GAME REVIEW – Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft (PC)

By Marty Mulrooney

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft brings back the iconic first three games in the Tomb Raider series – Tomb Raider (1996), Tomb Raider II (1997) and Tomb Raider III (1998) – to modern consoles and PC. Developed and published by Aspyr, who previously helped port the first six Tomb Raider games to macOS in the late ’90s/early 2000s, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered adds new features across all three games, including the ability to switch between original and enhanced graphics and classic and modern controls, a photo mode, health bars for boss battles and hundreds of unlockable achievements.

For those who played any of the original Tomb Raider games in the mid-to-late ’90s, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered will be a shot of pure nostalgia from the moment the main menu loads – or rather, main menus, which have all been faithfully preserved. This original trilogy of Lara Croft action-adventure games harks back to a time when developers were only just beginning to realise the full potential of platforming within a fully 3D space, with both the first Tomb Raider and Mario 64 launching in the same year.

Yet Tomb Raider was somewhat unique in that its grid-based level design allowed the developers at Core Design to clearly communicate to the player what Lara was capable of at any given moment. Sure, the tank controls could be a bit clunky at times – especially during combat – but if the player learned and mastered them they would never miss a death-defying leap towards a far-off ledge. It made the simple act of moving through each level a perilous thrill ride.

With the much-anticipated arrival of these remasters, there is a genuine concern that modern gamers who never played the originals simply won’t ‘get it’. The optional modern controls that have been added are certainly functional – just point the analogue stick where you want to go – but, for this fast-approaching-middle-age gamer at least, they pale in comparison to mastering the tank controls around which the original experiences were designed.

Having finally conquered Tomb Raider (1996) on PlayStation a few years ago before interviewing Lara Croft voice actor Shelley Blond, it was satisfying to note that my muscle memory hadn’t faded one iota – once the tank controls click, they stick. So, I can take or leave the modern controls, but thankfully, these remastered versions have a lot more to offer. Tomb Raider was a big deal back in the day, as was Lara Croft… and this remastered trilogy does a wonderful job of reminding us why.

The first game is arguably still the best, with many of its levels involving long, lonely stretches of silence and isolation as Lara explores the latest tomb. It really does feel like you’re the first person to visit these locations in hundreds – if not thousands – of years, and it can be a surprisingly meditative experience. The ’97 sequel ups the ante with new gameplay mechanics such as driving vehicles, although there is too much combat against human sharpshooters. The third game dials back the combat, but the environmental traps can often feel unfair and the levels aren’t as focussed.

The crowing achievement of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is the ability to switch between the original and enhanced graphics at any given moment with just the click of a button – it even works in the menu screens and during FMVs, and it feels like magic every time. The switch is instant, with the new textures and character models doing a fantastic job of retaining the spirit of the original games while adding new details that bring each level to life. Although AI upscaling has been used, it manages to avoid feeling soulless and there has obviously been a lot of handcrafted love poured into the new visuals. Another quality-of-life improvement is the way Lara will now manoeuvre herself into position when picking up items and pulling switches – trust me, it’s a godsend.

In terms of value for money, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered is an undeniable bargain. Each game in the collection is hefty even by modern standards, and Aspyr has seen fit to also include their respective expansion packs (Unfinished Business, The Golden Mask and The Lost Artefact), which were previously exclusive to PC. The three different Croft Manor training levels are all present and correct, too.

Thankfully, something else that has been brought over from the PC versions is the ability to save at any time (Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider III on PlayStation used save crystals back in the day). This is so fast and snappy that the more nefarious traps and combat sequences can be tackled with confidence – the notoriously difficult third game in particular will no doubt be much more accessible now to returning and new players alike.

Usually, when a PC game has no user-adjustable graphics settings it’s a bad sign, indicating a barebones port – but in this instance, there is really nothing to worry about. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered simply matches the user’s desktop resolution and refresh rate, and it looks fantastic running at native 4K with the enhanced graphics turned on. Getting the original games to run on modern systems can be a bit of a nightmare, so it’s wonderful to have modern releases that simply work – no muss, no fuss.

The relatively low system requirements also mean that Tomb Raider I-III Remastered runs like a dream on the Steam Deck, with my LCD launch model providing about five hours of battery life to boot. Owners of the OLED model should be able to enjoy even more playtime before needing to recharge, and it’s honestly a fantastic way to experience these games. I have also been lucky enough to play the PlayStation 5 version on my 4K television at 60fps, and each game holds up admirably on a larger display. If you want to play old-school Tomb Raider in 2024, this is the best way to do it.

Some minor issues still need to be ironed out, such as the occasional incorrect texture showing when playing with the enhanced graphics enabled. However, it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a patch (which the developers have already strongly hinted is in the works), and these quirks didn’t hamper my enjoyment at all.

These are difficult games that can often feel unfair, but they’re packed full of charm and memorable moments. Mastering them is incredibly satisfying for those with the patience, and it’s refreshing to experience such games in the modern era when most developers are terrified to let go of your hand for too long.

Three iconic classic games with a new lick of paint, for a third of the price of a modern title, isn’t something to be sniffed at. Remakes and remasters are a dime a dozen nowadays, but Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft manages to feel special. Other developers looking to re-release their back catalogue should take note: imagine something like this being done for the original Resident Evil trilogy…

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered won’t be for everyone – it’s stuck in its ways, for better or worse – but for longtime fans and open-minded newcomers, it could prove to be a revelation. Some things should be left in the past, but I couldn’t be happier that Aspyr decided to dig up these ’90s relics of a bygone gaming era and lovingly restore them. Just take my advice and ignore the modern controls – you’ll thank me later.

9 OUT OF 10