Shadow of the Tomb Raider

 PC
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 599 out of 1104
  2. Mixed: 326 out of 1104
  3. Negative: 179 out of 1104

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  1. dislexicpotato
    Jun 17, 2020
    6
    What a complete disappointment.

    Finally got around to playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider just recently as I wanted to wait until I got my new computer to play the game. So here are my thoughts: Graphics: A massive mixed bag, the in game cut scenes look fantastic as well as the lighting and overall the game looks pretty solid, however sometimes the game is just downright ugly with    What a complete disappointment.

    Finally got around to playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider just recently as I wanted to wait until I got my new computer to play the game. So here are my thoughts:

    Graphics: A massive mixed bag, the in game cut scenes look fantastic as well as the lighting and overall the game looks pretty solid, however sometimes the game is just downright ugly with washed out colours, characters looking clay-like and the game often looking pixelated especially background scenery.

    Gameplay: Very similar to Rise of the Tomb Raider, except Rise of the Tomb Raider took what was good about its predecessor and improved upon it. Shadow does the opposite of this with few additions to the Rise gameplay and the game just feels so much clunkier than Rise as well as being frustrating at times with quick time events and bad level design with the game feeling incredibly linear. The game also punishes you for going stealth with the bow being practically useless since most enemies take multiple hits to kill regardless of headshots, better off going guns blazing like Uncharted.

    Story: It sucks, the devs clearly didn't care about the story so why should I? Cookie cutter two dimensional characters that are picked up and dropped like a rock, peoples motivations aren't explained and Lara is the only character that is likeable (just barely)

    Audio: The music is pretty decent, however the audio will cut out at times and the lip syncing will also go out of sync from time to time.

    Overall: To sum up, the game is noticeably worse than its predecessors. The game is too linear and holds your hand tightly with incredibly uninspired level design. It looks pretty good visually (for the most), the gameplay is fine (even though its forgettable) and the story, well you won't remember it after a day. Sadly the game is just mediocre, maybe pick it up in a couple of years during a Steam sale for $5? Almost forgot to mention, the game has quite a few bugs including visual bugs, audio bugs and gameplay bugs that require you to reload from the last checkpoint. Have fun :)

    Edit: Also realised I missed an entire scene (the cool scene where she rises from the water with flames etc) as the game just skipped it, the scene just didn't happen it cut past it, just another bug worth pointing out.    … Expand
  2. Dimpfelmoer
    Feb 23, 2020
    5
    To me SotTR was a big disappointment. To major drawbacks: A really uninspired script including bland dialog and sloppy character development and a very drab and plain Lara, neither badass nor likeable. Bearing in mind that this game came out after Horizon Zero Dawn and Lost Legacy, I wonder why the animations are so clumsy and the storyline is so predictable. The creators must be awareTo me SotTR was a big disappointment. To major drawbacks: A really uninspired script including bland dialog and sloppy character development and a very drab and plain Lara, neither badass nor likeable. Bearing in mind that this game came out after Horizon Zero Dawn and Lost Legacy, I wonder why the animations are so clumsy and the storyline is so predictable. The creators must be aware what the current standard is. I find it utterly depressing that Uncharted is so much more Tomb Raider right now than Tomb Raider itself and no wonder this was no doing very well in terms of sales. I was such a Tomb Raider fan but really had to force myself to finish this and then didn't bother with the DLC. Really, if the creators don't go back to the Lara we love, I'm giving the next TR instalment a miss.… Expand
  3. dewdar
    Feb 6, 2022
    5
    What a letdown.

    Weak plot. Weak characters. Mellow antagonist. Same puzzles as the last one. Brain dead AI. What should be a further development upon previous games feels more like a cheap reuse of assets just to throw together a weak story with cheap writing. Lara's mood roller-coasters make even less sense, especially for someone who plays a fragile thing, when she just killed some    What a letdown.

    Weak plot. Weak characters. Mellow antagonist. Same puzzles as the last one. Brain dead AI.
    What should be a further development upon previous games feels more like a cheap reuse of assets just to throw together a weak story with cheap writing. Lara's mood roller-coasters make even less sense, especially for someone who plays a fragile thing, when she just killed some poor freelancer in cold blood. Don't get me started with the stupid ending.

