TL;DR; If you’re coming into this remaster expecting a fully polished seamless experience, you’ll likely be disappointed. This is a remaster after all, so yes, the core mechanics of these games still show their age. Don’t expect miracles. But if you’re open to games with strong atmospheres, deep lore, and some interesting risks, there’s plenty to appreciate here. I DO recommend these games but be aware of their flaws before diving in AND expect to struggle at times. This is a solid remaster, you don't need any mods or config file changes to be able to play the games anymore. Works great on both PC and Steam Deck. Even if you play the games with old graphics, higher frame rate and wide screen support gives you a smoother performance. + One quick tip for all, save often! There's quicksave now, so F5 here F5 there. Don't be shy. Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation – Backtracking and the Struggle of Missing a Key Item What I truly love about TRIV is that it channels the same feeling of solitude that made the first game so unforgettable. There’s no overwhelming chatter or distractions, just the sound of Lara’s footsteps echoing through vast, ancient chambers and the occasional creak of something mysterious in the distance. You’re truly immersed in the atmosphere—like the tombs are your only companions. BUT, it can be a hard game with some of the most complex puzzles in the series. While that’s a huge strength, it’s also a major flaw for some players. The game is filled with intricate puzzles that span multiple locations. The beauty of it is that these puzzles are deeply tied to the world around you, and solving them feels like uncovering an ancient secret, piece by piece. But here’s the kicker: if you miss a key item or an important clue, you're in for a world of pain. Suddenly, you’re stuck in a section with no way to proceed, and the only solution is to backtrack across several levels. It’s a test of patience and memory, and if you didn’t catch a subtle hint or miss that one key item, you might end up wasting hours of your life running around trying to find the mistake. Also, be mindful of the traps. It’s very classic Tomb Raider, and it’s set in Egypt, so what do you expect really? You better believe the traps here are as old as the tombs themselves, designed to keep tomb robbers like Lara (and you) out of their secrets. Tomb Raider Chronicles – Let Me Keep My Ammo Pls This is the often-overlooked chapter in Lara Croft’s epic saga. It may not get as much love as Tomb Raider 1-4, but trust me, this game has so much to offer and deserves more recognition. Chronicles is like a collection of Lara’s adventures . It’s a series of flashbacks that dive deep into different moments of Lara’s past, ranging from her earliest adventures to more recent ones. This variety makes every level feel different—some focus solely on stealth, while others center on adventuring. There’s even a ‘horror’ level. Since each level represents a different memory, your inventory changes with each one. This means that medkits and ammo you pick up won’t carry over to the next level, so be mindful of this. This brings us to one of the main issues in the game. The final stages are really intense, I mean REALLY INTENSE. The enemies get tougher, and there are many action-packed moments where you're expected to fight through tricky scenarios. If you're running low on supplies, you might find yourself in a real bind. Well... Since you can't hoard ammo or medkits from previous levels, you WILL be running low... so the final levels of the game are notoriously difficult . Even for veteran Tomb Raider players. Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness – I Feel Stronger Now (Seriously, you will after finishing this one) Oh man, if there was ever a test of patience, it could be this game. Its puzzles, tricky mechanics, and the challenge of navigating its world are rough. It is undoubtedly one of the most polarizing entries in the Tomb Raider franchise. It’s a game that could have been the peak of the series, offering a dark, gothic narrative, intense atmosphere, and a complex, deeply developed Lara Croft. But sadly, its release in an unfinished state, with cut content and buggy mechanics, left it feeling incomplete, leaving players with a sense of what could have been . Despite its flaws, Angel of Darkness has a special place in the hearts of fans — myself included. And for good reason too. Its atmosphere is seriously unique. The gritty, noir vibe that sets it apart from the more traditional tomb-raiding adventures. Also the story , inspired by gothic mythology, is one of the most intricate and lore-rich in the series. It dives into a more mature, mysterious side of Lara, with a lot of intrigue and twists that will keep you hooked. It’s not all about running through tombs and solving puzzles—this time, Lara’s uncovering deep ancient conspiracies, which adds a layer of suspense and mystery. There is also a fascinating aspect of Angel of Darkness that sets it apart from the earlier games in the series: it incorporates RPG elements into the gameplay. One of the standout features is the ability to choose what Lara says during certain conversations. Sounds cool, right? The twist is that your choices actually have consequences—sometimes, you may end up making the wrong call, and the result could be Lara’s death . This feature gives the game a more personal, decision-driven feel, which is unusual for the Tomb Raider series but definitely fits the darker, more mature tone of Angel of Darkness. Gameplay-wise , yes, it has its bumps. The original game was rushed to release, and it shows—even with the remastered version. The clunky controls, frustrating bugs, and the fact that key areas of the game were left incomplete make it difficult. Navigating Lara can feel like trying to steer a tank rather than a nimble adventurer, and that’s a huge problem, especially considering the number of platforming and action sequences where precise control is crucial to success. But it has quicksave now and the modern controls make this game so much more tolerable.
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