Tomb Raider I (1996)

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,110 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 2,110 reviews
music56 positive mentions
graphics72 negative mentions
  • A classic that revolutionized the action-adventure genre with its innovative gameplay and iconic character, Lara Croft.
  • The level design is exceptional, offering a mix of exploration, puzzles, and platforming that remains engaging even today.
  • The nostalgic value is immense, providing a sense of adventure and discovery that many modern games lack.
  • The controls are clunky and take time to get used to, often leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • The game runs on a DOSBox emulator, which can cause crashes and other technical issues, making it less accessible on modern systems.
  • The absence of the original soundtrack and some graphical glitches detracts from the overall experience.
  • graphics455 mentions

    The graphics of the original *Tomb Raider* (1996) are widely regarded as dated and blocky by modern standards, often described as "primitive" or "horrendous." While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmospheric design of the environments, many note that the visuals can hinder gameplay, making it difficult to spot key items or navigate levels. However, various community mods and patches are available to enhance the graphics and overall experience, allowing players to enjoy the game with improved visuals on modern systems.

    • “The graphics, while dated, are perfectly fine, as everything.”
    • “I also liked the graphics, considering that they are 2.5D, and the game is from 1996.”
    • “The graphics have their charm and while I never loved the controls, after a few levels I got used to them.”
    • “The graphics, as you can imagine, have aged very poorly, with very blurry textures, blocky/polygonal models and levels, etc.”
    • “Its design is archaic, and its graphics are nigh prehistoric.”
    • “The graphics have aged badly, but the controls, oh god no.”
  • music290 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players lamenting the absence of the original soundtrack found in the PlayStation version, which significantly enhances the atmosphere and experience. While some appreciate the minimalist approach, where music plays only during key moments to build tension, others find the lack of consistent musical cues detracts from the overall immersion. Players are encouraged to install community patches to restore the missing music and improve the game's audio experience.

    • “The atmosphere, music, and feeling of isolation make this really enjoyable for me.”
    • “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 is a massive part of what made this game great in the first place!”
    • “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.”
    • “The first thing that'll become apparent when you start to play is the lack of music.”
    • “Game doesn't play any CGI cutscenes, also incidental music doesn't play at all; a very terrible port.”
  • gameplay275 mentions

    The gameplay of the original Tomb Raider is a mix of action-adventure and puzzle-solving, featuring a unique atmosphere and level design that has influenced many modern titles. While the controls and mechanics are often described as clunky and dated, requiring patience to master, the core gameplay remains engaging and rewarding for those willing to adapt. Overall, it is recognized as a classic that laid the groundwork for future games in the genre, despite its technical limitations.

    • “The gameplay involves a combination of action, adventure, and some minor problem solving.”
    • “The classic gameplay that started it all.”
    • “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 my favorite part about this game.”
    • “The jumping mechanics are not as precise as they should be, making it easy to miss a good 6/10 jumps.”
    • “The gameplay is easy to get into - although stop concentrating and you can fall off ledges even after hours of gameplay.”
  • story253 mentions

    The story of *Tomb Raider* is generally considered simple and somewhat cliché, often compared to classic adventure narratives like those of Indiana Jones. While it may not be groundbreaking or deeply engaging, it provides a solid framework for the gameplay, featuring Lara Croft on a globe-trotting quest to recover an ancient artifact, which keeps players motivated despite the dated presentation and occasional confusion in plot delivery. Overall, the narrative is seen as charming and serviceable, with enough intrigue to maintain interest throughout the game.

    • “The story is solid and helps move things forward nicely, and the overall presentation for the time of release is top-notch.”
    • “The story sends you on a globe-trotting journey, starting in Peru and spanning locations like Greece and Egypt, hunting for pieces of an artifact called the Scion.”
    • “With a unique atmosphere, intriguing story, and engaging puzzles, Tomb Raider pulls off a fantastic action adventure.”
    • “The story is nothing special, but I still felt compelled to continue playing for hours on end, which is not something I have the patience for very often.”
    • “The story itself is not that great, but the game sure is.”
    • “The story is decent, I'll give it that much.”
  • atmosphere102 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, enhanced by a minimalist soundtrack that emphasizes environmental sounds and silence. Players appreciate the sense of isolation and exploration, with well-designed levels that evoke nostalgia and tension, despite some frustrations with outdated controls and occasional lack of direction. Overall, the game's ability to create a captivating atmosphere, even with its dated graphics, remains a standout feature that resonates with fans.

