Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

Developer: Eidos-Montréal
Release: Sep 14th 2018
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Immersive
Exploration
Stealth
Repetitive
Bugs
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition Poster

" Immersive action-adventure with stunning environments and stealth, but repetitive pacing "

Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition Review

Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is the final chapter in the rebooted Tomb Raider trilogy, delivering a visually stunning and immersive adventure set in dense jungles and ancient tombs. The game emphasizes exploration, stealth mechanics, and puzzle-solving over intense combat, providing a fresh yet sometimes repetitive gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the rich environmental design and the depth added to Lara Croft's character through psychological elements and story moments.

While the story is generally considered adequate but not exceptional, it offers a satisfying conclusion to Lara's journey, with emotional highs and memorable moments. Technical performance is mostly solid, though some reports of bugs and glitches, especially related to puzzles and frame rate issues, have been noted. The game runs well even on modest hardware and is often recommended as a worthwhile purchase, especially during sales. However, the pacing and heavy focus on traversal can feel slow or tedious to some players.

Highlights

Players consistently praise the game's graphics and detailed environments, noting the lush jungle settings, intricate tomb designs, and realistic animations. The gameplay mechanics, particularly the stealth system and climbing, receive positive remarks for adding strategic depth and immersion. The story, while not groundbreaking, is appreciated for adding emotional layers to Lara's character and providing a fitting end to the trilogy. The inclusion of challenging puzzles and exploration elements is also highlighted as a strong point, appealing to fans of adventure and discovery.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the story being unengaging or rushed, with some players finding it less compelling than previous entries. The combat is often described as underwhelming or lacking impact, with some preferring more action-oriented gameplay. Several reviews mention repetitive or tedious traversal and puzzle sections, which can slow down the pacing. Technical issues like bugs, glitches, and awkward controls, especially in parkour and combat, detract from the experience for some. Additionally, the frequent cutscenes and dialogue pauses were seen as disruptive by certain players.

Pros

  • Stunning and immersive jungle and tomb environments with high-quality graphics.
  • Engaging stealth mechanics add fresh strategic gameplay layers.
  • Challenging and well-designed puzzles that reward exploration.
  • Emotional story moments deepen Lara Croft's character development.
  • Smooth performance on a wide range of hardware configurations.
  • Fluid climbing and traversal mechanics enhance adventure feel.
  • Compelling final mission and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

Cons

  • Storyline is often seen as mediocre or rushed compared to earlier games.
  • Combat feels weak and lacks satisfying feedback or variety.
  • Traversal and puzzles can become repetitive and slow pacing.
  • Technical bugs and glitches occasionally break immersion.
  • Frequent and lengthy cutscenes disrupt gameplay flow.
  • Some parkour and movement controls are awkward and frustrating.
  • Upgrade and crafting systems feel underutilized or redundant.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

As Lara Croft races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, she must become the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.

Release Date Sep 14th 2018
Publisher Crystal Dynamics, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral interactive (Linux)
Developer Eidos-Montréal, Crystal Dynamics, Nixxes, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral interactive (Linux)
Required Age 17+
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (21,345)
85% Positive 15% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
77