Tomb Raider VI: The Angel of Darkness (2003)

About

In Tomb Raider VI: The Angel of Darkness, Lara Croft is back and entangled in a dark mystery involving ancient artifacts and a sinister alchemist. Set in Europe, Lara must navigate treacherous environments, solve puzzles, and engage in combat to unravel the truth. This edition features enhanced graphics and refined gameplay, providing a fresh take on the classic Tomb Raider experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Tomb Raider VI: The Angel of Darkness (2003) screenshot

59%

Audience ScoreBased on 732 reviews

story150 positive mentions

gameplay29 negative mentions

Engaging and dark storyline that adds depth to the Tomb Raider franchise.
Impressive graphics and atmosphere for a game released in 2003, showcasing detailed environments.
Unique gameplay elements like RPG mechanics and character interactions, despite being poorly executed.

Terrible controls that are clunky and unresponsive, making gameplay frustrating.
Numerous bugs and glitches that hinder the overall experience and can lead to game-breaking issues.
Rushed development resulted in cut content and an unfinished feel, leaving many plot points unresolved.

story
363 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
52%
6%
The story of "Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness" is often praised for its dark, engaging narrative and complex themes, making it one of the most intriguing in the series. However, many players note that the second half of the game feels rushed and incomplete due to significant content cuts, leading to confusion and unresolved plot points. Despite its flaws, including clunky controls and bugs, the story remains a highlight for fans, showcasing a unique direction for Lara Croft's character and the franchise as a whole.
- “The story is brilliant, high stakes, and has a satisfying ending.”
- “The lore-rich story based on gothic mythology, the immersive atmosphere, and the amazingly orchestrated soundtrack always have me on the edge of my seat.”
- “The story is the most complex, interesting, and well-developed of all the Tomb Raider games, Core or Crystal Dynamics, to date.”
- “The second half of the game isn't good as the first - the developers started to cut content because they were running out of time, so a huge part of the story remains untold, leaving you confused at the final level.”
- “Ultimately, this game is just a mish-mash of half-finished ideas, crappy levels, and a story that is borderline engaging but mostly just boring and forgettable.”
- “Defenders of this game will praise the story and the ability to interact with characters, but the story doesn't go much of anywhere; it ends on a cliffhanger that assumed that 'Angel of Darkness' would be part one of a trilogy (spoiler alert: parts 2 and 3 never got released due to how poorly this game turned out).”
gameplay
163 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
71%
18%
The gameplay of "Angel of Darkness" is widely criticized for its clunky controls, unfinished mechanics, and numerous bugs, leading to a frustrating experience for many players. While some appreciate the attempt to innovate with RPG elements and new gameplay features, these additions often feel poorly implemented and detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite its flaws, the game retains a nostalgic charm for some fans, particularly those who value its story and atmosphere over gameplay quality.
- “The mechanics are strange but good; RPG-style elements were a bold choice for an adventure game, but I think it's fun and rewarding.”
- “Some of its mechanics are bonkers, but all in all, this is a solid, entertaining time.”
- “Thanks to an angel, we finally can return to see the light and exit from the darkness of the previous chapters, and for the first time in the series, there are some improvements on both graphics and game mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is a little bit like the gameplay in GTA (a little bit sluggish).”
- “Very little works as it should - the equilibrium of platforming, puzzles, and action perfected over the previous five installments has been replaced by a Frankenstein of gameplay mechanics that, in spite of whatever intentions the developers might have had, do nothing in their existing form to enhance the overall experience.”
- “It is by far the worst Tomb Raider game mechanically, it's full of bugs, the gameplay shows its age badly, and it's almost hostile to the player in how unfinished it seems.”
graphics
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their impressive quality, especially considering its release over twenty years ago, with many reviewers noting that they still hold up well today. The visuals are complemented by memorable locations and a strong atmosphere, although some players experienced graphical glitches and issues with controls that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a standout feature, showcasing significant improvements over previous titles in the series.
- “The graphics are outstanding, even now.”
- “The game offers stunning graphics and great animations, along with a stellar soundtrack that helps create a truly immersive experience.”
