Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration

Despite some mechanical rough edges born of its time, Rise of the Tomb Raider on Switch 2 proves to be a quality surprise, capable of entertaining and still being fully appreciated today. Don’t expect the same quality as the original series, but it’s still fun.

Rise of the Tomb Raider on Nintendo Switch 2 proves to be a good port that entertains in the right way, even if not always perfectly. There's room for improvement, especially regarding moments where some input lag is noticeable and a mouse mode that isn't always flawless. For everything else, what you'll have in your hands is a truly fantastic game that every action/adventure-loving gamer should try at least once. Moreover, if you've never played it before and want to enjoy its portability, then this Switch 2 version could really be the right fit for you. Rise of the Tomb Raider takes everything Crystal Dynamics did well with the first reboot and elevates it to the next level. The edition in question also includes new stories, additional costumes, and modes that will put players' skills to the test. With a few small compromises, Lara is reborn (once again) on Nintendo's flagship console, perhaps awaiting Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the concluding chapter of the Survivor trilogy.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a game still worth playing ten years later, but it also deserved more effort in the porting process.

In the end, this port of Rise of the Tomb Raider is as good as the game itself. The scope of the environments and presence of side tombs make the world feel ripe for exploration. The combination of stealth and combat works well, but shooting still feels a tad off. The inclusion of different extra modes and content gives you enough of a reason to return to the game after finishing the main campaign. The presentation is very solid, even if it falls a step below the original Xbox One iteration. If you've somehow never experienced this title before, the Switch 2 version is a good way to do so. Here's hoping that it doesn't take a new console release before Shadow of the Tomb Raider makes its way to a Nintendo platform.

While I do think that playing Rise of the Tomb Raider is pretty clunky and has not aged particularly well, I still had a fun time experiencing the game for the first time on Nintendo Switch 2. Over the course of a weekend I completed the main story, explored all the hidden tombs and had a lovely burst of nostalgia for an era of AAA games that is slowly coming back into fashion. Game mechanics and the overall player experience have improved significantly over the past eleven years. Yet, Rise of the Tomb Raider is still not too far removed from that time, allowing you to easily pick up and enjoy the experience today. Given that it kept me entertained and enthralled for a full weekend does say something about the quality on display here. Even if I’ve had my fill of this particular type of game for now. I’d be happy locking it away in a tomb, hoping that someone else may stumble upon it in the future one day and get some enjoyment out of it.

The second part no longer has to carry the Switch 1 behind it, which helps arrive in proper shape - the heroine's hair looks good, everything works properly, and 30 fps doesn't bother anything. I appreciate the continuation of the trilogy, although I personally have low patience for games of this type - cinematic with fake jumps and constant help towards the player. And the gyro here is still not for shooting.

While not breaking away from the initial reboot title enough to demonstrate a clear evolution, it still plays brilliantly on the Switch 2 and is a rock-solid good time.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a great addition to the Switch 2 library, standing as a strong example of the vision of the platform offering full-fat home console gaming on the go. Satisfying exploration, incredible visuals, and loads of content all running at a smooth 30fps combine to make this a must-have buy for your personal library, even if a forgettable story and some occasionally wonky controls hold this one back from perfection. I’d suggest you pick this one up at the next available opportunity – it’ll keep you busy for a while and is especially the kind of game that really shines in handheld.

It's still an awesome adventure, but some control issues burden the experience a bit. Even so, Rise of the Tomb Raider offers an intense, rich and spectacular eperience on Switch 2.