    Although there are a few slight improvements, like new/better animations and better graphics, none of them make the game any better.    … Expand
  4. Demon2017
    Sep 25, 2022
    6
    В отличие от предыдущих двух, в этой части нет никакой особенности или фишки. Короткая игра с плохим сюжетом, таким же графоном и без каких-то новых фишек. Играть можно, но это проходняк и не более.
  5. accasenzaH
    Dec 4, 2020
    6
    Too similar to the previous games, the main story is very boring since its too much predictable, but its still a good game if you haven't anything better to play
  6. ymoran00
    Aug 20, 2020
    6
    It's a beautifully made game, with cool mechanics and greater-than-life graphics, but I think the name us wrong: it should be called "Psychopath Simulator". After playing it I felt that I'm not sure if I like the protagonist at all, which is not what I expect to feel in games.
    Lara Croft massacres people. She kills them from up close, with knives through their back, from the shadows. And    It's a beautifully made game, with cool mechanics and greater-than-life graphics, but I think the name us wrong: it should be called "Psychopath Simulator". After playing it I felt that I'm not sure if I like the protagonist at all, which is not what I expect to feel in games.
    Lara Croft massacres people. She kills them from up close, with knives through their back, from the shadows. And after slaughtering a few men, she can talk to an NPC and hear that he's sad, and suddenly her puppy eyes look so sad as well. She seems like a machine that learned the motion. I can't buy her air of fragility when she keeps massacring people - where's the PTSD? Feeling of regret? Even thoughts of "am I right in doing that?". No sir, she storms the tombs like a one person storm trooper, and feels nothing. I'm having difficulties finishing the game because this is chilling my blood. My own protagonist scares me. This is not a good storytelling - I've played many Naughty Dog games, and it's not like that.    … Expand
  7. Fanchylul
    Feb 20, 2022
    7
    Не смог пройти до конца, потому что головоломки стали слишком однообразными и скучными, а сюжет двигался очень медленно, но в целом игра добротная, на голову выше хорайзон форбидден вест во всех аспектах
  8. KARF4GEN
    Jun 20, 2021
    7
    Трилогия начинается привычно не плохо, с завязкой о неудачном вмешательстве мисс Крофт в работу артефакта и начало то ли конца света, то ли просто ужасных катаклизмов.
    Но затем понимаешь насколько игра душная, как много бектреккинга и все еще далеким по качеству постановки от Анчартед.. Теперь понятно почему ее бросил играть на старте и так не добрался вновь товарищ. Впрочем без бреда    Трилогия начинается привычно не плохо, с завязкой о неудачном вмешательстве мисс Крофт в работу артефакта и начало то ли конца света, то ли просто ужасных катаклизмов.
    Но затем понимаешь насколько игра душная, как много бектреккинга и все еще далеким по качеству постановки от Анчартед.. Теперь понятно почему ее бросил играть на старте и так не добрался вновь товарищ. Впрочем без бреда Рианны Пратчетт все стало намного адекватнее и приземлёнее. Сама по себе игра остается все той же Расхитительницей, но уже без интереса первой части перезапуска, при отсутствии русофобского бреда второй.
    И на том спасибо. Геймплейно ничего толком не изменилось. Бегаете туда-сюда, стреляетесь да решаете головоломки. Хваленный стелс скучный и на самом высоком уровне сложности не возникает желания пройти тихо локацию, так как проще просто снести тупейших ботов и пройти далее. И из этого вываливается проблема после прохождения нельзя добить убийства, которые остались со способностями или под бустами, тк системы столкновений из того же Анчартед банально нет. ФРиплей есть чисто дособрать артефакты и гробницы, но не добить боевые достижения. Глупо получается и не менее глупо, что спустя три года не починен квест в невидимым Писко, которому невозможно сдать квест.
    Какая же халтура, Скворечник!
    Фактически 20 часов Крофт и игрок просто бегают по условно открытым локациям с некоторым количеством НПС, которые и дают информацию и указания на секреты в окрестностях. За 20-30 часов решать головоломки не надоедает, что позволяет не заскучать смертельно, но все равно сквозное сравнение с Анчартед Тумб Райдер не выдерживает. Плюс хочу отметить, что даже спустя два года с релиза словил одинаковые баги с невидимыми НПС, дающие квесты без диалогов. Смотрится разговор Лары со стеной, об этом баге уже упоминал ранее, довольно нелепо! Нельзя списать уже на сырость игры , тк прошло достаточно времени. Это не РПГ на 200 часов, а бродилка со всеми DLC на 45! Как так?!
    Вердикт прост: на распродаже берите полное издание и ни в коем случае не за полный ценник. Скворечник нужно отучать от привычки резать свои игры и продавать в виде DLC с багами.
    Им видимо было мало разгромленных за это Deus Ex и той же Ларки с допом на час про Бабу Ягу.
    Хватит уже рвать игры на части!
    Посему несмотря на качественно проведенную работу над ошибками только строго четверка с минусом.
    [СПОЙЛЕР]
    __________
    И честно говоря лучше бы в конце ее в конце так принесли в жертву и игру перезапустили. Эта трилогия всегда хромала на обе ноги, так что будет хорошо ее перезапустить лет через пять.
    Эта Лариса себя исчерпала бесповоротно без шансов не допрыгнув до Дрейка..    … Expand
  9. AlexKVideos1
    Feb 20, 2021
    6
    Shadow of the Tomb Raider isn't a bad game, but it falls short.

