An Iconic Heroine's Gritty Origin:

RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER

[A Review]

So few fictional female - particularly video game female - protagonists have made quite the impact on pop culture (or for that matter, on gender studies and feminism) as the world-famous Lara Croft has made, and as such, it should come as no surprise that her compelling and unique story endures through multiple generations of gamers, PC and console alike. 

Of course, in order to maintain this captivation and popularity, however, Lara's story has evolved in a dynamic, clever, and most crucially epic fashion; naturally, you'd think, her adventures must meet all these criteria to compete - and to ultimately succeed - in an often crowded, cynical, and jaded market. After all, if a product isn't lucrative, it doesn't become what the Tomb Raider franchise is today: a multi-million dollar franchise with no signs of slowing down or losing any of its devoted fan base.

Having essentially been raised on Ms. Croft's treacherous, mystifying, and even at times quixotic blend of everyone's favorite game genres - action, adventure, puzzle, and even hints of FPS - I delved deep into her world with my first console purchase, the original PlayStation, and, of course, a copy of the game that began it all, known simply as Tomb Raider. Its launch year, 1996, may date me more than I'd like, but it's that very thing I wish to discuss here in more detail.

The fact that a video game franchise can survive - no, thrive - in such a competitive industry for two decades is testament to its storytelling power and, I believe, the power of an icon. Much like Star Wars or Madonna, to borrow examples from other mediums, the Tomb Raider enterprise has endured primarily due to its originality, its constant improvement, and its ceaseless reinvention - not to mention a twinge of nostalgia for many of us who grew up on such entertainment.

To witness the continuation - or, in this case, more precisely, the origination - of a character with whom you've bonded through challenges, successes, and frustrations (digital or fictitious though she may be) is one of the noblest, most touching, and most thoroughly rewarding experiences someone can have in connecting with other worlds and other stories that help us escape our day-to-day troubles.

Personal musings on the philosophical implications of fictional worlds and their characters notwithstanding, Rise of The Tomb Raider utterly, totally, and completely shines! From its game-play to its art direction to its animation, the successor to 2013's Tomb Raider is a modern marvel to behold. In what is very likely the absolute best video game animation I've ever witnessed, ROTTR leaps off the screen in HD and immerses you in its world, fully charged with one of the finest action-adventure combat systems yet.

ROTTR's learning curve is nearly perfection, gradually introducing new elements to the player and training him using practical, plot-relevant instruction that easily ranks among the best interaction designs in modern gaming. From bow and arrows to pistols to shotguns and more, Lara's abilities are stronger and broader than ever before.

But it's not just the impressive weaponry on display here that thrills; the variety of your interaction with her universe is, for an adventure game, astounding. Have some cloth and oil on hand you've looted from a nearby Soviet installation? Grab a spare bottle and craft a Molotov cocktail! Come across special herbs in the deep forest that you've harvested? Physician, heal thyself! With these kinds of features, the possibilities seem limitless.

From a technical standpoint, the game is a masterpiece: smooth play, excellent interface, ravishingly lush environments, solid character design, and just enough of a challenge to keep you returning to the godforsaken hidden remains of ancient Siberian cities in which you play and explore. Even the optional (bonus) tombs feature formidable puzzles and ample rewards for solving them. 

But where is Rise lacking? In a word: story. While I've never been as involved in a video game's story as much as I have with, say, movies or books, ROTTR's plot struggles with secondary character development, essentially failing to make the player feel for anyone other than Lara - a problem commonly cited regarding 2013's Tomb Raider and, evidently, a problem that was never truly rectified. Because the characters' designs, voice acting, and interactions with one another all work so well, it leaves one to wonder: what is missing, exactly? It's hard to put a finger on, and something that only a player of the game could understand.

This lack of a genuinely compelling story is not enough, however, to detract from the many other outstanding qualities, discussed above, that Rise exhibits routinely; thus, Lara's latest outing proves a digital celebration of - and an elaboration on - her longstanding career as the world's most bad ass adventurer and explorer. 

So, in conclusion, go get it right now! Experience the rise of your own personal gaming standards; experience the rise of Lara Croft; experience the Rise of The Tomb Raider!

FINAL SCORE: 91/100