Shadow of the Tomb Raider Review (rategod)
Ten years ago, we got a brand new, youthful Lara. This fragile girl, then still unsullied by the dangerous adventure, did not go far for the pained cries. But she toughens up fairly quickly, and we watch her transform into the fearless killing machine we knew before over the course of three new episodes. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, there is no doubt that we are dealing with a mature Miss Croft.
Those who are looking forward to revolutionary changes should lower their expectations. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is not supposed to push the boundaries. His goal is to complete the story of the birth of the most famous tomb robber in the most entertaining way possible. And if it worked so great last time, why change it anyway, right? So, the new Lara goes more or less over the copier at important points, but that doesn't mean she's completely scared of the news. You don't have a flood of surprises waiting for you, just a slightly more refined experience in several directions.
Just looking at the new Lara and her surroundings is breathtaking. The dense jungle creates a natural impression of impenetrability, while the screeching monkeys, singing birds and insect-filled undergrowth will leave you in no doubt: you are in an absolute wilderness where no human foot has set foot for a good 300 years.
But this beautiful jungle will soon be tainted by the blood of self-sacrificing soldiers of the fanatical Trinity group, with which our heroine has been struggling for some time. As is often the case with villains, their sense of preservation of monuments is somehow lacking. Where Lara uses logic to open a hundred-ton door, the villainous organizations reach for dynamite. And yet they never find what they seek.
It is Lara who, after solving several puzzles, gets to the key in the shape of a dagger, which Trinity craves like a chicken for flux. Although she gets to him first, she forgot to do her homework this time. Dr. Dominguez himself, the arch-enemy, must initiate her into the new events.
By picking up the dagger, Lara set in motion a real apocalypse predicting devastating floods, strong storms and earthquakes. You can be very hardened, but this kind of news just blows you away. So shadows begin to fall on Lara's reputation, while you breathlessly watch a disaster of enormous proportions, which you yourself unknowingly unleashed.
This essentially makes Lara the villain, and I won't lie to you when I say that Pedro Dominguez is a badass. After a long time, we have an antagonist who has all five together. His intentions are pure, only good. And not just for him. Exactly opposite. You don't have a choice in the game, but you are fighting an internal battle. Both the protagonist and the villain both want to do the greatest good, but each on a completely different front, although neither necessarily on the wrong front.
The classic treasure hunt was a great ride that I will remember fondly. Especially the scene when Lara finally runs out of patience. 75%