Tomb Raider I (1996)

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,794 reviews
  • graphics
  • music
  • gameplay
Tomb Raider I (1996) Game Cover
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Tomb Raider I is an action-adventure game that follows the protagonist, Lara Croft, as she explores ancient tombs and catacomb systems to uncover hidden treasures and artifacts. With a mix of puzzle-solving and combat, players navigate through diverse environments, ranging from Peruvian jungles to the Egyptian pyramids. The game is known for its cinematic presentation and 3D exploration mechanics, setting a precedent for action-adventure games to follow.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,794 reviews
music50 positive mentions
graphics63 negative mentions
  • Classic game that started the Tomb Raider franchise, offering a nostalgic experience.
  • Challenging puzzles and exploration that reward players for their efforts.
  • Iconic character, Lara Croft, who has become a cultural icon in gaming.
  • Controls are clunky and take time to get used to, often leading to frustration.
  • The Steam version runs on DOSBox, which can cause crashes and lacks modern features.
  • Missing music and low-quality cutscenes detract from the overall experience.
  • graphics377 mentions

    The graphics of the original Tomb Raider are widely regarded as dated and clunky, reflecting its 1996 release. While many players acknowledge the nostalgic charm of its low-poly visuals, they also note that modern enhancements through community mods can significantly improve the experience. Overall, while the graphics may not meet today's standards, they are often seen as a minor issue compared to the game's engaging gameplay and atmosphere.

    • “The graphics have their charm, and while I never loved the controls, after a few levels I got used to them.”
    • “Despite the graphics and unfamiliar controls, Tomb Raider I is a fun game.”
    • “The graphics may not be what you're used to, but the game is still just as fun and addicting as it was back then!”
    • “The graphics have aged badly, but the controls, oh god no.”
    • “The graphics, as you can imagine, have aged very poorly, with very blurry textures, blocky/polygonal models and levels, etc.”
    • “If you can't handle the dated graphics and controls, you are better off trying the Legend trilogy.”
  • music242 mentions

    The music in the game is often praised for its atmospheric quality and memorable compositions, particularly the iconic tracks by Nathan McCree that enhance the sense of exploration and tension. However, many players note that the Steam version lacks the original soundtrack found in the PlayStation release, leading to a diminished experience unless patched with community fixes. Overall, while the music is considered a highlight, its absence in key moments can detract from the game's immersive atmosphere.

    • “The standout aspect is the amazing soundtrack, which is super iconic and consistently enhances the grandiose atmosphere when players enter new and breathtaking areas such as the Sphinx in Egypt or an underground cistern filled with water.”
    • “The music just gives the game that extra boost in terms of ambiance.”
    • “The music and ambient sound, however, are extraordinary, even by today's standards.”
    • “The steam version is apparently a little different from the original console version of the game from the mid-90s - sadly, a lot of the game's original music tracks are missing.”
    • “Things get off to an even worse start when you discover that the game has no music at all, save for the rather unfitting song on the main menu.”
    • “The only major downside is that the resolution of the cutscenes is very low and this version apparently misses some of the music from the PSX version.”
  • gameplay234 mentions

    The gameplay of Tomb Raider (1996) is often described as a mix of challenging platforming, puzzle-solving, and exploration, with many players noting its innovative mechanics for the time. However, the controls, particularly the tank controls and jumping mechanics, are frequently criticized for being clunky and frustrating, especially for new players. Despite its dated aspects, the game is praised for its engaging level design and the sense of adventure it provides, making it a classic that still holds appeal for fans of the genre.

    • “The gameplay is solid and the story a lot of fun.”
    • “The charm of the game lies in its well-crafted gameplay and the sense of adventure that still holds up remarkably well.”
    • “Overall, the gameplay is fun, challenging, and great for people who like games mainly focused on puzzles and exploration with some gunplay thrown in.”
    • “The gameplay is the clunkiest thing to ever clunk; I have more control over my nose than I do with Lara.”
    • “The jumping mechanics are not as precise as they should be, making it easy to miss a good 6/10 jumps.”
    • “The gameplay has not aged well at all.”
  • story205 mentions

    The story of *Tomb Raider* is generally described as a simple yet engaging adventure, following protagonist Lara Croft on her quest to recover an ancient artifact while battling a power-hungry antagonist. While some players find the narrative charming and nostalgic, others criticize it for being generic and lacking depth, often comparing it unfavorably to modern storytelling standards. Overall, the game is appreciated for its atmosphere and level design, though many recommend experiencing the story through the superior remake, *Tomb Raider: Anniversary*.

