GearPop Blog

The PS4 and Xbox One edition of Tomb Raider was released just a few weeks ago and I finally had time to sit down and enjoy the game.  Now for the sake of the review I must say I never played the game when it was released last year and that this is my first experience playing it.  I cannot give a lot of answers as to the differences between the older version and the definitive version.  That being said the game does look very nice on PS4 and it has already been said that the PS4 version is the best looking version out of any of the releases.

Game Play

From the moment the game started I had a flashback to playing the Uncharted series as far as controls and game play mechanics.  From the get go you are stranded on an island trying to survive while the locals are trying to kill you.  You start out with a bow, which is the best weapon in my opinion and brings the most to the game.  All your weapons are up-gradable and bring different strategy as well.  The bow is used for stealth kills from a far and hunting which brings xp when you down an animal.  The controls are the best to date on a Tomb Raider game and really follow the same principles from the Uncharted series.  Third Person action/shooter with platforming and puzzle elements.  What makes the game play so much fun is the variety of game play elements that are present.  You can find hidden tombs that provide extra xp when you solve the puzzles, stealth elements to avoid big battles, or action elements that allow you to go in guns blazing.

The game also uses the touch pad on the PS4 as a shortcut for certain things like switching guns and lighting a torch.  it also uses voice control to switch weapons.  They are added elements that I found my self no even using after a while.

Graphics

Graphics took a huge leap in the port with the game running at 1080P and 60 FPS on PS4 making it the highest resolution version of the game you can play.  Lots of touch ups were done to Lara here self and the views and scenery look amazing on next gen.  Overall it is a port, but a pretty good looking one.

Sound

The sound in the game is amazing and brings a lot to a decent sound setup.  I currently have a low end surround sound hookup and the game plays and sounds great with it.  The game also takes advantage of the speaker on the controller giving you sound effects from bullets shells falling out of a gun, to twigs snapping.  Anything that is happening close to the player comes through the speaker making you feel like you are there.

Overall

I have had a lot of fun playing Tomb Raider for the first time ever.  Honestly, I believe this is the best and biggest reason to get the game.  If you never played it last gen, then definitely pick it up and give it a go.  It is pretty much the same game from the last version with some extra gimmicks and better graphics.  I actually look forward to experiencing more ports from games I haven’t fully experienced Like the Last of Us or revisiting GTA V on next gen consoles.  Sure they are cash grabs by publishers, but I can appreciate getting them to a whole new audience.

About the Author Russell Dornisch

Russell has a bachelors degree in Communication from Colorado Christian University. He is passionate about technology and sports and wants to find some way to incorporate that into his career. He hopes that through writing blogs he can practice and obtain experience needed to obtain his dream of writing about technology. In his free time, Russ loves to play and watch all sorts of sports. He is an avid video game fan and loves all kinds of games. Currently he is enjoying his new PS4 and looks forward to some of the big releases soon to come.

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