REVIEW: ‘Tomb Raider’ lives up to expectations
Arguably the most iconic game character to come out of the ’90s, Lara Croft has only recently been seeing success again in the last few years. The first game, while new and refreshing for its time, certainly had some control issues that kept it from true greatness. The sequels had some of the same issues, and when “Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness” came out in 2002, many thought that was the end of the series.
Give developer Crystal Dynamics some serious props for continually refining the formula of this series. The games have steadily gotten better since “Tomb Raider: Legend” in 2006. For this reboot, they went all out and rebuilt the game engine from the ground up. They even recast Lara, motion captured by the physically convincing and stunning Camilla Luddington.
The results speak loudly and clearly: “Tomb Raider” is a refreshing and exciting action game. The wide open game world and engaging storyline have much to offer for newcomers and veterans alike. And as a bonus, there is substantial replay value and some excellent visuals as well.
Sailing on a ship in the Pacific, archaeologist Lara Croft embarks on an expedition with her colleagues to uncover the lost Japanese kingdom Yamatai. A raging storm then thrusts Lara into an adventure of a lifetime as she is thrown off the boat and nearly drowns.
Luckily, she washes up on shore of an island in the Dragon’s Triangle. Scared, hungry and lost, she is captured by mysterious soldiers and must use her ingenuity and wits in order to escape a hanging trap and get her bearings. Her colleagues, including best friend Sam and long-time mentor Roth, are still lost and the situation soon calls for the worst: kill or be killed.
Working her way across different parts of the island, she eventually meets a mysterious man named Matthias, one who may hold the keys to the island and the secrets of the Yamatai kingdom. Once she finds Roth, she must care to his wounds and climb a radio tower and call for help. The soldiers surface yet again though to shoot down the rescue plane, and now Lara must work her way further into the island to defeat these people and discover what they are after.
First and foremost, “Tomb Raider” improves in the one area that counts most over the previous entries – the controls. No longer stiff and occasionally awkward, I felt I was in perfect control of Lara at almost all times. Ledges are easy to grab onto and jump off of, and the options for scaling the different obstacles lend a sense of freedom and excitement. You eventually obtain a pick axe to climb rock walls and a rope to attach to arrows. Nice touch. For a game series that has always been about adventure and exploration, this entry easily tops the rest in accessibility and playability.
Combat is also intuitive and fun. As the game goes on, you unlock a variety of weapons, including a bow, pistol, rifle and shotgun. Enemy AI is fairly smart and the challenge provided rarely tips over into unfair territory. Quick-time events play a role in the game as well. Though sometimes it’s a bit tough to get the timing down, the loading screens are extremely quick and the checkpoints are abundant, so frustration remains kept to a minimum. Good thinking, Crystal Dynamics.
Visually, “Tomb Raider” stands heads and shoulders above past entries. The “crystal engine” used in the game renders the island and the different villages in exquisite detail, and the draw distance impresses frequently, too. The extremely well-done character models reveal intricate details in facial expressions and the wounds on their body, simultaneously evoking beauty and pain. Lara knows she is in a heap of trouble and we believe what every one of her grimaces and movements entail. Games need to continue using graphics engines that foster effective character development and realism like what is on display here.
Some elements of the environment are even destructible and you can reap rewards from different salvage caches in order to upgrade weapons and obtain new skills. Starting off the game, Lara is somewhat weak and vulnerable, but continued play remedies this issue. Soon enough, you can make her into an efficient killing machine. Documents and relics scattered over the island reveal details of the past and what it can mean for Lara’s current quest, showcasing real depth and intrigue for the storyline.
A true labor of love and a long overdue reboot, “Tomb Raider” routinely took my expectations and flipped them on their head. The fully-realized environments, Lara’s gripping character arc and the addictive gameplay will suck you in while the depth in the numerous quests will keep you coming back for more. Needless to say, this game is an absolute gem.
– Sam McConkie is a senior in the technical and professional writing program at USU. He is a keen writer and has been a dedicated gamer for years. Sam can be reached at sambonemcconkie@gmail.com