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Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Critics Consensus (Play It)
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is only a small step forward from the previous entry, but a greater focus on tomb raiding and improved stealth combat make this a powerful, albeit bittersweet, finale to Laura Croft’s origin trilogy.
Game Info
Experience Lara Croft’s defining moment as she becomes the Tomb Raider. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara must master a deadly jungle, overcome terrifying tombs, and persevere through her darkest hour. As she races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, Lara must become the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.
0%
Recommended
0%
Average Score
Total Reviews: 137
Silver TIER
35% of scored reviews fell within the range of 80 to 86 / 100
RELEASE DATES:
GENRES:
- Shooter, Adventure
DEVELOPER(S):
- Eidos Montreal
PUBLISHER(S):
- Square Enix
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- Tomb Raider
GAME MODES:
- Single player
Where to Play
WHERE TO PLAY
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RATING & REVIEWS
Ratings & Reviews
137
Critic Reviews
80
Average Critic Score
Where to Play
CRITIC REVIEWS
All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.
High Score
100%
Median Score
80%
Low Score
40%
Ozzie Mejia (Shacknews)
[Date Unavailable]
7/10
“As a final blowoff to the Trinity saga, I couldn’t help but walk away feeling that the resolution to the story and to Lara Croft’s character could have been so much better. But in terms of a pure “Tomb Raider” game, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is everything a bold explorer could ask for, giving players a vast jungle to explore and daring them to master it.”
Lucy O’Brien (IGN)
[Date Unavailable]
9/10
“Shadow of the Tomb Raider offers up a powerful finale to Lara Croft’s origin trilogy.”
Edmond Tran (GameSpot)
[Date Unavailable]
6/10
“Raiding ancient tombs and exploring dense environments is still outstanding in Lara’s latest, but the mechanics of the reboot series are getting as rough and unpredictable as the terrain.”
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Score Ranges
Read the Reviews (137 total)
| Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DNews | Алексей Лихачев | 7 / 10 | 09-21-2018 | Unfortunately the trilogy didn’t end with a bang, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider might disappoint you, story-wise. At the same time the gameplay is better than ever, with less shooting and more tomb raiding. | Read review |
| ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | 09-10-2018 | Video Review | Read review |
| Areajugones | Urko Miguel | 8.3 / 10 | 09-14-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider delivers a great new adventure. However, the closure of the trilogy does not stand its ground with enough courage in order to try and provide remarcable new elements, which in the end leaves us with a bittersweet feeling. | Read review |
| Ars Technica | Daniel Starkey | Recommended | 09-10-2018 | Shadow stands as near the best version of what it sets out to be. Luddington’s finale is a grand one, and well worth it for fans of the series. Even if it can’t quite manage to keep all its balls in the air. | Read review |
| Atomix | Pamela Lima | 83 / 100 | 09-09-2018 | Lara Croft still does not make the most coherent decisions (let alone the wisest ones), but at last she shows a bit of that vulnerability that they had shown us, hand in hand with their more visceral aspect. | Read review |
| Attack of the Fanboy | Dylan Siegler | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Minor nuisances aside, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a great way to end Lara’s origin story. | Read review |
| AusGamers | Kosta Andreadis | 8.9 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | One that we hope next time – will dare to be a little more different. | Read review |
| BaziCenter | Farnood Samie Yousefi | 8 / 10 | 09-15-2018 | While Shadow of the Tomb Raider does not feel as fresh as the 2013 title, it concludes the rebooted trilogy on high ground. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the most complete entry in the trilogy that manages to gather all the great elements from the two previous titles and take them to the next level. Now we have to wait and see how this legendary series will form in the future. | Read review |
| Bazimag | Mohammad Maraghi | 6.6 / 10 | 12-03-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider in the most optimistic sense, is a successful copy-paste from last game’s cliché elements that thanks to its new environments and impressive atmosphere of its jungles, managed to offer an enjoyable experience that has many flaws. games’s story unfolds in a cliché way just like the previous installments and the antagonist of game is a very lame and underwhelming character. Shadow of the Tomb Raider as the finisher of the reboot saga should have brought a more glorious and memorable ending. | Read review |
| Cerealkillerz | Patrice Naderi | 7.8 / 10 | 09-15-2018 | Unfortunately, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a classic third episode as you only know it from hollywood: working mechanics were made worse, the story is too slow-pacing or without highlights and the whole game feels like a downgrade in comparison to its predecessors. Sure, the game is not bad after all and you are going to have a lot of fun with it, but it simply doesn`t feel that round as it could be. Anyway, fans of the genre and Miss Croft shouldn`t miss out the third embodiment. | Read review |
| CGMagazine | Lane Martin | 7 / 10 | 09-08-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider doesn’t do a lot new. It has some big problems as far as story and themes are concerned, but it remains a fun experience at the end of the day. If you’re already a fan of the series, you find more what you enjoyed before, but new players are better served in the previous entries. | Read review |
