![\"Tomb](\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Tomb-Raider-2013-review-screenshot-15.jpg\" "\\"Tomb")
<\/a>Tomb Raider 2013<\/p><\/div>\n
As the narrative unravels, so does any semblance of the Lara we\u2019re accustomed to: she\u2019s scared, inexperienced, and not entirely comfortable with stabbing bad guys through the throat with arrows (just yet). But, as we\u2019re led deeper into the island\u2019s enigmatic history as Lara searches for other survivors and a means of escape, we\u2019re set up for a superb and convincing character development story.<\/p>\n
Snippets of events leading to the shipwreck combine with the shadowy affairs of the island\u2019s cult of inhabitants, giving us a heroine we can feel like we\u2019re genuinely developing into the Lara we\u2019ve grown so accustomed to. The progression of her skills and upgrades, done at campfires scattered around the hub-and-spoke game world, are paced as perfectly as the slowly darkening story, and it\u2019s an engrossing experience as Lara adjusts and grows into a confident killing machine.<\/p>\n
Despite the similar feel to Uncharted, the combat in Tomb Raider is far more evolved and involving. Sure, there are quick-time events and some scripted sequences, but the numerous enemy encounters stand up as a solid part of the gameplay rather than a tacked-on extra. Stealthily stalking bad guys with your compound bow is as satisfying as lobbing grenades and shooting your way to victory, and strong AI marries the combat beautifully with Lara\u2019s constant underdog struggle.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Tomb Raider 2013<\/p><\/div>\n
While the gunplay and exploring feel like they\u2019re balanced just right, it\u2019s the cinematic moments that truly shine as one aspect of the game that\u2019s not only done right, but done better than any similar game before. Movie moments from collapsing building escapes right down to ascending perilous cliffsides are indeed scripted events, but they\u2019re so seamlessly inserted into the action that they never feel intrusive or come across as hand-holding: there\u2019s just enough of it to feel epic while not too much that it turns into Michael Bay action schtick.<\/p>\n
This all takes place on an island that boasts some of the best visuals seen on consoles. While some textures and outdoor areas aren\u2019t as technically impressive as those traversed by Nathan Drake, the overall sense of scale is simply amazing. Shipwrecks along a treacherous, stormy beach invite exploration, as do the surrounding cliffs, multi-tiered enemy fortresses and secret tombs scattered across a varied and convincing game world. It\u2019s as grand and ambitious as any Hollywood blockbuster, a world so remarkable that it\u2019s almost a surprise to discover it to be playable.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Tomb Raider 2013<\/p><\/div>\n
Apart from the sheer size of it all, it\u2019s the level design and art direction that absolutely scream AAA title here, and I felt almost shameful at how eager I was to see what well-designed prettiness Tomb Raider was going to offer me next as I blazed through the gorgeous landscapes. The lighting is perfect, the views are stunning, and the level of detail that permeates every aspect of the entire package is a marvel rarely seen outside the movies.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also a terrific sense of grindhouse grit, a grisly tone from malevolent cult behaviour and plenty of graphic death and failure animations, and despite some of these giving off a slight torture-porn vibe they lend an appropriate sense of edginess to the mature nature of the story.<\/p>\n
Quite simply, there\u2019s little doubt here that Tomb Raider is the new reigning champion of the cinematic gaming genre. No aspect of the game feels neglected in favour of another, and the only fault I could find with such a polished package was the time it took to enjoy the whole experience could\u2019ve been a whole lot longer.<\/p>\n
Where countless games and their movie tie-ins have failed, this is an adventure that does everything right in all the right ways, surpassing even the untouchable Uncharted series to leave each one of its inspirations stranded on a remote island somewhere awaiting rescue.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Tomb Raider 2013 PC – TressFX comparison – click to enlarge<\/p><\/div>\n
Editorial by James:<\/p>\n
While Dan reviewed Tomb Raider on Xbox 360, I have been playing it on PC. I agree with him on all aspects of his review, and this is so far one of my favourite games of the year.<\/p>\n
I want to make special mention of the job done porting Tomb Raider to PC by Nixxes Software. In short, they did a sterling job.<\/p>\n
Tomb Raider is a very good looking game and under the hood it has enough graphics settings tweaks to keep discerning PC gamers happy, including DirectX 11 features. This includes high resolution textures, tessellation (smooth geometry and detailed surfaces), SSAO, cloth physics, post-processing effects, bokeh depth of field, and of course the vaunted AMD TressFX<\/a> hair physics simulation.<\/p>\n