Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft

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"Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft" is a definitive collection of the original Tomb Raider adventures, including all expansions and secret levels. This remastered version offers upgraded graphics and the option to switch to the original polygon look. Join Lara Croft in her globe-trotting adventures, solving ancient mysteries and facing dangerous foes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft screenshot

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,128 reviews

graphics646 positive mentions

stability134 negative mentions

The remaster brings classic Tomb Raider games to modern hardware with stunning graphics and quality of life improvements.
Players can switch between original and updated graphics seamlessly, enhancing the nostalgic experience.
The inclusion of all expansions and a wealth of achievements adds significant replay value and challenge.

The controls, especially the modern control scheme, can be clunky and frustrating, making gameplay difficult for newcomers.
Some areas in the remastered version are too dark, making it hard to see important items and requiring frequent switching to original graphics.
Post-launch censorship of certain content has disappointed many fans, leading to concerns about the integrity of the remaster.

graphics
2,536 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
72%
3%
The remastered graphics of the Tomb Raider I-III collection have received widespread acclaim for their significant visual upgrades, including improved textures, lighting, and character models that enhance the nostalgic experience while maintaining the original aesthetic. Players particularly appreciate the ability to seamlessly switch between the remastered and classic graphics at any time, which allows for real-time comparisons and adds to the overall enjoyment. However, some critiques highlight issues with visibility in the new graphics, as certain items can be difficult to spot, and the classic graphics are capped at 30fps, limiting their playability.
- “The ability to change the graphics style during the game and compare the differences is brilliant.”
- “The remastered graphics are what I expected, an upscale in most areas and some new custom-made models.”
- “Absolutely spectacular remaster of all three games, they have stayed dedicated to the original make to give you an option to switch graphics anytime you want, I have never seen any other game that has done this.”
- “However, some areas in the new graphic style are too dark.”
- “The new graphics are way too dark and you can't change anything as there's no settings, so I've had to keep changing from old to new just to try and see what's happening.”
- “The total lack of graphics settings is also crazy.”
gameplay
534 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
80%
3%
The gameplay of "Tomb Raider I-III Remastered" has been largely preserved from the original titles, allowing players to switch between classic and modern controls, which some find beneficial while others feel disrupts the intended experience. While the remaster enhances graphics and includes quality-of-life improvements, many players note that the core mechanics and controls remain dated, leading to a mix of nostalgia and frustration, particularly for newcomers. Overall, the remaster successfully evokes the charm of the originals, but its gameplay may not appeal to everyone, especially those accustomed to modern gaming standards.
- “Without much exaggeration, this is one of the best remasters of classic games I've come across, mostly because even if for some reason you don't like the new graphics, you can switch back to the original ones at the press of a button in the middle of gameplay.”
- “Overall, 'Tomb Raider I-III Remastered' is an engaging tribute to the franchise's legacy, blending classic gameplay with modern enhancements, making it a worthy addition to any gamer’s library.”
- “The gameplay mechanics have been refined and polished, making for a smoother and more enjoyable experience overall.”
- “The gameplay is shit and unfinished, what remastered is supposed to mean?”
- “The controls are a joke, the d-pad on the Steam Deck is rather wonky for tank controls, but 'modern' controls screw pixel-precise jumping mechanics + the controls are not explained properly (2 action buttons, whaaaaat?), and I still don't know how to exit the boat on modern controls ¯\_(ツ)_/¯”
- “The modern controls are intended to streamline gameplay but often clash with the original design, leading to frustration in navigation and combat.”
music
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
67%
2%
The music in the remastered Tomb Raider collection has been widely praised for its nostalgic quality and emotional impact, with many players expressing joy at hearing the iconic scores from the original games. While the remastered soundtrack enhances the atmosphere, some users noted a lack of continuous music during gameplay, leading to moments of silence that detracted from the experience. Overall, the remastered music successfully evokes fond memories while maintaining the essence of the original soundtracks, though some players wished for more modern updates or additional tracks.
- “The remastered soundtrack is a masterpiece that will transport you back to those thrilling moments, sending shivers down your spine and igniting your adventurous spirit.”
- “The music in these games, my darlings, is more than just a collection of tunes; it's an evocative tapestry of sound that weaves its way through every moment of your adventure.”
- “Nostalgia overload as I loaded up the game for the first time transported back to the 90s, I was sat there listening to the theme song for Tomb Raider 1 for a little while before I even played the game.”
- “There is way less music compared to the newest games, only an occasional sound cue and the rare soundtracks.”
