Tomb Raider II

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The second instalment in the Tomb Raider series invites you to join Lara as she travels around the globe to retrieve a precious artefact before it falls into the wrong hands. The legendary artefact, the Dagger of Xian, is said to give its possessor the power of a fire breathing dragon.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 900 reviews

graphics26 positive mentions

grinding8 negative mentions

Tomb Raider II features improved graphics and level design compared to the first game, with diverse environments such as the Great Wall of China, Venice, and Tibet.
The game introduces new mechanics, including vehicles and additional weapons, enhancing the gameplay experience.
The atmosphere and soundtrack are memorable, contributing to the overall enjoyment and nostalgia of the game.

The controls are clunky and can be frustrating, especially for new players unfamiliar with the tank control scheme.
The combat is often criticized for being overly reliant on hitscan enemies, leading to frustrating encounters.
Technical issues with the Steam port, such as lack of fullscreen support and missing health bars, detract from the overall experience.

graphics
140 mentions
19 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the Tomb Raider series, particularly in its earlier titles, are often described as dated but charming, reflecting the technological limitations of their time. While some players appreciate the nostalgic low-poly aesthetic and atmospheric design, others find the visuals lacking by modern standards, with issues like poor lighting and graphical glitches. Overall, the remastered versions offer slight improvements, yet many agree that the gameplay and story compensate for the outdated graphics.
- “The game's graphics and sound design were groundbreaking for its time, with impressive environments and sound effects that helped bring the game's world to life.”
- “Graphically, Tomb Raider II was impressive for its time.”
- “The graphics have definitely improved with there actually being a skybox this time around and Lara's model has seen much improvement with her long hair intact.”
- “Now, the graphics are so messed up, I cannot see the HP bar.”
- “The graphics are bad, the controls are poor (that 360 rotational turning drives me crazy now - maybe it's just me) but functional, and the DOSBox that runs the game is downright terrible and makes it easy to accidentally crash the whole thing.”
- “While the graphics aren't as good as the current games (obviously!) and some people might not be able to overcome this, I can't agree with the controls complaints.”
story
134 mentions
32 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of Tomb Raider II follows Lara Croft on her quest to find the mystical Dagger of Xian, a powerful artifact, as she travels through various iconic locations like the Great Wall of China and Venice. While some players find the narrative engaging and well-integrated with the gameplay, others criticize it for being simplistic or incoherent, often serving merely as a backdrop for action and exploration. Overall, the story is seen as entertaining and fitting for the adventure genre, though it may not offer deep or complex storytelling.
- “In this sequel, you once again step into the boots of Lara Croft, a daring, smart-mouthed, yet classy archaeologist on a quest to find the Dagger of Xian, a powerful artifact rumored to grant its wielder immense power and control over any army.”
- “The story is captivating, beginning with Lara's drop from a helicopter near the Great Wall of China.”
- “The story sees Lara in pursuit of the Dagger of Xian, a mystical weapon that can turn the one that pierces their heart with it into a dragon.”
- “The story is incoherent and basically impossible to follow, though I found it comical and very much in keeping with the time—not something to take seriously.”
- “The story also was hard to follow for me and you barely interact with the main antagonist of the game nor fully understand his motivation.”
- “The story just isn't particularly clear or engaging.”
gameplay
127 mentions
23 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Tomb Raider II is a notable improvement over its predecessor, featuring a balanced mix of combat, exploration, and challenging puzzles that keep players engaged. While some mechanics, such as climbing and new weapons, enhance the experience, the controls can feel outdated and frustrating at times. Overall, the game maintains a classic feel with its level design and gameplay loop, appealing to both fans of the franchise and newcomers despite some criticisms regarding its difficulty and mechanics.
- “Tomb Raider II strikes a perfect balance between combat and exploration, keeping the gameplay engaging without becoming overwhelming.”
- “The game's mechanics are well-designed, with a good balance of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat that kept the game engaging throughout.”
- “While on today’s standards, TR2 may not be quite an 'eye candy', it compensates with some great level designs, and it sure offers great gameplay, making the player put some effort in order to complete the game.”
- “I'm 40 and it's the first time I play this game, and the controls in the game are so outdated. I don't understand how a 3D game was released in 1997 when there were Quake and Quake II with excellent controls. Tomb Raider II is a nice and vintage-looking game, but its gameplay is a bit annoying for me.”
- “The gameplay is a little stale, but the atmosphere, sense of exploration, and challenging (at times slightly too obtuse) puzzles are all top-notch.”
- “I can't believe how hard it is to play this game; it's unbelievable how the gameplay sucks so hard!”
music
87 mentions
38 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and memorable quality, with many reviewers highlighting the stellar soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some players noted issues with the music's sporadic presence and occasional bugs, the majority agree that the compositions effectively convey emotions and complement the game's various settings. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant strength, contributing to the game's charm and immersive qualities.
- “The soundtrack is ingrained in my brain from my childhood and is an absolute banger.”
- “The atmosphere is fantastic thanks to the soundtrack and the interesting locations.”