    • “The story and atmosphere are amazing.”
    • “The game features a memorable protagonist, Lara Croft, and an engrossing storyline that takes players on a thrilling journey through ancient ruins and treacherous environments.”
    • “With a unique atmosphere, intriguing story, and engaging puzzles, Tomb Raider pulls off a fantastic action adventure.”
    • “This game has no story.”
    • “The story started out of nowhere and continued on the same path.”
    • “The story is nothing special, and the gameplay is fun, but dated.”
  • atmosphere85 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, enhanced by a minimalistic soundtrack that emphasizes environmental sounds and silence, creating a sense of isolation and tension. Players appreciate the unique level design and the ability to explore captivating settings, despite some frustrations with outdated controls and occasional lack of direction. Overall, the game's atmospheric elements, including its iconic music and sound effects, contribute significantly to its enduring appeal and nostalgic charm.

    • “The way it manages to build atmosphere and wonder despite being very primitive due to its age.”
    • “The atmosphere is lonely and I can get lost for hours trying to discover secrets in each level.”
    • “Here, you can’t experience the game or the story unless you deal with how archaic a lot of the game’s design is, so it ends up being frustrating and quite tedious, and the remainder of interest I had for the story, atmosphere, and music basically got sucked past the one door that kept shutting me out in the game because I couldn’t reach it in time because Lara refused to climb a freaking ledge.”
    • “For example, in level 08 (the cistern) you'll find giant rats, gorillas, and crocodiles. The atmosphere of this level is really bad because Lara's in a very disgusting cistern and you're surrounded by noises of screaming rats, dripping water, and some different weird creepy noises, and the place itself is gross as heck.”
    • “The atmosphere can be genuinely creepy and oppressive.”
  • stability38 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent crashes, visual glitches, and issues related to the DOSBox emulator used for the Steam version. While some players found ways to enjoy the game despite its bugs, the overall experience is marred by technical problems that detract from gameplay, making it difficult for many to recommend the port without significant troubleshooting.

    • “I cannot imagine the level of genius and challenges the programmers faced when building the original engine, which started development in 1994. Just think what life looked like back then, how incredibly different things were. You couldn't just copy a block of code or Google away your programming woes; this needed to be coded from scratch and be bug-free enough to see through till launch. There were no second chances.”
    • “Runs great on a modern system with minimal effort to mod it, with only some extremely minor sound bugs that go away as quickly as they arrive.”
    • “The default install was buggy and did not display the cutscenes correctly.”
    • “I want my refund; this game is a buggy mess!”
    • “It's a cheap solution but the game could run well, I couldn't say the same about its stability: I couldn't minimize the game, the Steam overlay (shift+tab) gets very buggy because of some conflicts with the game, its change of resolutions often messed up my desktop, and I had the biggest issue with a crash happening with ctrl+esc.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    Overall, the game is noted for its strong replayability, with many players highlighting the enjoyment of discovering secrets and the challenge of collecting items missed during initial playthroughs. While some users mention limited replay value, the majority agree that the game remains engaging and worth revisiting, even decades after its release.