| Cheat Code Central | Lucas White | 4 / 5 stars | 09-11-2018 | Despite its problems, ends things on a high note that reminded me both why I loved the 2013 reintroduction so much and why Rise of the Tomb Raider left me wanting. It lies somewhere in-between, and I’m glad the Trinity story has concluded so we can move on to something new again. | Read review |
| COGconnected | Mario Brash | 78 / 100 | 09-10-2018 | A few missing puzzle pieces leave a good experience in the place of greatness. | Read review |
| ComiConverse | Jordan Samuel | 3 / 5 stars | 09-16-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the most significant, darkest and most intriguing Tomb Raider game to date. Each area of the game is well crafted and delivers in-depth tombs to raid and platforming action | Read review |
| Critical Hit | Alessandro Barbosa | 7 / 10 | 09-21-2018 | Lara Croft’s final adventure in her revival trilogy is easily her weakest yet. Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s story fails to critique the heroine in the many ways it attempts, while aging gameplay mechanics and troublesome new additions undercut deeply satisfying exploration and an exquisite visual presentation. | Read review |
| Cubed3 | Az Elias | 6 / 10 | 09-23-2018 | When it comes to adventuring, exploring the unknown, and the raiding of tombs, this is some of the finest in the series. Shadow of the Tomb Raider takes Lara Croft to the most beautiful locations of the Peruvian jungles, rewarding players that search around with well-made and challenging tombs. For a change, it actually feels like you are a treasure hunter grappling and platforming through ancient ruins. Unfortunately, this is all offset by a forgettably weak and over-dramatic story, and simple combat sequences that do little to push creativity, underutilising what is otherwise a cool stealth and camouflage mechanic. In many respects, it is the best in the trilogy | Read review |
| Daily Dot | AJ Moser | 4 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | The ability to play your way, no matter what, make Lara Croft’s latest journey worth taking. | Read review |
| Daily Mirror | Jasper Pickering | 4 / 5 stars | 09-09-2018 | While some may complain that this retelling has brought with it some tired modern tropes such as skill trees and crafting, the core game still retains what has made and will continue to make Lara Croft the original Tomb Raider. | Read review |
| Destructoid | Brett Makedonski | 7.5 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | That’s why the narrative payoff falls short. Lara has always played the roles of savior and protector and researcher and badass — almost entirely because those are parts she has been thrust into. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a perfectly good game, but it feels as though it never figures out a way to address the most compelling aspect of this arc: Lara’s personal growth. What path does she want to carve? What does she want her legacy to be? Maybe she’d be happiest spending her life raiding tombs — all of the danger with none of the world-ending stakes. The glass half-full analysis is that she’s a regular chip off the ol’ block; glass half-empty, she never really escaped her father’s shadow. | Read review |
| Digiato | Pouria Daneshvar | 70 / 100 | 10-05-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider walks down on the same road as its prequels did. This is both considered a good and bad point. Fans might enjoy the game while we can not ignore its problems. | Read review |
| Digital Chumps | Nathaniel Stevens | 8.7 / 10 | 12-19-2017 | Overall, you get a bigger adventure with Shadow of the Tomb Raider, as well as a bigger world to explore. To cap it all off, the story does the character justice by pushing Croft towards a more mature and badass persona through her obvious and logical flaws. It hits all the right notes and tries new things to give the series a different direction. In the end, it’s an impressive upgrade from the last game. | Read review |
| Digital Spy | Laurence Mozafari | 3 / 5 stars | 03-16-2018 | The core mechanics are strong and locations are stunning, but the game’s pacing and surprising lack of gunplay seems like a bit of a missed opportunity that makes the gaps in action even more apparent. Nevertheless, we’re sure fans of the previous games will enjoy closing out the trilogy. | Read review |
| Digital Trends | Phil Hornshaw | 4.5 / 5 stars | 04-30-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider makes a predictable journey into darkness, but it’s still brutal fun. | Read review |
| Digitally Downloaded | Brad L. | 4 / 5 stars | 09-25-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider isn’t as good as the original reboot, but feels more like a complete package than Rise of the Tomb Raider offered. Peru is represented beautifully, and with some jaw dropping landscapes coupled with very detailed character models, Tomb Raider remains an immersive adventure with just a few faults keeping it from being a true great. This is a fitting end to the most recent Tomb Raider series, but I do think it’s time the series got a rest before hopefully getting another fresh look at some point in the future. | Read review |
| DualShockers | Logan Moore | 7.5 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | There’s still a ton to love within Shadow of the Tomb Raider and if you enjoyed the previous two games in this new era of Lara Croft, then I absolutely expect that you’ll dig what’s found here. While I find this to be Lara’s weakest adventure of the bunch, I’m still excited to see what lies in store next time around for one of gaming’s most prominent characters. | Read review |
| Easy Allies | Brad Ellis | 4.25 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an exciting adventure with a strong sense of discovery and exploration. | Read review |
| Echo Boomer | David Fialho | Not Recommended | 09-17-2018 | More focused on exploration and mystery, Shadow of the Tomb Raider encapsulate all the elements of the previous games in this reboot series and some of the oldest games too, but it presents a dull story with predictable twists that takes itself too seriously. | Read review |
