Getting into gun-fu fights straight out of John Wick across the roofs of Japanese skyscrapers contrasts massively with navigating a broken-down amusement park themed around King Arthur. That means, instead of drip-feeding the player’s capabilities, Tomb Raider: Legend focuses on environmental challenges and providing options for overcoming them. It’s not the greatest story ever told - most adventure tales rarely are - but Lara’s quest to uncover the origins of an eldritch sword and mystical gateway is instantly engaging.Īnd save for a late-game weapon and some unlockables for replay value, Lara’s equipment is fully realized from the start.

Though her motivations are inwardly focused, we can empathize in those moments. In a way, it’s a bit like she’s finally putting her mother to rest. In Tomb Raider: Legend, rather than fortune or glory, Lara is seeking knowledge to uncover the truth for her own peace of mind. Her mother isn’t some anonymous figure alluded to, but someone immediately sympathetic and caring, trying desperately to protect her daughter while never sheltering her. Her mother presumably died as a result of Lara uncovering an artifact after they survived a plane crash. Flashbacks to an even younger Lara at the start of the game layer on why she fearlessly strives to uncover ancient secrets. She learns the hard way that the old world may be dead, but that doesn’t mean it’s without dangers. Young Lara, sporting her classic explorer outfit, is naive and eager to explore without thinking of bringing a gun to a tomb. Whereas the tragedy of Lara’s friends on Yamatai in the 2013 reboot unfolds across the entire game that’s double the length of its predecessor, Legend’s equivalent story beat occurs across a single level. Legend doesn’t waste time getting started. Though 2006’s Legend shows its age in terms of scale and fidelity, it’s the purest follow-up possible to classic Tomb Raider. A Lara who is equally more feminist-minded without sacrificing her sass and charm. It’s a pitch-perfect reimagining of series staples while modernizing them for their present times. Though the Survivor trilogy gets the majority of the limelight these days, I gotta be honest - Crystal Dynamics has yet to top its first series reboot with the Tomb Raider: Legend trilogy.Īnd what a trilogy it is! You’ve got two wholly original entries and an integrated remake of the original Tomb Raider adventure, all telling one cohesive, memorable story from start to finish. Yet in a rare turn of events, Crystal Dynamics has had two opportunities to re-envision Core Design’s famous adventure heroine. Starting over isn’t easy, especially after a colossal misfire like Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness.

Glory of the tomb raider