PixlBit

Right now the game to beat for the best of the year is Tomb Raider. I didn’t know that the crazy rollercoaster ride that Nathan Drake has taken us on in his adventures can be beat. What I joy it has been to be amazed and to experience something more organic and realistic than the brutal beating that Lara Craft has gone through. She feels pain throughout and it is something that is shown lightly. It has been done in Uncharted but not with the pain and ferocity that it is in Tomb Raider. Lara Craft looks like she is struggling in many moments while breathing hard and having a damaged arm. She is bloodied up and dirty. This isn’t a cake walk and Crystal Dynamics is making the most realistic presentation in showing the details that it isn’t. That in itself is one of the best things about the game.

When I first started the game, I admit. I wasn’t too impressed. It was all closed in a small room but that quickly changed as you leave the cave and greeted to an open world to run around in. It’s by no means open like sandbox game but more similar to something like Batman: Arkham City where new abilities let you go to new areas and will traverse back to old areas later. It is done brilliantly and if there is one thing that is a big deal to me, its level design. It is one of the reasons why I love Mario games, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and countless other games that give you different unique puzzle elements evolving the world or different paths within a world. The scope is big and it’s breathtaking to look at.

The combat feels more accurate and a bit more stable than the Uncharted games. The bow and arrow is extremely fun and dodging enemies feels similar to Uncharted and Alan Wake. It’s done nicely and smoothly. I like the upgradability of the weapons and the game giving you experience points to gain new abilities. It’s a nice addition to the franchise and a game of this type. I wasn’t going to review this game but it has been so fun. It is hard to put the game down. Right now this is the front runner for the game of the year. It is a refreshing experience and that lives up to the brand that franchise has needed for a long time. I haven’t played the multiplayer yet and don’t really care to. The single player game has lived up to everything and more than I hoped for. I haven't beaten it yet. I am 62% through it. Still though, I highly recommend this game.