    Shadow of the Tomb Raider plays it way too safe. It feels like I am playing a big story DLC for Rise of the Tomb Raider. While this can be considered a good thing, I see it as the publisher not taking enough risk, and pushing out cookie cutter games. There are improves here and there, but the game lacks the polish Rise had.    Shadow of the Tomb Raider isn't a bad game, but it falls short.

    Shadow of the Tomb Raider plays it way too safe. It feels like I am playing a big story DLC for Rise of the Tomb Raider. While this can be considered a good thing, I see it as the publisher not taking enough risk, and pushing out cookie cutter games. There are improves here and there, but the game lacks the polish Rise had. Animations are jankier, optimization seems worse, clipping, glitches are more evident. But again, its not horrible, but noticable.

    Story wise, the game actually makes you kinda hate Lara. She essentially makes a huge mistake, doesn't own up to it, and tries going right back to again save the world from Trinity! Not only do I hate playing as the main character, but her reason to exist is to fight Trinity. Again, the story is played too safe by just continuing the Trinity organization that I thought ended in Rise. Can we atleast be fighting something different now?

    Originally, I was not going to review this game. After though of hearing the review bombing because of the discount weeks after release, I decided that I couldn't give the game a pass anymore. It was the build up of everything wrong with this game, and the discount was just the cherry on the top. It shows alot when a game is put on sale weeks after release, not to the customers who willing bought the game, but to the publisher essentially showing their newly released game isn't worth $60, never mind the boat loads for the other editions.

    --The Missteps of Shadow of the Tomb Raider--
    Planning DLC before the game's release.
    Ridiculous DLC pricing, pre-orders, and editions.
    Focusing on RTX NVIDIA technology instead of core elements of the game.
    Still using Denuvo...
    Playing it too safe, gameplay and story wise.
    Making you hate Lara.
    Lacks the polish of Rise of the Tomb Raider.
    Discount 6 weeks after release.

