May 2024's very first Xbox Game Pass update has brought Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition to the service more than 10 years after it launched on Xbox One, however, don't let the game's age put you off trying it out. This Tomb Raider reboot may have originated as an Xbox 360 game way back in 2013, but it's easily the best modern Tomb Raider game in my opinion, and it's up there with the best this franchise has to offer.
After developer Crystal Dynamics had gotten to grips with the series during the early days of Xbox 360, it decided a big change was needed following the release of Tomb Raider: Underworld. The team went the full reboot route once again, opting for an origin story that took Lara back to her roots - and it really worked.
Sure, there's been lots of debate in recent years about the balance between combat and exploration in the newer Tomb Raider titles, but I think the 2013 reboot got things just about right. I could have taken a little less gung-ho fighting, sure, but the game's grounded location with the island of Yamatai really helped it feel like you were exploring an actual place - and you weren't being fed overly-designed corridor levels filled with waves of enemies for 15 hours.
In fact, this is one of the only 'open world' games that I've actually enjoyed exploring to its fullest in recent memory; finishing all of the little side quests and collectible hunts scattered around the island. Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition isn't fully open world as such, but it has lots of interconnected open areas where you can backtrack at your leisure, and this hybrid structure made the game and its map feel nice and manageable throughout the whole experience.
As for the game's actual tombs, I quite enjoyed the fact that they were optional and felt naturally integrated into the game's environment. I know, I know - it's a bit silly for a game called 'Tomb Raider' to have its tombs as an optional mechanic, but the fact that I was still desperate to go ahead and explore them every time that neat little wind chime tickled my ears says everything you need to know. Plus, this particular game is supposed to be set before Lara Croft became an actual 'tomb raider', so, you know, just putting that out there.
The game's storyline is probably Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition's weakest point - but let's be honest, story has hardly been a series high-point since Tomb Raider began beaming its way into our living rooms back in 1996. These games are all about selling that fantasy of being a badass gal exploring ancient civilisations, solving intriguing riddles and taking out plenty of baddies - and this Tomb Raider title delivers on all of that. If you've never jumped into this game and you like your third-person action-adventures, you really have no more excuses now that Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is playable on Xbox Game Pass.
Well, have I convinced you to play some Tomb Raider on Xbox Game Pass? Tell us your favourite TR title down below!
Comments 30
The first one is the best? I thought it was cool, but nothing great.
I played the entire trilogy and all of its dlc on ps5 about 3 or 4 years ago (when it was brand new) and they’re all great.
Agreed! This is without a doubt, the best one of the bunch!
@Lup imo it is also the best of them but I know many prefer Rise
The best one is Rise of the Tomb Raider, especially the 20 Year Celebration edition, because it has a combination of action and old-style tombs and some very cool DLC included. The 2013 game is basically killing enemies.
I wonder if people think its the 'best' because it was the first of the rebooted games and was quite different to its predecessors as we got a young Lara that had much more character depth and development as well as a change in its Game-play loop.
The Subsequent games built on that but maybe didn't feel quite as fresh/new as a result. Personally I really enjoyed the Trilogy of games and ALL the DLC. The first also tried to do a MP mode that I thought was really mediocre.
This trilogy in general is amazing. Played them when they first came out on PS then again when they dropped updates on XB. If my catalog wasn't so deep id jump back in. But finally jumped into Jedi Survivor
The first game of the trilogy is definitely the best when it comes to the story and overall pace. Rise was quite decent but it didn't have the emotional impact that I was looking for. Shadow was okay I guess, interesting premise but it felt rushed and didn't have a satisfying conclusion. Overall they are a must play.
@Weapon_Wheel You can tell you didn't play the games so was she a feminist icon in the old games I think not more a blow up doll there's a actual person in these games not a set of tits
The first one was great but Rise was my favourite. The 20 year update was huge as well, so much added content. I spent a lot of time in the survival mode. I liked Shadow, it's a good game, but felt it was the weakest of the trilogy.
