Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,031 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Game Cover
With its fast paced combat, addictive platforming and thoughtful puzzles, The Guardian Of Light is a must-buy for any fan of the famous adventurer.
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"Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light" is an action-packed adventure game featuring Lara Croft in an isometric view. It offers a blend of exploration, puzzles, and combat within continuous environments. Players can choose from various ways to solve puzzles and traverse obstacles, with a focus on fast-paced gameplay and cooperation or competition with a companion. This downloadable title from Crystal Dynamics introduces a fresh take on the classic Tomb Raider franchise.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,031 reviews
gameplay142 positive mentions
stability46 negative mentions
  • Engaging co-op gameplay that encourages teamwork and communication.
  • Clever puzzles that provide a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult.
  • Fun combat mechanics with a variety of weapons and upgrades to collect.
  • The story is weak and largely forgettable, serving mainly as a backdrop.
  • Controls can be awkward, especially with keyboard and mouse; a controller is recommended.
  • Some bugs and glitches can disrupt gameplay, particularly in online co-op.
  • gameplay349 mentions

    The gameplay of "Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light" is a blend of action, puzzle-solving, and cooperative mechanics, offering a refreshing take on the classic Tomb Raider formula through its isometric perspective. While the game features clever puzzles and engaging combat, some players noted that it can become repetitive and lacks depth in enemy variety and story. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its fluid controls, enjoyable co-op experience, and well-designed levels, making it a solid choice for fans of action-adventure games.

    • “The gameplay is where it's at!”
    • “The levels are well designed with good pacing and engaging gameplay all the way through.”
    • “Its inventive gameplay mechanics, polished visuals, and dynamic combat make for an enjoyable adventure that encourages teamwork and problem-solving.”
    • “The gameplay is really boring; you have a spear and can collect more, but it's actually you use the other by a huge crowd of enemies or a grenade to take down a shield.”
    • “Dull story, repetitive gameplay, no creativity with the puzzles.”
    • “The game wasn't lengthy much & liked the gameplay quite a lot.”
  • story316 mentions

    The story in "Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light" is generally regarded as simplistic and forgettable, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point. Many players noted its cliché elements, with a typical "good vs. evil" plot involving Lara Croft and her ally attempting to thwart an ancient evil. While the narrative lacks depth and innovation, it does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the game, which is praised for its engaging puzzles and cooperative gameplay.

    • “The story is nice and I found the gameplay to be very fun!”
    • “Lara Croft has been following up on a lead that would lead her to the Mirror of the Aztecs; only for her nemesis Vasquez to get his hands on it and unleash Xolotl, the demon lord, upon this world.”
    • “The story is somewhat generic, Lara and Totec trying to stop an ancient evil god from ruling the world.”
    • “The story is paper-thin and next to non-existent.”
    • “The 'story' here is just for checkbox - a few sentences in-between missions and is instantly forgettable.”
    • “The story is extremely simple, basically an evil being will throw the world into chaos if no one stops him, but that fault is far outweighed by the well polished and designed gameplay.”
  • graphics183 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they have aged, they remain decent and visually appealing for a title from 2010. Some users highlight the atmospheric environments and well-crafted visuals, while others point out issues like low-quality cutscenes and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good for their time, contributing positively to the gameplay experience despite some shortcomings.

    • “The graphics are stunning, and the environments are incredibly detailed.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and, being a 10+ year old game, have aged exceptionally well.”
    • “The game's visuals are well-crafted, creating an atmospheric and immersive environment within the confines of the isometric presentation.”
    • “Echoes of this context are present in the Guardian of Light: the visuals, most notably, are a bit budget - text looks like it’s stretched from 4:3 to 16:9, cutscenes are horrifying due to the low-quality character models, and enemies will clip through the environment.”
    • “The visuals sure have aged.”
    • “The only flaw of this game is the graphics don't match 2010's graphics; they are a bit older, sadly...”
  • replayability69 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits a strong replayability factor, with many players noting the appeal of completing various challenges, unlocking upgrades, and achieving high scores. While some reviews mention limited replay value due to a lack of engaging story or dialogue, the inclusion of co-op gameplay, collectibles, and timed challenges enhances the experience for those seeking to explore different playstyles or complete all objectives. Many players find themselves returning to the game for its engaging mechanics and the satisfaction of mastering its levels.

    • “Although the storyline and the dialogues are not that great, it still is a pretty nice game with a lot of replayability; you can replay it many times without getting bored.”
    • “A surprisingly well-made twin stick shooter spinoff, with tons of replayability for high scores, speedruns, and other forms of challenges.”
    • “Each level is well-built, with lush scenery, clever puzzles, and comes with different challenges making the game highly replayable.”
    • “It lacks replayability; you don't want to play the game again unless going for the 100%.”
    • “Replayability is limited.”
    • “You won't care about the story, and all replayability is based on your desire to meet challenges and unlock more weapons and artifacts which give you a boost.”
  • humor53 mentions

    The humor in the game is predominantly highlighted through its co-op gameplay, where players experience hilarious moments stemming from silly mistakes and chaotic interactions. Many reviews emphasize that playing with friends amplifies the comedic value, with funny dialogue, absurd situations, and unexpected glitches contributing to the overall enjoyment. While some aspects of the game may be criticized, the humor consistently shines through, making it a recommended experience for those looking to share laughs with others.

