Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Review – A Nostalgic Trip Hindered by Technical Issue
Lara Croft, with her fearless British explorer’s charm, keeps us glued to her quests for old treasures, braving risky tombs, and taking bold risks. Still, the new version of her first three adventures doesn’t quite hit the mark because of a few big problems.
Presentation: 7/10
The remastered visuals are undoubtedly the highlight of this collection, breathing new life into environments with enhanced lighting, shadows, particle effects, and character models. The jump in visual fidelity while maintaining the original aesthetic is commendable, offering players the option to toggle between the classic and remastered visuals on the fly.
Gameplay: 5/10
Despite aspirations to preserve the original experiences, the execution falls short, primarily due to cumbersome controls, erratic camera behavior, and frustrating level design elements. The tank-like controls make navigation and combat feel like a chore, while platforming suffers from input lag and unreliable responsiveness. Enclosed spaces exacerbate the camera issues, often leading to frustration and progress-halting setbacks.
Content: 8/10
The core gameplay loop of puzzle-solving, exploration, platforming, and combat remains intact across multiple levels set in diverse global locations. The narrative, while over-the-top by today’s standards, still provides a solid motivation to explore these environments and connect the dots. The addition of remastered visuals breathes new life into the familiar locales, offering a fresh perspective for both newcomers and fans of the originals.
Overall: 6/10
Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane for fans of the original titles, with revamped visuals adding a layer of modern polish. However, technical issues such as cumbersome controls, erratic camera behavior, and frustrating level design elements detract from the overall experience. While die-hard fans may find value in revisiting these classics, newcomers seeking a more contemporary gameplay experience may find better alternatives elsewhere.