Status:
- Complete in Box
- Play Tested
Tomb Raider (Essentials) for the PS3, released in 2014, is a re-release of Tomb Raider (2013), which introduced a new origin story for Lara Croft, the iconic adventurer. This "Essentials" edition includes the base game along with all its downloadable content (DLC), offering a complete package for those who missed out on the original or want to experience it again with added content. The 2013 Tomb Raider is often considered a reboot of the franchise, and it was praised for modernizing the series while keeping the essence of exploration and adventure intact.
Heres a detailed review of the Tomb Raider (Essentials) PS3 edition:
Story
The 2013 Tomb Raider reboots Lara Crofts origin, showing her transformation from a young, inexperienced archaeologist into the hardened adventurer known across the globe. The game follows Lara and her friends as they get shipwrecked on a mysterious island, which is plagued by dark forces, supernatural elements, and a dangerous cult. Lara must navigate this perilous environment, surviving brutal conditions and unraveling the island's mysteries while trying to rescue her friends.
Pros:
- Compelling Character Development: Laras journey from an uncertain, vulnerable individual to a confident and resourceful adventurer is well-paced and believable. The game focuses on Laras emotional growth, which adds depth to her character.
- Gripping Plot: The narrative keeps you engaged with its mix of survival horror, action, and adventure, as Lara uncovers the island's secrets and the mystery of the cult. While the story isnt groundbreaking, its still engaging and filled with twists and turns.
- Atmosphere: The island environment, with its dense forests, treacherous cliffs, and abandoned temples, feels like a living, breathing world. The sense of isolation and danger makes the story feel intense and immersive.
Cons:
- Predictable Tropes: While the story is engaging, some of the plot points feel familiar or borrowed from other survival and adventure games, especially when dealing with the island's supernatural elements.
- Supporting Characters: Some of the supporting characters are underdeveloped, which makes it harder to care about their fate. While Laras development is a strong point, others don't feel as fleshed out or as important to the plot.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Tomb Raider (Essentials) blends exploration, puzzle-solving, combat, and stealth. The game focuses heavily on a third-person perspective with combat and climbing mechanics that set the stage for future action-adventure games.
Pros:
- Exploration and Puzzle-Solving: The game offers a great sense of exploration as you traverse a variety of environments, such as forests, caves, and ancient ruins. The puzzles are satisfying and feel integrated into the surroundings.
- Combat Mechanics: The combat system is highly refined, offering both close-quarters and ranged combat. Lara can use a variety of weapons, including a bow, pistols, and rifles. The mechanics are fluid, and Laras movements are responsive during combat encounters, whether youre shooting or using stealth to take down enemies.
- Skill Progression: As Lara survives and uncovers more of the island, she earns experience points, which can be used to upgrade her skills and weapons. The RPG-like progression system adds depth to the gameplay, as you can tailor Laras abilities to suit your playstyle.
- Platforming and Stealth: There are plenty of platforming sections, where Lara climbs, jumps, and swings across gaps, making for some exciting, challenging moments. Stealth is also encouraged in certain sections, where you can silently take out enemies or sneak around them.
- Engaging Side Missions and Collectibles: The island is full of collectibles, challenges, and side missions. These add replay value to the game and give you reasons to explore every corner of the map.
Cons:
- Linear Level Design: While theres a good amount of exploration, the game remains mostly linear. Some players may miss the wide-open areas or the freedom to roam in a fully open-world setting.
- Combat Can Feel Repetitive: The combat system, while fluid, can become repetitive over time. Fending off waves of enemies or completing the same types of combat encounters may start to feel less exciting, especially as you progress.
- Limited Enemy Variety: The games enemies mostly fall into a few archetypes, and though they get progressively harder, they lack much variety in terms of behavior or appearance.
Verdict
Tomb Raider (Essentials) on PS3 is a fantastic action-adventure game that effectively reinvents the Tomb Raider series. With a gripping story, fantastic gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals, it offers a complete and immersive experience. Laras emotional journey is both compelling and relatable, making it one of the best reboots of a franchise in recent memory. The inclusion of all DLC adds value to the package, but it is not without its flaws. The combat can become repetitive, and the game is somewhat linear, but these dont detract significantly from the overall experience.
Overall Rating:
- Gameplay: 9/10
- Story: 8/10
- Graphics: 8/10
- Sound: 9/10
- Replayability: 8/10
- Overall: 8.5/10
Tomb Raider (Essentials) is a must-play for fans of action-adventure games and a great introduction to the Tomb Raider series for newcomers. Despite some minor issues, it offers a thrilling, emotional, and visually impressive journey.
