Rise of the Tomb Raider

I don't usually buy games, but when I heard that the sequel to the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot was coming out last year, and having played it, I just couldn't help but buy the game. This is not a full in-depth review, just my thoughts on it.

BIG SPOILERS AHEAD!!


GRAPHICS
Rise of the Tomb Raider is by far one of the most graphically beautiful games I have played.

Below are my graphic settings:

Settings are set as recommended by nVidia GeForce Exprience.

The map is a lot bigger this time where you get to travel to places like Syria, Siberia, and hidden ancient cities. Overall there are about over 40 base camps, so you get the picture. The graphic details are stunning, from the clear and sharp images of landscapes down to the pores on Lara's face upon close up. You can actually see them!


WHAT'S NEW
Controls are similar to the previous Tomb Raider. What's new is that now you can climb tree branches and shiv-attack enemies from above. You are now able to craft arrows and ammo from the resources you gather around you like wood, mushrooms, explosives (special ammo).

Bears are the most difficult to kill. Not to mention scary.

Sometimes you will encounter exotic animals like snow leopards, lynx, and deers. After you kill them, you will be able to use their skin to craft special upgrades for your equipment/weapons.

There are side quests that you can choose to take on, like helping the natives. This will not effect the progress of the game as you can always come back to finish them later.

UPDATE: A new DLC has come up, called Baba Yaga. More on that later in the post.


EXPERIENCE

One of the most graphically beautiful & detailed games I have ever played.

The level of detail in this game is just amazing. Everything is just sharp and crisp. The graphics are set to High, imagine how it would look like if set to Ultra. However, setting to Ultra stutters a little bit on the GTX 970m, so to fully enjoy this game a 980m would be recommended.

At Base Camps is where you can equip different weapons & upgrade them, equip different clothing, and fast travel to any camps throughout the maps.

Objectives light up just like the previous game, letting you know your next destination. Very helpful to also find hidden objects, enemies, exotic animals, and resources.

Pressing Q, like the last game, highlights your main objective, hidden treasures/monuments/etc, exotic animals, challenge markers, and resources. It is quite useful if you want to find everything, but not necessary if you just want to play the story.

Let there be light. Moments like these deserve a pause of awe.

You now have to gather resources to craft ammo, medicine, or weapon upgrades. 

Tombs come with puzzles that reward you at the end, just like the last game, though slightly more challenging this time around. Luckily, hit Q and Lara will give you a hint. Hints which I find quite easy to follow, like a little too easy.

If you had played, say Tomb Raider Anniversary, you don't get any sort of hints from Lara. You are on your own to figure it out, and that I feel gives you the true explorer experience. Hopefully future sequels will bring that back.

You can see details on her clothing and hair! Compared to the last game, the hair flows much more fluid now.

Lara can now jump enemies from above, and kill them silently.

 BABA YAGA DLC

Wicked Vale camp in the new DLC.

The story goes that a witch known as the Baba Yaga has been terrorizing the mountains in Siberia. You encounter a native girl whose grandfather has gone missing looking for his long lost wife in a place called the Wicked Vale. She believes the witch has him captive, and you have to help her find him.

Once downloaded, the DLC will appear in the main story as a side quest which you can choose to complete later. It throws you into a big boss fight at the end of story, something that is often similarly used in the previous Tomb Raider games. So this brings quite a nostalgic feeling. Nice touch Square Enix.

Completing the DLC gives you the Wraithskin outfit, complete with the Dreamstinger bow.

CONCLUSION
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a great adventure game, bringing the explorer side of you to life virtually. If you had played the first Tomb Raider, this will be an even deeper game with vast landscapes, but otherwise similar experience.