| EGM | Nick Plessas | 8 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | As what may be the last hoorah for this particular story arc, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a stereotypical stealth-action game, but one which manages to separate itself from the pack by excelling in everything that makes this genre what it is. | Read review |
| Eurogamer | Aoife Wilson | Recommended | 09-10-2018 | Slick and overly downbeat, Lara’s latest sees the reboot trilogy end just as it began. | Read review |
| Everyeye.it | Tommaso Montagnoli | 8.3 / 10 | 09-09-2018 | Read review | |
| Flickering Myth | Shaun Munro | 8 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | In many ways Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an apotheosis of everything the reboot series has attempted to achieve, and while this certainly makes it feel like a greatest hits of the franchise at times, the gorgeous hub-worlds and superb pacing ensure it’s an easy recommendation for fans of the prior titles. | Read review |
| Forbes | Mitch Wallace | 9 / 10 | 09-11-2018 | While combat could still use some fine-tuning, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a master class in turn-of-the-century-esque exploration awe, and I hope this serves as a springboard for Lara into the next generation of gaming technology. | Read review |
| Game Informer | Kimberley Wallace | 7.5 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | It delivers bombastic action alongside an engaging collecting and crafting loop. Sadly, the same can’t be said for Lara Croft and the overall narrative | Read review |
| Game Rant | Dalton Cooper | 4 / 5 stars | 09-09-2018 | Despite some narrative flaws, Shadow of the Tomb Raider still delivers a thrilling adventure starring one of the most unique and interesting takes on Lara Croft yet. | Read review |
| Game Revolution | Michael Leri | 4 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Coincidentally, Shadow of the Tomb Raider looks content living in the shadow of the other Tomb Raider games, which is good enough in most respects. It’s just at its best when it crawls out of that shadow and ventures into uncharted territory. | Read review |
| Gameblog | Gianni Molinaro | 8 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | With Shadow of the Tomb Raider, we get one of the best episodes of the whole franchise. It doesn’t intend to revolutionize the formula the reboot put in place in 2013, but it has a quite interesting story and a dashing setting, offers a well balanced experience and has a huge amount of challenges that will surely please a lot of virtual explorers. | Read review |
| GameCrate | Leo Parrill | 8.5 / 10 | 09-08-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a perfect example of a modern AAA video game. It has all the polish and extraordinary visuals you’d expect from the third entry in a huge franchise, but it’s also held back by uninspired writing and an emphasis on archaic video game conventions like boring gunplay. These weaknesses detract from the overall experience, but it still manages to be a fun, polished, and absolutely beautiful game. | Read review |
| Gamefa | Mohammad Aria Moghaddam | 7.5 / 10 | 09-20-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is far away from our expectations, but i can’t deny that it’s still an enjoyable game for Lara Croft fans. Despite of some gun-play issues and weak combat system, it’s doing great in stealth mechanics. Also With a beautiful environment and art design, you’ll enjoy to explore in the world of SotTR. Finally, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a “just fine” game for its fans and though it’s not the best game of the series, it’s still a worthy game. | Read review |
| GameGrin | Ethan Butterfield | 6 / 10 | 10-11-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is entertaining enough to be worth the price of admission, but it’s an action-adventure title that follows the same beats as any action-adventure title. While the story may be new, the characters, the set-pieces, and the dramatic ending, are all things we’ve seen before. | Read review |
| GameMAG | xtr | 8 / 10 | 09-12-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is game with a mediocre story and stupid opponents, which you almost immediately forget about because of an interesting and rich world with puzzles, secrets and numerous trials in the fantastic scenery of abandoned temples and wild jungles. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is not a GOTY 2018, but one of the most vivid and memorable adventures for sure. | Read review |
| GamePitt | Rob Pitt | 8 / 10 | 09-19-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is one of the best third person action games that has released this year. Sure, it has a few issues with it’s chatty Lara, too many collectables, low-quality NPCs, and pointless weapons, but as a whole, the game is a really fun experience with a nice balance between puzzles and combat. The puzzles will have you thinking as they are much more interactive and advanced than the previous two games, but the combat will leave you feeling disappointed by the end as it plays on stealth mechanics without the ability to even hide bodies. | Read review |
| Gameplanet | Baz Macdonald | 6 / 10 | 09-25-2018 | In 2013, Crystal Dynamics presented a Lara Croft grounded in interesting psychology for the first time and setup the beginning of an arc for the character which could have taken this franchise to new heights. But now, with the final entry in this chapter, new developer Eidos Montreal have unfortunately plummeted this journey to new depths instead. In this logically inconsistent entry into the trilogy, we are presented with an unlikable Lara in a story-line which cannot meld its own premise with the actions of its characters. Though the games mechanics remain familiar and fun, the finale to this trilogy is dragged down into the mud by the failings of its narrative and the depictions of its once celebrated character. | Read review |
| GamePro | Ann-Kathrin Kuhls | 91 / 100 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is darker, more beautiful and more creative than its predecessors, making it definitely the best part of the reboot series. | Read review |
| Gamerheadquarters | Jason Stettner | 10 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the perfect conclusion to Lara Croft’s origin story diving into the character’s history and pushing boldly forward. | Read review |
