and Celeb Big Brother [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.167121] - Scrubs (Sassafrass, VaudevillianVeteran and Pimppeter2) [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.167644] - Black Sheep [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.174430] - Dave, a TV channel [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.181712] - Twilight: Eclipse [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.213377] - The X-Factor (Sassafrass and VaudevillianVeteran) [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.250859] - Predators [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.268805] - Hot Fuzz (Rewrite) [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.270265]
Sassafrass to the YT Movies series: SK3: Battle For Redemption [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.375545-Sassafrass-to-the-YT-Movies-Scorpion-King-3-Battle-For-Redemption] - The Last Man On Earth [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.380367-Poll-Sassafrass-to-the-YT-Movies-The-Last-Man-on-Earth-1964] - Kung Fu Hustle [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.386443-Poll-Sassafrass-Reviews-Kung-Fu-Hustle-2004]
Games: Final Fantasy X [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.166262] - Borderlands [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.180755] - Colin McRae
iRT 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.187935] - Final Fantasy 13, plus guide review [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.203989] - Viva Pinata [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.234884] - Fallout: New Vegas [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.246820] - Fable III [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.255418-Sassafrass-Reviews-Fable-III] - Final Fantasy X-2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.291553-Sassafrass-Reviews-Final-Fantasy-X-2] - WWE 2011 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.312693.12667178] - Saints Row 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.328405-Sassafrass-Reviews-Saints-Row-2] - Final Fantasy 13-2 Demo [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.337944-Sassafrass-Reviews-The-Final-Fantasy-13-2-Demo] - Angry Birds [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.339912-Sassafrass-Reviews-Angry-Birds-Review-Wars-V-entry] - Halo: Reach [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.352160-Sassafrass-Reviews-Halo-Reach] - Battlefield 3 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.381973-Sassafrass-Reviews-Battlefield-3-Xbox-360] - Modern Warfare 3 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.393441] - The Walking Dead: Episodes 1 - 5 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.396114-The-Walking-Dead-Episodes-1-5] ? Halo 4 [ http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.396999-Halo-4] ? Duke Nukem Forever [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.399981-Duke-Nukem-Forever-360] - FTL: Faster Than Light [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.403595-FTL-Faster-Than-Light] - GoTY 2012 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.403886-Sassafrass-Presents-His-very-late-GoTY-list-for-2012] ? Cute Things Dying Violently [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.405638-Cute-Things-Dying-Violently-360-Indie-Game] - Game Dev Tycoon [www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.407687-Game-Dev-Tycoon-PC-Indie-Game] ? Dishonored [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.820190-Dishonored-PC] ? The Walking Dead: 400 Days [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.821682-The-Walking-Dead-400-Days] ? Tomb Raider
Music: Full Fathom Five by Clutch [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.206062] - Press X To Rock: Miracle of Sound [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.316714-Sassafrass-Reviews-Miracle-Of-Sound-Press-X-To-Rock]
Random reviews: Friends list review, no 4. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.170076] Friends list review 1, 2, 3 lost.
Game previews: Final Fantasy 13 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.178502]
Sassafrass to the YT Movies series: SK3: Battle For Redemption [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.375545-Sassafrass-to-the-YT-Movies-Scorpion-King-3-Battle-For-Redemption] - The Last Man On Earth [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.380367-Poll-Sassafrass-to-the-YT-Movies-The-Last-Man-on-Earth-1964] - Kung Fu Hustle [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.386443-Poll-Sassafrass-Reviews-Kung-Fu-Hustle-2004]
Games: Final Fantasy X [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.166262] - Borderlands [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.180755] - Colin McRae
iRT 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.187935] - Final Fantasy 13, plus guide review [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.203989] - Viva Pinata [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.234884] - Fallout: New Vegas [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.246820] - Fable III [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.255418-Sassafrass-Reviews-Fable-III] - Final Fantasy X-2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.291553-Sassafrass-Reviews-Final-Fantasy-X-2] - WWE 2011 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.312693.12667178] - Saints Row 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.328405-Sassafrass-Reviews-Saints-Row-2] - Final Fantasy 13-2 Demo [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.337944-Sassafrass-Reviews-The-Final-Fantasy-13-2-Demo] - Angry Birds [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.339912-Sassafrass-Reviews-Angry-Birds-Review-Wars-V-entry] - Halo: Reach [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.352160-Sassafrass-Reviews-Halo-Reach] - Battlefield 3 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.381973-Sassafrass-Reviews-Battlefield-3-Xbox-360] - Modern Warfare 3 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.393441] - The Walking Dead: Episodes 1 - 5 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.396114-The-Walking-Dead-Episodes-1-5] ? Halo 4 [ http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.396999-Halo-4] ? Duke Nukem Forever [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.399981-Duke-Nukem-Forever-360] - FTL: Faster Than Light [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.403595-FTL-Faster-Than-Light] - GoTY 2012 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.403886-Sassafrass-Presents-His-very-late-GoTY-list-for-2012] ? Cute Things Dying Violently [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.405638-Cute-Things-Dying-Violently-360-Indie-Game] - Game Dev Tycoon [www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.407687-Game-Dev-Tycoon-PC-Indie-Game] ? Dishonored [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.820190-Dishonored-PC] ? The Walking Dead: 400 Days [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.821682-The-Walking-Dead-400-Days] ? Tomb RaiderMusic: Full Fathom Five by Clutch [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.206062] - Press X To Rock: Miracle of Sound [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.316714-Sassafrass-Reviews-Miracle-Of-Sound-Press-X-To-Rock]
Random reviews: Friends list review, no 4. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.170076] Friends list review 1, 2, 3 lost.
Game previews: Final Fantasy 13 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.178502]
[hr]
[small]For notifications about when my reviews go live, visit my user group here. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Sassafrass-Reviews] You may fanboy at the door if you so wish.[/small]
