Rise of the Tomb Raider

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a brilliant game on the XBox One but it’s familiarity with the previous game prevents it from being its natural successor

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"Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration" is the sequel to Tomb Raider, where Lara Croft seeks to uncover the secret of immortality during her first great expedition. The game includes DLCs like Blood Ties, Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch, Cold Darkness, Lara’s Nightmare, and Endurance Mode. Experience Lara’s journey across sun-baked ruins and frozen mountains to conquer tombs, outpace rivals and establish her legend.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 52,484 reviews

story10,277 positive mentions

stability659 negative mentions

story
23,509 mentions
44 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of "Rise of the Tomb Raider" is generally regarded as engaging and well-crafted, continuing Lara Croft's journey with a focus on her personal motivations and family legacy. While many players appreciate the depth and emotional weight of the narrative, some critiques highlight its predictability and reliance on familiar tropes, making it feel less innovative compared to its predecessor. Overall, the game successfully combines action, exploration, and storytelling, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of its plot twists and character development.
- “Amazing, story-rich game with fascinating twists!!”
- “The game’s narrative is more intimate than previous entries, focusing less on global stakes and more on Lara’s personal quest, lending the story a level of emotional depth that keeps players invested.”
- “Rise of the Tomb Raider elevates the franchise’s modern direction by merging rich exploration, refined combat, and a deeply personal story arc.”
- “While the visuals are very good, gameplay is boring and the story is very predictable and shallow.”
- “The story is kind of dumb... but the game is a perfect mix of exploration and action, and keeps giving you more tools to keep the game fun.”
- “The story feels predictable and uninspired.”
graphics
11,363 mentions
68 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Rise of the Tomb Raider" have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning visuals, detailed character models, and realistic environments that bring the game world to life. Players have noted the impressive lighting effects, dynamic weather, and the overall artistic direction, which contribute to an immersive experience. While some have pointed out minor graphical glitches and performance issues, the game's visual fidelity is often highlighted as a standout feature, making it a visually captivating title even years after its release.
- “The visuals and technical performance of 'Rise of the Tomb Raider' are stunning, showcasing detailed character models, realistic weather effects, and impressive lighting that brings the Siberian wilderness to life.”
- “The graphics are stunning, and the environments are beautifully designed.”
- “Rise of the Tomb Raider boasts breathtaking visuals, with stunning environments and realistic character models that immerse players in Lara's world.”
- “While the game is undeniably beautiful, with its stunning snowy landscapes and ancient ruins, it lacks the substance to back up its visuals.”
- “The graphics are very depressing.”
- “The graphics is an improvement but why they had to nerf Lara's appearance?”
gameplay
10,637 mentions
44 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Rise of the Tomb Raider" has received a mix of praise and criticism. Many players appreciate the refined mechanics, improved combat, and the addition of crafting and survival elements, which enhance exploration and player engagement. However, some reviews highlight issues with repetitive gameplay, clunky controls, and a lack of innovation compared to its predecessor, leading to a feeling of predictability and tedium in certain sections. Overall, while the game excels in graphics and offers a solid gameplay experience, it may not fully satisfy those seeking a compelling narrative or significant gameplay evolution.
- “Rise of the Tomb Raider refines the mechanics established in its predecessor while introducing new elements that give players greater freedom in exploration and combat.”
- “Combat and stealth mechanics are vastly improved from the previous installment, making encounters feel more strategic and varied.”
- “The gameplay balances intense combat with intricate puzzle-solving and rewarding exploration, featuring more tombs and secrets than its predecessor.”
- “While the visuals are very good, gameplay is boring and story is very predictable & shallow.”
- “Gameplay, unfortunately, becomes repetitive very quickly.”
- “The crafting mechanics also feel forced, as though they were added to the game without much thought or purpose.”
optimization
1,563 mentions
37 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Rise of the Tomb Raider" has received mixed reviews from players. While many praise its stunning visuals and smooth performance on higher-end systems, others report significant issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and poor optimization for AMD cards, particularly in larger open-world areas. Players often recommend using DirectX 11 for better stability, as DirectX 12 can lead to crashes and performance degradation. Overall, while the game is visually impressive, its optimization can be inconsistent, affecting the experience for some users.
- “The attention to optimization is clear, making it a technically polished experience.”
- “On top of its strong visual presentation, Rise of the Tomb Raider runs smoothly on most platforms, with minimal bugs or frame rate issues.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the game is well optimized.”
- “The optimization for AMD cards is poor.”
- “Poorly optimized; I meet the PC requirements to play this game and it is giving me somewhere around 25 to 34 fps no matter what setting I try, and along with that it is extremely laggy.”
- “The game is not optimized well enough for the PC, which is another issue I'll take note of.”
music
798 mentions
44 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Rise of the Tomb Raider" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities that enhance immersion and gameplay, particularly during intense moments. While some tracks are noted for their emotional impact and cinematic quality, others are criticized for being forgettable or repetitive, lacking the memorable themes of earlier entries in the series. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered good but not exceptional, serving its purpose without standing out significantly.