| Gamers Heroes | Johnny Hurricane | 8 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is Lara’s most dangerous journey yet, but also her best. Action-adventure aficionados and Tomb Raider fans alike shouldn’t hesitate to check this one out. | Read review |
| Gamersky | 不倒翁蜀黍 | 8.2 / 10 | 09-15-2018 | Shadow of Tomb Raider absolutely is the best one in the trilogy since 2013, and its combat, puzzles, narrative, level design are all at peak. But to be honest, those improvements are not as important as its two predecessors’, and it might bore some of the old fans who expect more. | Read review |
| GamesBeat | Dean Takahashi | 87 / 100 | 09-10-2018 | This Lara Croft memoir ends in a good way, and I’ll miss this version of Lara more than any of them. | Read review |
| GameSkinny | Ty Arthur | 8 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider offers a familiar gameplay experience, with a few tweaks and a darker tone. | Read review |
| GameSpew | Becca Smith | 10 / 10 | 09-13-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider ends the reboot trilogy on a high note. It gives the fans what they want, as well as hope for what comes next. And I really hope there will be a next, because when it’s this good, it’d be criminal to have Lara sat twiddling her thumbs. | Read review |
| GameSpot | Edmond Tran | 6 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Raiding ancient tombs and exploring dense environments is still outstanding in Lara’s latest, but the mechanics of the reboot series are getting as rough and unpredictable as the terrain. | Read review |
| GamesRadar+ | Rachel Weber | 4 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | The final and strongest entry in the rebooted trilogy, this adventure sticks to Lara’s strengths while embracing its dark side. | Read review |
| GameWatcher | Chris Capel | 8.5 / 10 | 09-11-2018 | Lara Croft’s latest adventure finally breaks the shadow of Uncharted | Read review |
| GameZone | Cade Onder | 8.5 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Ultimately, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a triumphant test of Lara’s mind, body, and spirit. Intertwining story and gameplay, Eidos Montreal successfully completes Lara’s long and tiring arc. | Read review |
| Gaming Nexus | Sean Cahill | 7.4 / 10 | 10-22-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider should leave us wanting more from the rebooted Lara Croft game, but with some clunky controls and a lazy combat system, what saves the game from being below average are beautiful visuals, fantastic puzzles and tomb layouts along with true adventuring. It’s as mixed up of a bag as one can get. | Read review |
| GamingBolt | Ravi Sinha | 9 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is another compelling reason to jump, run and suffer in Lara Croft’s boots. Stellar production values, new mechanics and a deftly paced campaign do wonders even if the formula is pretty familiar by now. | Read review |
| GamingTrend | Nathan Anstadt | 90 / 100 | 09-10-2018 | Lara Croft is no more, and the Tomb Raider takes her place. This latest entry is a wonderful cap on this rebooted series that delivers on both the promise to refresh the character of Lara Croft and to bring the action of old Tomb Raider games to the modern era. It was a fun and visually stunning game from beginning to end. | Read review |
| GBAtemp | Scarlet Bell | 8 / 10 | 10-01-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a fantastic game, this much I have no doubt. While I might not be able to compare it to the other games in Lara’s modern trilogy, I can say with certainty this game does enough to stand proudly alone. Through great visuals, fun puzzles, and an unexpected degree of replayability, this is a game worth playing for any fan of the series, or anybody just looking for a great journey. | Read review |
| GearNuke | Khurram Imtiaz | 9 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider has ultimately achieved the potential of a modern Tomb Raider experience after the series lost its identity with the reboot. | Read review |
| Geek Culture | Jake Su | 8.3 / 10 | 09-09-2018 | A powerful and fitting end to the beginning of Lara Croft’s legend. | Read review |
| Geeks Under Grace | Joe Morgan | 8 / 10 | 10-10-2018 | Fans of action adventure games are sure to enjoy Shadow of the Tomb Raider. It features great storytelling and exploration with fun combat, customizable weaponry, upgradeable skills, and plenty of new tombs to explore for treasure! Despite a couple of things holding it back, it’s well worth your time and money. | Read review |
| Generación Xbox | Jesús Ramón | 9.1 / 10 | 09-09-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the perfect closure to a trilogy that has only improved title after title. | Read review |
| God is a Geek | Mick Fraser | 8.5 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | A solid follow up that proves there’s life in the franchise and its heroine. | Read review |
| GotGame | David Poole | 9 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Lara’s challenges and sacrifices all come full circle here, even offering a bit more light on her past. With Lara’s new origin story coming to a close, one must wonder where the developers want to take her next. | Read review |
| GRYOnline.pl | Przemysław Zamęcki | 8.5 / 10 | 09-09-2018 | All new Tomb Raider games were good, but Shadow of the Tomb Raider – despite some flaws – is the best of them all. It’s the most balanced game in the series, with all the things Croft’s fans hanker for (with emphasis on fantastic exploration). | Read review |
| Guardian | Keza MacDonald | 3 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | This game revels in its own beauty, but the plot collapses under the slightest scrutiny | Read review |
| Hardcore Gamer | Sam Spyrison | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s prioritization of exploration and stealth coupled with a more reflective plot ends Lara’s origin story on a more human note, which is strengthened by the remarkable presentation. | Read review |
