- #Shadow of the tomb raider definitive edition review how to#
- #Shadow of the tomb raider definitive edition review full#
A wealth of story unlocks and gameplay milestones came with relative ease, and a lot of them were very much like those seen in past games in the series. The achievement list wasn't visible during my time with the game, though they did unlock as I earned them as is typical for pre-release review copies. You can finish the story without seeing much of what's new, which is a strange design decision. That's where a lot of the best bits of this game are found, so while it's very weird design decision by the developers to let you beat it all without utilizing much of anything in that section, it's also a much better game if you spend your points there early and often. For those looking to see a new side sooner, prioritize her new tools in the blue section of her tri-colored skill tree. For too long, it can really feel like more of the same from this rebooted series, and for some that's just fine. With these bigger hubs, there are more means and more routes to complete these tasks, but it's all quite familiar. When she's not stalking her prey, Lara is up to her old tricks like solving massive puzzles, the likes of which only actually exist in fiction, or exploring the world for simpler treasures. One moment in particular gave me chills when this new-look Lara didn't hold back on the Trinity goons standing in her way, and it truly felt like she had become someone different, even if that image was actually quite uncomfortable. There are a ton of new toys to play with in the jungles of Peru, and the game strangely makes you wait to use most of them, but it's worth getting to that point.
#Shadow of the tomb raider definitive edition review how to#
The "shadow" in the title pulls double-duty as her story still focuses a lot on her father's legacy, but she's also quite ninja-like this time the game is at its best when it gives you an open area in which you can choose how to take out enemies, and it encourages you to do so stealthily for as long as you can. Most enjoyably, she can cover herself in mud and hide in vines, striking out at those who veer too closely to her. She can immobilize baddies, then rig their unconscious bodies to concuss any others that come to check on the status of their fallen friends. She can poison enemies with arrows that make them enraged and turn on their allies. She can string up enemies in trees, even clandestinely.
#Shadow of the tomb raider definitive edition review full#
She basically crosses the line into full Batman mode once you get enough skills unlocked, and it's then, admittedly late in the experience, where this sequel feels most worthwhile. Her ability to proverbially feast on the bad guys is put to great use with a new range of moves and tools at her disposal. Lara and Jonah are still on the hunt together. A late-game scene is so effective at showing us a new Lara that the game, which for so long feels ironically all too safe for a story about a death-defying treasure hunter, finally clicks. To sell this theme, the storytellers employ a few unexpected twists in the narrative framework that work well, sometimes even very well, even as they seem borrowed from other treasure hunters in the genre. Determined to always be the one who saves the day, she more than ever loses sight of the damage she's causing in pursuit of the endgame she so desperately demands. Shadow shows us how a hero complex can sometimes paint you as the bad guy.
That characterization is the foundation of this game, as the story is framed entirely around her drive to always be fixing things. Helping the villagers push back against oppressors is a worthy cause and one suited for Lara, even as she herself borders on villainy - or at least chronic selfishness - in Shadow.
It doesn't feel like making everything bigger makes the game any better, as it mostly just increases the volume of post-game stuff to collect, but the side missions are a great addition on their own regardless. What's more, they offer many NPCs Lara can speak to, either to reveal points of interest, offer side quests, or even just paint the various villages in more vibrant colors. The same basic outline of hub worlds offering various collectibles, challenges, and main story beats exists, only now these hubs are bigger and busier than ever before. For those who have played the previous two entries, a lot will feel similar about this threequel. Shadow of the Tomb Raider begins in Mexico, but for the most part she and her trusted best friend Jonah spend their time spelunking, excavating, and treasure hunting in Peru in search of yet more ancient treasures.
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