Two fantastic games and one alright one later, the Survivor portion of Lara Croft’s life came to an end. It’s a fine action game, a fine end to the trilogy, and doesn’t shit its pants quite like Chronicles did. Look, every trilogy has its low point and Shadow is undeniably that, but it’s less that it’s a bad game and more that it doesn’t stand up to how great Tomb Raider and Rise are. I’ve jokingly mentioned it a few times, but have avoided it long enough - Shadow of the Tomb Raider. I’d say the same for 2013’s Tomb Raider too, although Legend, Tomb Raider 2, and Anniversary might have something to say about that. It’s a shame that many gamers probably overlooked it due to the timed exclusivity drama, because it’s not just the best game in this trilogy, but it’s also one of the best Tomb Raider games full stop. This is the game that really figured out what modern Tomb Raider should be, introducing the best puzzles and closest things to Tombs we’d get, tightening up the combat to an almost arcade-esque speed, and advancing the character without forgetting that she still has a ways to go. It’s a great way to have Lara start to earn her stripes whilst also giving her more to do than just shoot people in the head.Īlthough all of these elements are present across all three of the Survivor games, there’s one that stands far above the others - Rise of the Tomb Raider. Sure, they’re not really tombs, but I still remember the puzzle in the 2013 reboot that had you in a windy cave, pulling open shutters to block the wind and reach the tomb. When they do occasionally let Lara slow down to dig a spike out of her side or whatever has just ran her over, you’re presented with some smart environmental puzzles and platforming challenges. Combat is a particular joy thanks to how fast Lara moves around, and the absolute chonker of a weapon that is the shotgun. They’re brutal, fast-paced, action-packed and so stuffed with setpieces that they’re a constant joyride from start to finish. It’s closer to Uncharted than it is the other Tomb Raiders, but that’s no bad thing. Despite what you might think of the Survival Era’s comical approach to violence, it certainly likes up to its namesake and is more memorable as a result.īeyond its storytelling and reinvention of character, another key strength of the Survivor trilogy is the gameplay. There are times when it comes across like a dirty modern horror, like Wrong Turn or something equally gratuitous. ![]() Lara gets absolutely battered across the trilogy, getting stabbed, punched, thrown down cliffs, and going through the worst gap year in living memory. It’s not just the storytelling that’s more focused, there’s a concentrated effort on having a singular theme spread throughout the three games - survival. Did you even know what a climbing hook looked like until 2013? That’s what I thought. Katniss Everdeen? Clint Barton? Nah, it was Lara. Who dragged a bow and arrow back into the 21st century? Lara did. In fact, she managed to add her own lasting identity to the character. It’s remarkable to me that even without iconic elements of her character like the sunglasses and dual pistols, this Lara is still just as recognisable as other iterations. Looking at you there, The Last Revelation. There’s just no competition in the story department, and you certainly won’t see Lara’s death getting randomly retconned. It’s a lot of the same beats we’ve seen in the past, but more refined, told with more nuance, and thanks to the combination of increased technology and having more time dedicated to the narrative, better performed too. ![]() ![]() Instead of backflipping over dinosaurs and cheekily shooting the camera, Survivor Lara Croft has far more emotional depth and a focus on telling her story. We get to see a Lara much more focused on her intelligence, and less about quips and badassery, although there are a few of those chucked in for good measure too. As an origin story, this is a different version of the character than we’ve seen before, with less confidence, no experience raiding tombs, and no casual affiliation with murder. Let’s start with the Tomb Raider herself - Lara Croft. Hey, every trilogy has its Angel of Darkness moment, alright. Shadow might not add a whole lot, but it’s still a decent bookend to the whole thing. Related: Meet The People Who Traveled The World Because Of Tomb RaiderĪnd yet, because of the might of Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider, the Survivor Trilogy still manages to rise (seriously, these names are killing me) above the rest.
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