Will Lara still float your boat?

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris has been released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One. As with most games on release day, review embargoes are lifted and we get to see what the critics thought of the the title.

The Temple of Osiris features a single-player and 4-player co-op mode (both online and offline), which will see gamers trying to keep the beautiful and tough-as-nails Tomb Raider alive while exploring a dangerous Egyptian temple.

First up, what does Metacritic have to say?

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris
Platform	Metacritic Score
PS4	78
Xbox One	75
PC	N/A at time of writing

Next, the reviews.

IGN – 8.1/10 (Xbox One)

The real treasure in Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris wasn’t Lara’s story, bipedal alligator warriors, or a bounty of gems, but solving complex and varied environmental puzzles with friends.

Playing alone, discovering the different flavors of each new temple and figuring out the solution to a brain-busting puzzle all by myself is satisfying; replaying with others doubled that satisfaction because developer Crystal Dynamics renews the challenge with creative new twists on previously conquered obstacles that require teamwork to overcome.

Polygon – 7.5/10 (All platforms)

Given issues like the poor loot system and the occasionally awful camera, it’s amazing how quickly and thoroughly Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris turned me around from my initial lukewarm feelings. It’s not going to stick in my mind the way 2013’s Tomb Raider has, but Crystal Dynamics has built a tidy, pleasant throwback to the more simple adventures of Lara’s past.

US Gamer – 3.5/5 (Xbox One)

The fact that Temple of Osiris features the classic, confident, adult version of Lara Croft rather than the newfangled, young, vulnerable version should tell you exactly what this game is aiming for: Simple escapism, a video game for gaming’s sake. It’s not the next chapter in the Tomb Raider saga, and it doesn’t push any boundaries in narrative or game design.

Instead, it’s a fast-paced action puzzler, energetic and accessible; and while it does stumble in a few places, it manages to deliver the sort of lowbrow entertainment it promises — just the way a series borne of classic pulp serials should. Different enough to stand apart from core Tomb Raider titles, and inexpensive enough that its throwaway nature won’t offend, Temple of Osiris sets its sights for a modest target and hits it with aplomb. There’s something to be said for that.

Xbox Achievements – 75/100 (Xbox One)

Huge fun with friends and enjoyable on your own, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is a strong follow-up to Guardian of Light. It might retread a lot of old ground from its predecessor, but it also offers enough twists and interesting puzzles to keep you playing for a good few hours, making it well worth excavating and dusting off.

Metro – 7/10 (Xbox One)

In Short: Not as compelling as its predecessor, but as a four-player alternative to the Lego games this an enjoyable enough attempt at a Tomb Raider lite.

Pros: Four-player co-op is automatically entertaining, especially offline. Some enjoyable, if repetitive, puzzles and great boss battles. Excellent graphics and presentation.

Cons: The movement system feels very sloppy and imprecise, especially when platforming. So-so combat. Nonsensical plot and bland, cardboard cut-out characters. No fun on your own.

God is a Geek – 8/10 (Xbox One)

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is a solid evolution of the formula established in the original, and does a fantastic job of encapsulating the old Tomb Raider atmosphere and presenting it in a smaller (yet no less involving) world.

The platforming may occasionally annoy, and it isn’t the longest game around (even for its price bracket) but it’s an absolute blast to play either alone or with friends.