- “Environments feel boring and uninteresting, the music feels incredibly slapped on and just doesn't fit the game at all when in the midst of caves.”
- “The soundtrack for the games was not made available separately, even though the music files are easily accessible in the folder.”
stability
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
1%
80%
The remaster generally runs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, but it is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, some of which are carryovers from the original games. While many players appreciate the nostalgic elements and graphical enhancements, they express frustration over unresolved issues, such as game-breaking glitches, camera problems, and inconsistent controls. Overall, the game is seen as a fun experience despite its instability, with hopes for future patches to address the remaining issues.
- “Looks and runs great, fantastic remaster!”
- “The remaster effort is astounding, it's probably the best retro conversion I've ever seen, it looks and runs great and it's fully featured.”
- “This remaster is beautiful and runs great!”
- “It turns out there are known game-breaking glitches in this level which will cause it to softlock and make it impossible to finish the level.”
- “Even after the latest round of patches, the game is a buggy mess.”
- “And there are still bugs - controller freezes are my main issue, but then you have stuff like the camera clipping through the walls or the character in confined spaces, etc. stuff that would have been fixed in a 'lovingly restored' version of these games - but isn't here.”
story
148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
78%
7%
The story in the Tomb Raider remastered collection is generally seen as a mixed bag; while the original game lacks depth, the sequels gradually introduce more engaging narratives, with the third installment being the most story-rich. Many players appreciate the nostalgic charm and adventure elements, but some criticize the convoluted plots and lack of modern storytelling techniques, leading to a perception of the narrative as simplistic or disjointed. Overall, the remaster retains the core story elements while updating graphics and gameplay, but it may not satisfy those seeking a more sophisticated narrative experience.
- “The engaging storylines of Tomb Raider I-III are as captivating as ever, weaving tales of ancient mysteries, mythological artifacts, and sinister adversaries.”
- “With its stunning visuals, refined gameplay, and captivating storytelling, this remastered collection is a must-have for anyone with a penchant for exploration, puzzle-solving, and daring escapades in the vein of gaming's most iconic archaeologist.”
- “The narrative starts to shape into a proper story, a huge bonus and improvement compared to the first entry for anyone who likes proper storytelling being a part of their games.”
- “There's hardly any narrative in part 1; the sequels start to add a stronger emphasis on story, with part 3 being the most narrative-heavy of the three.”
- “In the newer Tomb Raider games of the reboot trilogy, I felt like I was working through a chore in order to continue a rather bland story I couldn't get into and see characters that I didn't like.”
- “While the first game is a classic and a stepping stone of the Tomb Raider franchise, its story lacks the details of the latter installments, making it a less-than-ideal story-based game today.”
atmosphere
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
49%
5%
The atmosphere of the remastered Tomb Raider games has been praised for its faithful retention of the original's eerie and immersive qualities, enhanced by improved graphics and soundtracks. While some players appreciate the new lighting and visual updates, others feel that certain changes have diminished the claustrophobic and mysterious ambiance that defined the originals. Overall, the game successfully evokes a sense of adventure and danger, making it a nostalgic experience for long-time fans while still appealing to newcomers.
- “Those haunting melodies and adrenaline-pumping action cues perfectly capture the atmosphere of each location, from the eerie silence of ancient tombs to the heart-pounding intensity of a desperate escape.”
- “The atmosphere, and the puzzle solving really immerse you into the role of being a treasure hunter.”
- “The atmosphere and level design are top notch and Aspyr did such a fantastic job at keeping the style of the originals and yet adding a fresh coat of paint.”
- “The lighting, for instance, while visually appealing due to the new ceiling openings, really takes away this claustrophobic atmosphere of the tombs.”
- “The games feature a different visual style than they used to have, but I can't really say that the change is for the better; some of the atmosphere has been lost in the translation.”
- “Ai upscaled textures, missing textures, misaligned textures, tiny/near invisible key items rotated in a way that barely telegraphs what the item actually is to the player, bad modern controls, major lighting changes that ruin the feel and atmosphere the original games give, changes to the geometry for the sake of 'adding detail' that doesn't really make sense to the original level design, weird sound reverb, a terrible camera system that flies around and gives pretty awful angles forcing you to toggle back to original to see properly, etc.”
optimization
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
39%
11%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and high frame rates on various systems, some high-end setups experience frustrating stuttering and frame drops. The ability to switch between retro and modern graphics is praised, and visual enhancements are generally well-received, but certain control settings and performance quirks may require manual adjustments for optimal play. Despite these issues, many players find the remastered experience enjoyable, especially on consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