    "Congratulations, you played yourself." -DJ Khaled    … Expand
  10. Grachechkovski
    Jun 20, 2020
    6
    Let's put it this way: if you compare the game with the previous parts or only with Raise Of Tomb Raider, the third part does not reach almost absolutely in everything; if you take it as a separate independent game, it will come down to one pass.
    What I liked (in general and in comparison with Larisa in 2016):
    - the well-designed jungle: they really look alive and full of some kind of    Let's put it this way: if you compare the game with the previous parts or only with Raise Of Tomb Raider, the third part does not reach almost absolutely in everything; if you take it as a separate independent game, it will come down to one pass.
    What I liked (in general and in comparison with Larisa in 2016):
    - the well-designed jungle: they really look alive and full of some kind of plausible flora and fauna.
    - the story went a little bit into a more personal adventure and added a little drama (just a little bit).
    - there were hubs (cities) with their lives and population (albeit scripted).
    - added some new mechanics, but they could have been added before because they would have fit into the overall gameplay.
    - The motivation of the antagonist is pleasing - at least not typical for villains of this genre of games.
    What I did not like (in general, and compared to Larissa in 2016):
    - everything is super scripted: somewhere the game helps you on purpose, and somewhere you can't get caught in the obvious ledge or jump on a plane.
    - the characters' experiences and their "game" are too underplayed in all aspects.
    - the game has turned out to be a hyper simple - as example: a skill that allows you to no longer press the lead button and more other things.
    - the passage of tombs and crypts does not motivate anybody to get some really useful cookie after passing a couple of such places.
    - for me personally, being able to kraft and change clothes is a completely useless thing in the game.
    - expected more drama from the story, and in the end only 2 or 3 scenes/levels were remembered and that's it.
    - sad from the ending at all, because I didn't expect it to be the same. But on the plus side, at least she's somehow ending Larissa's dialogue/triology of adventure.
    - the main character's appearance is less attractive, but the hips are still good.    … Expand
  11. enietogou
    Aug 11, 2020
    6
    Good game, good graphics, story cool. Worse than the last part, not counting the graphics.
  12. jarvitom
    Nov 15, 2021
    6
    Worst of the 3, no innovation, dull story and after the earlier games repetitive.
  13. lxRs451
    Nov 8, 2020
    6
    From the new trilogy, i would say this game is the weakest. The story is literally a trashy, uniniteresting blob and the same goes for all characters except maybe Lara and Jonah who have good chemistry but are separated far too often.
    Locations are the worst in the series, there's nothing interesting in them and the only saving grace are the challenge tombs.
    Tombs are by far the best    From the new trilogy, i would say this game is the weakest. The story is literally a trashy, uniniteresting blob and the same goes for all characters except maybe Lara and Jonah who have good chemistry but are separated far too often.
    Locations are the worst in the series, there's nothing interesting in them and the only saving grace are the challenge tombs.
    Tombs are by far the best part of the game and the reason i still enjoyed this game.    … Expand
  14. hughjphgames
    Dec 8, 2020
    6
    The story is ok I guess, the characters are kinda boring, there isn't much to say about it other than it was disappointing. The only reason anyone should play it is the graphics and if it wasn't for the graphics the score would be a lot lower.
  15. petrkozak13
    Dec 13, 2021
    7
    An OK closure to the new trilogy. Rise of the Tomb Raider is still the best in my opinion but this one is not a bad game by any means.
  16. PvtSmith
    Mar 28, 2022
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Play right after 2nd game, otherwise you will not understand a thing. Overall worth playing to finish off the franchise and put it to rest. Not worth purchasing at full price for sure.

    Graphical Issues:
    - Very basic, but the image output is very dull (bright areas aren't bright enough and mix up with shadows). Adding Nvidia game filter for clarity fixed it, but this should not be an issue for a AAA game.
    - It's been 4 years since release, and the dxgi_error_device_hung error that causes you to crash every 30 minutes still hasn't been fixed. It's not my GPU, Cyberpunk 2077 runs totally fine on maximum settings (no RT). I have a feeling the game has a VRAM leak or something similar.
    - The Hidden Village location runs at below 60 FPS (vs usual 90 FPS everywhere else) and drops to below 40 FPS in some spots even on all minimum settings with "ultra performance" DLSS setting on. Nobody bothered to fix it.

    So many plot holes too:
    - What does everyone speak English? I mean sure, Lara is a linguist or whatever, but since when does Jonah (the ship cook from 1st game) speak perfect ancient Incan?
    - The hidden village is so hidden, Jonah and Lara were able to get there by boat without issues.
    - They make a point of Lara hiding her weapons and wearing local clothing when entering this "ancient" hidden village society, they forget about it in the last cut scenes where she's wearing modern gear and weapons and all.