    • “The atmosphere is impressive, with quiet moments that let you feel the isolation and danger of these mysterious places.”
    • “The way it manages to build atmosphere and wonder despite being very primitive due to its age.”
    • “The atmosphere can be genuinely creepy and oppressive.”
    • “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; the place itself is gross as heck.”
    • “The first problem is the music is not in the PC version of this game and it really makes the environment lack atmosphere when it's needed.”
  • stability44 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting frequent crashes, visual glitches, and issues related to the DOSBox emulator. Many players experienced significant bugs that affected gameplay, including freezing, sound glitches, and problems with cutscene displays. While some found ways to improve performance through mods, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from a lack of polish and stability, making it frustrating for many players.

    • “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.”
    • “A game that lacks the PS1 music counterpart [runs on DOSBox emulator] plays solid, bug-free. This game is a gem of nostalgia from the past and features acrobatic run-and-jump challenges.”
    • “It used to run, but now as soon as I start a game from the title menu, it freezes up and I get glitchy sounds.”
    • “The default install was buggy and did not display the cutscenes correctly.”
    • “I want my refund; this game is a buggy mess!”
  • optimization21 mentions

    The game's optimization varies significantly across platforms, with the PC version generally praised for its smooth performance and enhanced visuals compared to the PS1, despite some criticisms regarding its initial DOSBox implementation. While the game runs well on modern systems, some users report poor optimization on the Steam version, particularly with controls and resolution settings. Overall, the PC version is considered the best for performance and visual quality, though earlier console versions exhibit noticeable frame rate drops and other limitations.

    • “It still is interesting for its visuals and surprisingly it was updated throughout the ports for better rendering graphics and performance. Comparing the PS1 with the PC and 3DFX, there is a significant difference from faster performance to good filtered colors and overall great rendered visuals surrounding the player. Not only that, but the puzzles were quite lovely to do, including exploring as well as the sneaky traps in some levels.”
    • “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!).”
    • “Other than that, the game is awesome. The PC version is definitely the best when talking about performance and visual quality, especially because on consoles this game suffered huge FPS drops.”
    • “As for performance, it is a locked 30 fps.”
    • “However, the Steam version of the game is optimized in a very unacceptable way.”
    • “Everything is poorly optimized in my opinion, but that is to be expected.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    Overall, the game is noted for its strong replayability, with many players appreciating the challenge of uncovering secrets and the enjoyment of revisiting levels. While some users mention limited replay value, the consensus leans towards a positive experience, particularly for those who enjoy exploring and collecting missed items. The game's design encourages multiple playthroughs, making it a lasting title even decades after its release.

    • “This game still has some replay value some 20+ years later.”
    • “All in all 8.5/10 and some replayability if you are trying to look for all of the secrets :).”
    • “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.”
  • grinding14 mentions

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is often tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that the trial-and-error mechanics and slow-paced puzzles detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm of the game, they note that the level design can feel archaic and repetitive, requiring significant patience to progress. The inclusion of unlimited saves is seen as a welcome relief to mitigate the grind, but the overall sentiment leans towards the experience being overly laborious.

    • “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.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky voice acting, awkward cutscenes, and amusing glitches, which contribute to a lighthearted experience. Players find comedic value in the protagonist's exaggerated reactions, such as Lara's hilarious screams during gunfights and the absurdity of certain animations. Additionally, the game's nostalgic references, like the infamous "nude raider" patch, add a layer of humor that resonates with long-time fans.

    • “Oh... and some pretty funny looking 3D models in the cut scenes.”
    • “I have to admit the gorillas made me laugh.”
    • “Besides the protagonist, the voice acting is pretty funny and awkward, and it seems like it wasn't done by professionals.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply resonant, citing its nostalgic soundtrack and atmospheric environments that evoke feelings of isolation and mystery. The combination of heartwarming memories tied to the game's visuals and music creates a strong sense of joy and nostalgia, although some feel that character development could enhance the emotional depth further. Overall, the game successfully elicits a range of emotions, making it a memorable experience for many.

    • “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, 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 the flashbacks I got were really heartwarming.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviews highlight a lack of strong character development and narrative depth in recent Tomb Raider releases, contrasting it with earlier games that featured more glamorous character designs and robust storytelling elements. Players express a desire for the return of these aspects, noting the absence of upgrades or skill trees as a missed opportunity for deeper character engagement.

    • “There is nothing like strong character development or a strong narrative; there are no upgrades or skill trees like in the reboot.”
    • “I wish they had kept this more glamorous character design in the more recent Tomb Raider releases.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for its overtly sexualized advertisements and marketing tactics, which were notably successful during the 1990s.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

18hMedian play time
114hAverage play time
12-29hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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