Honestly, this has my favorite locales out of the entire reboot trilogy. I think I enjoyed this one more than Rise, though Tomb Raider 2013 is, I think, the best overall. Regardless, I can't deny that this figures out a lot of what the series was trying to do, mechanically. Probably the smoothest experience, and the most fun to actually play. It's also really beautiful. For a minute, I thought game visuals had plateaued, but between this and Final Fantasy 7 Remake, I realize now that I had spoken too soon.
I enjoyed parts of the story, but it does feel like a pastiche of several ideas stitched together. It was also a little funny that Lara is forced to consider both her privilege and behavior throughout both this game and Rise, uses her orphaned status an excuse, yet walks away from that conversation unchallenged. I don't really expect these games to have meaningful writing, though it's a bit hilarious how it's really close to having a great moment, but quickly crumples it and throws it in the bin.
I enjoyed parts of the story, but it does feel like a pastiche of several ideas stitched together. It was also a little funny that Lara is forced to consider both her privilege and behavior throughout both this game and Rise, uses her orphaned status an excuse, yet walks away from that conversation unchallenged. I don't really expect these games to have meaningful writing, though it's a bit hilarious how it's really close to having a great moment, but quickly crumples it and throws it in the bin.