Tomb Raider: Legend

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,665 reviews

story440 positive mentions

stability256 negative mentions

story
1,080 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
5%
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 entertaining, it is also noted for being somewhat cliché and short, with many players appreciating the character development and emotional depth it brings to Lara's backstory. Overall, the story serves as a solid foundation for the gameplay, though some critiques highlight its predictability and lack of complexity.
- “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 this game so much, it may not have been a long game but the story was great, deserved to be longer but worth the play!!”
- “The story is interesting, the dialogue is nice, and Lara Croft is a great character.”
- “This game has it all: a broken camera, a climbing system that feels like it's falling apart faster than the timed puzzles you generally have to do, controls that require you to have three hands, random sound effects that get bass boosted for seemingly no reason, and of course a story that makes absolutely no logical sense.”
- “The story is the most cliched Tomb Raider story that can be written.”
- “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.”
graphics
854 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The graphics of "Tomb Raider: Legend" are generally considered dated but still charming, with many players appreciating the nostalgic PS2-era aesthetic. While the game features a "next-gen graphics" option that enhances visuals, it is plagued by instability and frequent crashes, leading most reviewers to recommend playing with this feature turned off for a smoother experience. Overall, the graphics hold up reasonably well for a 2006 title, but players should be prepared for occasional glitches and performance issues.
- “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.”
- “Great graphics, gameplay, voice acting, music, beautiful locations and skillful design.”
- “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.”
gameplay
634 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
61%
9%
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 some outdated combat mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While the game offers engaging environments and a nostalgic feel, it also suffers from bugs and inconsistencies that can hinder enjoyment.
- “All the levels have great atmosphere, supported by an outrageously fantastic soundtrack and fluid gameplay.”
- “Great gameplay and story, fun extra content and secrets to find; Keeley Hawes is a fantastic Lara, making this a great Tomb Raider game.”
- “The gameplay is fun and the story is part of an overall arc that continues in Tomb Raider: Underworld.”
- “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 only major weak points are the sometimes clunky PC controls and the boss fights, which can be a little bit annoying due to their 'aged' mechanics.”
stability
266 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
2%
96%
The stability of the game, particularly in its PC port, is widely criticized for being extremely buggy and prone to crashes, especially when using the "next generation content" setting. Many players report game-breaking glitches, such as falling through the map and issues with controls and camera movement, which significantly hinder the gameplay experience. While some users have experienced fewer glitches than expected, the overall consensus is that the game is best played on console to avoid these persistent issues.
- “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 and 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.”
- “Finally, the other reason I have to leave a negative review despite my enjoyment is the sheer number and prevalence of bugs and glitches.”
- “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.”
music
246 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
41%
2%
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 a memorable and immersive backdrop that complements the gameplay. While some critiques mention occasional dullness or repetitiveness, the majority highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, often recalling specific tracks fondly.
- “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 composition with tributes to the original Tomb Raider themes, and this trend continues through Anniversary and Underworld.”
- “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.”
- “Sometimes the sounds became excruciatingly loud, especially with headphones, mostly when a cutscene that had gunshots in it would suddenly play, and then other times your characters are talking and you can't hear them because the music is blaring.”
atmosphere
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
42%
4%
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 a nostalgic feel reminiscent of mid-2000s gaming, although some critiques mention that the linearity and simplicity of gameplay can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's atmospheric design, combined with memorable characters and engaging locales, makes it a standout feature that many consider its strongest point.
- “The atmosphere, the music, the dialog, it's just peak mid 2000's and all you want from an old school Tomb Raider game.”
- “Coupled with an absolutely gorgeous soundtrack, this game's atmosphere is simply incredible and to me is the best part of the game.”
- “The atmosphere is awesome, from locations like African jungle ruins to the Tokyo skyline and Kazakhstan snowy mountains.”
- “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.”
humor
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in "Tomb Raider: Legend" 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 fall flat or disrupt the game's tension, the overall comedic elements, including funny glitches and amusing dialogue, contribute to an enjoyable experience. Players find the blend of humor with action and exploration enhances the game's charm, making it a memorable installment in the franchise.
- “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.”
- “Yes, it's just weird, not funny, but so is the same with the reboot trilogy.”
replayability
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
61%
6%
The game offers a mix of replayability, primarily driven by unlockable content, hidden treasures, and time trials, which encourage players to revisit levels. While some players find the replay value high due to collectibles and challenges, others note the game's short length and lack of substantial post-game content as drawbacks. Overall, the potential for replayability is present, especially for those interested in completing challenges and collecting items.
- “A varied trip around the globe, lots of replay value thanks to some challenges and lots of hidden treasures and unlockable outfits.”
- “Graphics are solid, hidden relics/artifacts in each level add replayability, and each new chapter deepens the mystery until it all comes together at the end.”
- “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.”
optimization
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
50%
18%
The game's optimization varies significantly across platforms, with reports of excellent performance on the Steam Deck but issues on PC, particularly with keyboard and mouse controls. While some players experienced graphical glitches and choppy performance, others noted that turning off certain features like "next gen content" can improve frame rates. Overall, the game is seen as a well-optimized port for consoles, though it struggles with modern hardware compatibility and control responsiveness.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Apparently the GOG version is more optimized for modern hardware and this version just never got fixed.”
grinding
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
16%
81%
Players frequently describe the grinding aspects of the game as tedious and laborious, particularly highlighting the repetitive battles, frustrating motorcycle segments, and puzzle resets. While some enjoy the exploration and aesthetic elements, many feel that the grinding detracts significantly from the overall experience, with calls for better balance and improvements in future iterations.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Finally, I loathe the motorcycle segments; this may be due to playing them on hard, but they were always a grinding gauntlet of enemies I rarely hit and who always seemed to hit me.”
- “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.”
- “Legend is 40% forced, tedious shootouts, 20% even more tedious boss fights and racing levels, and 10% stupid QTE.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the improvements in character design and the depth of the story, others criticize the lack of substantial character growth. Notably, Lara Croft's character development is highlighted positively, contrasting with opinions that suggest minimal development overall. The game's new physics engine and action-oriented approach also contribute to a more dynamic experience, though not all players find this translates to meaningful character progression.
- “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.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Tomb Raider: Legend is praised for its engaging story and character depth, which evoke nostalgia and emotional resonance, particularly through Lara's personal journey. Players appreciate the balance between modern gaming elements and classic platforming, with emotional moments enhancing the overall experience and making the game feel more vibrant and alive.
- “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.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game reflects its 2000s origins, featuring typical elements such as aggressive advertising and questionable design choices, including quick-time events and janky gameplay. Overall, it embodies the era's common pitfalls in monetization strategies.