Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered brings a second wave of classic Lara Croft adventures to modern platforms, this time covering The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and The Angel of Darkness. Developed originally by Crystal Dynamics and now remastered by Aspyr, this collection updates the visuals, adds modern control options, and includes various quality-of-life improvements. While the package serves as an accessible way to revisit these titles, the experience remains a mixed bag, especially considering the original games’ varying reputations. This review is based on the PlayStation 5 version.
Among the three included games, The Last Revelation benefits the most from the remaster. Originally one of the longest and most refined entries in the classic era, it now features smoother performance, improved textures, and a refined control scheme. Some lighting changes make certain areas darker than before, which may hinder visibility in platforming segments. Chronicles, a more linear and less ambitious entry even at release, maintains its straightforward structure with slight visual and UI enhancements. While it does little to stand out in the collection, it still provides a nostalgic look at Lara’s past exploits.
The biggest challenge for the remaster lies in The Angel of Darkness, which was infamous for its rushed release and unfinished mechanics on PlayStation 2. While this version includes some restored content, such as previously cut mechanics and dialogue, the game’s core issues remain. Lara’s movement still feels stiff, and the combat system is awkward, despite the addition of modernized controls. Secondary character Kurtis Trent receives minor refinements, but his sections remain limited in scope and fluidity. The game’s attempt at RPG-like progression is still underdeveloped, making it feel like a missed opportunity rather than a true evolution for the series – as it did upon its original release as well.
In terms of presentation, the visual updates improve character models and environments while staying true to the original aesthetic. However, lighting inconsistencies, particularly in darker and underwater areas, sometimes make traversal more frustrating than intended. Performance is generally stable across platforms, but Angel of Darkness still exhibits occasional bugs and audio issues. The inclusion of voiceovers is great, though the quality of the performances varies.
Despite these technical refinements, the overall design philosophy remains rooted in its era, making the trilogy more appealing to longtime fans than newcomers. The classic tank controls are still an option, but even with the modernized scheme, movement can feel rigid compared to contemporary action-adventure titles – including the more recent Tomb Raider ones. While save-anywhere functionality helps alleviate some of the difficulty, platforming sequences, puzzles, and combat can still be punishingly precise.
Ultimately, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered serves as a faithful restoration rather than a full-fledged modernization. It allows veterans to revisit these later-era titles with updated visuals and conveniences while preserving their historical context. However, Angel of Darkness remains a divisive experience, and the collection’s appeal may be limited for those unfamiliar with Lara’s classic adventures from over two decades ago. For fans of the franchise, this remaster offers a chance to relive a few classic chapters in Lara’s legacy, warts and all.
Score: 7.3/10
Press Play Media 