Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered Review – Lara Jumps, Lara Falls

Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered Review

Lara Croft is back. And back. And back. In Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, players take on the challenges faced by the famed archaeologist-adventurer in the last three games published by the series’ original U.K. developer, Core Design. 

This updated compilation features Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider: Chronicles, and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness. 

Younger fans of the iconic heroine’s later games — like me! — have a hard time tackling the original Tomb Raider titles’ early 3D graphics, stilted control scheme, and derivative puzzle-platforming elements. 

Unfortunately, Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered didn’t fix its biggest problem: its control scheme. 

Tanking the Controls 

Apparently, developer Aspyr took player feedback into account after last year’s release of Tomb Raider I–III Remastered. They certainly didn’t ask me. My complaint now is the same as my complaint then; the poor implementation of modern controls makes the game borderline unplayable for new fans. 

The first six Tomb Raider games released with tank controls, where players control movement relative to Lara’s rather than the perspective of the game camera. Popular in the 1990s, this now-obsolete control scheme means players must completely stop to turn directions with the sides of the d-pad; the up will move forward, while down jumps back.  I know this because I’ve finally cracked the code. I’m now a tank controls expert, able to move Lara anywhere I need her to go with minimal flailing. But I shouldn’t have to be. Because Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered’s modern controls are grafted onto older games, they’re clunkier and less effective than the tank controls could ever be.  

At first, I switched between the control schemes constantly. Eventually, falling off the same box two dozen times convinced me that I needed to commit to the way the game was intended to be played. Still, too much of my experience was spent, not overcoming the game’s platforming hurdles, but navigating the basic environment. 

It’s a shame, because I, at least, want to want to play.  By fumbling the modern controls, new fans face instant alienation. With so many new games out there, why fight to play old ones? 

If anything’s worth the purchase, it’s The Last Revelation. One of the best Tomb Raider games franchise-wide, tough controls can’t hide the fun level design, and it doesn’t deserve the same reputation as its later sisters.

While Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness are oft (and rightly) maligned for bringing about the end of the games’ original incarnation, not to mention its studio, Lara’s gun-toting, snark-deploying adventures are at their campiest heights in these entries. The huge graphical leaps in cutscenes showcase the game’s great sense of humor. Unfortunately, they’re difficult to enjoy when I’m fighting the game in every level.

Looking Better Than Ever 

Fans of the original sextet will love this remaster, especially its graphics. 

Even accounting for the newly scary adult Lara’s face on young Lara’s body, the visuals for The Last Revelation and Chronicles are remarkable. However, in staying faithful to the original look, the upgrades for this remaster duology-of-trilogies look no more modern than, say, the initial Crystal Dynamics’ PlayStation 2 Tomb Raider games — which came out nearly 20 years ago. 

Players can toggle between the game’s original and upgraded graphics at any time. This isn’t just an interesting exercise; it’s critically useful for progressing through areas that have gone from well-lit to inexplicably pitch-black in the updating process. 

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered restores gameplay elements, cut voice lines, and abilities to The Angel of Darkness. This makes up for this game’s diminishing returns on the improved graphics, where toggling between the nearly identical graphics showcases just how trapped in the PlayStation 2 era — the console The Angel of Darkness was also released for — these updates really are. 

Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered will appeal to hardcore fans, but it won’t grab anyone new. 

Tomb Raider Ahead

This remaster could be a money grab, but certain good faith quality-of-life upgrades like an added photo mode, cheat codes, new animations, and new easter egg-filled trophies and achievements point another direction.

I suspect Aspyr is so lost in Lara’s reflective lenses that they’ve lost sight of how inaccessible Lara has become. Whatever the reason, we’re now just that much farther out before Lara’s star sees another chance to rise. It’s a real shame.  A proper remaster would draw new fans in. A proper remake? Well, that could relaunch Lara’s career in ways the narratively dour 2014 trilogy couldn’t. 

Split between sex symbol and feminist icon, my coworkers know who Lara Croft is. My mother would recognize this original incarnation of her; my grandmother just might too. Lara doesn’t need pathos: she’s pure id, chasing everything she wants with a wink and matching pistols.  

No, she wasn’t created with the best intentions. No, today’s character design by committee would never give her the green light these days. But there’s still plenty of room for Lara — cheeky, uncompromising, even distasteful — to play for sport. For now, I’ll stick with cleaning Croft Manor in PowerWash Simulator.

***PC code was provided by the publisher***