The Lara Croft Collection

Genre: Compilation / Action-RPG / 2-Stick Shooter / 3D Platformer

Players: 1-4 Co-Op (Local)

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Review:

The Lara Croft Collection, released in 2023 on Nintendo Switch, is a Compilation containing two games that are spin-offs within the Tomb Raider franchise: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (originally released in 2010 on PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and mobile devices) and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (originally released in 2014 on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One). Unlike the mainline Tomb Raider games, these games are played from an overhead isometric viewpoint, and there’s a stronger focus here on action, although there is still some platforming, exploration, and puzzle-solving.

The change in focus and perspective means that these two games never feel as grand and ambitious as the mainline Tomb Raider series sometimes does, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t enjoyable in their own right. The focus on combat actually works quite well here, as the combat is pretty enjoyable. Players start with two weapons that have infinite ammo (Lara’s signature dual-wield pistols, along with a magical throwing spear in Guardian of Light and a laser-shooting staff in Temple of Osiris) as well as an infinite supply of remote-detonated bombs, but soon enough they’ll pick up stronger weapons with a more limited ammo supply. Combat generally involves using your projectile weapons while occasionally setting traps using bombs, and dodging out of the way when enemies’ attacks get close.

While this combat works quite well, some of the other gameplay elements carried over from the mainline Tomb Raider games can be hit or miss. The puzzle solving here is good, with both games having players move heavy objects and hitting switches to get past environmental puzzles, and with Guardian of Light adding the use of the spear to thrust into walls and use as a platform, while Temple of Osiris has players interacting with the environment using the staff to empower magical devices or the torch to light sconces.

On the other hand, the platforming here feels sloppy. Sometimes you won’t make jumps that it seems like you should easily be able to clear, and at other times the game will oddly seem to double how high you can jump so it can get you to the next place you’re jumping to. This inconsistency, combined with the isometric viewpoint, makes platforming in these games really frustrating when you have to make particularly difficult jumps.

Another element that doesn’t really work here is the exploration. Both games alternate between more focused, linear areas and larger areas where players need to look around to find things, and the looking around often feels like a chore thanks to repetitive environments it is easy to get lost in. I’m sure the isometric viewpoint is also a contributor here – it’s harder to feel the wonder of exploration when you’re not seeing things from the characters’ point of view like in the mainline Tomb Raider games. Suffice it to say, this game seems to be at its best when it is more focused and linear.

On that note, there is one other feature that these games have that separates them from the mainline Tomb Raider games, multiplayer co-op play. In the first game, Lara is joined by one ally, and in the second game Lara gets three to accompany her, with additional players taking the role of these characters. Again, given the action-focused nature of the game, this mostly works well, and the game’s puzzles even change to accommodate additional players.

In terms of presentation, as you would expect these two games seem to be less-ambitious and lower-budgeted than the mainline Tomb Raider games, and this is reflected in cutscenes that are just static images with voices played over them. However, that’s not to say that these games look low-budget, with some nicely detailed 3D characters and environments with some good lighting and even some nice shadows in Temple of Osiris, giving players a sense of visual progression given that this sequel was released on a later generation of hardware. This is joined by an orchestral soundtrack befitting an action film, along with some decent (though at times cheesy) voice acting – neither truly standout, but both sufficient.

Overall I think the pair of games in The Lara Croft Collection has some good action with decent puzzles and nice co-op support, and these positive qualities generally make up for the poor platforming and tedious exploration elements. Despite that these games are smaller and less ambitious than the mainline games in the Tomb Raider franchise, it’s still an enjoyable pair of 2-Stick Shooters well worth playing.

tl;dr – The Lara Croft Collection is a Compilation containing Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, two spin-off games that play very differently from the mainline Tomb Raider series. While the platforming and exploration elements are sorely lacking, the action, puzzles, and co-op multiplayer are all good, making this a fun action-focused game, albeit one that’s less ambitious than the mainline Tomb Raider games.

Grade: B-

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