Shadow of the Tomb Raider Review

Genre: Action-Adventure | Developer: Eidos-Montreal | Release Date: 2018

Published by Square Enix, and released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows, it is the third and final entry in the Survival Trilogy. The game follows Lara Croft as she ventures to the legendary city Paititi, while battling the paramilitary organization Trinity and stopping a Mayan apocalypse she has unleashed.

Campaign

The campaign in Shadow of the Tomb Raider is extensive, featuring a gripping narrative that takes Lara Croft on one of her most intense journeys yet. The story follows Lara as she races against Trinity to prevent a Mayan apocalypse—an engaging premise that adds urgency and depth to her adventure.

Lara herself has undergone significant development over the trilogy, yet here, her character arc feels somewhat stagnant. By this point, she should be closer to her classic counterpart—more adventurous, more daring—but she still struggles with the same internal conflicts. It would have been refreshing to see her fully embrace her destiny rather than remain weighed down by guilt.

The supporting cast is solid, with Jonah providing a strong emotional anchor for Lara, while new characters, such as Unuratu and her people, add depth to the world. However, Trinity, the game’s overarching antagonist group, fails to leave a lasting impression. Pedro Dominguez is a competent and sophisticated villain, but he lacks the memorability of past antagonists. The Yaaxil and their leader, Crimson Fire, are intriguing but feel underutilized; their limited involvement in the main story is a missed opportunity for more compelling conflicts.

Overall, Shadow of the Tomb Raider tells an exciting, high-stakes story with strong themes of consequence and self-discovery, but Lara’s character progression and the effectiveness of the villains could have been stronger.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Gameplay

Shadow of the Tomb Raider refines the core mechanics of the series, emphasizing exploration, stealth, and survival. Movement feels fluid, allowing Lara to seamlessly run, jump, swim, and climb through the beautifully crafted environments. The ability to gather resources, such as plants and animal materials, for crafting and upgrades adds another layer of immersion.

Stealth is a key focus in this entry, with Lara able to blend into foliage, cover herself in mud for camouflage, and perform silent takedowns. However, the game doesn’t always provide enough scenarios to fully utilize these mechanics, making stealth feel underdeveloped. Combat remains intense and fast-paced, allowing players to switch between weapons, use melee attacks with Lara’s climbing axes, and employ creative strategies. Unfortunately, combat encounters are noticeably reduced compared to previous titles. While the increased emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving is welcome, a better balance between action and adventure would have improved the pacing.

The platforming and puzzle mechanics are some of the best in the trilogy, with tombs and crypts offering intricate challenges that require critical thinking. The difficulty can be adjusted for exploration, puzzles, and combat separately, allowing players to customize their experience.

Replayability is surprisingly high, thanks to the variety of challenge tombs, collectibles, and hidden secrets scattered throughout the world. While there’s no traditional multiplayer mode, the extensive world encourages multiple playthroughs for completionists.

Despite its minor shortcomings, Shadow of the Tomb Raider delivers satisfying gameplay with smooth mechanics, rewarding exploration, and intense survival elements.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Production

From a production standpoint, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a visual masterpiece. The graphics are breathtaking, with highly detailed character models, realistic lighting, and meticulously crafted environments. Every location, from dense jungles to underwater caverns, is bursting with life, making exploration a visually stunning experience. The level of detail in the running water, shifting clouds, and wildlife enhances immersion, making the world feel truly alive.

The game’s camera work is cinematic, capturing action sequences and emotional moments with precision. Cutscenes flow seamlessly into gameplay, maintaining a smooth and immersive experience. The art direction leans into the darker, more mysterious themes of the game, with shadowy tombs, vibrant yet dangerous jungles, and ancient ruins that feel both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

The audio design is another highlight. The soundscape is rich, from the rustling of leaves to the distant sounds of animals, reinforcing the game’s atmospheric tension. The soundtrack is powerful, adding an edgy and intense feel to key moments.

Voice performances are excellent across the board, with Camilla Luddington once again delivering an outstanding portrayal of Lara Croft. She captures Lara’s determination, vulnerability, and strength with nuance. The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, making interactions feel natural and engaging.

Overall, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a technical and artistic triumph, delivering an immersive and stunningly crafted world.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Verdict

In the end, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a visually spectacular and immersive adventure, refining its gameplay while leaning heavily into exploration and puzzle-solving. While combat takes a backseat and Lara’s character arc could be stronger, the game’s engaging world, smooth mechanics, and stunning production make it a worthy conclusion to the trilogy. Shadow of the Tomb Raider gets 4 out of 5.