Shadow of the Tomb Raider

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 19,991 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Shadow of the Tomb Raider Game Cover
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Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an action-adventure puzzle game that brings the origins trilogy to a thrilling conclusion. Here, Lara Croft must save the world from a Mayan apocalypse and solidify her destiny as the Tomb Raider. The game is officially supported on various Mac models released since 2013, though some older models may still run it.

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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 19,991 reviews
story3,487 positive mentions
stability457 negative mentions
  • story10,017 mentions

    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 less satisfying experience overall.

    • “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 exposition that you really don't need to know.”
    • “The story is the worst of the trilogy overall.”
  • graphics4,454 mentions

    The graphics in "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, often described as breathtaking and among the best in the gaming industry. Many players noted the game's ability to create immersive environments, particularly in jungle settings, with high-quality textures and impressive lighting effects, especially when utilizing ray tracing. However, some reviews pointed out occasional graphical glitches and performance issues, suggesting that while the graphics are a highlight, they do not fully compensate for shortcomings in gameplay and story.

    • “The graphics are stunning and truly a work of art, and I look forward to playing the DLC chapters.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning, particularly the underwater scenes, which are beautifully crafted.”
    • “The graphics are jaw-droppingly gorgeous (explore the lush jungles of South America/Peru without the bug bites and flesh-eating diseases), and unlike Rise of the Tomb Raider, Shadow is stable in performance/fps.”
    • “It's a jumbled mess that only has graphical fidelity going for it.”
    • “In substance: it's all pretty graphics and void gameplay.”
    • “The graphics are significantly worse than Rise of the Tomb Raider, in a direct comparison, and as far as I can recall the graphics are worse than Tomb Raider 2013's, relative to the standards of the time.”
  • gameplay4,173 mentions

    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 a variety of environments to explore, some players found the gameplay repetitive and criticized the lack of significant innovation, particularly in combat and traversal mechanics. The introduction of stealth elements, such as mud camouflage and new climbing techniques, was generally well-received, but some players felt that the overall experience was marred by technical issues and a less engaging story compared to earlier entries in the series.

    • “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 cutscene 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 kinda meh.”
  • optimization575 mentions

    The optimization of "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over its predecessors, particularly in terms of graphics and performance on high-end systems. However, numerous reports highlight persistent issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, especially in densely populated areas or when using advanced features like ray tracing. Overall, while some players experience smooth gameplay, others find the optimization lacking, particularly on lower-end hardware.

    • “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 GTX 660 to the latest and greatest GPUs and CPUs.”
    • “It's amazing what some testing and optimizations can do.”
    • “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 has a lot of bugs and performance issues, audio-video sync issues, stuttering, constant crashes.”
  • stability490 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly disrupt gameplay. Common issues include soft locks, unresponsive controls, and frequent freezes, which can lead to lost progress and frustration. While some players managed to enjoy the game despite these problems, many recommend waiting for patches or sales before purchasing due to its unpolished state.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “I really wanted to give it 10/10 but 3+ years after its release the game is still too far from polished: encountered many bugs and glitches; there are various gameplay issues; and few minor story points weren't up to my expectations.”
  • music414 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance immersion, particularly in jungle and tomb environments. Composed by Brian D'Oliveira, the soundtrack features a blend of traditional instruments and ambient soundscapes that effectively capture the game's tone, although some players noted issues with audio glitches and a lack of memorable themes. Overall, while the music contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere, opinions vary on its impact and memorability 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 more than knowing there's supposed to be at least some peaceful music with birds chirping when wandering through the forest.”
    • “The music doesn't fit the scenarios and is quite possibly the worst in the entire saga.”
    • “The soundtrack was something that also really helped to set the mood when it wasn't cutting out, especially for me personally as I have always had a thing for tribal music.”
  • atmosphere300 mentions

    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 visuals, dynamic weather effects, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the game. While some critiques mention a lack of variety in settings, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to create a captivating and atmospheric experience that resonates with fans of the series.

