Rise of the Tomb Raider
I've sort of wanted to play this sequel since playing the previous game. The early release (on XBox One, I think it was?) was a little agonizing as I had to wait a few months for the PC release. Thankfully not a full year, anyway.
All around, it's good. It's got most of the good points of the previous one and builds a little bit in some areas. For one, there's more tombs to raid. ;) While the "first" game had Lara becoming a survivor, this one works at establishing her as an explorer (perhaps a little too) obsessed with the supernatural. Having seen things clearly beyond the norm, she chases after her father's object of obsession, a "Divine Source" said to grant immortality. Her main motivation seems to be to validate her father's work, to prove he wasn't crazy. It's only mildly spoilerish to say by the end she realizes she doesn't need to prove that publicly to come to terms with her past with him.
This game also sets up some solid opposition for Lara in the shadowy, quasi-religious organization Trinity. While some individuals may be limited to this game, the organization remains a threat and competition for her in the future.
Combat works fine. Exploring works pretty well, though the game is built around a measure of backtracking as certain abilities/gear become unlocked that allow access to places on earlier maps. There are still some issues with a few of the more fiddly traversal mechanics and time events - more than anything else, I was stuck watching reloading screens due to missing a jump a few times before getting it just right. For me, that caused a lot more player death than getting shot at by bad guys.
The mystifying part, which I haven't actually done yet, is the expedition mode. While playing, you earn points and unlock cards that are ill-explained, and mean nothing in story mode. They're all apparently for another game mode that not plot related and seems mostly about... earning more points? For those who like to keep playing to get better and better, I guess?
I also read the Baba Yaga DLC is probably worth it, but I'll tend another game or two before going back for that.
All around, it's good. It's got most of the good points of the previous one and builds a little bit in some areas. For one, there's more tombs to raid. ;) While the "first" game had Lara becoming a survivor, this one works at establishing her as an explorer (perhaps a little too) obsessed with the supernatural. Having seen things clearly beyond the norm, she chases after her father's object of obsession, a "Divine Source" said to grant immortality. Her main motivation seems to be to validate her father's work, to prove he wasn't crazy. It's only mildly spoilerish to say by the end she realizes she doesn't need to prove that publicly to come to terms with her past with him.
This game also sets up some solid opposition for Lara in the shadowy, quasi-religious organization Trinity. While some individuals may be limited to this game, the organization remains a threat and competition for her in the future.
Combat works fine. Exploring works pretty well, though the game is built around a measure of backtracking as certain abilities/gear become unlocked that allow access to places on earlier maps. There are still some issues with a few of the more fiddly traversal mechanics and time events - more than anything else, I was stuck watching reloading screens due to missing a jump a few times before getting it just right. For me, that caused a lot more player death than getting shot at by bad guys.
The mystifying part, which I haven't actually done yet, is the expedition mode. While playing, you earn points and unlock cards that are ill-explained, and mean nothing in story mode. They're all apparently for another game mode that not plot related and seems mostly about... earning more points? For those who like to keep playing to get better and better, I guess?
I also read the Baba Yaga DLC is probably worth it, but I'll tend another game or two before going back for that.
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