Tomb Raider: Legend
- March 29, 2007
- Crystal Dynamics
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"Tomb Raider: Legend," developed by Crystal Dynamics, features Lara Croft in a rebooted adventure emphasizing exploration and acrobatic movements. Traverse diverse environments using newfound freedom of motion, solving puzzles, and engaging in combat. This seventh major entry in the series introduces a fresh take on the iconic character while retaining the beloved third-person action-adventure experience.
PC
Windows
Cloud
Nintendo Gamecube
PlayStation
Playstation 2
Playstation 3
PSP
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- story540 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Tomb Raider: Legend" centers on Lara Croft's quest to uncover the mystery of her mother's disappearance while searching for the legendary sword Excalibur, intertwining personal stakes with mythological elements. While the narrative is often described as engaging and well-paced, it is also noted for being somewhat cliché and short, leaving players wanting more depth and resolution. Overall, the game successfully combines action and exploration with a storyline that resonates with fans of the franchise, despite some criticisms regarding its predictability and simplicity.
“Tomb Raider: Legend gives us a taste of Crystal Dynamics' first attempt at the Tomb Raider franchise, and they do not disappoint. The story is intriguing and instantly hooks you in with Lara trying to figure out the mystery of her mother's disappearance while also combining the tomb raiding and exploring ancient civilizations that the series is known for.”
“I enjoyed the personal story of Lara trying to find out the truth about her mother and the hardships of getting closer to that conclusion.”
“The story is captivating ever since the beginning and leaves a myth waiting for the players to witness it all by making progress till the end.”
“The story is the most cliched Tomb Raider story that can be written.”
“The story is barely coherent, but it serves its purpose in that it gives Lara an excuse to travel from one exotic locale to the next in search of these artifacts.”
“The plot was less of a plot and more of a sequence of happenings, filled with holes and contradictions that ultimately ends on a very undeserved cliffhanger.”
- graphics427 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Tomb Raider: Legend" are generally considered dated but still visually appealing for a game released in 2006, with many praising its art style and atmospheric environments. However, the "next-gen graphics" option is notorious for causing crashes and glitches, leading most players to recommend disabling it for a smoother experience. Overall, while the visuals may not meet modern standards, they evoke nostalgia and charm, making the game enjoyable despite its technical shortcomings.
“The graphics are surprisingly not bad even for this day and age, and Lara looks gorgeous and is very expressive.”
“The graphics hold up surprisingly well, even by today's standards.”
“For a 2006 title, you get some rather impressive visuals.”
“In certain areas, visual artifacts disrupt the game's graphics, breaking the immersion and overall visual consistency.”
“The pc port brought with it a host of new graphics and game-breaking glitches that can mess with your platforming alignment and even end up killing you at times.”
“Don't bother playing with the next generation graphics, they cause crashes that never got fixed.”
- gameplay317 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Tomb Raider: Legend" is a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, with many players appreciating the fluid movement and improved mechanics compared to earlier titles. However, criticisms include clunky controls, frustrating camera angles, and outdated combat systems that detract from the overall experience. While the game offers enjoyable moments and nostalgic elements, it also suffers from bugs and inconsistencies that can hinder gameplay.
“The gameplay is fun and the story is part of an overall arc that continues in Tomb Raider: Underworld.”
“Overall, Tomb Raider Legend is an excellent action-adventure game that offers improved gameplay mechanics and impressive graphics and sound design.”
“The gameplay is solid, puzzles are great, and Steam really outdid itself by featuring an option to update the game's graphics to current-gen levels.”
“It's a miserable experience as the camera goes wild trying to track a large, fast-moving creature; Lara gets stuck in every nook and cranny; god forbid you get hit once, as you'll be launched into the air and stunlocked until you're tossed over the edge; and the weapon you use is slow and sluggish in comparison to the snappy, quick gameplay you're used to up to that point.”