    Plot:
    - I didn't understand half of it.
    - I am not sure what the rebellion is, if they all just hangout in the city with the bad guy guards and nobody cares.
    - Trinity, what Trinity? Oh yeah. Never mind the build up from the 2nd game. You are just informed they are killed off over the radio.

    Some game elements are bizarre:
    - The dialect learning is pointless now, there aren't enough things to discover and it's just 1 dialect instead of 3 in the last game.    … Expand
  17. Razitan
    Nov 22, 2018
    5
    These Tomb Raider games NEED another Reboot!

    The Puzzles in this game are a Joke, because once again the puzzle variety throughout the game mostly amounts to attaching a rope to another object so that you can manipulate it to your advantage, at 3 games in that is lazy and pathetic and made me not want to continue playing because there is no challenge SHESH! Story Bland as hell, Snose    These Tomb Raider games NEED another Reboot!

    The Puzzles in this game are a Joke, because once again the puzzle variety throughout the game mostly amounts to attaching a rope to another object so that you can manipulate it to your advantage, at 3 games in that is lazy and pathetic and made me not want to continue playing because there is no challenge SHESH!

    Story Bland as hell, Snose feast

    where my Dual Pistols? 3rd game are in and still hasn’t acquired them why? How?

    How exactly was this game Lara defining moment??
    Nothing of character progressing happen!

    same old recycled crap with the story, if you have played rise you have played this
    its the same game dumbed down with the same Story pattern

    I think it’s time this series took another reboot, Heck you know what just remake Tomb Raider 2 and Scarp this origins Crap! and don't use this Boring Lara my Gosh! Paint drying on a wall has a better personality than her at this point!

    I don’t think I’ll be touching another Tomb Raider game until it returns to its platforming Roots with Lara back to her Original Self!

    Positives, Game Play itself is alright, Combat fine, voice acting reasonable, Nice Graphics though I think Rise had better visuals

    As a long time Fan, I'm very disappointed in the direction this franchise has gone

    just go back to the style of Legend with updated Visuals Please and updated Physics you cant screew that up surely

    5/10    … Expand
  18. 4y4
    Feb 15, 2020
    5
    Ok tomb raider game. Fluid gameplay, top line graphics but just a worthless story.
  19. Hseeker25
    Sep 19, 2018
    7
    Graphics are nice yes, but god.. is this a streamlinend game or what, what happend to badass lara, where are the huge oceans, the harpoons and jachts, even her iconic dual pistols are gone, so is her british witty acent, its like playing a american girl with internal problems with serious lacking in any acrobatics from the past, they made her a amazon with a bow as her iconic weapon, so lame..
  20. Nemo7777
    Oct 24, 2018
    6
    I'm not one of those who are unhappy because the game went on sale after I bought it. That's the way things happen sometimes. While I won't say I got my money's worth, it wasn't bad for what it was.

    That said, the only reason I finished this game was to finish it. Very disappointing. Very little in the way of action, veeerrrry sloooow pacing. Lots of exploration if that's your thing,    I'm not one of those who are unhappy because the game went on sale after I bought it. That's the way things happen sometimes. While I won't say I got my money's worth, it wasn't bad for what it was.

    That said, the only reason I finished this game was to finish it.

    Very disappointing. Very little in the way of action, veeerrrry sloooow pacing. Lots of exploration if that's your thing, but for me this game is dragging in a way the first two did not. The game mainly takes place in a Mayan city (in Inca country :|), where you spend hours doing fetch quests for the villagers for no good reason I can see. Can't fight anyone, can't even draw weapon. Sadly, as you get further into the game the rails become even more constricting. The side quests do become less trivial, but they do not become less tedious.

    The climbing/stunt mechanics are the same as the first two games, but somewhat over-elaborated. The current iteration is over reliant on gadgets such as a magic ice pick that deploys a cable to enable you to 'rappel' down cliff faces, then apparently psionically detatches itself, coils it's own line and turns back into a normal ice pick. Oh it also shoots out said magic line to hook on things while you are in mid-air to enable you to swing around.

