The Tomb Raider series is one that really needs no introduction. When it originally released in 1996, the world had never really seen anything like it. The game featured a young female protagonist, who was seemingly PlayStation's answer to Indiana Jones, and she embarked on grand globe trotting adventures. Exploring tombs, shooting bad guys while doing cool back flips, and uncovering secrets of the ancient past; Lara Croft went on to do it all, and she left just as big of a legacy in the real world as she did in the games.
Movies, books, comics, TV series, and countless sequels, spin offs, and reboots; the Tomb Raider series evolved into a massive multi-media franchise, and it is one that continues to be loved by millions to this day. Of course not every step along the way was met with critical acclaim, but that doesn't change the fact that Tomb Raider is a special series, and always will be.
In 2024 Tomb Raider I-III Remastered was released. This game was a collection of the original Tomb Raider Trilogy, and included a new control scheme, updated models and textures, and other quality of life improvements to bring the game up to today's standards. While the core games did not change, they did a great job cleaning it up to make it easier for new fans to the series to get into, and also perfectly captured the magic of the original releases for the long time players. In general the Remastered collection could be considered a success, but it was only one half of what Tomb Raider originally offered.
Like I-III Remastered before it, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is a collection of the second Tomb Raider Trilogy. As the name implies, it contains Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider: Chronicles, and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (also known as Tomb Raider IV, V, and VI respectively). While technically speaking these entries were an improvement to what came before, they are also considered the black sheep of the franchise in general. At this point the series had gone on too long for many fans, and even the development team began feeling the burnout. Originally The Last Revelation was truly meant to be the last game, but obviously that didn't happen.
So jumping ahead to 2025, and looking back on these games in a new light, the question is: how good were these games really, and is this new collection worth playing? Well, comparing them to the original releases, and looking at them as stand alone games in today's world... The answer for us was actually pretty surprising. (Especially after looking down on them all these years.)
Before we get started with this review, I'd like to thank Dan from Sandbox Strategies and Aspyr for providing us with a free review copy of the game! We really appreciate it!
Tomb Raider Remastered:
Before discussing each individual game, there are some overall changes that have been made across the board.
Like the I-III collection before it, everything here has been updated and revised to suit modern gaming standards. However, it is important to note that these games were not originally designed to be this way, and that can result in some problems while playing through the series.
While the original Tomb Raider games used Tank Controls to navigate Lara through the world, the Remastered versions allow for standard controls. This means pressing the analog stick in one direction will move Lara that way, and buttons have been rearranged to fit what modern players will be more used to. This means using the triggers to aim guns, and having dedicated buttons to grabbing ledges or dropping down below.
Sadly these changes can be confusing while playing the game, as the game will always direct you on how to do something the old way. Pressing the action button to climb up a ledge actually becomes hitting the trigger button, and the action button itself tends to be used only for picking up items or opening doors. The other down side is the fact that platforming and some of Lara's more fancy moves requires specific button combinations and fine tuning her placement on a platform, and that is not fully (or as easily) possible when using the modern controls. Ultimately this means the game does in fact play better with its intended classic control scheme, but it isn't unplayable when using the modern either; if anything both control schemes have their uses, and players can switch between them at any time.
Another change that GREATLY helps players is the inclusion of action notifications. In the original releases there were moments where a door or wall could actually be opened or pushed. Back in the day without the Internet or a Guide Book in hand, it was possible to spend weeks completely lost and possibly never even discover what it is you had to do. (This was especially true in The Last Revelation.) With this Remastered version of the games however, an icon now appears when you can interact with an object. This really helps avoid any confusion on what you can or cannot do, and helps spotting hidden objects so much easier. While it technically does lessen the original difficulty, it is a Quality of Life improvement that newcomers will greatly appreciate.
The final main addition to the games is none other than the graphical improvement. Everything has been remodeled and retextured, with the graphics looking identically across all three entries. While the first two games in this collection were originally PlayStation 1 games, The Angel of Darkness was a PS2 release and naturally looked better because of that. Now with everything looking the same, The Last Revelation looks just as good, and later animation improvements can be seen in all three titles as well.
It really does make the game look nice, and the original PS1 graphics can be toggled back on with a press of a button. This can actually be helpful as well, as the more realistic lighting can make some areas harder to see, and sometimes the simplified PS1 textures can make things a bit easier. Again, like the controls, there are advantages to using both.
