For three installments now, these games have seemed as if they're seeking Hollywood's approval in a way. Frequently, the camera wrests control away to perfectly frame a thrilling shot. It's a ton of fun."ĭestructoid 7.5/10: "Shadow of the Tomb Raider leans into what it does well (platforming, setpieces, and puzzle-based tombs) and shies away from its inadequacies (there are significantly fewer combat sections than in the other Tomb Raiders). Moments of big, blockbuster-style scripted action return skin-of-your-teeth action sequences that hurtle Lara across crumbling earth and bullet-peppered buildings, and feel like wonderfully orchestrated roller-coaster rides.
This time it's centered around an impending apocalypse and the search for the ancient item that can prevent it that propels Lara through the dark guts of South America. "Shadow of the Tomb Raider tells a great story that continues the series' tradition of high-concept, Indiana Jones-style mumbo jumbo. As both a rollicking, horror-kissed action-adventure and an introspective story about obsession and family, Shadow of the Tomb Raider works as a powerful finale to this particular chapter of Lara's history. There’s a lot going on here, but it manages to keep most of its balls in the air throughout its 25-odd-hour running time. IGN 9/10: "A bigger world, higher stakes, and an unexpected spin on Lara Croft's character make Shadow of the Tomb Raider the most ambitious of the modern trilogy. Still, that doesn't mean it's not a crazy, high-stakes adventure worth taking."
As the final game in Lara Croft's origin story, it just didn't hit the high note it needed to. Whether it was a more engaging skill system or a bigger map, I was often left wanting something a bit more - yet, I could play it for hours.
The game has its standout moments, but it's also full of unrealized potential. Parts feel rushed with odd scene jumps and some of the gameplay systems feel half-baked. In a way, that's a good a parallel for Shadow of the Tomb Raider. "Lara Croft often throws herself headfirst into the action without seeing the bigger picture. I immediately thought, 'This is her defining moment? Her evolution into the Tomb Raider?' After following this origin story for three games, I hoped for a more rewarding finale. While Lara certainly shows growth through this journey and some closure is provided, it's all a bit of a letdown. Game Informer 7.5/10: "The whole adventure culminates in an ending that also isn't quite up to snuff. But in terms of a pure "Tomb Raider" game, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is everything a bold explorer could ask for, giving players a vast jungle to explore and daring them to master it." "As a final blowoff to the Trinity saga, I couldn't help but walk away feeling that the resolution to the story and to Lara Croft's character could have been so much better. It's an impressive feat, especially when one simply climbs up to a high, elevated peak and looks down at the luscious Amazon landscape, flowing waterfalls, and treacherous wildlife below.
It also embraces the idea that raiding tombs is what makes the series truly great, setting aside the superfluous modes of past games and simply giving players both a massive world to explore and numerous Challenge Tombs to tackle. "Square Enix, Eidos Montreal, and Crystal Dynamics have also pieced together one of the biggest playgrounds for Tomb Raider players to enjoy. It really can't be understated how much additions like rappeling has added to the formula.
It builds on all of the mechanics introduced in Rise of the Tomb Raider, adding traversal mechanics, adding combat tools, retaining many of the ideas introduced in the last game (such as items gated by language proficiency), and utilizing some of the best level design the series has had to offer. Shacknews 7/10: "In many ways, Shadow of the Tomb Raider feels like a strong conclusion to the 2013 Tomb Raider trilogy. Take these opinions and make your own choice.
In addition to the major outlets, we're also going to get opinions from publications dedicated to each individual platform, so that PC owners, Xbox One owners, and PlayStation 4 owners can all have their voices heard. It's also a good time to put it side-by-side with reviews from across the gaming world. With Shadow of the Tomb Raider hitting store shelves today, it's a good time to revisit our Shacknews review. It's her most dangerous journey yet, as the Trinity saga comes to a close with Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Her mission takes her into the Amazon jungle, where a hidden city sits and dozens of tombs are waiting to be explored. Lara Croft has some unfinished business with the forces of Trinity.