Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: Jan. 28, 2014
Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Action/ Adventure
MSRP: $59.99
With the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Crystal Dynamics has not only revitalized a classic franchise that defined a previous console era, but also they’ve created an incredibly visceral cinematic experience akin to a feature length film. The game plays with such fluid grace on the PlayStation 4, immersing gamers in an amazingly detailed world that permeates with the perils and majesty of adventure.
This is without a doubt the definitive Lara Croft adventure; we see her as not an infallible hero using skill and cunning, but a more primal, instinctual side that brings her to life.
The Definitive Edition paints a remarkably vivid and memorable journey throughout the heart of history, cleaving a path through the mysteries of ancient myths and marrying that particular awe with the rigors of survival. Lara Croft is put to the test many times, and we see her face the test of courage with the heart of a lion; she is in many ways the definitive heroine, encapsulating a mystique that’s part femme fatale part Indiana Jones.
The game takes players through a myriad of stunning environments across Yamatai; from the sweltering wilders of the forests to the snow-covered highlands in the north. The ferocious storms beat against the coast, infusing a sense of dread to players. It’s been said that no one leaves Yamatai–the island’s dangers betray its beauty–but if Lara intends to escape alive, she will have to solve the centuries-old puzzle of Queen Himiko’s shamanistic reign.
Yamatai, the heart of eternal mystery
Tomb Raider is a unique game with a varied story arc that exemplifies the heart of Lara Croft’s iconic adventures. Set in the mythical island of Yamatai, a mysterious island off the coast of Japan in the infamous Dragon’s Triangle, the game chronicles the plight of Lara Croft and the rest of the crew of their expedition ship.
The prestige in finding artifacts and clues from Queen Himiko’s reign draw forth Dr. James Whitman and the crew of the Endurance, including Lara Croft. Whitman, who hosts a TV reality show focused on ancient finds, sees great possibility in the venture–but his avarice leads to the Endurance getting capsized by one of the island’s infamous storms.
Separated from her crew and washed up on the island of Yamatai, Lara is pushed to her limits and must use her instincts and wit in order to survive the perils of the island: ruthless smugglers, chaotic storms, hunger, etc. Along the way she finds ancient relics and clues, piecing together the history of Yamatai — and ultimately discovers the truth in the island’s living storms…but the cost is high.
The story and plot have a myriad of clever twists and turns, spinning a nice webwork of treachery that ultimately shines with its film-like quality. Players will see an adventure that perfectly underlines the character of Lara Croft, seeing a transformation take place as she fights for her life every step of the way.
Piercing the Veil: Game Mechanics, skills, progression and more
Starting off, Lara has little in the way of supplies and tools. Using her Survival Instincts, players will be able to see clues that are highlighted in gold throughout every area. This is the basis to progression in some ways, and it’s very handy to see where you need to go next.
The PS4 version also utilizes the PS4′s touchpad in a very advantageous way. When pressing the touchpad, a mapscreen is brought up, and players can navigate their current location using the pad. The map in itself is amazing, and you can plot out certain areas with markers that show up as in-game waypoints when survival instincts are activated.
Gameplay in Tomb Raider waves away the clunky controls and annoying camera angles that plagued the classic game. We’re met with the same third-person view, but the*controls are exceedingly fluid and play extremely well with the DualShock 4 controller.
Gamers will get used to utilizing Lara Croft’s flexibility and feline prowess in battle, getting a true feel for the heroine’s inner strength with every leap and death-defying climb session. In many ways, Lara seems like a superhero; she can leap and grab narrow crags with the tips of her fingers, perform acrobatic stunts that mirror that of Ezio or Altair, and execute deadly arrow-strikes with her bow–all while keeping her balance walking across narrow logs at dizzying heights.
The game features a variety of mechanics that are blended masterfully and reflect the content posed by the original series. Players will come across many puzzles throughout their journey across Yamatai, most of which are featured in ancient tombs. The tombs have elaborate puzzles to solve utilizing various tools in Lara’s arsenal, and offer a look into the heart of the ancient realm of Yamatai.
Tomb Raider also features a dynamic RPG system wherein players can assign skill points to allocate certain abilities. These abilities range from passives to unlocked skills, and are incredibly helpful in various ways throughout the game. There are three tiers of skills in Tomb Raider: Survivor (upgrades that help Lara spot key items in environments), Hunter (offensive abilities based on combat), and Brawler (combat skills based on close combat).
Upgrades, whether they are applied to Lara’s skillset via earned XP or applied to weapons with salvage, can only be attained when visiting a camp. Camps are unlocked in various zones throughout Yamatai, and allow Lara to rest as well as give players a strategic position to look over their skills, upgrades, and change Lara’s outfits.
Combat is a big part of the game, and there are many ways Lara can execute her enemies, all of which depend on your particular strategies. Skills can be assigned in any order in the three trees, and it can be advantageous to mix things up as there are different enemies. Lara can be the silent assassin taking out baddies in the shadows with her swift and deadly attacks, using her bow as to not alert enemies…or she can go all out in a flurry of gunfire with the assault rifle.
When not in combat, Lara will have to battle the island itself. The environs of Yamatai are incredibly detailed and varied, making for a beautiful and engaging experience that truly makes every area unique. Players will taken into the innards of the earth itself via elaborate cave systems and across the open skies atop high precipices, climbing and jumping across terrifying jumps in an effort to move onward.
The game also utilizes QTEs (quick-time events) that make cinematic scenes much more interesting. Sometimes you’ll need to wiggle the left analog stick from side to side so that Lara can avoid getting smashed by a giant rock, or press Triangle at the right moment to knock an enemy over the edge of a cliff–it all depends. But wherever the QTE’s are, they make things much more enthralling and enjoyable.
Breaking the mold
The Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is indeed a superb gaming experience that takes gamers through a timeless journey through the heart of ancient history and adventure. The story arc is masterfully conducted in such a way to reflect a cinematic experience, and gameplay is infused with a multitude of dynamics that make for a remarkably well-balanced game.
The visceral and gritty nature of Crystal Dynamic’s reboot give it a life of its own, but it shines the brightest with Lara Croft’s refined grace. She is the ultimate heroine, depicted in a such a way where she defies all odds and fights tooth and nail against opposition at all sides. The game’s use of historical elements furthers its authenticity to the Tomb Raider canon, and widens the scope of the series altogether.
With overwhelming beauty and dazzling graphics, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition on PS4 is a spectacle of pure visual delight, bringing with it a new definition for the series as a whole. The gameplay is engaging and absorbing, transporting players to a distant island stuck in the fog of myth, riddled with secrecy and danger.
Everything from the animations to the character voices and even the sunlight is a leap into perfection, making this game one of the most impressive titles on the PlayStation 4.
Pros
+ Amazing graphics and visuals
+ Engaging action
+ Well-placed QED’s
+ Blend of adventure, RPG & FPS
+ Grace and fluidity of controls
+ Puzzle elements
+ History-infused story arc
Cons
- Base camp screen flash
- Lack of challenge
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