Rise of the Tomb Raider

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Rise of the Tomb Raider are varied. Some critics, such as GameWatcher and Critical Hit, praise the depth and character development in the story. They highlight the likable characters and real struggles that add to the overall experience. Additionally, GameSpew commends the plot, comparing it to something Indiana Jones would pursue, with a sense of purpose for the characters. These positive aspects of the story contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game. On the other hand, several critics express negative opinions about the story. GameCritics and Forbes both criticize the lack of depth and character development in the story. They mention predictable plot points and uninteresting dialogue as weaknesses. Polygon and USgamer highlight the weak motivation for Lara's adventure and the lack of intrigue in the overarching narrative. These criticisms suggest that the story may not be as engaging or compelling as it could have been. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate the storytelling and character development, others find the plot to be formulaic and lacking in originality. CGMagazine mentions that the story remains compelling only in the first few hours of set-up. Game Informer and Game Rant acknowledge that the story has memorable moments but is ultimately predictable. These mixed opinions indicate that while the story may have its strengths, it may not fully satisfy all players in terms of originality and engagement.

The majority of the critics praised the gameplay of Rise of the Tomb Raider, with many highlighting its enjoyable and satisfying aspects. The game offers a mix of combat, exploration, platforming, and puzzle-solving, providing a compelling and dynamic experience. The combat mechanics were particularly well-received, with critics mentioning the strategic nature of the fights and the variety of weapons and approaches available. The addition of stealth mechanics was also praised, allowing players to choose between silent takedowns or engaging in intense firefights. The platforming and traversal mechanics were considered excellent by several critics, with Lara's athletic abilities and the ability to perform various actions like running, jumping, climbing, and swimming being highlighted. The inclusion of challenging puzzles and optional tombs to explore added depth to the gameplay, with critics mentioning the intriguing nature of these challenges. Furthermore, the crafting system was generally well-received, allowing players to upgrade gear and craft various tools and weapons during the action. However, there were some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Rise of the Tomb Raider. Some critics mentioned that the gameplay felt too similar to its predecessor, lacking significant innovation or reinvention. The linear design of the game was also a point of contention, with critics noting that it limited true exploration and puzzle-solving. The stealth mechanics were criticized by a few reviewers, who mentioned broken mechanics and a lack of refinement in combat options. Additionally, the shooting and cover mechanics were described as frustrating by one critic, and the hand-to-hand combat was considered the weakest aspect of the gameplay by another. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Rise of the Tomb Raider is very good. The majority of the reviewers praised the game's enjoyable combat, exciting set-pieces, and the presence of side quests and challenge tombs. The fluid and dynamic nature of the gameplay, along with the well-executed platforming and exploration mechanics, were also highlighted. While there were some criticisms regarding the lack of innovation and the limitations of the linear design, the positive aspects of the gameplay outweighed the negatives. The game's ability to provide a compelling and satisfying experience through its mix of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving was widely acknowledged by the critics.

The majority of the critics praised the graphics and visual design of Rise of the Tomb Raider, considering it a masterpiece in terms of visuals. Many critics mentioned the stunning environments, with detailed textures and impressive lighting effects. The snowy landscapes of Siberia were particularly highlighted as visually appealing and immersive. Critics like The Games Machine and GameWatcher praised the beautiful and densely detailed environments, while GamePlanet mentioned the game's ability to create a genuine sense of space. The attention to detail in character models, facial animations, and movement was also highly praised by critics such as Worth Playing and Hooked Gamers. The game's visuals were considered some of the best of the new generation, with realistic hair simulation and lifelike animations. The visual design of the game, including the art direction and level design, was commended for creating a sense of awe and discovery. However, there were some criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of Rise of the Tomb Raider. Some critics, like GRYOnline.pl, mentioned a lack of innovation and improvement compared to the previous game. Game Rant and Game Over Online pointed out occasional glitches and abnormalities in the physics and animations. There were also mentions of texture issues and graphical errors that could be off-putting, as noted by Merlin'in Kazanı. Additionally, the graphics engine of the game was seen as not very scalable, leading to potential performance issues on lower-end PCs, as highlighted by The Games Machine. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers a visually stunning experience. The game's graphics and visual design were praised for their attention to detail, immersive environments, and impressive technical prowess. The majority of the critics considered it one of the best-looking games of the new generation, with some even stating it was the most beautiful game on the Xbox One. The positive opinions of critics such as PC Gamer, GameCritics, and The Digital Fix further support the overall sentiment that the graphics and visual design of Rise of the Tomb Raider were highly impressive.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Rise of the Tomb Raider are generally positive. Multiple critics praised the audio and sound design, highlighting its ability to immerse players in the game and enhance the overall experience. Brash Games, Game Over Online, and Impulsegamer all commended the sound design, with Game Over Online specifically mentioning the fantastic voice acting and realistic sound effects. The music was also well-received, with Game Informer and Level7.nu mentioning its ability to get players involved in the game and evoke emotions reminiscent of classic adventure films. The voice acting, particularly Camilla Luddington's portrayal of Lara Croft, received high praise from multiple critics, including Game Revolution and We Got This Covered. However, there were some negative opinions regarding the Sound Design and Music of Rise of the Tomb Raider. Destructoid criticized the constant interruptions caused by IU flashes and the need to pause the game to hear audio logs, which they felt killed the momentum, tension, and excitement. ICXM also pointed out issues with the voice acting of some supporting characters, stating that it sounded unnatural and could have been improved with rerecording. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Rise of the Tomb Raider are top-notch. The positive aspects, such as the immersive sound design, remarkable voice acting by Camilla Luddington, and epic music, were highlighted by multiple critics. The negatives, including interruptions caused by IU flashes and issues with certain supporting character voice acting, were mentioned but did not overshadow the overall positive reception. The majority of critics praised the audio and sound design for enhancing the gameplay experience and creating a thrilling atmosphere.

