The highly anticipated Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, crafted by Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics, follows the footsteps of last year’s Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. This new collection invites fans into the world of the second trilogy: Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999), Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000), and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003). Let’s dive into our detailed review of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered!
Ever wanted to relive some of Lara Croft’s most thrilling escapades? This remastered collection drags the Darkness Trilogy into the modern era. Players can seamlessly toggle between classic polygonal graphics and the updated visuals. As you guide Lara through iconic destinations such as Cairo, Rome, and Paris, you’ll delve deeper into her intriguing and mysterious past.
What makes Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered appealing is the nostalgic blend it offers, combining three treasured games into one cohesive package. The Last Revelation and Chronicles, both originally for the PlayStation, and The Angel of Darkness, the series’ introduction on the PlayStation 2, are all included. The game’s menu provides a delightful visual treat, dynamically setting the scene based on your game selection.
An essential thing to keep in mind is that these are remasters, not full-fledged remakes. You’re given the ability to swap between the original and upgraded graphics at any time by pressing the Options button. This feature is fantastic for those curious about visual differences, and it rightly preserves the original framerate as well.
Initially, the controls might seem a bit dated. The games default to the nostalgic yet cumbersome tank controls, which require players to pivot Lara left or right before moving forward. It wasn’t until an hour of grappling with this setup that I discovered an option for Modern controls. These newer controls enhance fluidity, drawing somewhat closer to the more recent gameplay seen in titles like Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (2014). Still, they are tucked away in the settings menu, making them easy to miss, and the Modern controls do have their quirks, like the unmentioned simultaneous button press for the grabbing action.
Let’s delve deeper into each remaster:
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999 – PlayStation 1)
The Last Revelation invites players into Lara Croft’s journey through Egyptian tombs, with puzzles, traps, and ancient secrets galore. While the camera angles can sometimes be challenging, causing some platforming headaches, and the animations feel somewhat rigid by today’s standards, the remaster breathes fresh life into visuals, enhancing textures and character models, all while staying true to the original voice acting.
However, the lighting in the remaster leans towards a darker palette, occasionally necessitating a return to the older graphics to navigate dim paths, since there’s no adjustable gamma setting available.
One might feel directionless at times, but given the game’s legacy, there’s no short supply of online walkthroughs. The package also includes "The Time Exclusive," a standalone level from the original game.
Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000 – PlayStation 1)
Chronicles continues right where its predecessor ended, with Lara presumed dead. It opens up to the empty streets of Rome, emphasizing stealth and careful navigation. The level design feels labyrinthine, pushing players to explore thoroughly for keys and secret paths, adding an enticing layer of complexity and growth compared to the previous title.
While lighting remains an issue, it doesn’t overwhelm the experience as much as in The Last Revelation, and the game has a slightly more action-oriented pace.
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003 – PlayStation 2)
Angel of Darkness marks the series’ leap to the PlayStation 2, delivering enhanced graphics that align the original’s look closely with the remastered versions. The story takes a thrilling turn as Lara finds herself on the run in Paris, embroiled in a mysterious plot after a suspicious death.
While it maintains a linear progression, the game is steeped with challenges and exploratory excitement, making it a standout in this collection. Saving anywhere enhances gameplay convenience, and with improved controls and engaging stealth elements, this game truly shines, backed by an impressive soundtrack that enriches the immersion.
For fans of the original games, this remastered collection is a gem that adds a fresh polish while staying true to the classic charm. I especially appreciated the flexibility to swap between graphic styles effortlessly.
For newcomers, however, the collection’s dated mechanics and occasional lighting mishaps might be cumbersome despite the updated controls. For those new to the Tomb Raider legacy, the more refined Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (2014) might offer a better starting point.
Ultimately, Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered offers a trip down memory lane priced at $29.99, with a Cross-Buy feature allowing you to enjoy both PS4 and PS5 versions at no extra charge.
Disclaimer: This review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy graciously provided by Aspyr Media.