| Hobby Consolas | David Martinez | 90 / 100 | 09-09-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider improves every element of the previous games. Tomb design, jungle setting and the natural disasters complete the definitive Lara Croft adventure. Sometimes it feels to similar to Rise of the Tomb Raider, not only gameplay wise but even locations, characters and enemies. | Read review |
| IGN | Lucy O’Brien | 9 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider offers up a powerful finale to Lara Croft’s origin trilogy. | Read review |
| IGN Italy | Mattia Ravanelli | 8.5 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Even if largely predictable, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an engrossing and enjoyable adventure, full of things to do. | Read review |
| IGN Middle East | Mufaddal Fakhruddin | 7.5 / 10 | 09-16-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider offers an exciting adventure although its story does not achieve its full potential. | Read review |
| IGN Spain | Juan García | 8.7 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | An evolution of the two previous games that is as fun as they were but a bit more varied an tombraider-ly in the classis sense of the word. It has some flaws, but even with that is a great game. | Read review |
| Impulsegamer | Andrew Bistak | 5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider delivers and it does it with perfection. It’s one of those games that successfully borders on an interactive film experience that really makes you feel like you are part of something big. The narrative goes hand in hand with the gameplay and when added to the gorgeous element of 4K, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a real treat to play and although I’ve finished the game, I’m eager to return and complete those challenges and of course find those hidden artifacts. | Read review |
| Jump Dash Roll | Luciano Howard | 7 / 10 | 10-03-2018 | Lara is the main reason you’ll play this game, and as long as you go into with the right expectations, you won’t be disappointed. | Read review |
| Just Push Start | Damian Seeto | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Despite some minor flaws, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an excellent addition to the new trilogy that started with the reboot in 2013. The fact that this game favors exploration over action sequences is a huge plus for me. It’s also worth mentioning it’s one of the most beautiful looking games you will play all year long. If you liked the new Tomb Raider games, then you will certainly enjoy playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider as this game brings back to the roots of the series where it focuses more on exploration rather than action. | Read review |
| Kotaku | Stephen Totilo | Recommended | 09-10-2018 | Many come to Tomb Raider games for adventure and escape, to visit beautiful places and solve befuddling puzzles. There’s plenty of that in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, too. It all depends on how much, or how little, you want to dig and how much you want to play as Lara Croft. | Read review |
| Leadergamer | Alper Dalan | Recommended | 09-14-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider may not be the best game in the franchise, but it’s definitely a must try. | Read review |
| LevelUp | Pedro Pérez Cesari | 9 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an excellent conclusion to the origin story that began in 2013. It’s great system, captivating world and attractive presentation make it one of the better games of the franchise. Eidos Montreal made an honest and mature experiences that is focused in doing what it does best: being an adventure that keeps you hooked. | Read review |
| M3 | Andreas Thors | 6 / 10 | 09-09-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is basically the same game as Rise of theTomb Raider, but in a new environment. This time Laura finds her self in the Peruvian jungle – and it looks absolutely stunning. Unfortunately the graphics are about the only thing new in this game and we wish the gameplay would have been improved as well. But despite it’s shortcomings, Shadow of the Tomb Raider has a great entertainment. value. | Read review |
| Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 8 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | It’s only a small step forward from the last game but this is the most successful attempt so far to modernise Tomb Raider, even if the storytelling still has problems. | Read review |
| MonsterVine | Trevor Stamp | 4 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a solid ending to Lara Croft’s origin story. | Read review |
| New Game Network | Josh Hinke | 80 / 100 | 09-10-2018 | The stealth mechanics and fun world traversal in Shadow of the Tomb Raider make it a great game. Whether Lara is smothering herself in mud to shank enemies and return to the shadows, rappelling down into gloomy caves, or blasting creatures with her powerful shotgun, this game has a grimy edge that makes it well worth playing. | Read review |
| NoobFeed | NoobFeed | 90 / 100 | 09-13-2018 | Lara has survived unbelievable disasters and defeating supernatural and deadly enemies since her return in 2013. Shadow of the Tomb Raider ends this amazing trilogy with a bang. It doesn’t try to revolutionize the formula that made the reboot such a hit or make the massive leap that Rise of the Tomb Raider did, but instead combines all the elements found in these 2 adventures while adding small touches to make it both distinct and familiar. Shadow of the Tomb Raider provides a combination of Lara’s last 2 adventures for one outstanding finale. | Read review |
| Pardis Game | Alireza Razmjoei | 7 / 10 | 09-23-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an acceptable ending to a mediocre trilogy that succeeds at being entertaining but fails at offering a memorable and innovative experience | Read review |
