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Tomb Raider
Topic Started: Jul 22 2013, 05:35 PM (195 Views)
TheGreg
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I won’t pretend to be an expert on the Tomb Raider franchise. I never got into the games back on the PlayStation and the constantly sliding critical reception to the subsequent titles gave me little incentive to ever pick them up.

A change was in order for Lara Croft, and this year saw the release of the series’ reboot.

After finally having gotten around to playing through it, I’m happy to report that it is well worth the time of series fans and newcomers alike.

Heavily inspired by the Uncharted series, this reimagining (Simply titled “Tomb Raider”) delivers outstanding cinematic setpieces and stunning visuals.

Unlike the Uncharted games, however, Tomb Raider isn’t a strictly linear experience. Set entirely on a mysterious tropical island, the game presents a semi-open world design. Areas can be revisited and additional areas can be unlocked upon earning new abilities.

The main gameplay thread is very much a straight line, but if the player so desires, they can veer off in different directions.

It’s a nice idea, allowing for a streamlined, story-driven experience along with a modest amount of exploration.

Exploring new areas will reward players with additional treasures that translate into XP. There are three skill sets that can be purchased along with a generous amount of weapon upgrades.

None of these features are game-changers, but they are a nice supplement to the package.

The bread and butter of this Tomb Raider is action, and it delivers several very impressive large-scale sequences that would certainly live up to the standards set by Uncharted.

There is also a nice variety in the more typical enemy encounters. Lara can use stealth as well as an impressive array of weaponry to dispense adversaries.

Great pacing ensures the combat never becomes repetitive. Exploration, story and those grand setpieces are expertly woven together, creating constant momentum.

This is also a great looking game. The island vegetation, lighting and crumbling temples are stunningly realized artistically as well as technically. Some of the texture work is quite incredible and really immerses the player in this world.

Animation is also impressive. Lara’s stunts all look great and I found myself constantly impressed with all the little details (Such as shaking off water when wet).

The one spot Tomb Raider really stumbles is in its story. Uncharted provides these great action setpieces in concert with superb writing and presentation. While not patently bad, Tomb Raider’s story is unoriginal and its characters and dialog rife with cliché.

Lara herself, as performed by Camilla Luddington, is alright. I do admire the decision to present Croft as a humanized figure as opposed to a stock action hero. However, the entire supporting cast is pretty miserable in concept and in performance. Some of the voice work is genuinely bad.

The plot also has far too much in common with the Uncharted games. This might have been forgivable had the execution not been so inferior.

In spite of this, Tomb Raider still comes highly recommended. The game is fast, fun and packs more than its fair share of genuine thrills.

This is a great reinvigoration of the series and I very much look forward to going on another adventure with Ms. Croft.
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