A prime example of a reboot!

Once considered Tomb Raider as the action adventure. For one thing, the complex and sophisticated three-dimensional architecture level was owed to other female protagonist Lara Croft, which has beneficial lifted off the cliché image of a male hero. What followed was an exemplary career. Many followers on an annual basis (Tomb Raider 2-5), who entered the pop culture of the late 90s and some attempts to help the series after falling interest back to its original splendor. This worked good times (Legend), sometimes less good (Angel of Darkness). The now a certain Nathan Drake poached in dusty old graves and the true female role model here was quite old looked the "grave robber" anything but beneficial.

Due to this, Crystal Dynamics looked - the developers behind the last three Tomb Raider games - called to a fresh start, which combines the strengths of Uncharted and Tomb Raider, while promoting new and still have enough own old charm.

Tomb Raider (2013) was born.

# Story #
Lara Croft, a 21 year-old young and clever archeologist, fresh relatively innocent of the university and still prevails on the question of where is now because the long-forgotten kingdom Yamatei. The real leader of this expedition feels ignored - after all, he wanted to be alone with his "documentaries" in the spotlight - but fits the general tenor of the motley crew of the Endurance. It comes as it had to. The ship gets into distress, shattered on the rocks of the island, a mysterious cult makes promptly about the castaways ago and Lara has to disgust "upside down" plunge into the adventure - literally. The story of the fanatical solarii cult that worshiped a sun queen who - according to legend - the weather dominates and development Lara`s from innocent girls towards mature woman is exciting and rich application relates.

Inexperience as she fears in the first hours of play for their lives. Climbing shoot, and deal with the situation will finally be learned. This is the character development of the "girl next door" to "lovable Amazone" understandable and presented very authentic in the context of history. Lara (ver) doubts, providing any actions in question. Yes, it is in some cases in dialogue with the enemy faction and strives to "peace". This all would not work out quite so - finally made Lara Croft a - should be clear. And that's a good thing. Where Uncharted relatively straightforward reminiscent of a rollercoaster ride of battles, climbing and very few puzzles Tomb Raider strives to be the usual and established Action trend in recent years outside before the old roots without. For this now in detail.

# # Character development
Lara can be upgraded in three different categories that symbolize your skills in terms of archeology, hunting and fighting. The need for "experience points" you get through action progress, combat skills and explorations. Abundant searchable salvage, relics, geocaches, centuries to current correspondence of long dead and the crew itself bring just as much experience points as the "treasures" from the various optional graves. The searchable or presented / surrendered Boomstick (total 4 readily available weapons + climbing equipment, both for climbing and for close combat) can be improved by mentioned salvage. With regard to magazine size, clout and secondary fire modes lot is possible. Here everything is implemented and felt wonderful. Both in terms of the results feedback, as well as the "optical" changes to the weapon itself. This variety of motivating elements raises Tomb Raider considerably from the relatively simple Uncharted. Also nice: Every object dangling visibly on the body. Key points in the game changing Lara's appearance. So I've flayed Lara personally never seen, after all the good makes something through.

# Game World #
The beautifully designed island offers schlauchigen passages that a downright pull through the plot (Uncharted-like) some areas that break with the usual conventions and genre-typical therefore come unusually large and spacious. Not all the (optional) places at once walked on. It needs only the need for equipment to be available so that Lara can also explore the deepest recesses of the large areas. A quick trip function facilitates travel around between known locations and can completists time to time in known caves, returning forests, ruins and bays. Apart from the actual plotline Tomb Raider has still optional "graves". These are quite short, but they claim the gray cells. Smaller physics gimmicks want to be solved, so that one can find his way to the long-awaited treasure. Time lift must complained times a buoy be towed with the correct timing by a location. Who the mentioned graves and collectible Extras can not reach still try to "challenges" that on any "map" (discoverable, thus saves you searching the web) are listed and by a time destroying mines or enlightened by consecrated Buddha statues demand a.
Is garnished this varied scenario. Through beautiful wide panoramas over the landscape, palaces, villages and ship graveyards One is amazed not bad, if you let your gaze wander over the surf at sunset, one of the wind around your ears whips or the morning mist a chasing after different game difficult only to shortly thereafter in the oppressive narrowness of dark corridors and crevices on the flickering light of a torch to rely. Despite regular break from smaller to more spacious "Level" Tomb Raider is of interest to the eye and there is not the nakedness between these sections to reload. The island can be to travel from one source. Story, side quests and simple standing around to enjoy the surroundings allow seasons between 12 (driven by the story) and 20 (get involved in the world) hours.

# Gameplay #
The aim automatic thing of the past. It is targeting precision over Lara's shoulder to his opposite. A free shoot from the hip (like Uncharted) is not possible. Get down or standing like a cowgirl is decimated his opponents in an open confrontation. If that is the brute to a silent approach was warmly recommended. Certain areas (not all) just to invite an opponent for opponents to take a bead without which one runs the risk of being discovered. Prudent approach will be rewarded, because in direct contact more enemies will come into action as if you carried his opponent from behind with the bowstring to the afterlife. In addition, the appropriate skill with more experience points are rewarded.
Climbing, double wall jump, cables and home-built cable-stayed bridges in all variations allow numerous ways in addition to the fighting through a section. There is not always one way. Alternative routes to the destination or to side scenes will eventually be found.

# Multiplayer #
Since today is good form also got his Tomb Raider multiplayer Extra. Team-based modes where you have to take or defend places and 1 on 1 battles have been integrated as well as a motivating level system from 1 to 60 (and beyond, keyword Prestige). With in-game currency (salvage) purchasable characters, weapons, offensively and defensively attributes improved to be multiplayer I. So far, but overall very common and, for example, no comparison to the Assassin's Creed Multiplayer who has the former single-player experience far better enhanced and enriched. Maybe next time.

Conclusion # #
Tomb Raider has everything you could want in a new interpretation. A great story, likeable characters, including development, a motivating progress and plenty of potential for eventual successor. From the arrogant Lara of once a comprehensible young girl has become that denies the adventure of a lifetime. And still looks great. With the best Tomb Raider game history of the series. I personally put this all at least on a par with the first part of respectively the remake 10th anniversary Just as Tomb Raider is "now", I do not want to miss it. Tucked the classics and give the reboot a chance.

9/10