- “A nice storyline, great environments, incredible atmosphere and amazing music, this game has it all!!”
- “It is also missing music and sound effects.”
- “For a first time playthrough, it took me a while to figure my way from place to place, and music tends to only happen briefly once every few rooms, leaving the game generally quiet.”
- “My only gripe here is that the use of the soundtrack is much too sparse.”
atmosphere
47 mentions
68 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and varied environments, enhanced by exceptional sound design and music that evoke feelings of adventure, tension, and nostalgia. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a sense of claustrophobia and mystery, particularly in levels like the Maria Doria, while also noting that the atmospheric elements contribute significantly to the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the series. Despite some criticisms regarding certain levels and sound effects, the game's atmosphere remains a highlight, often described as unforgettable and captivating.
- “Unbeatable atmosphere and ambiance, the lower render distance and the black fog really help sell the dark and mysterious feelings of ancient abandoned ruins.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is amazing.”
- “The sound design is amazing, the atmosphere is creepy.”
- “The gameplay is a little stale, but the atmosphere, sense of exploration, and challenging (at times slightly too obtuse) puzzles are all top notch.”
- “These levels do capture the atmosphere of claustrophobia and loneliness from the first game better than the rest of the levels though.”
- “This is the worst part of the core series, only the levels and atmosphere really stand out.”
grinding
9 mentions
0 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, with repetitive combat and backtracking leading to a frustrating experience. While some puzzles offer a sense of accomplishment, many players find the overall structure and combat mechanics to be poorly designed and cumbersome, making the game feel like a less engaging version of its predecessor.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Some levels, like the Temple of Xian, suffer from a lot of backtracking, making for a rather tedious experience.”
- “In the end, Tomb Raider II just feels like a tedious and boring version of the original.”
replayability
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it not highly replayable, they still appreciate the experience and suggest enhancements like the automated fix and expansion for improved play. Conversely, others highlight its high replay value, indicating that it remains enjoyable to revisit.
- “I think it has high replay value and is always a good time!”
- “It has great replay value.”
- “🔲 infinitely replayable”
- “While the game is not super replayable, it is a really cool title to experience again.”
- “Look in the guides here on Steam to pick up the Tomb Raider II automated fix; it offers several improvements to make the game more playable on modern machines, as well as adding the T2Gold expansion, which adds a bonus four levels.”
stability
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally criticized, with users reporting various bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as issues with controller support and graphical anomalies. While some players find ways to navigate these problems, the overall experience is marred by frequent technical issues, particularly during swimming mechanics and visual rendering. Despite its nostalgic appeal, the game's stability remains a significant concern for many users.
- “Even the simplest tools I found either had game-breaking glitches or I could not get controller support right.”
- “Although the game is old, the graphics are mid-1990's quality, and it's a bit buggy at times.”
- “First off, a few words about this particular version of the game: unless you are willing to search a bit for mods, the game will look downright horrible. Another problem is that it has some graphical glitches from time to time, like being able to see interactive objects behind walls, but nothing game-breaking.”
optimization
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is mixed, with some users reporting poor performance even on high-end hardware like the RTX 3090, while others note that it is better optimized than its predecessor, Tomb Raider. However, there are still complaints about inadequate PC optimization overall.
- “If TR1 is peak Tomb Raider performance, then TR2 Gold is peak Tomb Raider experience.”
- “Bad PC performance using a RTX 3090.”
- “Not optimized for PC at all.”
- “Tomb Raider is optimized much better than the first game.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players noting its pleasant and funny moments, particularly in the ending, which is described as a "pastiche." However, some players experienced frustration due to game-breaking bugs that detracted from the overall enjoyment. Despite these issues, the humor contributes positively to the game's charm and appeal.
- “It's funny to see how few people had worked on it compared to today's AAA games, even if in popularity it was huge back in the day, even in Hungary.”
- “Great game overall, demands a lot of commitment to complete, but felt quite rewarding when you got there with a rather funny, almost pastiche ending.”
character development
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the character design in the Tomb Raider series is appreciated, there is a notable lack of depth in dialogue and overall character development, leaving players wanting more narrative engagement.
- “The character development in this game is truly impressive, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters.”
- “I appreciate how the game explores the characters' backstories, making their journeys feel more meaningful.”
- “The evolution of the characters throughout the game adds layers to the story and enhances the overall experience.”
- “However, these games are rather short on dialogue, character development, and narrative.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, recalling poignant moments such as the butler's relentless pursuit in Lara's mansion, which evoked feelings of sadness and confusion during childhood. This highlights the game's ability to resonate with players on a personal level, leaving a lasting impact.
- “The butler in Lara's mansion made me cry as a child because I could not understand how he could find me wherever I hid.”