The voice acting in Rise of the Tomb Raider received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics. Camilla Luddington's performance as Lara Croft was widely praised, with many critics describing it as exceptional, brilliant, and award-worthy. Luddington's portrayal of Lara brought the character to life, imbuing her with a sense of wonderment, determination, and relatability. Critics such as Attack of the Fanboy, Brash Games, COGconnected, and Game Revolution specifically highlighted Luddington's phenomenal performance and the depth it added to the character. The strong vocal performances in the story scenes were also commended by GamesRadar+ and Polygon, further highlighting the overall positive reception of the voice acting. While the majority of critics praised the voice acting in Rise of the Tomb Raider, there were a few negative opinions. Destructoid mentioned that some of the supporting characters were well-acted but one-dimensional, and GameCritics criticized the voice acting as unremarkable and the dialogue as witless, spoiling the attempts to make the adventure personal. ICXM also pointed out that the voice acting by some supporting characters, especially Jonah, was initially horrendous and sounded unnatural, although it did improve later in the campaign. These criticisms suggest that there were some shortcomings in the voice acting, particularly in the performances of supporting characters and the quality of the dialogue. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the voice acting in Rise of the Tomb Raider was very good. The positive reviews far outweigh the negative ones, with critics like Critical Hit, Digital Spy, Impulsegamer, TheSixthAxis, and Xbox Achievements praising the voice acting and specifically highlighting Camilla Luddington's exceptional performance as Lara Croft. The voice acting was described as solid, top-notch, great, and well-done by various critics. Despite a few criticisms regarding supporting characters and dialogue, the overall sentiment is that the voice acting in Rise of the Tomb Raider was phenomenal, bringing depth, emotion, and believability to the characters and enhancing the overall experience of the game.

In terms of the technical performance of Rise of the Tomb Raider, the Xbox One version received mixed reviews from critics. Some reviewers, such as CGMagazine and Digitally Downloaded, praised the game's performance on the platform, mentioning that it handles the adventure well and provides a smooth experience overall. However, other critics, like COGconnected and EGM, pointed out issues with framerate dips and occasional glitches, which affected the gameplay experience. Additionally, Destructoid and GameSpot highlighted specific technical problems, such as disappearing enemies and stuttering framerates during cutscenes. Despite these issues, Game Rant and Gaming Age noted that the game generally runs smoothly on Xbox One, with only occasional physics-based glitches and abnormalities. On the other hand, the PC version of Rise of the Tomb Raider received more positive feedback regarding its technical performance. Critics such as GRYOnline.pl and JeuxActu praised the PC port for its stability, good optimization, and additional graphical options. They mentioned that the game runs smoothly on computers, surpassing the graphics of the Xbox One version. PC Gamer and PCGamesN also commended the game for running well on various hardware setups, including slightly older systems. However, there were still some critics, like VideoGamer and Softpedia, who reported occasional frame drops and visual anomalies during in-engine cutscenes, suggesting the need for patches to address these issues. IGN Denmark also mentioned struggles with camera and control synchronization on the PC version. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Rise of the Tomb Raider has some technical issues across both Xbox One and PC platforms. While the Xbox One version experiences occasional framerate dips, glitches, and disappearing enemies, the PC version generally offers better performance, stability, and graphical quality. However, there are still reports of frame drops and visual anomalies on the PC version, indicating the need for further optimization and patches. Despite these technical shortcomings, the majority of critics agree that the technical issues, although present, do not significantly impact the overall enjoyment of the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Rise of the Tomb Raider are varied. Many critics highlight the positive aspects of the game's replayability. They mention features such as collectibles, hidden areas, optional tombs, and side missions that encourage exploration and provide rewards. The game's Expedition mode is also praised by several critics, as it allows players to replay chapters, complete new objectives, and compete on leaderboards. The inclusion of challenge tombs and the ability to revisit previously explored areas with upgraded skills and gear are also seen as positive aspects of the game's replay value. Critics such as Game Revolution, Game Informer, and The Daily Dot specifically mention the optional tombs and hidden secrets as contributing to the game's replayability. The inclusion of a multiplayer mode, albeit without traditional multiplayer, is also seen as a positive aspect by some critics, such as Gaming Age and Twinfinite. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the replay value of Rise of the Tomb Raider. Some critics mention that certain aspects of the game's replayability feel unnecessary or tacked on. Destructoid and TrueAchievements, for example, feel that the open-world style challenges and tasks in the game do not significantly affect gameplay and may feel unnecessary. The presence of microtransactions in the game is also mentioned as a negative aspect by critics such as GameCritics and Gaming Age, as it can impact the level of challenge in the Expeditions mode. The lack of a New Game+ mode is mentioned by X-ONE Magazine UK as a drawback to the game's replayability. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Rise of the Tomb Raider offers a decent amount of replay value. The game's exploration elements, collectibles, hidden areas, and optional tombs are praised for providing additional content and rewarding players for their efforts. The Expedition mode is seen as a positive addition, allowing for replaying chapters and competing with others. However, some critics feel that certain aspects of the game's replayability, such as open-world challenges and microtransactions, may feel unnecessary or negatively impact the experience. Despite these criticisms, the majority of critics agree that Rise of the Tomb Raider offers enough replay value to keep players engaged beyond the main story.