Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Overall, I absolutely recommend Shadow of the Tomb Raider – a clear Game of the Year candidate for me.

87%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

stability, grinding

85% User Score Based on 39,982 reviews

Critic Score 91%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

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About

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing shooter game with mystery, historical and violence themes. It was developed by Crystal Dynamics and was released on September 13, 2018. It received very positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

As Lara Croft races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, she must become the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.

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85%

Audience ScoreBased on 39,982 reviews

story7k positive mentions

stability914 negative mentions

story
20,034 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
56%
9%
The story of "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it less engaging than its predecessors. While some appreciate the character development and emotional depth, particularly in Lara's journey, others criticize the plot for being predictable, filled with clichés, and lacking coherence. The game features a blend of main story missions and side quests, but many players feel that the side content detracts from the overall narrative, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, while the game is visually stunning and offers enjoyable gameplay, the story is often seen as its weakest aspect.
- “With its stunning visuals, complex story, and intense gameplay, 'Shadow of the Tomb Raider' delivers a memorable, if slightly flawed, conclusion to Lara’s origin story.”
- “The storyline, though largely familiar, offers glimpses into Lara’s motivations rooted in loss and resolve.”
- “The story is a gripping and emotional journey, diving deep into Lara’s character and her evolution from a survivor to a seasoned adventurer.”
- “But as you progress through it, the game becomes increasingly chore-like, filled with bugs (in some regards inexcusably so), and the story is both tiresome and exasperating.”
- “The story was never really a strong suit in the last two games, but they were at least serviceable; this game is obsessed with annoyingly long cutscenes filled with conversations composed entirely of expositing things that you really don't need to know.”
- “The story is the worst of the trilogy overall.”
graphics
8,908 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The graphics in "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, often described as breathtaking and among the best in the series. Many players highlight the game's ability to create immersive environments, particularly in the lush jungles and intricate tombs, with some noting that the graphics remain impressive even years after release. However, there are also mentions of graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The graphics are stunning and truly a work of art, and I look forward to playing the DLC chapters.”
- “The graphics are out of this world.”
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning, particularly the underwater scenes, which are beautifully crafted.”
- “But beyond the pretty graphics, this game feels more like a sidegrade at best and a downgrade at worst.”
- “It's a jumbled mess that only has graphical fidelity going for it.”
- “Unfortunately though there are times where the graphics glitch out massively.”
gameplay
8,346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The gameplay of "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it closely resembles its predecessors, "Tomb Raider" (2013) and "Rise of the Tomb Raider" (2015), with only minor improvements and new mechanics. While the game features stunning graphics and engaging puzzles, some players found the combat and stealth mechanics to be less satisfying, often feeling repetitive and lacking depth. Overall, the gameplay is described as enjoyable but not groundbreaking, with a strong emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving rather than combat.
- “While the game builds on the refined mechanics and cinematic style established by its predecessors, it also stands out with an immersive atmosphere, deeply introspective narrative, and challenging puzzles that test the player’s resolve.”
- “The environments don’t just serve as a backdrop but are crucial to the gameplay, with Lara traversing caves, climbing cliffs, and navigating dense foliage to hide from enemies.”
- “The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.”
- “Lara's silly internal monologue as guidance and a lot of hit and miss traversal mechanics, as well as her whining, stop this from being a great game.”
- “It's like the developers wanted to make it as much of a chore as possible -- all moments of tension in gameplay turn into a cut scene immediately destroying the energy, and the sheer amount of underwater swimming made me want to drown in real life.”
- “The gameplay is the same as the previous ones with a few new things; the story is kind of meh.”
optimization
1,150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
43%
23%
The optimization of "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over previous titles, particularly in terms of graphics and performance on high-end systems. However, issues such as stuttering, frame drops in populated areas, and crashes persist, especially on lower-end hardware or when using certain settings like DirectX 12. Overall, while some players report a smooth experience, others highlight ongoing optimization challenges that detract from the gameplay.
- “The optimization and the graphics are so good that it's being used as the benchmark even today, many years after its release.”
- “The game is very well optimized, meaning you will be able to play it on a huge variety of hardware from a core i3 and a gtx660 to the latest and greatest GPUs and CPUs.”
- “It's so polished, well-optimized, and looks absolutely stunning at 2k 60 fps+.”
- “Bad optimization for PC.”
- “Optimization is beyond awful and can ruin the experience; I haven't had a game this poorly optimized before.”
- “The game is poorly optimized.”
stability
980 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
1%
93%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, including soft locks, freezing, and unresponsive controls. Many users noted that these issues persisted long after the game's release, detracting from the overall experience and making it difficult to progress without frequent troubleshooting. While some players managed to enjoy the game despite these problems, the consensus is that the game remains unpolished and frustratingly buggy, leading to a lack of recommendation for potential buyers.
