I was hoping for that but, I got much more! And I LOVE getting more bangs for my buck. This Reinvention of Tomb Raider gives me plenty of bangs. It has bang in spades! One of the things I loved about this game was the story. I love how as you progress Lara grows from a timid, weakling, into, a vision of survival aptitude. Man V.S Wild has got nothing on Lara Croft!
To me, the strong, female protagonist has been done to death... but, at least here they didn't force that fact down my throat. I didn't like Lara because she was a female bad ass... I liked Lara because she was a bad ass that happened to be female... Big Difference. And, as soon as the feminazis and SJW's understand that, the better off the world will be.
It is easy to compare this game to Uncharted and Far Cry series. But what most people should know is that Tomb Raider was the game that highlighted the genre in the first place. She just stepped away for her throne for a little while but now she is back.
More detail on the story? Well, Lara and her crew get shipwrecked on an island in the dragon's triangle by a mysterious force. However that kind of takes a backseat to what Lara and Company get pistol whipped with at, first. This Island Is NOT a great place for a vacation or residents.... Lara finds that out the hard way. It honestly reminded me of a blockbuster movie done by Steven Spielberg... if, it was done the RIGHT way...
The Level Design is sharp. And, it highlights and excels in ways most games of the same genre don't. Even the good games I've reviewed before. I love how the puzzles and platforming segments blend in almost without notice.
If you are looking for a game, that can draw you in? Tomb Raider has it. The game implores you to survive but Lara can't starve to death. So, the survival elements are optional. The part in the beginning, when you had to hunt for food, was the ONLY time you had to do that... I thought that was a downer. That could have added an element of realism. However, most will like that you aren't forced to do so. You only need to do that if you want the EXP.
Honestly, some of the skills you get are not even really necessary. If I can stealth kill already, why do I need a different variation of it? The weapon upgrades are where you will have the most fun. Personally? I love the bow and arrow. It makes me feel like Rambo... with breast.
Tomb Alerts pop up from time to time, that you can raid at your discretion. However, You don't need that much in the brain cell department, to complete them. That was a downer too... Since the game is called "Tomb Raider" You only have reason to do those to, get the most EXP.... because, they give you the most out of anything in the game. Maybe that explains why there is so few...
Combat? You got it! Even if it is a little limited in way of creativity, it works very well. It isn't as expansive as Batman: Arkham City But, It does its job.
The cover system in this game will make G.O.W to shame! Thus, this makes the fire fights more about taking out the bad guys instead of fighting the controls!
They should have chilled out on the Quick time events though... Seriously. Did I need to do all that just to fight off a wolf?
Multiplayer? The game could have been just as good without it. I know multiplayer is the rave these days, but I would have been happy with a more solid single player. All 4 game modes are just variations of each other. Nothing really new. Lucky for us, it is optional and, it doesn't hurt the overall package. Lara is her own woman and, she is what you came for.
Now, those are small gripes. The Total package is great and almost makes me forget about the train wreck that was Angel of Darkness.... It took developers several years but, they made Lara Croft awesome again!