Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Could Be Great, But There's Some Things We Can't Ignore...

Upon witnessing the new Tomb Raider live-demoed on a massive 115" TV, it becomes immediately apparent that Legacy of Atlantis is incredibly visually stunning. The level of detail is astonishing, with every particle of dust and bat guano posing a potential hazard to the player's airways. Director Raul Siqueira explains that the secret to a good remake is knowing what to change and what to leave unchanged.

This sentiment is evident in the game's aesthetic, which remains unmistakably faithful to Lara Croft's original adventure while incorporating modern elements. The Damocles Room, a notorious chamber with raining swords, is preserved in its verticality and treachery, enhanced by the game's exceptional graphical prowess. The swords dangling menacingly in the room are now helpful, allowing Lara to perch on their hilts and trigger their drops from a safe distance.

This change creates a stark contrast to the original, where the swords posed an immediate threat. While the game maintains a serious tone and avoids self-awareness, the tonal mismatch between different eras of Lara Croft creates a disconnect. The game attempts to blend the original game, 2007's Anniversary, and the Survivor Trilogy, while serving as a sequel to the Survivor Trilogy.

This creates a paradoxical situation where the game cannot accurately represent the time period it was conceived in. The inclusion of survival mechanics, such as crafting and skill trees, feels out of place in the context of Lara's prime and capable self, as promised in the Survivor Trilogy. The game's heavy emphasis on these mechanics and survival aspects, rather than traditional Tomb Raider puzzle-solving, raises questions about the game's direction and purpose.

The author also highlights the inconsistency in Lara's character, who should be a meticulously planned and equipped explorer, yet spends the game improvising with boiled moss and an unreliable detective mode scanner.