The Tomb Raider sequence is what bought my love for video video games rolling within the first place. Conversely, the development of remastering and remaking each nice sport in existence — as a substitute of boldly giving the tough ones a retry — is what’s led to me falling out of affection with it as soon as previously.

I knew that a easy remaster of the unique three, and presumably greatest, video games in a sequence that speaks to me so dearly after a blockbuster Tomb Raider Anniversary remake did not seize my curiosity might show a problem, however I’m blissful to announce that typically I’m simply dumb.

The remastered variations of the unique trilogy rule. They’ve some issues that we’ll get to, sure, however for essentially the most half they’re simply plain attractive and add quality-of-life enhancements you can make use of or ignore. It by no means forces you to overwrite your reminiscences by trampling the unique expertise with junk. Additionally, this bundle supplies gamers with the choice to play the most effective and most pristine model of the OG trilogy as effectively.

The good: the gameplay choices, the visuals, the respect for the supply materials

One of many many fears of anybody who loves Tomb Raider studying a couple of potential remaster or remake is the concern of its legendary clunkiness, however I’ve excellent news. The great folks at Aspyr included varied utterly non-compulsory customization settings to modernize the unique gameplay. That’s wonderful, although I need to admit I discovered myself having fun with the clunkiness of the unique TR’s gameplay for presumably a bit too lengthy earlier than I made a decision to offer the brand new instruments a go.

Should you’re a modernist or simply wish to break away from the tyranny of tank controls, there’s “fashionable management” mode, which lets you flip Lara on a dime. There are additionally neat indications when gadgets or levers you’ll be able to work together with are round.

These additions will doubtless really feel nice for each newer gamers and previous ones who wish to expertise the previous video games in a brand new approach. My solely drawback with them is that they could make the sport too simple for extra seasoned gamers. Both approach, it’s essential to notice that there’s little to no change to the extent design of the unique three video games.

The remastered ranges look nice. The brand new Lara mannequin is ideal, and the brand new texture work is, effectively:

The one huge change you would possibly discover is the lighting. As you’ll be able to see above, gentle sources are actually life like, which means that the brand new tackle the video games, particularly the primary one, not options closed corridors which are magically lit. Aspyr put little openings on the ceilings and partitions right here and there, and it’s a pleasant contact that doesn’t alter the gameplay in any respect. Equally, the “traditional” model is way darker in areas that ought to by no means have been lit within the first place.

One of many issues I’ve all the time stated about Tomb Raider 1 that only a few agreed with was that it is a horror sport. That may’ve been as a result of I used to be very younger after I first performed it, however I stand by it. The brand new lighting, each on the remastered and unique modes, improve the underrated qualities of Tomb Raider as a horror sport fairly a bit, and likewise permits gamers to have contemporary experiences when visiting areas they thought they knew.

Good luck disagreeing with me now.

I additionally love these new openings as a result of they lastly clarify the presence of so many dwell wolves inside that first cave, though the one factor anybody’s fed them in years was Lara’s buddy.

My favourite shock, nonetheless, is the remaster doesn’t simply allow you to play the previous variations of the unique sport only for comparability’s sake. You can too play it at full HD res, however with none adjustments to the textures of any of the unique three video games, in unique mode. It’s like a small remaster inside a giant one for individuals who, like me, don’t like huge remasters.

Many may even be blissful that essentially the most well-known encounter within the first sport — you recognize which one:

Lastly graces us with a ravishing skybox. And that’s not the one one. Everytime you get to take a look at the sky in these video games, which turns into increasingly more of a factor after the primary installment, you’re all the time handled to some gorgeous-looking skies. Under is the gorgeous solar that greets you just some minutes after Tomb Raider III tries to kill you with some of the unfair traps in gaming historical past.

And if that doesn’t look adequate for you, you’ll be happy to know that this remaster additionally features a picture mode that I’m prepared to wager will get very talked-about.

To cap all of it off, the sound results are HD variations of the primary recordings, they usually’re top-notch. Prepare for that nostalgia to hit exhausting as quickly as you enter the menu display.

The not-so-good

One presumably disappointing facet is the cutscenes. There aren’t any new cutscenes right here, which I’m completely okay with. Nonetheless, being left with simply what appears like a barely even upscaled model of the previous stuff is probably going the weakest facet of this remastering effort.

On the alternative finish of the spectrum, the devs made neat HD loading screens for the degrees. It’s a pleasant contact, although the sport hundreds the whole lot immediately, so take pleasure in making an attempt to memorize them within the, like, two milliseconds that you simply get earlier than the extent begins.

The digicam controls additionally struck me as odd, initially. Utilizing the fitting analog stick to maneuver the digicam simply felt wonky, however then I noticed that right-stick digicam management wasn’t even a factor within the unique video games, so the truth that it’s even there’s nonetheless a plus.

Controls would possibly really feel iffy at first as effectively, particularly when you’re enjoying with the analog stick of your PS5 DualSense, which I’m assuming you’re in 2024. If you wish to keep away from the nice previous directional buttons, you would possibly profit from configuring your stick’s lifeless zone so as to add extra responsiveness. It severely improved my gameplay expertise.

It’s additionally considerably essential to notice that though most new textures look attractive in HD, there are additionally some — although not many from my time enjoying — that characteristic some trippy bugs. Sadly, I can’t convey them by way of screenshot as a result of they’re sneaky and solely present when in movement, however you’ll know what I’m speaking about as quickly as you come throughout your first ladder.

Oh, and most of the new enemy fashions additionally don’t look nice, except they’re going for extra of a Tekken 2 Kuma look.

I keep in mind how most enemies within the unique trilogy, particularly those from the primary sport, gave me the creeps. Having a remaster that options such an ideal Lara mannequin however a bunch of goofy-looking enemies kills the vibe a bit. After having seen that bear above, there’s no approach I’ll ever persuade a young person that the primary encounter with a bear within the unique TR was genuinely terrifying.

Good factor that what all the time made the sequence work for me was the environments, however these additionally characteristic one inexplicably goofy drawback: the water results. Don’t get me unsuitable. The water’s floor movement and textures look nice, however there’s no cool visible impact to make you’re feeling such as you’re underwater, even within the remastered mode. I discover that hilarious as a result of that’s one of many first issues I keep in mind being within the unique model of Tomb Raider on the historical Sega Saturn, and never on the PlayStation model. The Saturn stays undefeated. You learn that right here.

The good greater than outweighs the meh

Backside line, I discover this an nearly unbelievable bundle for simply $30. Tomb Raider was revolutionary when it got here out, however it was by no means not clunky. Taking part in it like this allowed me to each benefit from the clunkiness after which lastly say goodbye to it — after which promptly start to overlook the clunkiness.

The great factor is you can play any of those video games in any approach that you simply wish to expertise them. Anybody who’s new to the sequence is welcome to put off all of the outdated gameplay or to see the way it was within the good previous days. I can’t promise newcomers that they’ll discover one thing utterly refreshing that they’ll wish to end, or promise previous followers that this can totally quench their thirst for OG Lara adventures. However I’m fairly certain that this remaster did each of these issues for me.