The Tomb Raider Remasters are Perfect for Newbies

I've been covering the Tomb Raider series for a good while now. It's time to go back to the beginning and discuss the remasters of the classics.

Exciting News for the Fanbase

In late 2022, Embracer Group acquired the Tomb Raider IP from Square Enix. The team at Embracer was interested in doing sequels and remasters of several games.

The first remastered trilogy was announced on September 14, 2023, and the fanbase was delighted. The game was released for PC and Consoles on February 14, 2024 (Lara's birthday) and brought a couple of extra features alongside the modern controls. These additional features included:

• The ability to switch between the modern and classic (tank) controls.
• The option to switch between graphics, a quick button press and you could have the classic visuals of the original game or the newer visuals of the remaster.
• Photography mode, a button press, and you can essentially take holiday-style pictures of Lara. You could click a button to implement different poses, facial expressions, and outfits to get various images.

Upon release, this first set of remasters received a positive reception, and it wasn’t long before the next set of remasters was announced.

The remasters for games IV - VI were released on February 14, 2025, to a mixed reception.

No Plot Synopses this Time, But...

Normally, when I do a review, I discuss the plotline. This time around, there aren't any plot synopses because, well, I've already discussed them. That said, there is still something to discuss: the expansion packs. There are four expansions:

1. Unfinished Business (Tomb Raider I)
2. The Golden Mask (Tomb Raider II)
3. The Lost Artefact (Tomb Raider III)
4. The Times Exclusive (Last Revelation)

Extra Levels

Each expansion pack had 3 or 4 levels, providing extra content. The Golden Mask and Lost Artefact expansions provide new, shorter storylines. The Times Exclusive is an extra level that was released to celebrate the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb.

Unfinished Business is set up to follow on from the main first game and starts in Atlantis and ends with a return to Egypt.

The Golden Mask follows Lara as she heads after a mysterious golden mask, and the lost artefact sees her chasing a fifth meteorite artefact. The Times Exclusive level is pretty short; it's basically just exploring a few rooms to find a few things.

Perfect for Newbies

The remastered series is perfect for newbies to the series. While the modern controls are a tad awkward, and the camera seems to have a mind of its own, the ability to switch between modern and tank controls makes it interesting.

Additionally, switching between modern and classic visuals gives new players a chance to experience the classic visuals with an 'easier' control scheme. The photography mode also makes things interesting because you can use any outfits you like and, once the game's been completed, you can also equip Lara's signature round, red sunglasses (in I - III).

My Final Thoughts

Look, guys, I'm going to be very blunt; the game isn't perfect. As I said before, the modern controls are awkward, and the camera has a mind of its own at times, which could potentially make things...difficult for players.

All that said, newbies will definitely enjoy the experience of playing the classic series. Likewise, veteran players will get a kick out of the modernized graphics.

As far as nostalgia goes, well, there's definitely a nostalgic vibe to the whole experience. The thing is, though, that nostalgic vibe doesn't overdo anything. The lighting is still ridiculously dark in III at times, but it's not too bad...most of the time.