- “The visual optimizations are a treat to the eyes.”
- “Overall, the modern controls allow new players to not feel alienated by clunky tank inputs, the visual overhauls on the games are lovely and transformative while respecting the original vision, performance on my rig has never dropped below 4k 120fps, the original score is untouched, the cutscenes are AI upscaled as best as they can be for modern displays, and these three classics are finally easily accessible on modern platforms.”
- “These remasters are absolutely phenomenal in terms of quality and performance.”
- “Refunded, stutters like crazy on a high-end PC and it's completely unplayable considering you have to be accurate with moving Lara into position for the most part. I mean, the controls I can live with, but when it stutters and you're taking a jump, it's impossible... just makes the game highly irritating. I played the original, and there's still no patch to fix the performance. Not recommended at this point.”
- “Additionally, the performance is weird - I get constant framerate drops, even on a Ryzen 7950X3D and an RTX 4090!”
- “The only criticism I can give of the game is that the modern control settings are a little poorly optimized in certain areas in levels where the camera will want to fight with you, not unlike the PS2 era games.”
replayability
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
4%
The game's replayability is significantly enhanced by the introduction of nearly 300 achievements, which encourage players to explore different playstyles and complete multiple playthroughs. The combination of modern controls, new game+ modes, and visually appealing environments further enriches the experience, making it more engaging and enjoyable. Overall, players find that these features not only add depth but also keep them returning for more challenges and exploration.
- “The added achievements are a nice touch, which adds replayability to the game by trying new challenging ways to play.”
- “Tons of achievements (almost 300!) add replayability and depth, and a good portion of the achievements require multiple playthroughs to get.”
- “One of the standout features of the remaster is the replay value it offers.”
- “Secrets are so hard in TR3 that it feels like being punished for going after them, but they do add replayability.”
- “The modern controls are playable but do cause serious camera issues in some areas.”
- “The 'modern' controls were a try to make the game more playable, yet, it makes the game even more difficult than it was before.”
humor
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often derived from nostalgic elements, such as the amusing contrast between original and remastered graphics, and the quirky bugs that lead to unexpected moments of levity. Players find joy in the game's old-school mechanics and animations, which can result in comical situations, especially during character mishaps. Additionally, the inclusion of humorous achievements and tongue-in-cheek references to the game's past adds to the overall lighthearted experience.
- “Nothing like hearing your bros laughing their ass off after Lara dies because the camera starts behaving in a weird way.”
- “In-game cutscenes are a joy to watch, as the old animations are still present, even with the new graphics, resulting in wacky but funny hand placements and head bobbing.”
- “And holy moly, there's 269 achievements like beating any of the games with only Lara's pistols, getting 'unreachable' pickups using freaking corner bug; some of them are just hilarious, I love it!”
grinding
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
17%
78%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with many noting that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some improvements, like a better save system, have been made, the level design and mechanics still lead to repetitive and punishing gameplay. New players may need to invest time to adapt to the controls, but many feel that the experience can feel more like a chore than fun.
- “When new gamer generations were praising the 'difficulty' of soulslikes after decades of handholding, Tomb Raider was already there to punish you for any mistake and rub it in, with no grinding or self-imposed challenges to boot.”
- “Most of the time it felt tedious to play rather than fun.”
- “I burned out with Tomb Raider 3 as the tedious level design continues.”
- “While the remaster is aimed at old players like me, the modern controls leave a lot to be desired; the camera remains as tedious as ever, they didn't improve anything.”
monetization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of this remaster has been widely criticized as a "lazy cash grab," with reviewers expressing disappointment over the high price for what they perceive as minimal effort and poor quality. While there are no microtransactions or ads present, the overall sentiment is that the remaster fails to justify its cost and lacks genuine creativity or value.
- “This 'remaster' is a lazy cash grab, it's as simple as that.”
- “Although this package should be a welcome remaster, the price tag for such poor work, which includes trick advertising regarding 'modern' controls, cannot be justified.”
- “Seems to be nothing more than a lazy, cynical cash grab with no effort applied, and certainly doesn't deserve your money.”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players express joy and appreciation for the upgraded visuals and character design, others feel a lack of emotional depth in the story and gameplay. Newcomers may struggle to connect with the game due to its dated visuals and frustrating mechanics, leading to a less impactful experience overall.
- “I can't express how happy this made me feel.”
- “And it's not just about new assets and visuals: this is the best Lara model/incarnation ever made, so my heartfelt thanks to the artists who brought her to life again.”
- “No awesome cinematic angles, no emotional damage, no epic story.”