Tomb Raider: Legend: The Review

Tomb Raider: Legend: The Review

Score: 7 out of 10

Overview: "Tomb Raider: Legend marked the return of the iconic Lara Croft with a modernized approach to the franchise. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, the game introduced a sleeker, more agile Lara, while blending action, exploration, and puzzles in an adventure that spans the globe. While it successfully reinvigorates the series with updated controls and a cinematic flair, the experience is somewhat hampered by its short length, uneven difficulty, and dated design elements. Despite these flaws, it’s an enjoyable, action-packed return for one of gaming’s most famous heroines."

The Positives

• This installment presents a more relatable and athletic version of Lara Croft, with fluid animations and a confident, charismatic personality. Her acrobatics feel natural and responsive, adding to the enjoyment of traversal;
• From the snow-covered mountains of Nepal to the jungles of Bolivia and the ruins of Ghana, each level offers a distinct and visually varied location. The sense of exploration is bolstered by impressive (for its time) visuals and atmospheric environments;
• The addition of a lock-on targeting system and acrobatic maneuvers makes combat dynamic and easy to pick up, allowing players to focus on fluid action sequences;
• The game retains its classic tomb raiding roots, offering environmental puzzles that require observation and critical thinking. While not overly complex, they add a nice balance to the action-heavy gameplay;
• Cutscenes and scripted sequences are handled with a polished, Hollywood-style flair, giving the game a cinematic quality that helps elevate its story and action;
• The narrative delves into Lara’s past, exploring her quest to uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance. This personal angle gives the story more emotional weight than previous titles in the series;
• Hunting for hidden treasures and relics adds replay value, encouraging players to fully explore the levels and uncover every secret.

The Negatives

• With only a handful of levels, the game can be completed in under 10 hours. Its brevity leaves little time for the story to fully develop or for players to feel a true sense of progression;
• While fun, combat lacks depth and variety, with encounters becoming repetitive as enemies follow predictable patterns;
• While Lara’s movement is largely smooth, certain mechanics—like grappling or platforming at tight angles—can feel finicky and frustrating during critical moments;
• The game fluctuates between being too easy in combat and frustratingly precise during platforming sections, which may lead to uneven pacing;
• While impressive at launch, some character models and textures feel dated by today’s standards. Voice acting and sound design, while decent, occasionally fail to match the game’s more cinematic aspirations;
• Levels are mostly linear, with only small pockets of exploration. Players seeking expansive, open-ended tombs may find this iteration somewhat restrictive.

The Experience

Tomb Raider: Legend serves as a solid reboot for Lara Croft, updating the gameplay and character for a modern audience while retaining the core elements of exploration and adventure. Its fast-paced action, cinematic storytelling, and globetrotting levels deliver a fun, albeit brief, experience that reestablishes Lara as a gaming icon.

Though not without its flaws, Tomb Raider: Legend is an enjoyable entry for fans of the series and newcomers alike. It’s a worthwhile adventure for those looking to step into the boots of the world’s most famous archaeologist and a promising foundation for future installments.