“It's a shame that none of the original mechanics could retain their original strength, as this would have helped the game a lot to feel more substantial - bolstered as it is, the combat is not yet enough to sustain a game.”
“The bosses at their worst feel like a slog, and the mechanics of a number of battles aren't readily apparent or well-explained in the game.”
- stability133 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, particularly in the PC port, which is plagued by numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that can significantly hinder gameplay. Many users recommend avoiding the "next gen content" setting due to its tendency to exacerbate these issues, while some players report a better experience on console. Overall, the game's technical performance is seen as a major flaw, overshadowing its otherwise enjoyable elements.
“Get it on console as it was intended to be played and enjoy the bug-free experience.”
“But if you plan to play the original without the next-gen mode, there are no glitches or crashes at all.”
“No glitches or bugs to encounter this time around.”
“In 2024, this port still isn't fixed, and it crashes and freezes a lot.”
“The biggest flaw of the game is how buggy it can be and the camera, having to fight it not only during combat but also during platforming is what led to most of my deaths.”
“Game crashes constantly, and is full of glitches, such as Lara falling through the solid ground, or climbing ladders/interacting with objects that are meters away.”
- music123 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. Composed by Troels Brun Folmann, the soundtrack blends orchestral and electronic elements, creating memorable themes that resonate with players, particularly in key moments of exploration and action. While some critiques mention occasional repetitiveness, the majority highlight the music as a standout feature that captures the essence of the Tomb Raider series.
“The music perfectly complements the action on screen and adds to the overall immersion of the game.”
“The soundtrack is a delight to listen to, blending new compositions with tributes to the original Tomb Raider themes.”
“Coupled with an absolutely gorgeous soundtrack, this game's atmosphere is simply incredible and to me is the best part of the game.”
“The music is dull and uninspired, the voice acting is poor and repetitive.”
“The soundtrack was mediocre and repetitive.”
“After that, no sound or music at all.”
- atmosphere39 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and diverse environments, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack that captures the essence of classic adventure games. Players appreciate the distinctiveness of each level, which evokes nostalgia and a sense of exploration, despite some criticism regarding linearity and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's atmospheric design, combined with memorable characters and engaging storytelling, makes it a standout experience for fans of the genre.
“The atmosphere, the music, the dialog, it's just peak mid 2000's and all you want from an old school Tomb Raider game.”
“Tombs themselves look and feel excellent, oozing with atmosphere; even levels that are set in more modern environments feel great.”
“Coupled with an absolutely gorgeous soundtrack, this game's atmosphere is simply incredible and to me is the best part of the game.”
“The biggest let-down, in my opinion, is the poor atmosphere.”
“Somehow the classical games have 10 times more atmosphere with 10 times less polygons.”
“While the next-gen graphics make the overall atmosphere look better, it makes the character models look dull, especially Lara, so it's better to turn it off.”
- humor39 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -5 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players appreciating the witty banter between characters, particularly Lara Croft and her allies, which adds a lighthearted touch to the adventure. While some jokes may not land perfectly, the overall comedic elements, including funny glitches and amusing dialogue, contribute to an enjoyable experience. The balance of humor with action and exploration enhances the game's charm, making it a memorable and entertaining journey.
“Story and voice acting are good as well, some genuinely funny dialogue in there.”
“Lara is her witty, caring, daring, and funny self, making her an extremely likable protagonist throughout a wonderful story.”
“So all in all I highly recommend TR Legend, huge factor of 'play-it-again', lovely music, action bike rides, and funny enemies.”
“It's just weird, not funny, and the same goes for the reboot trilogy.”
“The humor falls flat and feels forced throughout the game.”
“I expected more laughs, but most of the jokes missed the mark.”
- replayability31 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a moderate level of replayability, primarily due to unlockable content, hidden treasures, and time trials that encourage exploration and completionism. While some players appreciate the variety and challenges that enhance replay value, others find the game's short length and limited post-game content detract from its longevity. The presence of collectibles and unlockable outfits adds to the replay potential, but opinions vary on how compelling these incentives are.
