I decided to bundle a review of these two games together, as I finished them both recently, and they are very similar to say the least.
As a reboot of one of gaming's important franchises, a lot rode on the first of these games. Lara Croft is something of an institution, defining 3D action in its infancy in the mid-1990s. The late 00s trilogy of Anniversary, Legend, and Underworld updated Tomb Raider for the 7th generation games systems, but didn't do a lot more than improve the graphics - the gameplay was largely unchanged, albeit with much larger maps. This reboot had to do justice to both the series before it (not that it was all roses...) and to the legend of the lady herself.
Thankfully, it did. Moving away from the block-based puzzling of the past, 2013's Tomb Raider brought the series bang up to date. Smooth animation, gorgeous graphics, sublime sound direction, and a cohesive open world came together to create a thing of beauty. Gone are the clunky puzzle elements of old, replaced by a sizeable adventure. Some puzzling remains, but it is more exploration-based in its presentation, with a metroidvania element whereby new areas are unlocked as you gather improved tools. If I had to describe them in simple terms, they're Uncharted, but with more emphasis on climbing and exploring and less gunplay.
I played both of these games on Xbox 360 before repurchasing them on PlayStation 4. I'd already played each of them twice through, and so when I say they're gorgeous on PS4, you know I'm comparing them to the already very nice looking 360 versions. Rise of the Tomb Raider also comes with the game's DLC and a nice art book as part of the "20th Anniversary Celebration".
In the first game, you find yourself in the shoes of a young Lara Croft as she follows her father's footsteps. A vulnerable girl, she is ill-prepared for things to go wrong in the spectacular way that they do, and yet you as the player will watch as she transforms into the brave explorer we all knew her to be. The sequel starts with a self-assured Lara, fully equipped for what's ahead.
Story telling is performed in the mould set by Half-Life 2 - exposition playing out in-game. Lara often thinks to herself as she uncovers secrets, and you will hear her reciting her journal entries when you stop at a camp fire (the game's checkpoints). Finding hidden documents will lend insight into the backstory too, as they are narrated to you upon opening, and enemies chat amongst themselves as you sneak up on them with your pickaxe raised.
It's the story that is most improved in the sequel - Rise of the Tomb Raider. In the first game there are too many incidents of Lara falling a distance, sustaining injury, yet somehow continuing on to victory. It's a bit forced after the second such instance, labouring the point that she is inexperienced and weak, and the story suffers for it. In the sequel, however, this is reined in and you will enjoy a tighter, longer story, that almost but not quite outstays its welcome.
Post-game you may enjoy going back to seek every last hidden object, aiming for 100% completion. It's quite a pleasure to go back to cleared areas (though don't let your guard down - a handful of enemy soldiers are still hanging around) and see them again, but without the need to press on with the story.
That I've 100% completed these two games three times each (and bought them both twice) should tell you I find them quite enjoyable. The sequel is definitely the better game - its story and mission structure is better laid out, though some of the search quests can go a bit too far into obscurity.
Definitely recommended, especially at the low price the first is now available.
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