It’s a big task to decide which the best Tomb Raider game is, but we’ve prepared a list of some of the most impressive ones which you can lay your hands on right now. These titles have been handpicked from a list of all the games which have been released under the amazing series till date. Lara Croft and her archaeological antics have formed a major part of the lives of a large number of old school as well as modern gamers. The sense of exploration, the puzzle solving, the awesome traversing and a lot many aspects make the Tomb Raider series one of the finest in video gaming ever. And the character of Lara Croft is also one of the most memorable ones till date. Here we’ve picked out some rather remarkable offerings from the entire franchise to give you a lowdown on what each one of them has on offer for you. Here they are then.
1 – Tomb Raider (1996)
Little had the developers might have known back in 1996 that this first entry to series would mark the beginning of one of the greatest media franchises ever. Released for MS-DOS, the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, it is now available through GOG, Steam as well as PSN. This adventure offering might feature dated visuals and clunky animations, but it’s renowned for introducing a number of fresh elements to gaming in general. It has Lara searching for three mysterious Scion artifacts across the world, even as you guide her through dangerous tombs and other locations. Platforming and puzzle elements are aplenty, and gunplay is also one of its strongpoints.
2 – Tomb Raider II
Tomb Raider II takes the basic model of its predecessor and expands upon it a great deal, to deliver a truly revamped Tomb Raider experience. Available now through PSN, Steam and GOG, it features a story revolving around the mythical Dagger of Xian, weapon that was used by an Emperor of China to command his army. Accompanying this engaging narrative is some hugely satisfying gameplay which this time around features larger levels, fresh weapons, added moves for Lara to perform and the ability to drive a motorboat and a snowmobile.
3 – Tomb Raider III
Having sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide, Tomb Raider III still remains one of the finest offerings to have been delivered by the TR series. This game kicks in an incredibly fascinating story which has Lara Croft trying to find four pieces of a meteorite, which are spread all across the world. Awesomely created locations ranging from the rainforests of India to the snow-filled lands of Antarctica make their way into the game, and the puzzles are a lot more challenging than in previous games. Moreover, new moves like sprinting, crawling and monkey swinging make the gameplay more satisfying. This title can be bought now through Steam, GOG and PSN.
4 – Tomb Raider: Legend (Part of HD Trilogy)
Tomb Raider: Legend kicked off the second era of the series when it was released in 2006. This utterly fantastic game marked the introduction of fresh character animations, natural character designs as well as immersive level details, apart from some really interesting gadgets including a magnetic grappling device, binoculars and more. Infused with some really enjoyable action-adventure gameplay, Tomb Raider: Legend marked a highpoint for the series in more ways than one, since from then on, it evolved into a much mature franchise.
5 – Tomb Raider: Anniversary (Part of HD Trilogy)
Tomb Raider: Anniversary is actually a remake of the first game from the series, and what’s interesting is that its story also acts as a sequel to Tomb Raider: Legends’. Allowing you to explore Lara’s first adventure on a much grander scale, this wonderful title takes no time in engaging you completely in its offerings. Equipped with impressive visuals, large environments and intense combat, Tomb Raider: Anniversary is available for a wide variety of platforms right now.
6 – Tomb Raider: Underworld (Part of HD Trilogy)
Acting as a direct sequel to Legends, Underworld came out in 2008, and delivered yet another memorable Tomb Raider experience. Melee combat is a highlight for this eighth main entry to the series, apart from a dual-target feature and an upgraded multi-purpose grappling hook. Lara Croft’s motion-captured movements work in the game’s favor a great deal, especially since they make the whole experience a lot more authentic. And furthermore, Underworld’s neatly created environments are fraught with puzzles and opportunities for deep exploration, something Tomb Raider fans are always ready to indulge in.
7 – Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
This game marked a departure from the series’ trademark action-adventure gameplay, and introduced an isometric cooperative adventure which kicked in co-op-based puzzles. You and a friend can assume the roles of Lara Croft and a 2,000-year-old Mayan warrior named Tote, who must both fight it out together in order to escape from an evil spirit called Xolot. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light doesn’t technically fall under the Tomb Raider series as it’s a spin-off, but we’ve included it in this list nonetheless, since it makes for a really awesome break from the series’ traditional gameplay.
8 – Tomb Raider (2013)
Having existed for more than sixteen years, the Tomb Raider series was definitely due for a reboot which was granted to it by Crystal Dynamics earlier this year. This great game let go of the earlier image of Lara Croft, and chose to focus on the years of her life that made her the renegade archaeologist that she is. Tomb Raider explores the story of a young and naïve Lara’s adventure while she’s stuck on a remote island that’s fraught with unusual happenings. Incorporating survival mechanics, apart from exploration and a slew of puzzles, this game impresses plenteously.
Conclusion:
We’ve listed out all the good ones, and now it’s your turn to play and decide which one deserves to be called the best Tomb Raider game. It should be noted that Legend, Anniversary and Underworld can be bought in the form of an HD bundle, adding tremendous value to your purchase.