    This handy utensil is used by Lara in the service of a plot line that's been recycled from the last game (Rise of the Tomb Raider) and is showing it's wear.

    Apocalypse only Lara can prevent? Check
    Trinity? Check
    HIdden city full of that somehow survived unnoticed for God knows how long? Check

    The first Tomb Raider was a bit on the shooty side but this one seems like the early episodes of ST:TNG- lots of evil doers around but somehow nobody ever uses violence to solve things. The developers are lucky they disabled weapons or I would have ended their game about a third of the way in when the major villain passes by about fifteen feet in front of Lara in said Mayan city. The few encounters with Trinity forces in which Lara is in combat are in a way the most disappointing parts of the whole game. Obvious stealth rails are obvious. In the first iteration, the action came at you relentlessly and you really felt some tension. In this game, with one partial exception, you plow through the poor schmoos with little difficulty, unless you do something superlatively stupid. The partial exception was in an oil refinery. That part was exciting and had some kick to it. The rest of the game left me flat and disappointed.

    The rails are really apparent and they take all the fun out of the game. I don't necessarily have to fight my way into Himiko's castle to have fun, but finding some rando Mayan kid's dice is something I can do with.out.

    There's actually the bones of a good story and a good game in here, but unfortunately the execution is not adequate to pull it off. Scenes that are intended to be discussions of morality and philosophy are shallow and without real affect. Flashbacks to Lara's childhood, intended to outline her growth, are not engaging. I did not have any real interest in either, which is too bad, because that's what this game was supposed to be strong in.

    In the end, it's a button masher with cutscenes. That's a real pity, because the first two outings were more than that.

    One of the commenters to my initial review seemed to think more puzzles and less shooting made this game more like the original Tomb Raider. If that's the case, I'll take the 2013 Lara any day of the week.

    You know, I think I do want to go storm Himiko's castle again and rescue Sam.    … Expand
  21. Mandulum
    Oct 24, 2018
    7
    Haiku Review: Library, ancient / Archeologist working / Smash with my ice axe
    Favorite Thing: A crazy story plus an action packed finale.
    Least Favorite Thing: Mashing the survival instincts button every few seconds so I don't run past everything. Date Completed: 2018-10-21 Playtime: ~ 14h Enjoyment: 7/10 Recommendation: If you've played the first two, definitely. If you haven't I    Haiku Review: Library, ancient / Archeologist working / Smash with my ice axe
    Favorite Thing: A crazy story plus an action packed finale.
    Least Favorite Thing: Mashing the survival instincts button every few seconds so I don't run past everything.

    Date Completed: 2018-10-21
    Playtime: ~ 14h
    Enjoyment: 7/10
    Recommendation: If you've played the first two, definitely. If you haven't I would highly recommend playing them.    … Expand
  22. MurphyBrandon
    Feb 4, 2019
    5
    People wanted more raiding of tombs and less combat. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is what you got. The gameplay can be good in short segments, but there isn't enough. A lot of time is wasted because the game forces you to slowly walk through long expositions of the narrative. The puzzles were on the same level of quality as the previous games, but now, there are just more of them. Where isPeople wanted more raiding of tombs and less combat. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is what you got. The gameplay can be good in short segments, but there isn't enough. A lot of time is wasted because the game forces you to slowly walk through long expositions of the narrative. The puzzles were on the same level of quality as the previous games, but now, there are just more of them. Where is the excitement and fun? Those two treasures don't exist in this game.… Expand
  23. fith3r
    Jan 6, 2019
    6
    Unfortunately this is the worst of the three new Tomb Raider games. Plus character design is worse then it was in last game.
  24. nickderpderp
    Sep 22, 2018
    6
    You can't just change graphics assets and sell it again. Don't become second Bethesda. Yes, there is RTX, but so what? No good gameplay, no good story, there isn't anything "Good". Before buying please, reconsider buying something else. This should be just a DLC to the second new Lara.
  25. Antares8001
    Nov 16, 2018
    6
    While the developers obviously tried improve upon the poor dialogue writing and the general narrative experience of the series, both of these aspects still feel almost as nuance free and unnatural as in the previous entries. The world building also feels rather forced, as thought he entire universe revolves around Lara and everything exists for the sole purpose of driving the generic plotWhile the developers obviously tried improve upon the poor dialogue writing and the general narrative experience of the series, both of these aspects still feel almost as nuance free and unnatural as in the previous entries. The world building also feels rather forced, as thought he entire universe revolves around Lara and everything exists for the sole purpose of driving the generic plot forward.
    Unsurprisingly the gameplay and art design are solid enough to engage the player for a few hours, however they are ultimately rather generic as well and nowhere near strong enough to stand on their own.
    This feels even more like it's trying to be Uncharted than the previous entries in the reboot series, while still failing to understand or rather ignoring what makes the Uncharted franchise good.