- “Based on today's bug tolerance of gamers and overall developer standards, this (at least in its current state) is a pretty stable and relatively bug-free game.”
- “Fabulous graphics, gameplay smooth as silk, no glitches anywhere which was refreshing.”
- “The game is very well optimized and runs great without any issues.”
- “This is a great game that I do not recommend buying simply because it is annoyingly buggy, from immersion-breaking glitches to actual glitches soft-locking forcing you to reset, or simply making you die.”
- “Game is still buggy long after release.”
- “The game is buggy, there are game-breaking glitches that have not been patched at key areas in tombs and the main story (pillars and levers not operable) and the controller doesn't stop vibrating.”
music
828 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
57%
1%
The music in "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the game's immersive experience. Composed by Brian D'Oliveira, the soundtrack features a blend of traditional instruments and ambient soundscapes that effectively capture the game's jungle setting, although some players noted issues with audio glitches and a lack of memorable themes. Overall, while the music contributes significantly to the game's ambiance, opinions vary on its impact compared to previous titles in the series.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Brian D’Oliveira, captures the haunting, suspenseful tone of the jungle environment.”
- “The music is a mix of traditional instruments and ambient soundscapes, adding depth to the atmosphere.”
- “The game's soundtrack beautifully complements the atmosphere, with a mix of ambient sounds and intense scores that add to the tension and drama of the game.”
- “Nothing diminishes the quality of the gameplay than knowing the fact that there's supposed to be at least some peaceful music with birds chirping when wandering through the forest.”
- “A lot of the game is running around the world and exploring, but there is no background music or anything, you just listen to heavy breathing, grunts and the occasional ominous sounds.”
- “The music doesn't fit the scenarios and is quite possibly the worst in the entire saga.”
atmosphere
600 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The atmosphere in "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" is widely praised for its immersive and richly detailed environments, effectively capturing the essence of exploration and adventure. Players appreciate the vibrant jungle settings, dynamic weather effects, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain gameplay elements, the game's visual and auditory design consistently draws players into its captivating world.
- “This part draws players into meticulously crafted settings, where vivid, saturated colors bring the Latin American jungle to life, the reflections off marble catch the eye, and the vibrant Day of the Dead festivities pulse with atmospheric detail.”
- “The attention to detail and the realism of the environments create an atmosphere that's both awe-inspiring and immersive.”
- “The atmosphere was incredible and the graphics were incredibly immersive.”
- “I hated the first 2 reboot ('Tomb Raider' 2013 and 'Rise of the Tomb Raider'), because of the almost total lack of exploration, puzzles, tombs to explore (in a Tomb Raider game...), their depressing atmosphere, the gore (...) and I couldn't stand their stupid pick for locations (depressing island where it's always raining + snowy for the second game).”
- “The game when standing still looks fantastic, but there are so many instances where the game clunks out, or forces you to take a position, or makes you crawl real slowly underneath / in between little caves and crags that the whole atmosphere and experience just feels like a crappy series of loading screens, pacing issues and faux film-esque bullcrap.”
- “It's boring as hell, the atmosphere feels bland and generic, the story sucks, and there are barely any enemies in the game.”
emotional
572 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
85%
15%
The emotional aspect of "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its character development and emotional depth, particularly in Lara's journey and her relationships, especially with Jonah. However, many critics argue that the storytelling is disjointed and lacks coherence, undermining the emotional weight of key moments, leading to a disconnect with the characters. While some found the game to be an emotional rollercoaster that resonated deeply, others felt it fell flat, resulting in a lack of genuine emotional engagement.
- “The story is a gripping and emotional journey, diving deep into Lara’s character and her evolution from a survivor to a seasoned adventurer.”
- “The game draws you in emotionally and you get to know the characters in such a personal way that you almost get attached to them.”
- “The story is beautiful, meaningful, and touching.”
- “This is not at all like the real Lara Croft; in this reboot trilogy, she is represented as a washed-out, boring crybaby replacement. If you want to play a weak female lead character in the most boring story game ever, then play this.”
- “All this time and effort put into the boring story ends with an unimpressive fight which failed to quench my bitterness.”
- “Even ignoring the boring story, boring puzzles, predictability, and horrendous AI, this game just feels so soulless and average.”
grinding
554 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
24%
75%
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players finding the resource gathering, puzzle-solving, and backtracking to be tedious and unfulfilling. Reviewers noted that the game often feels like a chore, with repetitive tasks and long animations detracting from the overall experience. While some appreciated the depth of exploration and side quests, the consensus is that the game leans heavily into grindy mechanics that can frustrate players seeking a more streamlined adventure.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Beautiful graphics, cool story so far, and it's not too grindy.”
- “While I like the aspect of having to learn a language in order to translate texts, I don't like having to run back to temples, levels, etc. just to translate a monolith you passed a long time ago; that just feels tedious and not rewarding at all.”
- “The big downside of the game - finding rare animals / farming gold after a few hours of gameplay starts to feel meaningless.”
- “The gameplay gets tedious after a while and no new elements are added to give a feeling of progression or character build-up.”