@BAMozzy I am now replaying for the "n" time Rise and the reason for me that the first entry is the best is because it has almost no open world. You are directed to an area and that is it (unless you want to get all items). With each new game the amount of side quests and collectables increased.
Good game but the tombs are so easy - they used to be so puzzling and challenging.
@Weapon_Wheel
"I'd argue that making Lara Croft a weak character, going through hardships isn't character development, but a male power fantasy. I.e. misogynistic."
What?
It's her back story, how she became Lara the Tomb Raider.
#Axe to grind.
In my opinion, Shadow is the best, this one second-best and Rise was overall pretty bad(not to mention really short).
the first one is goated , it came out back when i was 16 and the intensity of it all blew me away and had me hooked , the deaths were something else too. & the multiplayer was actually decent. just another testament to how legendary the 360 era is
As a PS5 main, I actually prefer the first 2 of the Tomb Raider reboots to Uncharted, in terms of gameplay at least. Where Uncharted shines is the characters dialogue and interactions, it really is spot on. Tomb Raider though, particularly 'Rise', is much better in gameplay terms. Not as keen on Shadow though
@Swirly I completely agree. Voice acting and storytelling are more cinematic in the Uncharted games, but camera and everything concerning gameplay are better in the Tomb Raider games. I also agree that Rise of the Tomb Raider is the strongest entry and Shadow of the Tomb Raider the weakest.
Such a great trilogy of games! I recently played through all 3 on my Steam Deck OLED and had a blast, especially using gyro to aim and look around made it much more of an enjoyable experience to me over the Playstation & Xbox versions years ago.
I love them all including Underworld, which a lot of people didn’t seem to like. in regards to the most recent trilogy, I really don’t have a favorite. I think they were all great. I don’t go into tomb raider games hoping for this or hoping for that. I just take what I am given and enjoy the ride. Didn’t finish any of them thinking, I wish this had been different. One of my favorite series in gaming.
@Weapon_Wheel Sorry we must have very different views on life coming out with that I would never connect the dots you have with that one
I remember playing this on PC when it first came out and then a few years later on PS4. I really enjoyed this game. I never played the other 2 in the series so I can't say if this is the best but again I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed all 3 of these games. I think the first is also my favourite of the 3, with Rise being a close second. The 3rd was good also.
Maybe the last decent tomb raider games we get, looking at what they’re going to do with the franchise going forward 😂
Amazing game.
Lara torture misery porn quick time action movie
Definitely the best one. Back then, when I played the first game, I had high hopes ... Alas, it was constant downhill from there ...
Great game, totally agree! Even the story was very good for me at least
I replayed this one just recently, it's definitely my favourite of the three. I think the setting was the best, the mystical island meant it could include all sorts of different environments from sandy beaches to forests to snowy mountains as well things like ancient tombs and rusty science labs. Borrowing elements from Lost and The Descent was great too.
The sequels were OK, but I found there was too much back tracking and I didn't think the addition of crafting was an improvement. I preferred looting bodies for used arrows instead of holding a button down to magically make more. I didn't think the story or the characters were as good in the sequels either. Oh well, it will be interesting to see what the next reboot brings.
I recently played the whole Survivor Trilogy. All three games are awesome! They are very entertaining games with story driven cinematic gameplay. It was a real pleasure to have this kind of immersive and scripted gameplay with Lara having to climb and jump while the whole world is getting destroyed around her.
The story with Trinity is not something special, but it's a good story as whole experience if you play all the games at once like I did with the trilogy.
The game was an interesting reboot/origin story up until it turned into a Uncharted/John Wick shooter at the end of the game. Almost zero real in depth 'Tomb Raiding'.
Another cool soapbox. Yeah I’ve honestly really liked this series of tomb Raider. I sometimes can’t gravitate towards copycat or secondary gaming series but this still hit the uncharted itch rather nicely.
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