    We are left with a game that is by no means outright bad, however I have a hard time recommending a game where every aspect is just ok. You might as well play any of the previous entries again and you wouldn't be missing out on much.    … Expand
  26. DreamCore
    Sep 19, 2018
    7
    Unfortunately this is the worst of the three new Tomb Raider games. Why?

    1) The story is not very good and they've removed most scripted sequences and cutscenes to the point where most of the game doesn't really have any story past "find the box". 2) 95% of the game takes place in the jungle which feels quite repetitive a few hours into the game. 3) I read that the challenge tombs    Unfortunately this is the worst of the three new Tomb Raider games. Why?

    1) The story is not very good and they've removed most scripted sequences and cutscenes to the point where most of the game doesn't really have any story past "find the box".

    2) 95% of the game takes place in the jungle which feels quite repetitive a few hours into the game.

    3) I read that the challenge tombs were supposed to be more challenging this time but that's not the case. They're just as short and simple as before.

    4) They've pretty much killed combat and there are very few combat encounters now. When you actually get to a combat sequence it's always focused towards stealth. In many cases you can't even use guns but are forced to use your bow. Why even have weapons and a resource collection + upgrade system for them when you almost never have to use them?

    5) Because of 4) crafting any gear is also pointless. I play on Hard and never crafted anything since there are so few combat encounters it won't really matter.

    Verdict:

    The game doesn't really bring anything new and takes too many steps back, mainly with combat. I was a bit worried when they changed development team and unfortunately it was not for the better. If you really liked the previous two games and want more of the same then get this, otherwise don't. It's a good thing this will be the last game in the series because this last entry clearly show that it doesn't have a future.    … Expand
  27. sprinkill
    Sep 16, 2018
    7
    Certainly not a bad game, but it's largely the same as the 2016 Tomb Raider. I'd never played a Tomb Raider prior to the 2016 release, and I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. I also thought, however, that it was a bit of a grind what with all the fetch quests and scavenger hunts. While I beat the game, I don't remember the plot at all.

    SOTTR is basically the exact same thing    Certainly not a bad game, but it's largely the same as the 2016 Tomb Raider. I'd never played a Tomb Raider prior to the 2016 release, and I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. I also thought, however, that it was a bit of a grind what with all the fetch quests and scavenger hunts. While I beat the game, I don't remember the plot at all.

    SOTTR is basically the exact same thing as ROTTR. The main differences are that (a) there's more cut scenes with your partner, Jonah; (b) Jonah is, overall, a much bigger part of the story; (c) there's parts of the game that take place in civilization, i.e., small towns and villages, so it has a bit of an RPG feel to it in that regard (this was, by far, the best addition to the title); and (d) the graphics are improved, though this is a bit apples to oranges for me since I played ROTTR on a console, and SOTTR on a suped-up P.C. on max settings.