- “The game’s environments are rich with detail, creating a sense of immersion that is complemented by an atmospheric soundtrack.”
- “Accompanied by an evocative soundtrack that heightens tension and underscores pivotal moments, the game achieves a cinematic quality that elevates the overall experience.”
- “The soundtrack is amazingly immersive, and along with Lara's animations, really immerses you, it cues details in the vicinity, like hunting opportunities, enemies, items in the vicinity, stuff like that, really moving along with your actions.”
- “The music of the game generally blends into the background.”
- “The soundtrack is nothing special.”
- “The music in 'Rise of the Tomb Raider' is insignificant and does not do justice to a Tomb Raider game.”
stability
767 mentions
12 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a variety of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during critical moments like boss fights and puzzle-solving. While some users noted that minor glitches did not significantly detract from their overall enjoyment, others experienced game-breaking issues that required reloading checkpoints or restarting the game entirely. Overall, while the game is visually impressive and runs well on certain systems, it suffers from stability problems that may frustrate players, especially those seeking a seamless experience.
- “Runs great, plays great.”
- “No glitches or bugs encountered either, which is amazing compared to more modern games.”
- “A bug free experience (a rarity these days unfortunately though your mileage may vary) with great graphics, decent gameplay, and a functional story which is the nicest thing I can say about it.”
- “The game is very buggy, and on top of that it's very janky.”
- “Persistent glitches like enemies shooting to T-pose, your weapon vanishing and being unable to shoot anything, and teleporting straight up only to die as you hit the ground really destroyed the experience for me.”
- “The end game was extremely buggy, just plain unplayable without having to kill yourself to reset the level.”
grinding
584 mentions
1 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
81 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Rise of the Tomb Raider" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players noting that it requires an excessive amount of time and effort to gather resources, complete side quests, and achieve 100% completion. While some players found enjoyment in the exploration and crafting elements, the overall sentiment is that the game is overly padded with tedious tasks that detract from the core experience, leading to a feeling of monotony and frustration. Completionists, in particular, may find the grinding to be a significant barrier to fully enjoying the game.
- “Not very tedious to 100% the game, but still takes some time.”
- “Good balance of story and gameplay, no grinding or difficult tasks that disrupt progress to the point of frustration.”
- “Judging by the achievements, too few people have even gone past the halfway mark, and even if you don't collect everything, the story moves you along at a decent enough clip that it shouldn't be too much of a slog, and there's no farming required as long as you keep an eye out for murals.”
- “What ROTTR adds is a lot of bland side content that dilutes the overall experience, such as new grindy survival elements, larger areas with filler side quests, and a lot of padding.”
- “The 100% grind was absurdly tedious, but the game's story was fun (if ridiculously over-the-top).”
- “Gameplay becomes tedious very quickly and after the first two or three hours you'll know exactly what to expect for the rest of the game, just in a different locale: get to new area with a base camp, run through area constantly pressing Q to reveal collectibles, collect them, craft/upgrade your stuff, do pointless quests to get more collectibles to further craft/upgrade.”
replayability
551 mentions
32 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The replayability of "Rise of the Tomb Raider" is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while the game offers various modes, collectibles, and challenges that can enhance replay value, the linear nature of the main story limits its long-term appeal. Some players appreciate the additional modes like Expeditions and Endurance, which provide fresh experiences, while others feel that once the main campaign is completed, there is little incentive to return. Overall, opinions range from high replayability due to optional content and modes to a more limited experience for those focused solely on the main narrative.
- “In addition to the main campaign, Rise of the Tomb Raider also offers additional modes, such as expeditions, which allow players to replay levels with different challenges and modifiers, adding to the replayability and longevity of the game.”
- “The various game modes and weapon upgrades offer plenty of replayability, and the card system for challenge modes creates a marvel of a single-player experience.”
- “Surprisingly, this game has a lot of replayability after the main story ends... sure you can go do collectibles or whatever, but they actually include a whole other gameplay mode called 'expeditions' which create randomly generated maps for you to explore in a rogue-like fashion.”
- “Not much of a replayability potential, but the 40 hours I got out of it were definitely worth it.”
- “The game is too short with no replayable value.”
- “The issue with Tomb Raider is that once it's over there isn't much else to do, but in this one the endurance mode, and a few of the other modes that the other DLCs add can make the replay value much higher.”
atmosphere
472 mentions
66 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive environments, and atmospheric soundtrack, which together create a captivating sense of exploration and adventure. While some reviewers noted a shift towards spectacle that diminished tension compared to earlier installments, the attention to detail and rich historical settings still contribute significantly to the overall experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its breathtaking landscapes and the ability to draw players into its world, making it a standout feature despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and pacing.
- “The game’s environments are rich with detail, creating a sense of immersion that is complemented by an atmospheric soundtrack.”
