Review: Rise of the Tomb Raider

The iconic Lara Croft went through hell in the last installment, released in 2013. Stranded on a remote island, the young and inexperienced archaeologist was forced to become a survivor‑adventurer. Now, in Rise of the Tomb Raider, Lara is battle‑hardened and sets out to claim a priceless relic—the source of eternal life. But does the game deliver? Find out in my full review!

This time, Rise of the Tomb Raider takes every strength of its predecessor and refines them—then adds even more. The semi‑open world is packed with hidden secrets, ancient relics, intense action, and breathtaking vistas. The story also deepens, showing a more driven Lara Croft, determined to honor her father’s archaeological legacy.

Lara’s obsession is the Divine Source, a relic said to grant immortality, long pursued by her father, Richard Croft. The problem? She isn’t the only one searching. The shadowy organization Trinity stalks her every move, determined to seize the artifact first.

The script is well written, full of twists, and effectively charts Lara’s growth from rookie survivor to seasoned explorer. It’s fully dubbed in Brazilian Portuguese, though it takes a little while for the tone to click—once it does, the performances bring Lara’s emotions to life.

The journey spans from war‑torn Syria to the frozen peaks of Siberia. Lara’s toolkit has expanded: her climbing axe plus rope enables daring leaps, her bow fires grapple arrows to build makeshift zip‑lines, and every arrow or bullet can be crafted on the fly.

Exploration is almost completely non‑linear. Beyond main story beats, you’re free to probe every cave and ruin at your own pace. This is where Rise truly shines—discovering hidden tombs, secret crypts, and long‑lost relics.

The “challenge tombs” are the real highlight, offering intricate puzzles and rewards that unlock powerful new abilities, recapturing the spirit of classic Tomb Raider. Confronting Trinity’s forces, Lara is no longer defenseless: pistols, shotguns, rifles, and homemade explosives turn her into a formidable combatant.

Combat can be brutal and fast‑paced. On “Veteran Survivor” difficulty (the equivalent of Hard), even well‑armed enemies can drop you with just a few hits—no stormtrooper‑style aim here.

Yet combat feels generic—most encounters boil down to the same shoot‑and‑take‑cover formula. Stealth kills are an option, but thanks to tight enemy placements, silent takedowns often aren’t practical. You do earn a bit of bonus XP for stealth, but rarely enough to justify struggling through every camp undetected.

Another minor gripe: you must press a button to loot each fallen enemy. In battles where dozens fall, manually scavenging each body becomes tedious. Some skill upgrades boost auto‑looting, but even then it’s a hit‑or‑miss affair. Why not allow you to simply run over bodies to pick up everything at once?

The imbalance between combat and exploration is unfortunate. With so many beautifully designed environments—from lush forests to ice‑clad peaks—the emphasis on shooting feels like a missed opportunity. A few more integrated puzzles during the main story would have kept the pace varied.

The vistas, however, are stunning. Rise’s graphics are top‑tier, aside from rare clipping issues and occasional frame dips in cutscenes. A “photo mode” would have been a welcome addition to capture its gorgeous landscapes.

Finally, hats off to the art team—every locale, from crumbled ruins to icy caverns, bursts with detail. Transitions between gameplay and cutscenes flow seamlessly, enhancing the cinematic feel.

And you, what do you think of Rise of the Tomb Raider?