For Christmas I was lucky enough to get a copy of the new Tomb Raider game on the Xbox One because at the time of receiving the game and writing this it is only available on the Xbox One with its timed exclusive.
I am going to keep this as spoiler free as I can but I might make references to certain people or areas etc.
If you are a lover of the previous game ‘Tomb Raider’ then you are not going to be disappointed here. The game continues in its massive stride after rebooting the gaming franchise in 2013 and then its definitive edition on next gen consoles in 2014. If you haven’t played these yet stop reading this, play then resume reading. The definitive edition wasn’t a disappointment either as it did enhance the games graphics such as Lara’s hair so it’ not something to turn your nose up at.
Rise of the Tomb Raider starts well putting you right in the action to start your new adventure and it doesn’t stop all through out the game. The game has had a lovely make over with it’s enhanced crafting system which adds to the game loads, you can now craft various types of arrows, some ammo as well as bandages. As you walk around the various levels there are trees that you can snap the branches off for wood and then birds to shoot down and/or nets that you can loot feathers from too, to make your arrows. There are a lot of animals in certain parts of the map such as wolves, deer and bears plus others. Each can be skinned and then this is used to make new equipment such as bags, clothes and upgrade weapons.
The game still looks fantastic and the way various weather effects, effect Lara is awesome to if it is cold she will shiver and when a camp she will rub her hands and put them over the fire to keep warm, her cloths will still be effected by the environment.
The game plays well with not much changed in terms of how the game plays which is a good thing.Some games have a first good game and then they try and enhance on what they have done and with doing this they ruin something that didn’t need changing. I am sure there have been some slight changes but nothing that seems too different from what we had in the previous game. You can now climb a few more trees and you get more tools do get over some obstacles.
In terms of game play story it is all there, I am trying not to talk about the story too much as I don’t want to say things I shouldn’t or anything that might suggest certain things might or might not happen. One point I have’t made yet but is worth making in a big way and this there are a lot more TOMBS, one of the most disappointing parts of the first Tomb Raider game in this series is that there wasn’t many Tombs to find and raid through out the game. This time there are Tombs, caves and crypt’s for you to explore. There are also lots of challenges which vary through different parts of the map, the only negative part I really have to say is that you have know idea what the challenges are, you just go know that there are some in the area you are in. Some are pretty easy to see or understand that you need to shoot something etc.
As well as the above there are side missions to do too along with cashes and other bits and bobs to pick up and collect. There is some much you will be playing the game for a while if you want to 100% the game. The game it’s self I didn’t feel took too long to complete it too me around 10 hours to complete but I also did some of the side missions too and collecting some bits too.
If you are a fan of the series you will not be disappointed the story is engaging and really draws you in to it as you want to know the what, why, how and when. This is one of the first games for a while where I have been bothered about completing it and knowing what happens. There have been few games over the last year that I couldn’t put down and wanted to complete it, there have been a lot of awesome games but not too many that has made me want to stick with it and play it till the end.
So if you are an Xbox player and love these games and don’t have it go and get it NOW. If you are a PC player then this is out on the 28th January for you, for PS4 players I am unsure when this will be released but be sure to get it not matter what platform as you are going to really enjoy this game.
Corn Wolf Gaming 