Shadow of the Tomb Raider Review: A Definitive Lara Croft Adventure

Shadow of the Tomb Raideris the third and last installment in Square Enix ’s rebooted trilogy , but does it live up to expectations ? Crystal Dynamics developed the first two installment in the serial - source with 2013’sTomb Raiderand continue with 2015’sRise of the Tomb Raider- butDeus Exstudio Eidos Montreal took point on the latest title , though they ’ve received some help from this trilogy ’s original developers .

keep the story that left off withRise of the Tomb Raider , this year’sShadow of the Tomb Raidertakes station approximately two months after the previous installment and view Lara Croft and Jonah Maiava travel to South America to reveal the mysteries behind the last of Lara ’s father and the extraction of the Trinity system , as well as , of course , prevent the end of the world . But or else of taking a simplistic , trial - of - the - John Mill path in telling its narrative , Shadow of the Tomb Raiderdives deeper into Lara ’s floor than ever before - and it truly works .

concern : Shadow of the Tomb Raider Devs Not Worried About compete With Spider - Man

A character holding a trunk in art from Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

Ultimately , it ’s a deconstructionist tale of Lara ’s journey , confront issue for her perilous actions and unwavering ambition . Over the years , Lara evolved from a remarkable archetype into a multi - dimensional character , one who has n’t peculiarly grown in recent iterations . While the last two game each had their own professional and cons , especially with regards to the overarching narrative , Shadow of the Tomb Raidertakes more than just the next whole step in identifying the crux of the matter of what makes Lara Croft who she is - and it is n’t just finding out who toss off her father , although that is a push factor in moving the chronicle forth . Rather , it ’s about her perverse preference to being surround by death , though not always by her own willing . After all , raid tombs can only get so much joy to one ’s life .

AlthoughShadow of the Tomb Raideris a radical installment in the long - unravel enfranchisement , it ’s arguably one that was necessitate to shoot some adrenaline into a chronicle arc - one that started to falter a bit along the way - spanning an intact trilogy . Seeing Lara lastly become the tomb raider that she was always meant to be while also visualise her ultimately countenance go of her past and her burden , and push forward onto a new journeying , is quite cathartic . She forsake all vanity of what do her special to give players the real reason she ’s an ikon - but that ’s something that ’s well left to the players to find out for themselves rather than just be told . what is more , the aid to detail in the story , with respectfulness to Latin American culture , history , and mythology is admirable , to say the least .

Shadow of the Tomb Raider Steps Up The Gameplay

For year , action - risky venture franchise likeUnchartedandTomb Raiderhave borrow to a great extent from each other , not only improve upon tried - and - tested gameplay mechanics but also taking bold steps in immersing player in new environments . Shadow of the Tomb Raiderholds up its end of the bargain and does that exceptionally well . An challenging aspect of the world that Eidos Montreal has created this prison term around is that it is n’t about cozen players into think they are in the jungle . alternatively , it ’s about letting the world itself convince them that they actuallyarein the jungle ( in the plot , of course ) . If nothing else , hearing just one growl from a jaguar , if not other fauna , will satisfy them of that .

With esteem to scope , traversal , and level design , Shadow of the Tomb Raideris an enormous step - up in terms of breadth and quality compared to late episode and , thus , iteration in this franchise . It ’s truly remarkable the distance the developers have take to give Lara a much - deserved send - off for her origin story before setting up what could potentially be an even more ambitious future for the tomb plunderer . A willingness to take the character to young heights - and depths , for that matter - is challenging and opens up the series to new possibilities . lend in seemingly niggling things like the abseil system or even line pockets to permit for longer swim have become key features of the traverse . And doing so provides opportunity to expand Lara ’s journeying , quite literally in some cases .

While the core gameplay , specifically the traversal aspect , is wonderfully refined and visceral , the gunplay is rather uninspired and strict , and the overall scrap - notably the aforesaid weapon use as well as the scrimmage system - could use some more polish . gratefully , most player wo n’t find themselves utilize either one too often for it to have a importantly minus impact on their experience . But the fact that there are shortcomings in a core part of the game can be a disparager for consumer . However , that ’s not to say the stealth system is also unpolished . In fact , turn Lara Croft into a piranha is one of the honest things the developers have done with this iteration of the character . Combining that with the all - new clay grease monkey amplifies the other side of the combat feature of speech .

A Helldiver with a burning Super Earth reflected in their visor.

What Really Makes Shadow Of The Tomb Raider Unique

But perhaps the most challenging aspect ofShadow of the Tomb Raider , above the rest of the gameplay , is that it ’s one of the few games in existence to depict a fully earn jungle . It ’s not a plot that couch player in a jungle for one or two levels , of which only a few George H.W. Bush and trees are seeable , but rather it create a support , breathing atmosphere . Coupling that with the realization thatShadow of the Tomb Raideris one of the most visually stunning games of this genesis so far , enfranchisement devotee have the contemporaryTomb Raidergame they ’ve been waiting for all these days .

Of naturally , there are still some glitches ( particularly towards the end of the main crusade ) and here and now that may appear unfinished , but our playthrough result in zero biz - breakage or even jarring hemipteron . And since that ’s not easy to say for many blockbuster games nowadays , that can be considered a win , though it ’s not the goal that developers should endeavor for .

Lastly , some of the most appreciative facial expression ofShadow of the Tomb Raiderthat may go drop are the option Eidos Montreal gives to players . If they want to prioritize visuals over build - pace , they can ; if they want to tone down the clue to up the trouble factor , they can ; and if they require characters to speak in their native languages to further heighten the news report ’s ducking , they can . While the latter two options are obviously geared towards this specific secret plan , the first choice is something that most - if not all - smash hit developer should judge to offer , which could be a first step in curbing the debate over resolution versus shape - charge per unit . Regardless of what player choose , though , Shadow of the Tomb Raideris surely something that will satisfy both longtime sports fan and fledgeling to this franchise .

Miyamoto with the Switch 2 and a sad-looking Mario tipping his cap.