The best Lara Croft and Tomb Raider games
- 8 years ago
TOMB RAIDER
If you are excited for Lara Croft Rise of the Tomb Raider, but have not yet played the 2013 reboot of the franchise – simply known as Tomb Raider – then I suggest you grab that and start playing.
This story of Lara Croft, written by Rihanna Pratchet, lays out the genesis of this kick ass character. An archeologist that specialized in Japanese history, her and her friends are ship wrecked as they search for the legendary lost kingdom of Yamatai. Separated from the others and must brave the elements fend for herself.
Hard enough under normal circumstances, but the island the group are stranded is indeed the home of Yamatai, and is filled with dangers. From a religious mercenary cult that is out for any riches they can find, to mythical Japanese demons known as Oni, Lara must beat them all to rescue her friends and reach safety as she transforms from timid scientist in to hardened, bow-weilding, survivor.
This adventure takes the hero from the highest peaks to the lowest caves, and it all looks and plays fantastically as the action switches between navigation, combat, and environmental puzzle solving. Along the way Lara grows in confidence, skill, and resilience in a way that satisfies the story, your gameplay, and her establishment as the star of this franchise.
Absolutely brilliant.
Tomb Raider Guardian of Light
Released back in 2010, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light was a smaller spin off from the main Tomb Raider franchise. Latching on to the popular twin-stick shooter mechanic, it took the ancient exploration motif of the main series and created an isometric action game with a focus on puzzle solving.
The more arcade-y nature of Guardian of Light´s controls lead to a far faster pace of play than most Tomb Raider titles, with enemies coming thick and fast, and the onus being on you to take them down quickly rather than utilizing stealth and guile.
To help with this the game introduced Totec, a Mayan Warrior and leader of the guardians of light. This all plays into the plot that begins 2000 years ago in central American, and results in Totec and the evil Xolotl being imprisoned until the present day. Cue Lara freeing them both along with trolls, giant, spiders, and other demonic hordes to be shot and speared to death.
Totec’s is more than a mere plot device however, as his inclusion also allows for some fast place multiplay and co-op action. Lara and Totec must work together to solve many of the games puzzles, from both of them pushing blocks and boulders to Totec throwing spears to be used as platforms for Lara to navigate her way to other areas to unlock the path forward.
An excellent combination of action and problem solving for two players to enjoy together.
Lara Croft GO
Lara Croft GO is a Tomb Raider game that continues Square Enix’s GO series of titles that started with Hitman GO. Taking some of their biggest franchises, this mobile exclusive series turns iconic games into turn-based strategy games, that have more than a passing similarity to board games.
These games have a stunning look, with every puzzle based stage looking like a beautiful diorama. Lara Croft GO has perfected this - adding more color, animation, and enemy variety to make each new stage and their puzzles feel distinct. It even manages to inject some level of dread and trepidation through its use of color and scale – particularly when huge lizards smash their way across completed areas.
Being a turn based game, you get your chance to move and attack, and then all of the monsters and other hazards in the world get to take their GO. It’s simple to control, with simple swipes being all that is need to move Lara from one space to the next.
But don’t think that means it is easy, you’ll spend plenty of time working out exactly how many spaces that spider can move before you commit to an action, or trying to work out the best route from A to B without ever passing through the view of vicious snakes who instantly attack if they see you.
It terms of gameplay it may be the biggest departure for the series, but it remains faithful to the Tomb Raider feel and is probably the best portable Lara game going… get it… going… coz GO.
If you are excited for Lara Croft Rise of the Tomb Raider, but have not yet played the 2013 reboot of the franchise – simply known as Tomb Raider – then I suggest you grab that and start playing.
This story of Lara Croft, written by Rihanna Pratchet, lays out the genesis of this kick ass character. An archeologist that specialized in Japanese history, her and her friends are ship wrecked as they search for the legendary lost kingdom of Yamatai. Separated from the others and must brave the elements fend for herself.
Hard enough under normal circumstances, but the island the group are stranded is indeed the home of Yamatai, and is filled with dangers. From a religious mercenary cult that is out for any riches they can find, to mythical Japanese demons known as Oni, Lara must beat them all to rescue her friends and reach safety as she transforms from timid scientist in to hardened, bow-weilding, survivor.
This adventure takes the hero from the highest peaks to the lowest caves, and it all looks and plays fantastically as the action switches between navigation, combat, and environmental puzzle solving. Along the way Lara grows in confidence, skill, and resilience in a way that satisfies the story, your gameplay, and her establishment as the star of this franchise.
Absolutely brilliant.
Tomb Raider Guardian of Light
Released back in 2010, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light was a smaller spin off from the main Tomb Raider franchise. Latching on to the popular twin-stick shooter mechanic, it took the ancient exploration motif of the main series and created an isometric action game with a focus on puzzle solving.
The more arcade-y nature of Guardian of Light´s controls lead to a far faster pace of play than most Tomb Raider titles, with enemies coming thick and fast, and the onus being on you to take them down quickly rather than utilizing stealth and guile.
To help with this the game introduced Totec, a Mayan Warrior and leader of the guardians of light. This all plays into the plot that begins 2000 years ago in central American, and results in Totec and the evil Xolotl being imprisoned until the present day. Cue Lara freeing them both along with trolls, giant, spiders, and other demonic hordes to be shot and speared to death.
Totec’s is more than a mere plot device however, as his inclusion also allows for some fast place multiplay and co-op action. Lara and Totec must work together to solve many of the games puzzles, from both of them pushing blocks and boulders to Totec throwing spears to be used as platforms for Lara to navigate her way to other areas to unlock the path forward.
An excellent combination of action and problem solving for two players to enjoy together.
Lara Croft GO
Lara Croft GO is a Tomb Raider game that continues Square Enix’s GO series of titles that started with Hitman GO. Taking some of their biggest franchises, this mobile exclusive series turns iconic games into turn-based strategy games, that have more than a passing similarity to board games.
These games have a stunning look, with every puzzle based stage looking like a beautiful diorama. Lara Croft GO has perfected this - adding more color, animation, and enemy variety to make each new stage and their puzzles feel distinct. It even manages to inject some level of dread and trepidation through its use of color and scale – particularly when huge lizards smash their way across completed areas.
Being a turn based game, you get your chance to move and attack, and then all of the monsters and other hazards in the world get to take their GO. It’s simple to control, with simple swipes being all that is need to move Lara from one space to the next.
But don’t think that means it is easy, you’ll spend plenty of time working out exactly how many spaces that spider can move before you commit to an action, or trying to work out the best route from A to B without ever passing through the view of vicious snakes who instantly attack if they see you.
It terms of gameplay it may be the biggest departure for the series, but it remains faithful to the Tomb Raider feel and is probably the best portable Lara game going… get it… going… coz GO.