“The redeeming quality is seeing the upgraded visuals and a lot of unlockables that make the game more replayable, from costumes to a weapon from another beloved, but sadly, forgotten series.”
“A varied trip around the globe, lots of replay value thanks to some challenges and lots of hidden treasures and unlockable outfits.”
“The replay value for the unlockables alone is quite high, but if you're here for the story, then you are in for a good one.”
“Pretty short, as expected, and not much replayability.”
“The only negatives I can think of are the short length of the game and replayability/post-game content.”
“A bonus Croft Manor level is nice but otherwise, the game doesn't come with much replay value.”
- optimization22 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's optimization varies significantly across platforms, with reports of excellent performance on the Steam Deck despite some initial stuttering and graphical glitches. While the PC version struggles with keyboard and mouse controls, leading to unresponsive gameplay, the GOG version is noted to be better optimized for modern hardware. Overall, players recommend adjusting settings like turning off "next gen content" and antialiasing for improved performance, though some still find the game visually appealing despite its optimization issues.
“It runs excellent on deck; I played through the whole game with no technical issues, with excellent performance and power drain.”
“For the most part, everything runs smoothly and overall, in my personal opinion, it's the best looking version there is.”
“Legend remains largely unchanged from its original incarnation on the sixth generation, a fact which contributes to just what a fantastically optimized port it is.”
“The controls are probably better on PC with a controller, but I played this on Steam Deck, which is currently 'playable' but not optimized for it.”
“This game looks like it was designed for low resolution displays, low performance CPUs, and low performance graphic cards.”
“The game is unoptimized for the keyboard and mouse because when you want to shoot and strafe, it will often not respond, respond late, or keep shooting.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 81 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspects of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring excessive repetition in battles, missions, and vehicle segments, particularly motorcycle chases. While some enjoy the exploration and aesthetics, many express frustration with the lack of balance and the overwhelming number of tedious tasks that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the grinding elements are seen as a significant drawback, impacting the enjoyment of the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“After grinding through laborious time trials, the completionist is rewarded with not one, but two choices of bikini to slip into before doing laps of the Croft Manor pool, for a uniquely 2000s aesthetic experience.”
“The gameplay was the problem... some fun exploration, pretty scenes, but some very tedious, repetitive battles and missions that had to be beaten to get on with the game.”
“The game does somewhat suffer from a pair of tedious vehicle sections, and I found that some three or four areas were so bug-ridden as to be nearly unplayable.”
- character development7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the improvements in character design and the depth of development, others feel it lacks substance, rating it poorly. Overall, the game offers a blend of action-oriented experiences and character growth, with notable praise for specific characters like Lara Croft.
“The story and character development is also pretty good with this one.”
“Character development is great for Lara Croft.”
“There was very little character development.”
“Character design: 2/10”
“While the basic gameplay isn't dissimilar to past entries, a new physics engine and creative interpretation of character development and story make for both a much more fluid and responsive, though not necessarily accurate, movement system, and a much more action-oriented experience overall.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Tomb Raider: Legend effectively combines a meaningful story with deep character development, delivering emotional moments that resonate with players, particularly through Lara's personal journey. The game evokes nostalgia and balances modern gaming trends with classic platforming elements, enhancing its emotional impact while also providing moments of levity and self-reflection.
“Tomb Raider: Legend has an actual story, deep characters, and a plot that hits Lara with personal relevance and emotional moments.”
“There are some emotional moments as well which made the game more alive.”
“Made me feel nostalgic.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization in this 2000s game reflects typical practices of the era, featuring edgy aesthetics and advertising, alongside some questionable gameplay mechanics like quick-time events, which may detract from the overall experience.
“The monetization system feels outdated and overly aggressive, reminiscent of early 2000s games.”
“The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience and enjoyment.”
“It's frustrating to see essential features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to fully enjoy the game.”