character development
376 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
58%
13%
Character development in this installment of the Tomb Raider series is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and emotional growth of Lara Croft and her relationships, particularly with Jonah, while others criticize it as shallow and repetitive, failing to build on previous games' arcs. Many reviews highlight that while there are moments of meaningful character exploration, the overall execution feels inconsistent, with some feeling that Lara's struggles and motivations lack progression from earlier titles. Ultimately, the game offers a blend of strong character moments and disappointing narrative choices, leaving players divided on its effectiveness.
- “The thing that I really appreciate about the survival series is how much effort has been put into character development, both Lara's and the side characters like Jonah, and this time, it's much better.”
- “Lara’s character development is delicately handled, and the emotional moments satisfyingly wrap up her quest that began in 2013.”
- “The character development and emotional depth add layers to the storytelling, creating a sense of attachment to Lara and her journey.”
- “Lara Croft's character development in this game is absolutely shallow; we are still dealing with 'trauma from dead parents' and 'all the bad things happening is my fault' from Rise of the Tomb Raider. It's as if the events that happened in the previous game didn't have any impact on her.”
- “I have to emphasize that Lara Croft has zero character development in this game.”
- “The character development in this game is almost non-existent.”
replayability
268 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the numerous side quests, collectibles, and challenge tombs that encourage exploration and repeated playthroughs. However, some reviewers noted that the story's linearity and lengthy cutscenes can detract from the overall replay value, leading to a consensus that while there is potential for replayability, it may not be as high as in previous titles. Overall, opinions range from "infinitely replayable" to "limited replay value," highlighting a divide in player experiences.
- “All three are great games with loads of replay value, and it seems that the more you go through regions, you get to appreciate the attention to detail and uncover more and more previously unseen secrets.”
- “The game's replay value is through the roof with numerous side quests, hidden treasures, and secret tombs to uncover.”
- “That being said, the game has a high replay value, and you'll probably find yourself coming back to it again and again.”
- “The only negative things I have to add is the limited replayability (the hardest difficulty just makes the game more annoying to play) and the tomb leaderboards which are filled by cheated times, so they get literally useless.”
- “Replayability is very low in my opinion, unless you just want to play the tomb challenges again which are all available in the main menu.”
- “I would still recommend this game though but only to play through once as there is no replay value whatsoever.”
humor
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
1%
1%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both amusing and frustrating. Creative and often violent deaths of the protagonist, Lara, elicit laughter, while NPC dialogues and character interactions provide moments of levity. However, some reviewers criticize the humor as inconsistent or poorly executed, leading to moments that are unintentionally funny or detract from the overall experience.
- “Hilariously, the end boss runs around laughing like he is Count Chocula; I was just waiting for a cereal commercial to play once I beat him.”
- “The overly-epic yet somehow non-consequential plot and Lara's psychotically destructive behavior actually made me laugh out loud.”
- “One final point, the sequence where Lara goes all Rambo and flat out murders everyone in sight… that was bloody hilarious.”
- “She screams and curses in such an uncontrollable fashion, it's not funny anymore.”
monetization
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
13%
79%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" due to the heavy reliance on microtransactions and the limited availability of the base game. Players express frustration over the game's perceived lack of depth and originality, feeling that it prioritizes profit over quality, while also noting that the promotional material does not align with the actual gameplay experience. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as detrimental to the franchise's integrity and player satisfaction.
- “Not riddled (yet) with predatory monetization like microtransactions to con consumers with the 'live services' scam and some drip-fed, price-gouged asset plan for the next year.”
- “Not riddled (yet) with predatory monetization like microtransactions to con consumers with the 'live services' scam and some drip-fed, price-gouged asset plan for the next year.”
- “But microtransactions and the introduction of normal, deluxe, potato editions are ruining this franchise.”
- “Just seems like a lazy cash grab of a game.”
- “Unfortunately, the story in this third installment leaves a lot to be desired and feels like a mediocre cash grab sequel.”
- “I preordered the game then a month later it goes on sale, which is pretty shady of the developers; it seems just like a cash grab and they don't care about the players.”

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91%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

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19h Median play time

20h Average play time

13h Main story

38h Completionist

10-30h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 240 analyzed playthroughs

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Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a open world role playing shooter game with mystery, historical and violence themes.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, iPhone, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 13 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 38 hours to finish. On average players spend around 20 hours playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider was released on September 13, 2018.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider was developed by Crystal Dynamics.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Rise of the Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider, Horizon Forbidden West, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, Metro Exodus and others.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

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