Tomb Raider is a 2013 action-adventure video game developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Square Enix, released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, OS X, and Linus.  Serving as the tenth entry in the Tomb Raider franchise and as a reboot, the game follows an untested and not yet battle-hardened explorer Lara, who must save her friends and escape the island of Yamatai while being hunted down by a malevolent cult.

Campaign:  Features a very extensive gameplay experience with a really engaging story as well as a roster of great characters.  The story follows Lara and crew who are on their way to Yamatai when they’re shipwrecked and left stranded on the island. While trying to escape the island Lara has to survive the elements as well as the island’s populace who are a cult called the Solarii Brotherhood who worship the “Sun Queen” Himiko. The story is really intense with the major bit being Lara’s developing arc, either her fighting nature or fighting the Solarii.

Lara is just a great character and the younger less experienced Lara is strong yet vulnerable and all around likable.  The supporting characters are filled with personality with my favorite being Conrad Roth, Samantha “Sam” Nishimura, Jonah Maiava, and Joslyn Reyes. The main antagonist is the leader of the Solarii named Mathias, who’s a decent bad guy. There is some understandable motivation. Is the campaign challenging?  Yes, but it is fun as hell.  The world is expansive and the exploration keeps the campaign from being linear as players can choose to continue the story whenever they choose. (4 out of 5)

Gameplay:  Gameplay allows players to take control of the lead character Lara from a third-person perspective.  Combat is fast paced with challenging NPCs. Players utilize close quarters, stealth, and free aim with their weapons to take on their enemies.  The bow is probably the best and funnest weapon in the game.  

The RPG elements include leveling up Lara’s hunting, combat, and exploration skills.  Weapons, equipment, and items can be upgraded through the use of leveling up and scavenging for loot. Perhaps one of the best and the worst gameplay elements are the quick time events. The QTEs often keep the cinematics engaging but at the same time there are way too many of them. (4 out of 5)

Graphics:  Visually the game is brilliant in nearly every aspect of the game’s design and it’s safe to say the best looking Tomb Raider game since this game’s release.  The cinematics give a very life-like appearance to the characters and the way they are captured helps the dramatic effect and the suspenseful atmosphere. I love how well the tension’s captured which makes the cinematic sequences impactful and engaging. Even transitioning from the cinematics to in-game is seamless.

The in-game graphics are just as beautifully crafted. The environments are massive with great backdrops and beautiful scenery that are just a beauty to behold.  There are so many moments where I just stopped and watched the ocean, or the clouds, or the mountains and forest in the distance. Animals populate the forest making the world feel really vibrant. Really one of the few problems I had with the graphics was Lara’s hair. It has a decent look on the Xbox 360 and PS3 but on the Xbox One and PS4 it’s pretty obvious because it looks stringy. (5 out of 5)

Score:  The score is just fantastic and is as beautifully crafted as the graphics.  The voice performances are of the highest quality with Camilla Luddington leading the cast as the young Lara Croft.  The supporting cast includes Robin Atkin Downes (Conrad Roth), Cooper Thorton (James Whitman), Robert Craighead (Matthias), Arden Cho (Samantha Nishimura/Himiko), Andy Hoff (Alex Weiss), Earl Baylon (Jonah Maiava), Tanya Alexander (Joslin Reyes), and James Walsh (Angus Grimaldi).

The environments have a very vibrant sound that maintains an immersive atmosphere.  The combination of nature as well as the animals make the environment feel vibrant.  The music is just epic.  When the action is going the soundtrack reinforces it. (5 out of 5)

Replay Value:  The game features a lot in terms of replayability. In addition to the main story, players can revisit locations, search for hidden tombs, complete multiple side quests, and explore the island.  Also, players can search for salvage to upgrade weapons, earn experience points to upgrade skills and abilities.  There is more than enough to content to keep players engaged whether they take to it during the main story or after it. The game can be played on a harder difficulty for players who enjoy a challenge.

The multiplayer modes (Team Deathmatch, Cry for Help, and Private Rescue) are pretty fun.  Team Deathmatch focuses on players against players in two four man teams. Private Rescue the “survivors” team must take medical supplies to a specific point on the map, while the “scavengers” must reach a certain number of kills, both within a ten-minute time limit.  Cry for Help involves the “survivors” exploring the maps and retrieving batteries for defended radio beacons while being hunted by the “scavengers”. They could’ve been better had it been utilized for co-op during the main campaign or better missions.   (4 out of 5)

The Verdict:  In the end, Tomb Raider is definitely one of the best reboots in video game history as well as a great game.  Fans of the franchise will definitely appreciate the new game elements.  The game features great voice performances, a good story, extensive campaign, tons of replayability, a great score, and great graphics. Tomb Raider gets 5 out of 5.