| Paste Magazine | Holly Green | 6.5 / 10 | 09-14-2018 | Give me a female lead who wakes up, pisses out her diaphragm and does a shot of Jager while she’s still on the toilet. Give me someone who is messy, who makes mistakes not out of a misguided and entitled sense of right and wrong, but because human beings are flawed and have complicated motivations. It’s a tall order in an atmosphere where AAA games are designed just as much by their investors as they are their writers, but in the case of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, I still wish they’d actually get their hands dirty. | Read review |
| PC Gamer | Andy Kelly | 84 / 100 | 09-10-2018 | A greater focus on raiding tombs, and massively improved stealth combat, make this one of Lara Croft’s best modern adventures. | Read review |
| PC Invasion | Greg Bargas | 9 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | There is a noticeable emphasis on the narrative. Although Shadow of the Tomb Raider modifies what we’ve grown accustomed to within the franchise, the change of pace is welcomed. You’ll find pockets of open-world to explore, with tons of side-quests and interactions with NPCs. Don’t expect guns-a-blazin’, but do expect getting more than you bargained for from this Tomb Raider experience. | Read review |
| PCGamesN | Matt Purslow | 7 / 10 | 09-13-2018 | Eidos Montreal applies its signature gameplay touches to Tomb Raider, making for the series’s most satisfying balance of combat, exploration, and puzzle solving. Unfortunately these mechanical successes are let down by a journey that fails to deliver a compelling study of Lara’s personal shadows. | Read review |
| PCMag | Sabrina Quinci | 3.5 / 5 stars | 10-02-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a poignant action-adventure game that dives deep into the final chapter of Lara Croft’s origin story. Unfortunately, it drops the ball in terms of frame rate and Lara’s emotionless in-game character model. | Read review |
| Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Max Parker | 7.5 / 10 | 09-17-2018 | It has all the trappings of a triple-A game at first glance, but it doesn’t quite manage to distinguish itself from the rest of the series. This is especially apparent when compared to its predecessor that took the series in drastic new directions. In an overcrowded fall season that is packed with $60 games, “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” needed to do more. | Read review |
| Player2.net.au | Matt Hewson | Not Recommended | 09-23-2018 | It is by no means a bad game but due to its lineage, its problems seem much greater than they should. I, without a doubt, enjoyed my time within the game, but at the same time, I felt it could have been just that bit better, that bit more refined. As a result, I was never hooked in the way that I was with Rise of the Tomb Raider and it left me feeling a little down. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is well worth playing and it is an entertaining game, it just isn’t as good as it could have been and that is a giant shame. | Read review |
| PlayStation LifeStyle | Keri Honea | 10 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider may not innovate the Tomb Raider formula, but you know how the saying goes—if ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal created an incredible gameplay foundation in Tomb Raider, expanded upon it in Rise of the Tomb Raider, and polished (most of) it in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. In many ways, it’s comfort food for seasoned Tomb Raider fans, and yet it will still be appetizing to newcomers. I wish it didn’t follow its usual recipe for the story, but at least it had enough unpredictable twists and turns to keep it fresh. | Read review |
| PlayStation Universe | John-Paul Jones | 8.5 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | A reassuringly solid trilogy third act, Shadow of the Tomb Raider will certainly prove familiar. Nevertheless with better tombs to raid, improved underwater exploration and a more brutally framed narrative, enough adjustments have been made to underscore everything that fans have loved about the series for years. | Read review |
| Polygon | Chris Plante | Not Recommended | 09-10-2018 | Eventually, Shadow of the Tomb Raider succumbs to the darkness, repeating many of the series’ usual mistakes, but along the way it shines a thrilling and refreshing light. | Read review |
| Post Arcade (National Post) | Chad Sapieha | 8.5 / 10 | 09-09-2018 | Eidos Montreal’s reinvented Lara Croft is as venerable as ever, and the treasure-filled world she explores is pretty appealing, too | Read review |
| Press Start | Brodie Gibbons | 8 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Were it not for a lack of polish, Shadow of the Tomb Raider would stand right alongside the other action-adventure giants in truly defining the genre. It has a lot of heart, all of the pulsating set pieces that series has become known for and a primal Lara Croft at the height of her powers. As it stands, Shadow is still one of the best conclusions to a trilogy I’ve come across as it respects what it has always done best rather than muddy the waters with needless gimmicks. | Read review |
| PSX Brasil | Ivan Nikolai Barkow Castilho | 90 / 100 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an excellent action and adventure title. The stealth mechanics present are great, the possibilities of approach are also very good and the technical part deserves all the compliments possible. The graphics are amazing and the sound effects are one of the best I have ever experienced on PS4. These two factors combined create a simply incredible ambience. Finally, the optional content continues to be quite vast. However, the story isn’t so great, as well as certain side quests. | Read review |
| Pure Playstation | Jason Frye | 9 / 10 | 09-09-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider has some of the best visuals and sound of any game this year. This last entry in the trilogy has improved every aspect of the previous two games while adding some new ideas. Exploration is both thrilling and satisfying, and the excellent tombs are enormous puzzles waiting to be discovered and conquered. | Read review |