- “For a 2003 game, the graphics must have been amazing!”
- “The graphics are glitchy, you can choose from about ten different guns but most are very similar, and it is clear the game was rushed out.”
- “However, these improvements come at the cost of frequent graphical glitches, with patches doing little to fix the problem.”
- “The graphics are much improved, and the story is awesome, but the controls and glitches make it super frustrating to play.”
music
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised as its standout feature, with many reviewers highlighting the orchestral soundtrack composed by Peter Connelly and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra as breathtaking and atmospheric. Players appreciate how the music enhances the game's gothic and immersive environments, often describing it as the best in the Tomb Raider series. Despite criticisms of gameplay mechanics and level design, the soundtrack consistently receives accolades for its ability to evoke emotion and complement the narrative.
- “The lore-rich story based on gothic mythology, the immersive atmosphere, and the amazingly orchestrated soundtrack by Peter Connelly, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, always have me on the edge of my seat.”
- “The soundtrack is breathtakingly beautiful and adds to the atmosphere in ways to bring the game to life.”
- “The best Tomb Raider story ever, atmospheric and beautiful music, dark and gritty environments.”
- “Also, they somehow achieved to make mechanics worse than the ones from the first generation (Tomb Raider 1 to 5). You somehow now have a mix between tank and modern controls, but it's super slow. You need to patch it so it works the way it should work... music is just... okay-ish but sometimes you end up having no music at all (imagine fighting the final boss without a proper soundtrack lol).”
- “There's a lot of music at the start of the game and a lot less at the end.”
- “The music of the game is its only positive feature.”
stability
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly impact gameplay. While some find charm in the game's imperfections and appreciate the story, many agree that the rushed development led to a frustrating experience, with issues ranging from minor graphical glitches to game-breaking errors. Despite some patches improving performance, the consensus is that the game remains notably unstable and unfinished.
- “The PC port is not that bad; it's not buggy like I expected it to be.”
- “The game is riddled with bugs and glitches.”
- “This game is rushed, buggy, and unfinished, a disappointment that ended up destroying its developer.”
- “The game controls were extremely hard to manage, RPG elements were undeveloped and useless with constant bugs and glitches throughout the game.”
atmosphere
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
38%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and dark qualities, enhanced by a stunning orchestral soundtrack and rich, gothic environments. Many reviewers highlight the compelling storyline and detailed settings that contribute to a film noir feel, making it one of the most atmospheric entries in the series. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance and artistic design leave a lasting impression on players.
- “The lore-rich story based on gothic mythology, the immersive atmosphere, and the amazingly orchestrated soundtrack by Peter Connelly, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, always have me on the edge of my seat.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is fantastic and the story is still one of the best from the entire series.”
- “This game has an amazing dark atmosphere, interesting, but not so tombish locations and level design, awesome cinematic music, an amazingly detailed and original dark story, and the most badass Lara to date.”
- “It sticks out so much in the otherwise pretty good animation, that it really takes you out of the game's atmosphere.”
- “The control is awful, the storyline is not decent at all, and most importantly, it lost the atmosphere of 'Tomb Raider' which we are playing for.”
- “Despite these flaws it still is an average action-adventure-puzzle game with great level design and a surprisingly dark atmosphere.”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of unintentional comedy and absurdity, with players finding amusement in glitches, awkward animations, and bizarre character interactions. While some aspects are described as "hilariously bad," such as Lara's slow stair climbing and nonsensical puzzle solutions, these elements contribute to a nostalgic charm that resonates with fans of the series. Overall, the humor is a blend of slapstick and irony, making the game's shortcomings entertaining rather than purely frustrating.
- “Some glitches or interactions we had were so funny that we almost died of laughter...”
- “It's so bafflingly bad that it becomes kinda hilarious.”
- “But hey, at least it has some hilarious ragdoll physics.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
21%
