Title: Rise of the Tomb Raider 20th Anniversary
Original Title: Rise of the Tomb Raider
Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC
Developed: Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal
Publisher: Square Enix
Reviewed on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR
Rise of the Tomb Raider was originally released as an exclusive title for Xbox One and PC back in 2015. But now one year later, PlayStation owners can enjoy the next big adventure of Lara Croft.
Rise of the Tomb Raider on the PlayStation 4 is something we can call an remastered version or Definitive edition. Upscaled graphics, textures and added a lot of new stuff to do as well.
This review will cover all the new content, and not depending on “old story and DLC”.
(Anniversary Trailer)
What’s New + Graphics
Me personally would say that this anniversary edition of Tomb Raider is very basic level on the upscaled graphics and so on. It’s not bad at all, it’s “bloody excellent”.
But what is different with this version of the game, than the original. All the additional DLC is there, but they also added a few more content. The biggest add on is the side mission “Blood Ties”. Here you play completely in Croft Manor, Lara’s home, known from the classic PS1 games twenty years ago. This mission is also available to play through the PlayStation VR.
Look into the fate of Lara’s mother, using clues and objects hidden around the manor.
The real treats of all the new materials, as the “old ones” could have been freebies instead of paid DLC is cosmetics, plus two new additions and enhanced Endurance mode. One addition i mention earlier Blood Ties, but the second one is Lara’s nightmare.
In Lara’s nightmare, we play through zombie challenge-survive-mode. It’s fun to play this mode sometimes as a break from the main content in the game.
VR
I’ve tried to play “Blood Ties” mission inside the PSVR, but found it very difficult to control Lara around the house. At some points i almost throwed my controller away because of irritation of small things that should have worked. For instance, opening closets, picking up books and so on.
The Verdict
Lara Croft’s “new” adventure isn’t quite the definitive version on the PlayStation 4 system, though the graphics looks bloody excellent. Smooth gameplay and frame rate makes this game even better than before. New additions like Blood Ties didn’t appeal to me, as i struggle with the controllers, but the rest of the content I enjoyed. But Rise of the Tomb Raider is competing against Uncharted 4 this year for best adventure game and Tomb Raider isn’t getting at the top. But for me, second place is good enough.
8/10
+ Still a great game, after one year
+ Smoother gameplay and frame rate
+ Enjoyable extra content
– Difficult controllers in VR Mode
– Blood Ties feels pushed forward
