RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER
- jackcooper98
- Jan 28, 2016
- 2 min read
We become who we are meant to be…
The first thing you’ll notice about Rise of the Tomb Raider is the graphics. They’re outstanding. But more on that later. Let’s get started.
Following the continuing story of Lara Croft as she searches for the ‘Divine Source’, Rise of the Tomb Raider takes Lara and the player from Syria to Siberia as she is hunted by the mysterious ‘Trinity’, which is basically just an evil organisation. You’ll meet a lot of new faces along the way as you uncover both ancient artefacts and ancient truths.
Gameplay improves the first game’s in every single way. Mechanics from the old games return, most notably swimming. New additions include sprinting, healing and crafting from trees and leaves and stuff. The puzzle rooms and Tombs are similar to the first game’s, but are challenging on a whole new level. Don’t worry though, they’re not completely impossible.
Now, back to the outstanding graphics. The landscapes, whether an ancient Syrian city or the Siberian mountains, look amazing. Like, utterly ridiculously good. As with the first game, the attention to detail on Lara herself borders on crazy. The transition between gameplay and cinematics isn’t always that clear to see, which makes the whole experience a lot better.
Another thing the first game didn’t have, is flashbacks. They’re used really well, and help to tell the backstory not only of Lara, but the journey she’s currently undertaking. It helps fill in the gaps the first game missed out, while not detracting from the main story.
The thing that confuses me is the name. Why ‘Rise’? Didn’t she become the Tomb Raider in the first game? Why not something else, or even simpler, just ‘2’?
The game doesn’t do too well in the ‘twists’ category. What it does have to offer, can be seen coming a mile off. But, I guess that’s what happens these days. After all, pretty much every twist possible have been used at some point or another.
Wolves are heavily over-used in the game, and it will get to the point where it’ll become annoying instead of scary. Plus, the ominous drumming kind off gives away the fact you’re about to be attacked by savage dogs.
There is, unfortunately, one major downfall. Micro-transitions. The thing game companies seem to think are ok, but really, really aren’t. Don’t worry, as long as you just stick to the story, they won’t bother you. Stray into the challenge mode…you’ll start to feel the effects.
Rise of the Tomb Raider may have a lot of parallels with the first game, but that was always a given. There’s only so many ways a Tomb Raider game can go. But those parallels, good or bad, are what makes this game great. The new gameplay and stunning graphics make the experience even better, and much less a survivor game than the first entry into the new series.
9/10
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