Tomb Raider: Anniversary

In my mind this is the best Tomb Raider game. (though I haven't tried the more recent remake) The first series of six games is too clunky to play these days. The later games switched format to care more about scripted sequences and a little bit of open world gameplay, and are less about tight linear level design.
This game has possibly the best exploration puzzles I have seen in any game. They're much more grounded than the later games (e.g. Shadow of the Tomb Raider starts you off with a crazy death-defying climb that just shows that the designers aren't taking things seriously any more) which also makes them more predictable. You can often look at a room and ask yourself "how the heck do I get up to that artifact?" and then actually work out a plan. The earlier games are too clunky for this, and the later games are too scripted.
This game came out at a time when modern design had tightened controls, but games had not gone full hollywood yet, they still had a bit of that 90s design of just giving you one self-contained level after another.

Thank you Steam for keeping old games alive! I played this Tom Raider back in 2008. Yeap, almost 20 years ago! So you can only imagine the nostalgia i'm feeling when i play it now in 2025! This one is very special to me, not only because of the nostalgia, but also because it is a celebratory remake of the original 1996 Tomb Raider game. So again, thank you Steam!

Tomb Raider Anniversary is simply a remake or reimagining of the very first game from 1996. The developer has stuck to the original but occasionally expanded the context or adapted to the reboot series. Above all, a key plot aspect is that Lara's father also searched for the Scion, the legendary artifact that is the main focus of this game. This is often accompanied by comments from her father's logbook when Lara visits certain locations. In contrast to the original, the game is also more action-packed, as we already know from Tomb Raider Legend.

Significant differences can already be seen in the first level in Peru. As soon as the game starts, the task is to open the gate to the forgotten city of Vilcabamba. What was a cutscene in the original can be played here with corresponding climbing sections. A solid idea and what probably couldn't be implemented with the limitations of the PlayStation 1 back then is now better realized with modern computing power. But first a small note on the training level. Croft Manor is here again and, similar to the original, the hall is filled with crates that encourage you to climb. A nice homage, even if the Croft Manor is based on the redesign Croft Manor from Tomb Raider Legend, this is why it is consinstent with the Reboot Series. This time, however, Croft Manor is not a stand-alone training level, but is integrated into the story and functions as a stand-alone level, but has the same benefit of familiarizing you with the controls and fighting with the pistols. There is also more to explore, as the Manor has been enlarged slightly compared to Legend.

As you wander through the familiar locations from Tomb Raider I, you realize one thing: Tomb Raider Anniversy tries to recreate the iconic landmarks from the original as faithfully as possible, and they've done a fantastic job. Numerous locations are recognizable, some with more detail. The Lost Valleys actually look like a valley this time because they have a skybox with a sky in it. Something that was probably not possible with the PlayStation back then, which is why the sky there was simply black. With appropriate background music, camera angles or rides, light, shadow or bloom effects, the entire reportoire of locations is also very nicely staged and puts a lot of effort into the presentation. Some of the locations are also larger and have been given their own recognizable design. Away from the clunky block design and into modern graphics for 2007 conditions. Unfortunately, I have to mention that this game also has a lot of gray color palettes to match in the time of gamin philosophy. The original often bursts with lush green, red or yellow colors, while in Anniversary these appear washed out and generic. Atlantis itself has also undergone a redesign, making a more technical and mystical impression instead of the bizarre flesh-walled interior from the original. Of course, many elements have been retained, such as the egg chambers, but they have been subtly pushed into the background and are less noticeable due to the color palette.

Some of the puzzles have also been retained and some have been creatively expanded and adapted to the modern engine. The Poseidon test in Greece is probably worthy of note, as it has been given a complete makeover and instead of a simple pool with a test of how long Lara can hold her breath, it has been given a large water room where you can change the water level and have to use floating rafts to get to the key.

However, you also notice that simplyfications have been made in the entire level design itself. As the game is also strongly oriented towards its predecessor Tomb Raider Legend in terms of pacing and action, you can also feel these changes in this game. First of all, most of the levels are structured in such a way that these iconic landmarks are the center of the puzzles and the action. Often these rooms are then connected with direct corridors that do not allow for further exploration. Sections are very streamlined and the developers have often combined many elements from the original into a single room. This is an advantage in certain areas, as it saves you having to run back and forth and all the important elements are in one place. The climbing passages are modeled like in Legend and the movement works on the same principle. Here, too, the player practically only has to steer and jump in the direction they want Lara to go, the rest is done by Lara herself, holding on to edges, ropes or poles. In my opinion, this mechanic is not always reliable and has occasionally led to an unintentional death. The combat is also identical to that in Legend, except that a few more functions have been added. For example, there is a dodge jump that slows down time in Matrix style and gives you the chance to take out the enemy directly with a well-aimed headshot. As the Enimies here are mainly just animals or mystical beings from Atlantis, there are few enemies that shoot projectiles. The battle therefore always follows a similar pattern, in which you shoot from a distance with weapons and if the opponent charges, you use the dodge jump and counterattack.

Quick Time Events can also be found in this game and unfortunately some fights have been replaced with such QTEs. We are talking about human opponents with pistols. Since it was difficult or too much work to realize the few fights with armed opponents from Tomb Raider I, they were unfortunately presented entirely via QTEs or cutscenes. In the case of Pierre, these are simply some sound files that are played, where he simply taunts Lara in some occassions. Unfortunately, I'm also not a big fan of the redesigns of the characters besides Lara, because they differ significantly from the original. Even Nadja looks like Cruella de Vile and with that strikingly fine and long face, the term Villian is written directly on her forehead.

I unfortunately have mixed feelings about this game. I see many of these innovations as a welcome feature, but as noted in Legend, the focus shifts more towards simplified level design and faster action, and in many places, it breaks down reliable and precise handling, so it's not the players or their skill that's to blame for an accidental jump to their death, but the execution and unreliability of certain moves in this engine. It's also worth noting that Tomb Raider Anniversery tries to differentiate itself from the original both visually and intellectually, reviving existing ideas that fit well in most places, but still change a lot of the recognizability. It doesn't actually feel like I'm playing a remake at all, but a completely independent game. That's okay in many respects and only reflects my own perception. But I grew up with games like the classic Tomb Raider and I remember this game much more than the reboot.

From Peru to Natla's Island, Tomb Raider Anniversary stands out as a rare example of what happens when you have a good dev team and proper utilization of graphics. For those two reasons, it rivals even Chronicles. Aside from Tomb Raider II, it's worth the purchase. Aside from the time challenges, it's a fairly easy game to complete. It is also a very intricate and very complex one. You will leave satisfied when completing on the first run. But you will be back for more than one, as you try and unlock the different 'cheats'.

Anniversary is a really good Tomb Raider 1 remake. It’s not just the same game again with better graphics it actually reimagines the original in a way that still feels true to Tomb Raider. A great example of how a remake should be done.

Still one of the best Tomb Raiders out there, even compared to the new ones! The graphics the atmosphere the exploration all is incomparable! One of a kind, if they could fix the rage mode aiming glitch then we would be talking for the perfect Tomb Raider

Amazing game, I played it back in 2007 ish time but just revisited it 18 years later, lives up to the hype 100% and definitely worth the money.