| Push Square | Annette Magaña | 7 / 10 | 09-16-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider shines in exploration, offering stunning scenic views that enrich the pursuit to walk among the greater open world. It’s filled with rewarding puzzle platforming tombs that emphasise the return of new and old gameplay mechanics. However, the same can’t be said for the story, as Lara’s journey is concluded with a tired and tried formula that never reaches the potential it displays in certain cutscenes, despite its promising beginning. | Read review |
| Rectify Gaming | Dave Rodriguez | 8.5 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider stands as the best in a trilogy of excellent games. | Read review |
| Saudi Gamer | سندس الخباز | 7 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider fails to deliver a reason to explore, offers easy and familiar puzzles, and lacks any improvement in fighting mechanism especially with the limited melee attacks, it kind of force you into stealth or using upgraded bow and arrow. However, the game looks amazing! It has great voice acting, epic story and one of the best soundtracks you could ever ask for. | Read review |
| Saving Content | Scott Ellison II | 5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is excellent, and so well balanced; from the combat, to exploring, to solving puzzles. It’s rare to have this balance that even the final boss is evenly constructed, and no difficulty spikes are present at any point during the game. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is constantly challenging Lara, forcing her to survive another harsh location. There are so many great moments, but the stealth is fantastic and so satisfying. With more tombs, more ways to explore and connect with the game world, and less of the junk that soiled prior entries, it’s everything you’d want. This final chapter in Lara Croft’s origin story comes to a close with maturity in tune with the character and the series. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the quintessential action adventure, compounded by human emotion tying it all together to be at the top of its class. | Read review |
| Screen Rant | Mansoor Mithaiwala | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider releases on consoles and PC on September 14. | Read review |
| SECTOR.sk | Peter Dragula | 9 / 10 | 09-17-2018 | Lara Croft becomes a real Tomb Raider in her new adventure set in Peru. | Read review |
| Shacknews | Ozzie Mejia | 7 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | As a final blowoff to the Trinity saga, I couldn’t help but walk away feeling that the resolution to the story and to Lara Croft’s character could have been so much better. But in terms of a pure “Tomb Raider” game, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is everything a bold explorer could ask for, giving players a vast jungle to explore and daring them to master it. | Read review |
| Slant Magazine | Justin Clark | 3.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Devoid of context, this is the action-adventure title of our dreams, executed on an astonishing technical level. | Read review |
| Softpedia | Silviu Stahie | 9 / 10 | 09-23-2018 | While I’m sure that not everyone will agree, I think that Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the best one in the series. The puzzle solving/exploration/shooting ratio is spot on, so you feel that you’re playing Tomb Raider. | Read review |
| SomHráč.sk | Martin Černický | 90 / 100 | 09-22-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an excellent culmination of the modern Tomb Raider trilogy with the most famous videogame archaeologist in the lead role, cleverly combining new and old elements. Less action, but more adventure, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. | Read review |
| SpazioGames | Domenico Musicò | 9 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the perfect conclusion for Lara’s origin trilogy. It tells a compelling story about her past, a conspiracy and the Maya apocalypse, offering a whole new world to explore, with jungles, villages, new and lethal tombs and plenty of secondary missions. | Read review |
| Stevivor | Steve Wright | 9 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is more of the same Tomb Raider experience we’ve known since 2013, and that’s precisely why you should be making the trek to Paititi. | Read review |
| TechnoBuffalo | Eric Frederiksen | 3.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider isn’t a bad game . . . | Read review |
| TechRaptor | Samuel Guglielmo | 8 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Playing more like a massive expansion to Rise of the Tomb Raider rather than a new entry in the series, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is still a solid, if derivative, game. | Read review |
| Telegraph | Olivia White | 2 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | A severe disappointment in a series that was previously going strong, and a sign that this version of Lara Croft might need to retire. | Read review |
| The Angry Joe Show | Joe Vargas | 7 / 10 | 09-15-2018 | Video review. | Read review |
| The Digital Fix | Craig Huntley | 9 / 10 | 09-21-2018 | Overall, the game is a revelation, it’s the nearest you are going to get to a perfect Tomb Raider game. It’s sweat dripping environments whether in a jungle in Peru or deep in a tomb covered in blood or swimming through water filled caves filled with dead bodies made me feel like I needed to take a shower after each gaming session. Regardless of the age of the series, this game is keeping up with modern games and surpassing them in every way. | Read review |
| The Escapist | Anthony J Agnello | 3 / 5 stars | 09-11-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider would be a perfect game if no one spoke. | Read review |
| The Game Fanatics | Trevor Paul | 8.5 / 10 | 09-07-2018 | It doesn’t reinvent the wheel for the action adventure genre but it is an amazing example of polish and pedigree. If you appreciate the treasure hunting and high-octane action that these types of games offer, then this is a must play. | Read review |
| The Games Machine | Daniele Cucchiarelli | 9 / 10 | 09-09-2018 | The new course of Tomb Raider saga seems to have defintively matured with this chapter: someone could find it superior to Uncharted 4, and it is not a blasphemy… | Read review |