    • “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 two reboots ('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 scenery did not change much -- mostly you are in a jungle or jungle village -- but the potential of a jungle (frightening atmosphere at night, glowing eyes in the dark, strange sounds, dangerous animals) was not exploited.”
    • “It's boring as hell, the atmosphere feels bland and generic, the story sucks, and there are barely any enemies in the game.”
  • emotional286 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" elicits mixed responses from players. While some praise the game for its touching character development and emotional depth, particularly in Lara's journey and her relationship with Jonah, others criticize the storytelling as disjointed and lacking genuine emotional impact. Overall, the game is seen as a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows, with some moments resonating deeply while others feel forced or unconvincing.

    • “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 boasts breathtaking graphics, immersive sound design, and a deeply engaging storyline that explores the complex and emotional journey of the iconic protagonist.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding277 mentions

    The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium and grind in the game, with many players expressing frustration over repetitive puzzles, resource gathering, and backtracking. While some aspects of exploration and crafting are appreciated, the overall experience is marred by lengthy animations, bugs, and a lack of engaging content, leading to a feeling that significant portions of gameplay are unnecessarily drawn out and unfulfilling. Many reviewers suggest that achieving 100% completion requires excessive grinding, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “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 development188 mentions

    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 strong character development, particularly in emotional scenes, the overall execution feels inconsistent, with some players feeling that Lara's struggles and motivations lack progression. Overall, the game attempts to balance character development with action and exploration, but opinions vary widely on its success.

    • “Character development is a central element in this installment, where Lara’s motivations and inner struggles come to the forefront.”
    • “The character development and emotional depth add layers to the storytelling, creating a sense of attachment to Lara and her journey.”
    • “Lara's trip is a highly captivating experience because it's not just about her physical endurance but also about her character development.”
    • “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.”
    • “The character development is almost non-existent. It feels rushed, movement is glitchy, and the storyline is nonsense with uninteresting characters.”
    • “Worst of all is that there is no real, convincing character development for Lara. The narrative complexity and character development have evolved significantly, offering a more mature and engaging storyline.”
  • replayability134 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the abundance of side quests, collectibles, and challenge tombs that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviewers noted limitations due to a linear story, long cutscenes, and repetitive gameplay elements, which can detract from the overall replay value. While some find it highly replayable, others feel it lacks sufficient incentive to revisit after completing the main story.

    • “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 you still 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.”
    • “So much replayability, amazing jungle graphics for its time, fun stealth mechanics, great story, and ending to the trilogy.”
    • “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.”
  • humor83 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both entertaining and unintentionally funny due to glitches, character interactions, and over-the-top death animations. While some appreciate the snarky dialogue and comedic moments, others criticize the humor as inconsistent or poorly executed, leading to moments that are more laughable than engaging. Overall, the game's comedic elements can provide enjoyment, but they often detract from the intended serious tone of the narrative.

    • “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.”
    • “Best part about this game is when you go on photo mode and make her put on a funny face milliseconds before her untimely death.”
    • “She screams and curses in such an uncontrollable fashion, it's not funny anymore.”
  • monetization19 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" due to the prevalence of microtransactions and the limited availability of the base game outside of a definitive edition. Players express frustration over the game's reliance on online accounts and unnecessary links, which detract from the overall experience. Despite some positive aspects like graphics and gameplay, the monetization practices are seen as detrimental to the franchise's integrity.

    • “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.”
    • “Just seems like a lazy cash grab of a game.”
    • “They have to include all this online crap, accounts, tons of microtransactions, and links to things that have nothing to do with gaming.”
    • “I preordered the game then a month later it goes on sale, which is pretty shady of the developers; seems just like a cash grab and they don't care about the players.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

19hMedian play time
20hAverage play time
13hMain story
38hCompletionist
10-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 120 analyzed playthroughs

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