- “The atmosphere remains immersive, but now with even more breathtaking landscapes and environments that make exploration a joy.”
- “The graphical fidelity and art direction combine to create a world brimming with atmospheric realism and visual splendor.”
- “This shift toward spectacle comes at the cost of atmosphere and tension, which were key to the success of the reboot.”
- “I think the atmosphere is repetitive, and the story acted like it had a bigger twist/complexity than it does.”
- “Gone is the classic Tomb Raider's atmosphere of lonesomeness in the tombs, and any sense of fear, challenge or frustration.”
emotional
383 mentions
90 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Rise of the Tomb Raider" is characterized by a mix of powerful storytelling and character development, particularly focusing on Lara Croft's personal journey and her relationship with her father. While many players found the narrative to be intimate and engaging, some criticized it for lacking emotional depth compared to its predecessor, with certain character arcs feeling underdeveloped or contrived. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from joy to sadness, but opinions vary on the effectiveness of its emotional impact.
- “The game’s narrative is more intimate than previous entries, focusing less on global stakes and more on Lara’s personal quest, lending the story a level of emotional depth that keeps players invested.”
- “The emotional journey she undergoes is both relatable and powerful.”
- “Lara's evolution from a determined young explorer to a resilient and empowered heroine is masterfully portrayed, and her emotional depth adds an extra layer of immersion to the story.”
- “Even ignoring the boring story, boring puzzles, predictability & horrendous AI, this game just feels so soulless & average.”
- “But because 2/3 of the game was just boring story, it really lets the game down.”
- “Uninspiring combat, character upgrades that do not matter in the slightest, boring story, maps littered with absolute trash as collectibles in the name of padding.”
character development
331 mentions
29 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Character development in "Rise of the Tomb Raider" is a focal point, particularly for the protagonist, Lara Croft, who evolves from a vulnerable survivor to a confident adventurer, grappling with themes of loss and identity. While many reviews praise the depth of Lara's character arc, some critics note a lack of development for supporting characters and express disappointment that the sequel does not build as significantly on her character as the previous installment. Overall, the game is recognized for its strong character design and immersive storytelling, despite some inconsistencies in character growth.
- “Lara Croft’s character development is a highlight, showcasing her growth from a driven survivor to a formidable adventurer.”
- “The character development is compelling, with Lara grappling with themes of loss, identity, and the pursuit of knowledge.”
- “The story, once again, is fantastic, pulling me in from the start, but this time the stakes felt even higher, and Lara’s character development is more pronounced.”
- “Run of the mill action game that undid a lot of Lara's character development from TR2013.”
- “No character development; she is just the same girl as she was in the previous game with a pale personality.”
- “The story is fine, though I was disappointed with Lara's character development; in the previous game she was a determinator, doing what was necessary to save her friends, while here she takes more of a follower role, doing errands for the locals while trying to save her dead father's reputation.”
humor
270 mentions
99 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it unintentionally funny due to glitches, awkward character interactions, and exaggerated action sequences. While some appreciate the comedic moments, such as Lara's encounters with enemies and the absurdity of certain situations, others feel the game lacks the charm and wit of its predecessors, often comparing it unfavorably to the humor found in Indiana Jones. Overall, the humor can be hit-or-miss, with some players enjoying the lighthearted aspects while others find the tone too serious or poorly executed.
- “Funny UK lady running around desecrating ancient ruins, tombs, and crypts with no regard for historical significance.”
- “In terms of funny points, one of the most memorable moments for me is when Lara encountered a group of Soviet soldiers, who mistook her for a spy and proceeded to interrogate her in broken English.”
- “I do find it hilarious that I'll be failing left and right on the parkour, dying over and over again... but the second I see an enemy I can shoot?”
- “Could be a great game, but it has so many game-breaking bugs it's not funny.”
monetization
94 mentions
3 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in this game has drawn significant criticism, with many players finding the presence of microtransactions and DLC advertisements intrusive and unnecessary. While some reviews note that the microtransactions do not heavily impact gameplay, the overall sentiment suggests that they detract from the experience, leading to perceptions of the game as a cash grab. Players express a desire for a more straightforward, content-rich experience without the added pressure of monetization tactics.
- “The microtransactions in this game are probably the weakest point, but fortunately, after buying the season pass and opening all the loot boxes at the very beginning, you completely forget about them.”
- “I should also mention that I haven't seen any microtransactions begging for my cash, which lately is a huge plus.”
- “Please, stop with the microtransactions - at least they made them fairly unintrusive, but if there were none it would've been even better.”
- “I can't help but wonder if the publisher messed with this game. There are now broken microtransactions in the game that have been disabled due to no one buying them, and a weird difficulty spike at the very end. This game feels like it needed another 18 months to flesh out but got shoved out the door with very questionable design decisions and DLC it does not need at all.”
- “The multitude of weapons and new climbing mechanics were great; I just wish that advertisements for DLC and the marketplace didn't show up all the time to remind me that they suddenly want more money.”
- “The sequel gets rid of all that goofy stuff and replaces it with completely pointless microtransactions, grindy gameplay, and a really boring story.”