Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft for the PlayStation 5 brings back the iconic first trio of adventures of Lara Croft in a meticulously remastered collection that encapsulates the essence of the 90s classics that started a phenomenon. Offering modern enhancements, Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics have lovingly restored these timeless titles, allowing both veteran fans and newcomers to experience the thrill of tomb raiding across the globe.
Nostalgia runs deep as players revisit Lara’s original escapades, spanning from the ancient tombs of Tomb Raider to the exotic locales of Tomb Raider II and the globe-trotting adventures of Tomb Raider III. Each game, complete with all the expansions and secret levels you may never have known existed in the first place, offers a unique experience, from intricate puzzles to intense combat encounters, making this collection a must-have for fans of the series.
One of the standout features of this remaster is the ability to switch between the classic original PlayStation visuals and the modern graphical enhancements with the press of a button. While the improvements may not push the PS5’s visual capabilities to their limits, and what you get is pretty far removed from being a full remaster, they breathe new life into the tombs and jungle locations that Lara explores. The updated lighting effects and enhanced textures add depth to the environments, while Lara’s character model remains faithful to her original design while receiving a noticeable upgrade.
Controls have been revamped as well, offering both traditional controls for purists and modern controls for newcomers who are used to more recent entries in the series. The modern controls provide both smoother movement and easier aiming, so they help a bit with what are fairly challenging games, though we want to point out that there’s always an option to choose between the two styles if you want the original experience.
The level design, which was always a hallmark of the Tomb Raider series, remains as timeless as ever, offering a good blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and platforming challenges. Each game in the trilogy presents its own set of unique environments and obstacles, from ancient ruins and jungles and even amidst urban environments, ensuring that there’s quite a bit of diversity. And while the difficulty may spike at times, particularly in the two sequels, the satisfaction of overcoming each challenge is always rewarding.
Combat, while not the focal point of the series, remains a decent addition to the gameplay experience. From battling wildlife (even the prehistoric kind) to confronting armed adversaries, players will need to utilize Lara’s acrobatic skills and arsenal of weapons to survive. Boss battles, in particular, stand out as memorable encounters that test both skill and strategy. Content-wise, the inclusion of all three expansions and tons of trophies to unlock adds reasons to dive back in, providing additional content and challenges for players to explore.
In conclusion, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft is a great collection that pays homage to a trio of iconic adventures. With its lovingly restored visuals, enhanced controls, and timeless gameplay, it offers a rewarding experience for fans of the series although we certainly wouldn’t have minded a full remake treatment either. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering Lara’s adventures for the first time, this remaster is an adventure worth embarking on.
Score: 7.6/10
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