    Just like ROTTR, I'm not terribly interested in the plot. That's a shame, because the game makes you sit through a lot of cut scenes related to same. The base camp upgrade system is exactly the same as from the previous game. Overall, it's not a bad game, and it looks great on an amped-up P.C. It's just a bit boring after a little while - running around, spamming the "Q" button for "survival instincts," i.e., highlighting boxes to break, enemies, etc., looking around, breaking open a box, repeat, ad infinitum. I've not finished the game yet, but I've heard there's not a lot of combat. So far, I concur. That's going to be a problem, since the non-combat elements of the game (save for the tombs/crypts) are a bit boring (see above).    … Expand
  28. KesslerCOIL
    Sep 21, 2018
    7
    I really want to give this game an 8 or even a 9, but the issues set the game back too far.
    Shadow of the Tomb Raider does a lot of things right, but also does some things that were done "okay" in the previous 2 titles far, far worse.
    Pacing is an absolute nightmare. You constantly feel like you're being shoved along through the story and any emotional moments feel like they don't    I really want to give this game an 8 or even a 9, but the issues set the game back too far.
    Shadow of the Tomb Raider does a lot of things right, but also does some things that were done "okay" in the previous 2 titles far, far worse.

    Pacing is an absolute nightmare. You constantly feel like you're being shoved along through the story and any emotional moments feel like they don't stick and are swiftly forgotten.

    Traversal, this is the first in the series where i've had issues with the controls while climbing. Almost all of my deaths have been due to Lara not jumping far enough(in a scripted event) or just plain refusing to latch onto a wall.

    Combat, while I appreciate the game going back to its roots of less human enemies and more animal enemies. It also made encounters primarily stealth, with terrible AI and if seen, you end up fighting the most aggressive enemies I have ever encountered to a point where it feels pointless to use anything other than a shotgun for most of the game. Melee attacking is far worse and the bow received a very, very heavy reduction in power from previous titles.

    Graphics, no complaints here other than it being extremely heavy on the CPU load with a lot of stuttering without external tweaking. Game looks amazing and blatantly better than the previous 2 games.

    Sadly, this was not the conclusion to the trilogy I had hoped for. Lara STILL has a lot to learn and honestly, her voice actor feels like her only emotions are anger and gasping for air.    … Expand
  29. kbx
    Sep 23, 2018
    6
    Actually this game looks worse than previous part. I have both currently installed and without doubt ROTTR is graphically superior to SOTTR. It was a first letdown for me. Secondly, game take place only in jungle which gets boring after some time. So again, ROTTR is better due to more area diversity. And lastly - copy/paste in terms of gameplay. As a TR fan I say Rise is the best of theActually this game looks worse than previous part. I have both currently installed and without doubt ROTTR is graphically superior to SOTTR. It was a first letdown for me. Secondly, game take place only in jungle which gets boring after some time. So again, ROTTR is better due to more area diversity. And lastly - copy/paste in terms of gameplay. As a TR fan I say Rise is the best of the three, then first one and SOTTR at the end. Its still worth buying, but IMO not at current price point.… Expand
  30. Holyrelic
    Sep 17, 2018
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am rather disappointed. The first game was amazing. It had good progression and the environments where great with a good story. Second game was even better, different gear with different progression and more unique environments. This game has none of that. You start the game with all your tools you had at the end of the 2nd tomb raider. You don't get new tools to work with except for some climbing boots, but they don't add much if any at all to the game. You start out in a jungle and you end in a jungle. the first two game had fun collectables that you can turn and look at and lara would give you some banter about it, that's not here. the challenge tombs feel to simple. Like there is just one puzzle and that's it. The ones before felt like they had multiple puzzles that combined to make one big puzzle. You spend about what feels like 60-70% of the game just platforming. I would suggest to go back and play the first or second one. I am disappointed with my purchase compared to the previous instalments.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Best PC Game of 2018
9
#9 Most Discussed PC Game of 2018
43
#43 Most Shared PC Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Nov 21, 2018
    80
    Lara’s new adventure is definitely the best in trilogy, but it still lags behind the leaders of action-adventure genre, such as Uncharted 4. [Issue #233, p.44]
  2. Quarter to Three
    Oct 11, 2018
    20
    Tomb Raider was personal because it was personal. But now it’s come full circle to yet another vapid videogame character muddling through bad writing, rote familiar gameplay, and fewer features than the last time. Wake me when the next reboot is here.
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  3. PlayGround.ru
    Oct 9, 2018
    75
    The new Tomb Raider shows Lara Croft as an empty character that has nothing inside.
    Read full review
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