Rise of the Tomb Raider Review

Introduction:

After loving the 2013 reboot of Tomb Raider, I couldn’t wait to dive into its sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider. At first, I held off because the price felt too steep — but after about three months, I grabbed the base game for £19 from CD-Key.com. While I don’t usually buy new releases so soon, this one was just too tempting to resist.

The game also came with a Season Pass (which I don’t own), but honestly, it felt overpriced for the amount of content on offer, and for PlayStation fans, the biggest frustration at the time was that the game still wasn’t available on PS4.

Background:

• Developer: Crystal Dynamics
• Publisher: Square Enix
• Platforms: PC, Xbox One (later PS4 as the “20 Year Celebration” edition)
• Release: 2016
• Modes: Single-player
• Story: Lara continues her late father’s expedition in search of the Divine Source, a mythical artefact tied to immortality.

Gameplay Basics:

The core playstyle sticks to the classic Lara Croft formula — a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and action-packed escapes. Expect constant danger: avalanches, collapsing ruins, and last-second leaps to safety. While these set-pieces are thrilling, they’re only part of the adventure.

The game balances platforming, combat, and survival elements. Campfires return as upgrade hubs for weapons and skills, and fast travel lets you revisit earlier locations once you’ve unlocked new gear. Collectables, resources, and side missions add depth, while the standout addition is Challenge Tombs — puzzle-filled dungeons that reward you with loot and upgrades.

Graphics/Presentation:

The biggest leap forward from the 2013 game is the graphics. With a powerful GPU (4GB recommended), the visuals are stunning — from snowstorms and rain-soaked forests to crystal-clear deserts.

Lara herself feels more alive than ever. Subtle details — like wringing water from her ponytail after a swim, shivering in the cold, or warming her hands by a fire — make her feel human. Lighting has also improved, replacing her old torch with a modern LED clipped to her belt.

Environments are equally impressive. Explosions scatter debris, underwater swimming looks breathtaking, and collapsing ruins make you feel as though you’re truly in the middle of the chaos. The weather effects are particularly immersive, pulling you right into the adventure.

Story & Characters:

The story continues Lara’s journey, this time chasing her father’s last expedition — a search for the Divine Source. Standing in her way is the shadowy organisation Trinity, which will stop at nothing to claim it first.

While there are a few twists, the narrative feels familiar and not as gripping as it could have been. The final boss fight mirrors Tomb Raider (2013) a little too closely. That said, voice acting is excellent, with Lara’s emotions and determination shining through.

Features & Combat:

• Skill Trees: Three branches allow for custom playstyles, with perks ranging from faster crafting to increased damage resistance.
• Weapons: Pistols, SMGs, shotguns, and bows — upgraded via scavenged resources and weapon parts.
• Crafting: On-the-go crafting lets you make grenades and Molotovs from bottles or cans, adding flexibility in combat.
• 
  Stealth Takedowns: Water kills and ambushes bring variety to encounters. AI enemies are smart, using grenades and cover tactics to keep you on your toes.
• New Gadgets: Breathing tool for underwater exploration, rope arrows for climbing, and an upgraded
  pickaxe with grappling abilities.
  

The combat is exciting, but some downsides remain: gun sounds (except for shotguns) lack realism, and hunting for animal skins feels more like a chore than fun.

Challenge Tombs:

The highlight of the game is easily the Challenge Tombs. These puzzle-focused side areas are filled with traps, hazards, and brain-teasing mechanics. They perfectly capture the spirit of classic Tomb Raider. Unfortunately, they’re often too short — just when you’re immersed in solving them, they’re over.

Extra Modes:

• Expeditions Mode: Replay levels for high scores and challenges.
• Score Attack: A timed mode where speed is rewarded — but this quickly becomes repetitive and feels like padding.
• Multiplayer: Dropped from the previous game, which might disappoint some, but the focus on single-player feels right for the series.

Pros & Cons:

✅ Stunning graphics and environmental detail

✅ Lara feels more realistic with small atmospheric touches

✅ Challenge Tombs bring back classic puzzle-solving fun

✅ Deep skill and weapon upgrade systems

✅ Strong AI with varied combat encounters

❌ Story feels predictable and not very gripping

❌ Some weapons lack satisfying sound design

❌ Hunting for animal skins is tedious

❌ Challenge Tombs are too short

❌ Extra modes (Expeditions/Score Attack) feel like filler

Verdict:

Rise of the Tomb Raider significantly improves upon the 2013 reboot in terms of visuals, immersion, and gameplay mechanics. While the story doesn’t quite live up to expectations, the Challenge Tombs, survival elements, and Lara’s more human portrayal make it a strong entry in the franchise.

For fans of exploration, puzzles, and cinematic action, it’s absolutely worth the adventure — even if it feels a little short and padded in places.

⭐ Score: 8/10

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