A nostalgic return with modern enhancements
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered collection brings together three of Lara Croft's classic adventures: The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and The Angel of Darkness—all compiled for a remastered version with polished graphics, improved performance, and accessible ports to modern devices. Developed by Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics, this remastered trilogy aims to modernize these titles, offering enhanced graphics, updated controls, and additional features.
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered’s biggest upgrade is the improved graphics. Character models are sharper, better lighting and textures, and the game runs smoother. Players can switch between the original and remastered visuals on the fly.
Classic gameplay with modern touches
The core gameplay remains true to the originals, focusing on exploration, puzzle-solving, and platforming. This collection introduces some quality-of-life updates, including improved controls, auto-save options, and better camera movement. These tweaks make the games more approachable, but they don't completely fix the outdated mechanics, especially in The Angel of Darkness, which still suffers from sluggish movement and awkward combat.
The Last Revelation is regarded as the best in the series, offering an engaging story set in Egypt with a strong focus on puzzles and exploration. Tomb Raider Chronicles serves as a collection of Lara’s past adventures but lacks a strong central narrative. The Angel of Darkness uses a more cinematic approach but suffered from a troubled development, leading to an unfinished storyline and inconsistent pacing.
Addressing the dated control mechanics of the original games, the remastered versions offer a modern control scheme designed to provide a more accessible experience for new players. Despite this effort, some reviews indicate that the updated controls may not be as reliable as anticipated, potentially leading to player frustration. For purists, the classic tank controls remain available, preserving the original gameplay experience.
A faithful yet flawed revival
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered successfully updates Lara Croft’s classic adventures with enhanced visuals, improved performance, and modernized controls. The ability to switch between original and remastered graphics is a welcome touch, and quality-of-life improvements make these titles more accessible. However, some dated mechanics, particularly in The Angel of Darkness, still pose challenges. Despite its flaws, this collection is a solid nostalgia trip for longtime fans.
