Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Reviews
How remasters need to be done
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is everything we would expect to see from a remaster. with improved visuals, lighting and controls, now it's the best time to experience these classic games.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Lara's original trilogy has been lovingly restored with the launch of these remasters, offering a definitive collection that bundles the core games and their expansions. However, dusting off these old relics in the name of nostalgia may come with a nasty surprise. Don't worry, there are no mummy curses, snake pits, or swinging pendulum axes, though the clunky controls will definitely take some getting used to (again).
This release really needs two separate review scores: one for people who’ve never played the originals and one for players who will frolic through the levels with experience and rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia. Fans of the original Tomb Raider games will probably be thrilled with these remasters. For non-veterans, though, it will be an arduous journey, and the new textures, lighting, and “modern” controls won’t make much difference. It will be hard to judge these titles through the lens of ’90s tech and game design rather than 2024’s, and new players might have a tougher time overlooking issues that veteran players embrace as quirks or don’t see at all. However, it seems safe to assume that most people picking up Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered already appreciate the originals, and so this score is aimed more at them. Newcomers, approach with caution.
Although Tomb Raider Remastered does a phenomenal job at updating the original titles' graphics, it doesn't improve their abysmal controls or dated gameplay.
Tomb Raider Remastered I-III is more of an updated version of the main games rather than a fully remastered one. Apart from the new modern control which still struggles to keep up with today's standards, there isn't anything new to the game. While that may be good for the old fans of the series, it will create a struggle for new players and therefore not be able to enjoy some of the best exploration games out there.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is a nostalgic treat, with the remastered adventures of Lara Croft standing the test of time over the last twenty-plus years. Of course, it helps that Aspyr have done an absolutely fantastic job of bringing the classic adventures into a modern light, with the revamped visuals, cool gameplay additions, and inclusion of all expansions ensuring this is the definitive way to experience three of the most iconic video games of the 90s. There’s no doubting that the old-school gameplay won’t be for everyone and the modern control scheme does feel like a misstep, but Tomb Raider I-III Remastered still stands out as one of the most impressive remastered releases that I’ve ever played.
Minor technical issues and frustrations aside, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is genuinely one of the most faithful and well-executed remasters I’ve seen in a very long time – an exceptionally potent nostalgia trip and a fresh experience all at once.
This trilogy is a testament for the new generation, proof of the legacy of one of the icons of pop culture and women empowerment. When a relic is rediscovered, it naturally has breaks and aging signs, but that doesn't make it less valuable. Lara Croft has never been more beautiful and powerful.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered offers a faithful experience for fans familiar with the iconic games that started it all. While the improved visuals and a nifty toggle to switch between classic and modern graphics elevate the experience, the outdated controls leave something to be desired about the core gameplay mechanics. But if you're just looking for the classic Lara Croft adventure experience, you won't be disappointed.
Whether you’re a long-time fan reliving nostalgic memories or a newcomer discovering Lara Croft’s adventures for the first time, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered delivers a satisfying blend of classic gameplay and modern enhancements, making it a must-play for any fan of the iconic franchise.
Tomb Raider Remastered is a fantastic collection that checks all the right boxes. I adored these games and revisiting them has been a treat. I cannot recommend this collection enough if you are like me and have nostalgia for those original titles. They just don’t make them like this anymore. The sense of wonder and exploration mixed with the subtle music cues and adventure are truly unmatched. It was great revisiting these and I hope the next game in the series takes a few notes from the ones that started it all.
It’s difficult to recommend Tomb Raider I-III Remastered as a thing that people should play. The games in the collection – especially the first one – are classics, though they’re not classics for the way they pushed gameplay or storytelling forward. They’re quite deficient in these areas. Tomb Raider is a classic because it helped redefine the nature of what a digital character could be. Sure, we had Mario and the Final Fantasy characters well before Tomb Raider, but those were closer to mascots. In Lara Croft we had a kind of human-proxy superstar for the first time. To many people, the gameplay didn’t matter. Not when rumours were spreading of nude codes for this new superstar.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is a game created by fans for fans. The team, consisting of modders and enthusiasts, aimed to bring Lara's original adventures into the modern world. However, the gameplay of these '90s gems has not aged well, and our impressions of them have been largely influenced by nostalgia. While the modern controls and graphical upgrades suggest that this is a contemporary game for a modern audience, it's more likely that the games will be primarily enjoyed by those nostalgic for the original titles.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Net of some lightness, which concerns both the technical and the playful sector, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft is a valuable package, which will not fail to accompany fans of the first hour on a pleasant walk down memory lane.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Tomb Raider I-III collection is faithful to the originals and is a beautifully mastered collection. While I may be incredibly biased, as Tomb Raider is quite literally the reason I’m a games journalist today, it still holds up so well, and you can choose whether you want a modernized or a dated experience.
Nostalgia sells and playing with Lara again on current consoles is always good, even more so if it comes with playable and visual improvements. So if you like Tomb Raider and have never played the original games, or on the contrary, you want to relive its adventures with a renewed look, this compilation has everything you need by having the games and their expansions, which translates in many hours of fun and also frustration, especially if you are not used to the games of yesteryear.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is the best example of a remaster I think I've seen in years. Where some titles have played fast and loose, with full overhauls of their game mechanics or visual styles, Aspyr has taken a classic trilogy and revamped it as a love letter to its origins, bringing memories of old back to life. As more and more titles get the reboot or reimagining treatment, it is refreshing to see an old classic come back in a new style.
Even with some issues, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft still is a good collection that makes Lara Croft's origins more accessible in the current platforms, especially for those who already experienced these adventures before, and adds beautiful visuals. However, new players will still have to handle the difficulties of Lara's gameplay and the obtuse level design. For those people, Tomb Raider: Anniversary (Multi) remains a better entrypoint.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review