57%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many users reporting poor performance even on high-end hardware, such as the RTX 3090. While some patches have improved controls and movement, the overall experience remains clunky and unrefined, particularly in the Steam version, which is noted for its significant optimization issues. Many players recommend installing restoration projects to mitigate these problems, but overall, the game is seen as not ready for modern systems.
- “And this game can still run smoothly on my computer, no bugs at all.”
- “After fixing the movement issues with patches, the controls are far better optimized for both keyboard and mouse.”
- “Still, it's one of my favorite games, and if you can get used to the controls (which is a mix between tank and analog, optimized for the PS2), I'd recommend picking it up.”
- “This game is an industry disaster because of the very clunky controls which were mostly not optimized even after the initial release of the game in 2003.”
- “This game is clearly not optimized as it was forced to the shelves before it was ready due to great pressure from the publisher to the developers. Go read the story behind this game if you care about that; it’s a good read, believe me.”
- “In conclusion though, I still can't recommend this game, specifically because the Steam version of it is optimized so badly.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Overall, the game's replayability is viewed as limited, with some users suggesting that modifications may enhance the experience. While it is considered more playable than previous versions, many reviewers feel it lacks rewarding elements and variety, leading to a low replay value rating. Suggestions for improvement include incorporating RPG elements and multiple pathways to enhance replayability.
- “Far more playable than the PS2 version.”
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “Good idea: introduce RPG elements to an adventure game to increase the replay value, create various pathways/solutions to obstacles that can be utilized via whatever skills/stats you have (see: Deus Ex series).”
- “Replay value: 3/10”
- “Now I'm not saying that it is unplayable, but technically it has no replay value nor is it rewarding.”
- “Good idea: introduce RPG elements to an adventure game to increase the replay value, create various pathways/solutions to obstacles that can be utilized via whatever skills/stats you have (see: Deus Ex series)”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight a significant evolution in Lara Croft's character, noting her transition from a one-dimensional figure to a more complex and emotionally rich protagonist with relatable struggles, particularly in the newer titles. The narrative in "Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness" is praised for its depth and emotional impact, suggesting it may be one of the most poignant stories in gaming, despite not receiving widespread recognition for its emotional weight.
- “In the classics, she was a one-dimensional character, but in the new ones, she is an emotional individual with depth. In this game, she is superbly multidimensional.”
- “The story of Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness might be one of the most heartbreaking in video game history, although I don't think many people see it that way.”
- “It's very well executed and genuinely emotional.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features exceptional character design and a compelling story, contributing to strong character development that enhances the overall experience. While it diverges from previous titles in gameplay mechanics, the integration of diverse combat methods and player choice interactions adds a unique depth to the characters and narrative.
- “The character designs are amazing and definitely a step-up.”
- “On the good side, the game has a beautiful story, great character development, and this goes perfectly alongside its gorgeous scenery and architecture. Although it may not be like any of the previous titles where you would be physically thrown into tombs and battles, it does have a perfect range of combat methods, characters, and player choice interactions, which allows for the game to be more unique and different from the rest.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game manageable, especially with features like quick saves that alleviate the frustration of dying. However, while some enjoy the gameplay and puzzles, others feel that many puzzles are tedious, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “Grinding in this game is a rewarding experience that keeps you engaged for hours.”
- “The grind is satisfying, as it allows you to see tangible progress in your character's development.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it feels like a journey rather than a chore.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I didn't mind as long as the gameplay and puzzles were fun, but most of the puzzles are boring and tedious.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's monetization strategy has been criticized as a cash grab, leveraging nostalgia to drive initial sales through an aggressive advertising campaign, which some players feel exploits the concept of abandonware.
- “This seems to have been put on Steam as a nostalgia gouge, or just a cash grab to try to profit from abandonware.”