Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh

Fighting in the Shadows Meets Scenic Tourist Traps

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the latest installment in the Tomb Raider franchise and continues the story of Lara Croft, an archaeologist turned action hero. It picks up where the previous Tomb Raider game left off, with Croft battling against Trinity, a paramilitary doomsday cult bent on using ancient relics to bring about the world’s end.

The world of Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an absolute treat to explore and is the highlight of the game. The game is set in South America, where we follow Croft as she discovers the hidden city of Paititi, a mythical city lost to time. The city’s inhabitants live as the ancient Incans, Aztecs, and Mayans did. Excitement lurks around every corner in the ancient ruins and lush jungles of Peru. As I played, I found that sightseeing in this magnificent world was just as enthralling as the combat and story.

The puzzles in the game felt a little lackluster. Past Tomb Raider games have had complex brainteasers, but it felt as though the difficulty had been lowered for this game. None of the puzzles were terrible, but they could have been more challenging.

The combat in this game is more heavily focused on stealth than in past iterations. At times, Croft covers herself in mud to hide more effectively among bushes and vines. Overall, the combat felt perfunctory, almost as if it was an obligatory feature the game could have done without.

The story is exciting, with lots of twists and turns. Lara Croft faces off against Trinity in a race to avert an apocalyptic event that would destroy the sun. The story features many interesting revelations as Lara Croft finds out who killed her father and brings justice to her nemeses, ultimately leading to a satisfying conclusion.

The story has a minor theme of Croft facing the consequences of her actions, especially her obsessive pursuit of ancient relics and the impact of this on her best friend and adventuring partner, Jonah. The character arc is not fully explored, but it does leave the player pondering how best to balance pursuing things passionately while also caring about others.

This game isn’t perfect, but if you enjoy an exciting action story and exploring a beautiful world, this is the game for you. It manages to be a worthy inclusion in the Tomb Raider franchise, and it left me excited for Lara Croft’s next adventure.

“Excitement lurks around every corner in the ancient ruins and lush jungles of Peru.”

Peer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars