Rise of the Tomb Raider Reviews
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a big-budget title that delivers a breathtaking adventure with all the trimmings.
As an adventure game, Rise of the Tomb Raider is up there with the best of them. The story feels like something right out of Indiana Jones, and the game nails the atmosphere that you'd expect from a Tomb Raider game. It's easy to see why Microsoft paid for time limited exclusivity with this one; the game really is that good. Even with the problematic melee combat, Rise of the Tomb Raider is a system seller.
I really enjoyed Rise of the Tomb Raider on the XBox One, however my biggest concern about the game is that it feels a little similar to the previous game. This is not to say that the game is bad but on the contrary, it's quite good, however things felt the same like the villain, locations and gameplay.
Rise Of The Tomb Raider understands what's fun about being Lara Croft. It's not blowing away an army of underlings with an assortment of guns, something that straight-up shooters do better and with more commitment to variety. It's also not some bold new innovation in how to make a character run and jump, or unexpected deviation from a storyline. No, what's always been the key to Tomb Raider is the thrill of discovery. It's about uncovering surprising ways to use your environment, to solve puzzles and mysteries in order to access temples and tombs. It's the thrill of a smart and resourceful woman using every tool at her disposal to succeed where everyone else fails. There's nothing new about this—the template of the intrepid explorer has remained incredibly consistent, from the novels of Jules Verne to radio serials to Indiana Jones—there's merely the simple pleasures of a fast-paced adventure yarn, and Rise Of The Tomb Raider makes a strong case for why the fundamentals of a good game, well made, are their own reward.
Rise of the Tomb Raider takes its predecessor's winning formula & improves on it in every way.
With a huge world to explore, heaps of secrets and puzzles to uncover, and some great action, this is the best Tomb Raider since the original Tomb Raider.
"The action throughout is pulsating with exciting combat that rarely fails to deliver, with all new combat elements and crafting system to get to grips with and some of the greatest scenery I have ever encountered in a video game, the latest addition to the series is not only a fitting one but a great sight".
Rise of the Tomb Raider presents the best Tomb Raider experience to-date, thanks to its epic story, landscapes, combat and characters.
Rise Of The Tomb Raider manages to carry on the success that was started with the rebooted version of Tomb Raider. There isn't much I can say is wrong with this game other than some minor issues here or there, the story was interesting, the gameplay is fun, and I found it just enjoyable to play through all the optional missions with the tombs being a stand out out of the optional side activities. Microsoft promised a huge end to 2015 for the Xbox One, and Rise Of The Tomb Raider has solidified that statement even more. PS4 users, although the wait sucks I can say it will be worth it in the end as Rise Of The Tomb Raider is a must play for all fans.
Rise of the Tomb Raider proves its predecessor was no fluke and firmly reestablishes the franchise as one worth caring about.
In Rise of the Tomb Raider, the action set pieces come first and the narratively satisfying reasons to do them second.
Can Rise of the Tomb Raider reach the standards set by its impressive predecessor?
This fantastic sequence also underscores the reason this review isn't complete yet. Although I have an excellent grasp of both the strengths and weaknesses of Rise at this point, I need to see if that explosive, fiery battle is a sign of great things to come. TR13 became more and more bogged down with asinine GTEs and clichéd scripted action sequences as you approached the end, and Rise could very well end up going in that direction as well. I hope it doesn't, though. Tomb Raider may have been built on a foundation of borrowing ideas from other games and developers, but the series has long since established itself, and Rise proves it: It's great when it's brave enough to be itself, and not so great when it's trying to be some other game.
A magnificent game that seems to have built upon the original Tomb Raider reboot to provide an experience equal to, and even better than that in almost all respects. The result is an amazing game on all levels that has to be experienced to truly be enjoyed.
On the surface Rise of the Tomb Raider is very much reminiscent of the previous game, to the point where someone passing through a room with Rise playing might mistake it for the last entry.
Crystal Dynamics had great success in rebooting Tomb Raider back in 2013. Rise of the Tomb Raider takes another positive step forward and continues the development of Lara Croft while providing another solid adventure. Unfortunately, the combat controls feel clunky and the story stretches an homage to Indiana Jones almost to the breaking point. That being said, there is a good bit of fun to be had in climbing, swinging, and exploring, but in a fall populated by heavy hitters, Rise of the Tomb Raider can probably wait for a more fallow time in your gaming calendar.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a stellar title for the fall season, and a sequel that addresses most of the complaints about its predecessor. Crystal Dynamics is really knocking it out of the park with the reboot of Lara Croft and I cannot wait to see how it evolves over time. Anyone with an Xbox One needs to pick this title up. It once again makes a solid case for my top ten list of games of the year.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is exactly what we needed. While there has been an influx of open world games over the last few years, Crystal Dynamics have been able to find a perfect balance of cinematic action and strong adventure elements. There are far more tombs to raid this time around, not to mention an open world filled with challenges, artifacts, documents and expansive story elements. Speaking of the story, while it's not particularly deep, it does contain a strong antagonist duo and an even more compelling heroine. While Lara's drive becomes a bit obsessive at first, she has grown up to be a capable woman, looking death in the face rather than fearing it.
Rise of the Tomb Raider's first shot pans over the vast, foreboding landscape we'll soon come to know. In many ways, it functions as a promise on the part of Crystal Dynamics: there are big things ahead of us. And at the end of Lara's journey, after we've seen her through this adventure, and experienced everything the world has to offer, it's clear that promise was kept.
The initial adventure in Rise of the Tomb Raider is around 6-8 hours, but every minute of it is fun, especially with retooled gameplay controls and unlockables for incentive. Adding to that time frame is a large amount of worthwhile exploring and wonderful backtracking once the campaign is completed. If you're into that, then this game is going to make you happy.