The General Gameplay:
Each entry in Tomb Raider plays very similar, and the games use this to their advantage. While each title contains a standard tutorial section, not everything is taught to the player in them, and the games basically expect everyone to have played what came before. Because of this style, playing Tomb Raider II feels like it is simply part 2 to the first game, Tomb Raider III feels like part 3 of the same game, and that continues over into the final three games as well.
Of course new features do get introduced in each title, but in general the next is always an extension of the last. And that is what can cause issues for those not playing the games in order.
The standard gameplay in Tomb Raider has players taking control of Lara Croft as she explores the world, fights enemies, and solves puzzles. Lara has a wide range of movements she can perform to jump across gaps, climb up walls, and swims underwater, and mastering these movements is what is key to survival. Tomb Raider contains fall damage, and every platforming section is a puzzle of where do I go and how do I get there? Just because you see something above you, it doesn't mean you can simply jump up there and grab it. Instead Lara might have to lower herself down to ledges hidden off screen, crawl her way through tunnels, work her way back around by climbing up the single wall with grooves on it, and then run and jump across a gap with nearly perfect timing.
Thankfully the game can be saved at any time (something you should always do before taking a risk!), but it still takes a lot of trial and error to get things right. This is all a part of the fun however, and one part of the gameplay that makes Tomb Raider unique.
Outside of platforming puzzles, the games contain actual puzzles as well. This often involves pushing objects, finding items, using said items in the right location, and exploring the area to figure out what changed, or what you have now opened up. It requires a lot of thought, and later entries in the series like to throw curve balls that go against everything the previous games may have taught you. This could mean getting stuck at a locked door and looking for a key, only to then realize you had to actually obtain a sight for your gun, and shoot the lock off instead! Such puzzles are not obvious, and sometimes it truly is amazing what you can actually do in these games. Sometimes the answer to solving a puzzle is as simple as using Lara's movement to her advantage, but it could be a trick you didn't even know she could do. It is both impressive and frustrating once you realize that was all it was, but this is where getting comfortable with controlling Lara is key.
Combat in Tomb Raider isn't anything too crazy, but it can be a bit challenging due to having to learn how to control Lara. It mostly comes down to bringing out her twin guns, locking onto an enemy, and shooting while jumping and doing back flips, but both humans and animals like to trap you whenever possible. There are other weapons that can be obtained throughout each adventure, but resources are limited, and that includes the extra weapon's ammo. Tomb Raider: Chronicles is a bit more forgiving as each stage starts Lara with nothing and then provides exactly what she needs, but the other entries ask you to keep an eye on what you are using and when you are using it. It is possible to make things so much harder by simply running out of healing items or ammo, and wasting such items can be the death of you.
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation:
Moving past the standard gameplay, Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation is the first entry in this collection, and it is quite a bit different from the first three titles.
Instead of focusing on an adventure through unique locations, The Last Revelation doubles down on the tomb raiding elements of the series, and is almost fully focused on exploring tombs and ruins. There are multiple regions within the game, but each one contains massive open ended tombs, and require players to explore every possible inch of them. This means puzzles often span multiple rooms, with countless hidden passages, keys to find, switches to press, blocks to push, and tricks to overcome. These levels are very non-linear, with some puzzles having multiple ways to tackle them, and key items that are not always so obviously placed.
It is very clear that The Last Revelation was intended for existing fans, but the story itself focuses more on Lara's past, and the return of someone who was once important to her. While the story is interesting to see, the complex and large maps can easily get frustrating, even for long time fans. That doesn't mean the game is bad however, as it may possibly be the most solid "tomb raiding" entry in the entire series... It just didn't help that at the time of release Tomb Raider had became a yearly title.
Tomb Raider: Chronicles
Tomb Raider: Chronicles once again changed up the formula. Rather than being only a direct sequel to The Last Revelation, the game sees associates and friends of Lara reminiscing about her adventures. Each adventure is completely stand alone, and tells a different story from Lara's past. Every stage is a linear trip through different locations, with items that are exclusive to each specific section of the game. Each of these stories are vastly different from the last, and even includes moments where we get to play as teenage Lara. Overall it is an easier entry due to its linear self contained nature, but it also introduced new mechanics such as tight rope walking to help change things up even more.'
While not everyone will like the side story style the game is going for, Chronicles was still a solid entry within the original series, and was a bit more relaxing of an experience after the confusing tombs seen in the previous title. On the flip side, The Last Revelation might train your brain to overthink things, which can make Chronicles even harder than it really is... But it doesn't take long to get back into the swing of things.