    • “Playing it with a friend and we are enjoying our time and laughing a lot.”
    • “Fun co-op game, hilarious deaths caused by co-op partner and own stupidity are comedy gold.”
    • “Brilliantly frustrating, hilariously epic: made for co-op.”
  • music51 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its epic and atmospheric qualities that enhance the gameplay experience, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking originality, often recycling tracks from previous Tomb Raider titles. Overall, the soundtrack is described as adequate to good, with effective sound design that complements the action, though it may not leave a lasting impression.

    • “The soundtrack is epic, with music that will get your heart pumping and make you feel like you're in the middle of an epic adventure movie.”
    • “The music is good and keeps the atmosphere and action going but the voice acting is subpar.”
    • “With tight, responsive controls, smart level design, fun challenges, great looks - all accompanied by an appropriately amazing cinematic soundtrack, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is really a brilliant little game - a shining example of how spinoffs should be made.”
    • “While the graphics are passable, the soundtrack is a letdown, seemingly rehashed from the Lau trilogy with no originality.”
    • “The visuals are adequate but the music is agitatingly orchestral with the exception of a few delightfully late 90s tracks.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't too memorable but I'm glad it's there.”
  • stability47 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting a variety of bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in online co-op modes. While some players find the experience enjoyable despite these problems, others describe it as a "buggy mess" that can lead to frustrating gameplay. Overall, players should expect a less-than-stable experience, with occasional game-breaking issues, especially in multiplayer settings.

    • “Expect some bugs, freezes, and random memory leaks.”
    • “Unfortunately, the online co-op feature in 'Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris' is very buggy; can't recommend it for co-op, in fact, if that's the only reason you want to buy it, then don't bother.”
    • “Bug ridden, glitch infested, broken mess.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some achievements can be tedious and frustrating, particularly in multiplayer settings, others appreciate the balance of challenge and fun. The game features a variety of puzzles and challenges that can become repetitive, especially due to unpredictable physics and controls, but some players enjoy the grind for top scores and unlocking items. Overall, the grinding can be seen as both a source of frustration and a means to enhance gameplay, depending on individual preferences.

    • “Not too tedious if you play it during meetings to get the speed achievements.”
    • “It starts out as a decent co-op action/puzzle game, but it has a generic Tomb Raider look and story, and gets tedious in the later levels.”
    • “The physics make some of the puzzles and optional challenges extremely tedious to perform and complete due to the unpredictable nature by which some objects move.”
    • “I just spent twenty tedious minutes trying to get past one puzzle, and died time after time without making any progress at all.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive and well-crafted visuals, reminiscent of a tomb raider experience, with detailed environments, effective lighting, and pleasant graphics that enhance the overall experience. While the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, some users noted that the voice acting could be improved. Overall, the combination of engaging puzzles, character abilities, and a catchy ambiance makes for a compelling atmosphere that keeps players invested.

    • “The game's visuals are well-crafted, creating an atmospheric and immersive environment within the confines of the isometric presentation.”
    • “The detailed tombs, intricate puzzles, and traps are all brought to life with impressive attention to detail, and the lighting effects contribute to the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The awesome graphics really add to the atmosphere and the level achievements keep things fresh and interesting, with a high replayability.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players report good performance and visuals at 1440p, others experience significant issues such as stuttering and poor netcode, particularly on higher-end hardware. The game appears to be better optimized for cooperative play, but the lack of a robust single-player experience may disappoint some users. Overall, performance varies widely, with some players enjoying a smooth experience while others encounter frustrating bugs and rendering problems.

    • “As mentioned, the performance on PC is good and it looks great in 1440p.”
    • “Optimized really well, had no issues whatsoever; I didn't experience bugs or glitches.”
    • “Very good and fun game to play, especially with friends and family. It's working very well for me, with no crashes or freezes. Overall performance is very good even with many enemies on the screen.”
    • “However, this game has some performance issues, so make sure you have a decent computer.”
    • “For one, the performance was really bad, even on good hardware.”
    • “Don't even think of buying the next part - it's total unoptimized rubbish.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a range of emotional responses, from laughter and nostalgia for past gaming experiences to disappointment with uninspired storylines. While some find joy and humor in their interactions, others feel a lack of emotional engagement, particularly with new entries in the series. The third reboot, however, has evoked strong feelings, highlighting the potential for emotional impact in the franchise.

    • “I cried laughing from the silly things my friend and I did in this game back in the Xbox 360 days, so it's fun in my book.”
    • “And finally, the third reboot made me cry.”
    • “The storyline felt typical and boring, lacking any emotional depth.”
    • “I found the emotional moments to be unconvincing and poorly executed.”
    • “The characters didn't evoke any real feelings; their struggles felt superficial.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling it resembles a cash grab, particularly in comparison to earlier titles in the series. However, others appreciate the absence of microtransactions, suggesting that while the game may have elements that feel exploitative, it still offers enjoyable gameplay.

    • “Finally, no microtransactions draining my wallet.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players to spend money.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content without requiring additional purchases.”
    • “That essence is preserved in the classic games, the Lara trilogy, and even the survivor trilogy, but not in this cash grab, where Lara Croft's presence is the only commonality.”
    • “Thinking, 'finally, no microtransactions draining my wallet.'”
    • “Larry Croft boob sim kinda feels like a cash grab but at least it's fun.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the character development in this entry of the Tomb Raider series is minimal, with some players feeling that the narrative lacks depth and fails to deliver engaging twists or growth for the characters.

    • “If you're seeking a narrative-driven experience with deep character development, you might find the plot lacking in comparison to other entries in the Tomb Raider series.”
    • “There's no character development, no twists and turns.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

86% average critic score

Buy Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Play time

9hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
6hMain story
17hCompletionist
5-23hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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