    • “This game still has some replay value some 20+ years later.”
    • “Playing this game has made me realize that modern AAA games are rubbish; we got much better games back in 1996 that offered a fun, challenging, replayable experience that you paid for once and enjoyed at your pace, without the pressure to pay more or play every day or you won't get the content you've paid for.”
    • “This game has very little replayability to it.”
    • “Is replayable to some degree, I have replayed at least 3 or 4 times.”
    • “The game is quite replayable too, as levels tend to have a number of secrets that are pretty fun to look for.”
  • grinding15 mentions

    Reviews highlight that grinding in the game is often tedious and frustrating, requiring significant time investment to progress through repetitive puzzles and platforming challenges. Many players feel that the archaic design and slow-paced mechanics detract from the overall experience, making it feel like a chore rather than an engaging journey. While some appreciate the nostalgia and the challenge it presents, the consensus is that the grinding can be overwhelming and detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Here, you can’t experience the game or the story unless you deal with how archaic a lot of the game’s design is, so it ends up being frustrating and quite tedious, and the remainder of interest I had for the story, atmosphere, and music basically got sucked past the one door that kept shutting me out in the game because I couldn’t reach it in time because Lara refused to climb a freaking ledge.”
    • “The biggest complaint for me is although the platforming and puzzles are what it's good for, there were too many slow box puzzles that were just boring and tedious, as well as this unused Super Mario 64 type double and triple wall jump combo that is only used for secret areas.”
    • “The other three points are destroyed in horrible level design sometimes with deaths that you can't escape unless you are a time traveler, horrible combat, clunky puzzles that use the boxes way too much, and it's super boring and tedious, a bit aged overall gameplay, and the worst boss design ever!”
  • optimization15 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While the PC and 3dfx ports show significant improvements in graphics and performance compared to the original PS1 version, some users criticize the Steam version for being poorly optimized, particularly due to its reliance on a DOS emulator. However, many players appreciate the smoother gameplay and enhanced visuals, noting that the game runs well on modern systems despite some lingering issues.

    • “The game runs smoothly, graphics are true to the original which I personally love, and I've had a blast strolling down memory lane (or more accurately jumping when I don't want to, not jumping when I do want to, or falling to my death because that's what Lara Croft loves to do lol.)”
    • “Not a single crash - no performance issues at all... yipee!”
    • “Fixes gamepad issues I had, high resolution and plays without the DOS box, which makes the cut scenes look nicer and makes the game feel more optimized and modern.”
    • “However, the Steam version of the game is optimized in a very unacceptable way.”
    • “I think this was optimized for Windows 10, nope edition; very bad DOS port.”
    • “And man, I always thought that this game was a mascot for Sega Saturn before being 'stolen' away for PlayStation, as I thought that tile grid system was fit to Saturn quad polygons, but apparently it's badly optimized for Saturn and doesn't even use all console chips properly.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as unintentional, stemming from awkward controls, amusing character models, and quirky animations, such as a hilarious death scene for the main character. Players find the absurdity of certain elements, like the infamous "nude raider" patch and the comical gorillas, to be entertaining, contributing to a lighthearted experience despite the game's flaws. Overall, the humor is a mix of nostalgic charm and unintentional comedy that resonates with players.

    • “Oh... and some pretty funny looking 3D models in the cut scenes.”
    • “I have to admit the gorillas made me laugh.”
    • “Boss in final level has a hilarious death animation for Lara.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, citing its atmospheric environments, haunting soundtrack, and nostalgic elements that evoke strong feelings of happiness and nostalgia. While some critique the character design for lacking depth, the overall experience is described as heartwarming and reminiscent of classic adventures, making it a beloved title that players return to for its emotional resonance.

    • “The environments portray a level of isolation and mystery that is unmatched by its modern iterations. Just being left with the ambient sounds and echoes through tombs of days past, further enhanced by the incredible soundtrack by Nathan McRee, where each sound cue is placed perfectly throughout the entire game. I come back to play through the original games every couple of years, and hearing that original theme never fails to leave me with an emotional lump in my throat.”
    • “The Eidos splash screen, the opening FMV sequence, the mansion tutorial, the classic soundtrack; all heartwarming nostalgia.”
    • “All I can say is that very few titles that I've ever had the chance of trying have made me feel so happy after finishing them.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game heavily relied on overtly sexualized advertisements and marketing during the 1990s, which proved to be highly successful.

  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers express a desire for the more glamorous character design seen in earlier Tomb Raider games, indicating that recent releases have not maintained the same level of visual appeal in character development.

    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
    • “The dialogue is often cringeworthy, which detracts from the overall character development experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

17hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
16-28hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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