Recommended if you're a masochist...

Solid one, it's not the strongest in terms of story but the rest of the game really compensates everything. Since it's an old game the controls are a bit hard to figure out at first but once you get the hang of it, it becomes pretty easy. Not the game tho, this one is hard and I mean it it's one the hardest games i've ever played.

BUY THE REMASTERED VERSION THO.

Is there anybody who dislike it? Sorry, but I don't need a remaster.

(I would recommend getting the remaster instead of this version. Even though it still runs well, there are some minor bugs)

I'm going to be honest and say that I am biased as this was one of the first games I ever played (around 20 years ago), and the first game I ever owned, but I’ll try to be as objective as I can. I played it now again for a personal project where I play all the Tomb Raider games in order. This review is written after I finished Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Let’s start with the obvious. The game is old and there wasn’t any standard for how a game should control back then. They added a few well-needed additions to the movements in the sequels, but we’re not talking about them right now. The game was designed around how Lara (the character that made you like women) controls. So because of this it never feels like the tank controls hinders you in any way. Well except in one case, but we’ll get there later.

To play this game today, you almost have to remap the keybindings or play with a controller (Recommended, but you have to use something like Xinput).
But when you get an understanding of the controls, there’s nothing else like it. Because of how the levels are set up, you always know if you can or cannot make a jump.
This game also doesn’t help you like newer games. You pressed the buttons, you made the jump. There wasn’t any magical magnet that pulled you to the edge or anything like that. You did it yourself and should be proud. Especially as some of the secrets require some very precise movement.

The level design (most of the time) feels very natural. I personally really like that, but because of this it’s really easy to get lost. There’s no goblin that goes in before you and paint random spots yellow to show you where to go. Even the puzzles will not always be obvious. Sometimes you have to stop and look around to see if anything looks out of place or if you missed something. There’s no shame in looking up hints online if you really get stuck (but it won’t feel as nice, Kevin).

As you might understand, this is a platforming and puzzle game first and foremost. But, there’s also combat and it’s... ok? This is where the tank controls really shows it’s ugly side. It’s very obvious that the combat isn’t the main focus. It’s there to give you some variety and nothing else. It’s clunky and you’ll just try to get through it as fast as possible. That’s all I have to say about the combat 😊

Honestly, I could talk for hours why I love this game and it will never do it any justice. If you feel even a little bit interested, just play it. Just remember that it won’t hold your hand, so save often.