The gamer I am today was built on the foundation of The Tomb Raider games. It may have not been the first game I played, but it was the most influential, and I have played every single version of it.
So when I launched the Remastered title, I was already biased. I was ready to see how it had been updated for the modern gamer; to see how they took a game relatively hard to play and made it approachable.
Spoiler alert, they didn’t, and I am sitting here very torn on whether I love this game or not.
Setting Expectations
The minute the music started, I was pumped. As a whole, the design of this game stands the test of time. It’s a reminder of why it’s an integral part of gaming history, making me wonder how to even begin evaluating it.
I thought it might be good to start by setting some expectations. I am not here to evaluate this game based on story content, which will not change. Instead, this is what I have considered for this review:
- Does it have enough of a graphics upgrade to be noticeable and appreciable?
- Are there any valuable additions in terms of additional/unseen material or the inclusion of expansions/DLC?
- Have there been improvements to match modern expectations/needs? Are there changes made to make it more approachable to new players or players returning after a long time?
- Since the original gameplay was created around a D-Pad, how have they cleaned up the controls to make it easier/more manageable to play since the game is already hard?
- Will the game be more user-friendly in terms of UI, tutorials, etc.? This is something I had my fingers crossed for. The original games after all came with a manual that worked as a reference guide. How will this game account for the now lack of a manual?
- Are there going to be minor tweaks to the level design to smoothen out gameplay based on these above changes?
The Treasures To Be Found
Tomb Raider Remastered runs beautifully, matching the refresh rate of your chosen platform/screen. With the massive upgrade to graphics, the game is a joy to sprint and leap through. Not only does Lara look amazing, but the world around her and her enemies are beautifully rendered with a lot of texture and personality.
It just gets a little inconsistent in the cutscenes, especially in TR1 where the cutscenes are a marked downgrade to the rest of the game. If, like me, you begin to wonder what the difference is between the graphics, all you have to do is hit F1 on the PC to toggle between the new and old versions.
Another amazing thing is that the remaster unifies the best elements of these 3 games, across content and gaming platforms. For starters, along with the core games we also get their expansions which, if memory serves me right, had only been available for PC.
Similarly, this game has been updated so that all versions can be saved manually at any time. This was a feature on the original PC game, which was different from the console where you had to find a ‘save crystal.’ Considering the difficulty of certain sections, this is something that was needed.
Aspyr has added to the package by developing a few new features. In addition to a cosmetic feature like photo mode, they have added some needed accessibility features. Subtitles finally make it clear just how good the dialogue writing for the game is.
My favorite addition though is the new action indicators that tell you when Lara can successfully engage with a lever or collectible. It’s a simple addition that makes the game so much easier to play. However, getting a hang of the controls is where things start to get rocky.
Lack Of Instructions
Unfortunately, the controls are the worst part of the Tomb Raider Remaster. Aspyr brings back the traditional Tank system of controlling Lara that plays exactly as expected. They have also created a modern system that uses the more familiar mouse + WASD format, but they have provided no way to learn what button maps to what move.
Like the original, Croft Manor is the tutorial level where Lara tells you how to navigate through an obstacle course. Unfortunately, her instructions use generic terms like jump and walk without telling you what button to press. You have to go to the ‘change controls’ section in the options menu to understand the basic mapping. Additionally, the instructions only match the Tank Controls. This lack of explicit instruction was a symptom of the fact that the games came with manuals.
Without the manual, most of the controls for both the Tank and the Modern systems are unexplained. After a lot of investigation and frustration, I found myself on a guide and then Aspyr’s support page where I found a list of controls. For other moves, like exiting a vehicle, I had to rely on memory or experimentation. The fact that you have to even look up something this fundamental is incredibly frustrating.
When Movement Becomes The Issue
The Modern control system fails at a much more fundamental level though. This is a game that was designed for a ‘fixed camera’ Tank system, and there have been no adjustments made to the environments for a player-controllable camera.
Thanks to the collisions on the wall, every tight space resulted in the camera freaking out, often resulting in Lara running in the wrong direction. This is because Lara’s movement is relative to the camera and when facing off against rogue collisions, what you see may not be the last recorded spot of the camera.
The second, bigger problem is that the game needs you to approach ledges and collectibles from precise angles. Thanks to the collision issues, it is very difficult to use the modern system to be precise. Considering that it was already tricky to get it right with the more precise Tank system, getting through timed sections or tricky platforming is very frustrating with the modern system.
There is also a distinct discrepancy between the two control systems. In the Tank controls (and thus the tutorial), you have one action button that helps you do everything, from vaulting to interaction and shooting. Whereas, in the modern controls, there are two buttons and it isn’t immediately clear how the actions are split between the two.
For the most part, the original Tank controls are untouched, but they come with their challenges. Thanks to the fixed camera, you sometimes can’t see where you need to jump or what you need to react to. It’s also completely different from the controls of most games, making it a challenge to remember and use. (Arrows to move, Alt to jump, shift to walk, etc.)
To make my way through the game quickly, I found myself continuously switching between the two: Modern for quick exploration, Tank for platforming or any other section that needed precision. And a combination of the two with a prayer to the gaming gods every time I had to shoot anything, because I always lost the auto-lock. Thankfully, this switch happened instantaneously.
The last big problem is unfortunately tied to all the amazing new graphics. All that atmospheric lighting is very dark, sometimes making the levels hard to navigate. I found myself switching to the older graphics a few times to see the level or look for a ledge or doorway I knew had to be there.
Familiarity Is Key
Tomb Raider Remastered is a spectacular version of the classic game. However, despite the highs, it was pretty clear that the overall experience only holds up if you were a fan to begin with, or if you were already familiar with the old games.
In my opinion, the remaster was a little too faithful to the roots and as a result leaves little room for a newcomer who has never used Tank controls. If you aren’t, this game can and will be an exercise in frustration unless you are willing to put in the work and time to experiment. For the original crowd, this game is a pleasure, especially once you refamiliarize yourself with the controls.
GamesHorizon received a review key Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft on Steam.
The overall experience only holds up if you were a fan to begin with, or if you were already familiar with the old games.
The Good
- Brilliant offering for returning fans
- Great graphics upgrade
- Some good accessibility and gameplay features enhance the experience for returning players
- Access to the core games as well as the expansions of TR 1-3.
The Bad
- Clunky and difficult to get into for newcomers to the series
- The tank control scheme has a steep learning curve and provides no control for combat
- A new Modern Control scheme that is difficult to use and very inaccurate for a game that demands accuracy
- Severe collision issues with the Modern Control scheme
- The new art and lighting is very dark, making it difficult to see level details
- The tutorial doesn’t provide clear instructions on how to use either control scheme
- There is no easy access to the complete control list requiring you to look up guides or Aspyr’s website
