[GAME] Tomb Raider (2013) Review

Developer: Crystal Dynamics, Feral Interactive (Mac & Linux)

Publisher: Square Enix, Feral Interactive (Mac & Linux)

Genre: Action, Adventure

Platform: PC, Linux, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Release date: March 5, 2013

Find the game here: http://store.steampowered.com/app/203160/Tomb_Raider

The original Tomb Raider games are one of the main reasons I became the passionate and avid gamer I am today. I adored these games for their action, adventure and puzzle elements and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction that they offered. It’s nice to look back every now and again to see just how far things have progressed since the first instalment back in 1996.

So after a hiatus of ten years or so, I decided that I’d return to the franchise with the 2013 title Tomb Raider, to see how things had changed over the years. This game is based on the origin story of the English protagonist Lara Croft, and how these events forged her into the badass archaeologist that she was destined to be.

Tomb Raider is an action / adventure title with plenty of survival and horror elements strewn throughout. The first thing that I noticed was the fantastic attention to detail in the opening cut-scenes of the game that were shown in a stunning movie-esque style. As soon as you first take control of Lara you can see the stunning and atmospheric visuals that make this setting feel alive. Although the opening 20 minutes was riddled with quick time events and further cut-scenes which held me back when I was ready and raring to get out and explore the island, they were very enjoyable additions because of the fantastic voice acting and character renders.

As you progress through the tutorial stage and pass a couple of physics based puzzles through the unforgiving cavern, you eventually escape. It is at this point where I was left in awe at the stunning vista that was in front of me. The gorgeous waves, the jagged cliff faces and the weathered shipwrecks coupled with truly breath-taking lighting effects make for an exquisite opening.

As I ventured further inland I came across an untouched effervescent canyon full of luscious vegetation and a variety of fauna. You know a game is exceptional when you let go of the controls just take in the views. Alongside this ran a beautiful piece of music which added to the atmosphere as well as the relaxing sound of raindrops trickling down from the trees above. Seriously this one of the best openings of any campaign I’ve ever played…

However, amongst the beauty lies the unforgiving nature of the position that you are left in. Unarmed and injured, this is a battle of survival. You are forced to use the environment to stay alive, your best friend here is the trusty bow. Using the primal looking bow to hunt wildlife was pure joy, although shooting an unaware deer in the neck seems pretty brutal, it is a survive or die situation, it’s your call. The game controls beautifully with both controller and mouse / keyboard. The combat is intuitive and rewarding, especially stealth kills, and it really gives you the human vs nature vibes. Nature isn’t your only threat, this island is hostile, and you’re alone. For now.

Progressing through the isolated forests led to dramatic fights with wolves and other hostile enemies, giving you the feeling that the whole world is against you. This really leads you onto emotionally connecting with Lara and her unfortunate position and circumstances, you want her to survive, because you are her.

It was nice to see that over the years the puzzle solving aspect has been maintained. The puzzles often involved completing two or three individual components before being able to reach your goal. The puzzles, as mentioned earlier, are generally physics based, you must use fire, throwable objects and the environment itself to bypass obstacles and get those sweet rewards. The map design feels very natural and nothing looks out of place, which really helps you connect with the world itself.

Cleverly hidden diary entries and other collectables are also a very nice addition. The diary entries are 100% voice acted which is a feature that is often lacking in similar open-world exploration titles. These diary entries contain useful but non-essential information about the game, but reading them really helps you understand the bonds between characters and a further understanding of Lara’s origin.

The game features an ability called ‘Survivors Instinct’ which is used to locate useful loot, animals or quest based objectives at the touch of a button. Personally, I feel like this feature is slightly over powered and can spoil the immersion of being helpless, although if you feel this way, you can simply avoid using it. I was concerned about the island eventually becoming uninteresting to explore, but thankfully, I was wrong. The story never becomes a chore. The world is lively and the objectives are fruitful, leading to a fantastic overall experience throughout the story mode.

The game also included a levelling and upgrade system which allows you to enhance your weapons and overall proficiency as well as a set of unique abilities for both the hunter and survivor aspects. The hunter and survivor skill trees feel a little brief with only 9 unlockable perks in each, but that is more than made up by the sleek and modern user interface which is a joy to use and navigate.

Other additions such as being able to customise outfits and thrilling challenges along the way really round this game off nicely. Some of the deaths can be fairly graphic which I didn’t personally expect from a Tomb Raider title, but they really add to the unforgiving atmosphere that this game offers. I have to say, this game took me by surprise, and I’m a little flummoxed as to why it’s taken me five years to play this top-end game. Everything feels so satisfying and worthwhile, from stealth kills to wrapping your head around those pesky puzzles, this really is a must play, regardless of whether you played the old titles or not. This game is often offered at a bargain price of £3.74 (or regional equivalent) on Steam and other platforms. The only thing it’s missing is being able to lock the good ol’ butler in the freezer.