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness can be considered the star of this collection. While the other two games were cleaned up versions of their PS1 releases, The Angel of Darkness takes things to a whole other level.
The original game was met with a lot of negativity, and is generally considered one of the worst PlayStation 2 games on the market. It had very clunky controls, glitches (including the infamous scream glitch), and was simply an unfinished game. If one could look past all of its issues, they could find a decent game hidden within it, but doing so was easier said than done. That is until now.
Not only did this Remastered collection make the game look even better, but the new modern controls completely change how the game is played, the glitches have been cleaned up, and even some of the cut content was reinserted into the game. What was once a mess is now a game worth playing, and is simply how this particular title was always meant to be.
In general, The Angel of Darkness is quite a bit different from the previous entries in the series. Instead of focusing on exploring tombs and exploring the world, it puts Lara in a new position as being a wanted suspect in a murder. The very first area of the game is set within the city streets of Paris, and right off the bat it showcases the new stealth elements added into the game. Not only that, but Lara now has a strength meter that depletes as she hangs off of ledges and climbs, and she must upgrade her power to be able to hold on longer (or even to open specific doors or to be strong enough to turn puzzle elements). Shelves and drawers in houses (and other buildings) can be searched for supplies, there are NPCs to talk to, and there are even dialogue choices during key conversations. Some “levels” have multiple variations based on your actions and dialogue choices as well, meaning the game doesn’t only have one path forward, and encourages future replays.
Overall, the talking to NPCs and exploring areas, to find clues and discover out where to go, feels a lot more like a classic PC adventure game. It is a major twist on the more action driven adventuring seen previously, and the stealth mechanic discourage more direct approaches in general. Of course that doesn't mean the action from the previous entries was removed, but it is more toned down and grounded. Platforming is just as much of a puzzle as ever, but sections that require not being spotted add an extra layer to figuring out where to go and how to do it. Some of these features would be seen again in future Tomb Raider titles (the survivor series especially focuses on stealth), but even then, none of the later games are quite like The Angel of Darkness.
Along with the unique gameplay, and all of the improvements and fixes made to the remaster, The Angel of Darkness does have one aspect of the original that always stood out on its own... And that is the story. While I will not be spoiling any details here, the game features one of the craziest plots out of any Tomb Raider, with tons of background lore, and secrets to discover. This is one part of the game many fans have always loved, and that has not changed; if anything, the improvements to the core game will now encourage newcomers to finally go back and experience it for themselves. Again, the biggest issue with the original release was the broken control scheme, glitches, and unfinished content in general. There was always the possibility of a good game with a great story in there; it just took until this remaster to get to the diamond in the rough.
Should you play it?
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is a fun set of three games, that can take some time getting used to. While the games are designed for classic tank controls, the new modern controls and Quality of Life updates help this one be much more inviting to new players. The touched up graphics look nice as well, and the inclusion of the action indicator is a true lifesaver. While some sections are still frustrating to get through, especially when using the modern controls, the game does a lot to help ease the burden. Being able to save anywhere is a huge plus, and switching between the two graphical styles and control styles can sometimes make things even easier. For those who truly struggle with the game, the classic cheat codes still exist here as well, and using them does not deactivate achievements or trophies.
From a gameplay point of view, each game offers a wide variety of challenges and puzzles to overcome, and there are plenty of extras and secrets to keep coming back for. These greatly extend the playtime of each title, and in a way help make the game feel even more like an adventure. It is intensive to explore every inch of these large semi-open areas, and helps offer additional replay value in general. These are not short games by any means, and the fact that three of them are included here is a lot of bang for your buck. Lara Croft's wide range of movement is a real highlight of these games, and it becomes a lot of fun making your way through these complex tombs once you fully master how to control her. Thankfully The Angle of Darkness also greatly benefited from the new modern controls, as the original game was known for its control issues. Honestly, being able to play The Angle of Darkness as it was "meant to be" might be reason enough alone to make this collection worth it, as it truly is that much of an improvement.
Although Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is the black sheep of the series, each title is unique enough to stand on their own, and offer a different gameplay experience along the way. The Last Revelation is tomb raiding at its finest, Chronicles is a more relaxed experience with self contained levels, and The Angel of Darkness is a crazy twist of a story, with classic PC adventure game elements mixed in with its stealth gameplay; none of them are bad games by far, and they each offer dozens of hours of content to complete. While some may prefer the original Trilogy over it, others might be surprised to learn the second half is their true favorite.
VERDICT: Recommended
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