| The Jimquisition | Jim Sterling | Not Recommended | 09-13-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is fine. It’s simply okay, in a mundane way. While the previous games in the “reboot” continuity were great action adventures, this is predominantly a swimming simulator with a boring plot and dull backdrop. | Read review |
| The Outerhaven Productions | Keith Mitchell | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | With Crystal Dynamics taking a backseat for the 3rd outing of the rebooted Tomb Raider, Eidos Montréal has stepped in. No stranger to the Tomb Raider world, they have managed to take everything that worked so well for the rebooted series and has perfected it. Perhaps the best title in the series, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a shining example of taking the best of the rebooted series, improving on it and letting it speak for itself. Talk about going out with a bang. | Read review |
| TheSixthAxis | Stefan L | 8 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Building on the foundations of Rise of the Tomb Raider, there’s more depth to the actual tomb raiding, more flexibility in the combat, and the city of Paititi is a hub that you can easily get lost in as you explore it and the surrounding jungle. So, while Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s story lacks some of the meaning and impact that it sets out to, this is another action packed romp for fans of the series. | Read review |
| Too Much Gaming | Matthew Arcilla | 7 / 10 | 09-25-2018 | When you have dozens of ways of taking them out, enemies become little more than fodder for your sadistic amusement. And that’s unnerving, for while this iteration of Lara Croft has always straddled the line between adventurer and mass murderer, Shadow of the Tomb Raider decidedly tips the balance into making her a true terror. | Read review |
| TrueAchievements | Mark Delaney | 4 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a sequel that does a lot well, although its biggest detriment is how safely the developers seemed to play it. | Read review |
| TrueGaming | حسين الموسى | 8.5 / 10 | 09-15-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is without a doubt, a great game. all of its elements are redefined: puzzles, exploration, and combat. sadly, it is still more of the same, and it doesn’t feel as fresh as it was in 2013. | Read review |
| Twinfinite | Alex Gibson | 4 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | That being said, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is still absolutely worth playing, and it’s an easy recommendation. There’s challenge to its gameplay, of which every facet feels great to control. | Read review |
| USgamer | Caty McCarthy | 3.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Despite a new developer at its helm, Shadow of the Tomb Raider ends up feeling like more of the same. The new additions to stealth are great; the bow continues to be one of the best in all of video games. Then guns enter combat and the self-reflective story falls flat, making Shadow sometimes a chore to get through. The puzzles in those tombs are pretty spectacular though. I guess she really is the Tomb Raider now. | Read review |
| VG247 | Kirk McKeand | Not Recommended | 10-08-2018 | For all the savvy tweaks to combat and exploration, Shadow of the Tomb Raider unfortunately feels like an extremely long expansion pack, now with killer fish and face mud. | Read review |
| Video Chums | Mary Billington | 9.2 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider is definitely darker than its predecessor but that doesn’t hurt its awe-inspiring setting, fun stealthy combat, oodles of rewarding collectibles, and suspenseful action that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. | Read review |
| VideoGamer | Joshua Wise | 7 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider takes the series’ formula and pushes it, polishing the platforming and bolstering its tombs, but the game’s power ebbs as the main quest is bloated with distraction, and the writing is still patchy and dull. | Read review |
| viewport | Tristan Jung | 7 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | The rebooted series’ story and overall advancement of the games draw an interesting parallel to one another as the curtain falls on the trilogy. Lara grows from a frightened survivor to a ruthless hunter, while the games go from trying to find its footings to being at the forefront of the genre. Although Shadow of the Tomb Raider is not without its jagged edges and rough spots, it still aims to push the boundaries of what it can do without falling flat on its face. On its own, it’s an amazingly fun game that feels a bit bloated with features at times. As part of a series, it polishes what the previous entries have done well and sets it up for any ambitious journeys ahead. Although the future of the series remains uncertain at present, I would gladly welcome another outing with Lara Croft. | Read review |
| Wccftech | Alessio Palumbo | 8.6 / 10 | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider succeeds in giving Lara the character growth she needed and also brings the reboot trilogy to a satisfying closure. It does so mostly by refining the strong gameplay foundation set with the previous installments while delivering a great action/adventure experience in terms of storytelling and audiovisual spectacle. | Read review |
| We Got This Covered | Jon Hueber | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider ends the series reboot, and it serves as a wonderful final chapter, bringing back all of the things that made the franchise a hit, while adding so much more. | Read review |
| WellPlayed | Kieran Stockton | 7 / 10 | 09-21-2018 | An enjoyable if by-the-numbers adventure game, whose formula is beginning to show its cracks | Read review |
| Windows Central | Matt Brown | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-10-2018 | With heightened stakes and tension, Shadow of the Tomb Raider will keep you engaged throughout its hours of gameplay. Its limited advancements over previous games should be noted, but the final package is still an unmissable Tomb Raider adventure. | Read review |
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