Can I Directly Play Shadow of the Tomb Raider?
The Lara Croft franchise has had its fair share of action-packed adventures, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the latest installment in the series. While the game can be enjoyed as a standalone experience, understanding the storyline and background of the game’s protagonists and antagonists can be enhanced by playing the preceding games in the series.
The Original Tomb Raider Trilogy
The original trilogy, consisting of Tomb Raider (1996), Tomb Raider II (1997), and Tomb Raider III (1998), laid the foundation for the franchise. The games follow the adventures of Lara Croft, a British archaeologist and explorer, as she uncovers ancient secrets and battles against rival treasure hunters.
The Legend Trilogy
The Legend trilogy, comprising Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999), Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000), and Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness (2003), picks up where the original trilogy left off. These games see Lara Croft navigating through ancient civilizations, resolving conflicts, and facing personal struggles.
The 2013 Reboot and its Sequels
Fast-forward to 2013, and the franchise rebooted with Tomb Raider, a reimagining of the series that delves deeper into Lara’s origins and character development. This was followed by Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015) and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018).
Directly Playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider
While you can play Shadow of the Tomb Raider as a standalone game, not having played the preceding titles in the series may limit your understanding of the storyline and characters. Lara Croft’s, the protagonist’s, transformation from a novice explorer to a seasoned adventurer is more comprehensible when experienced in context.
Benefits of Playing the Prequels
Playing the prequels can enhance your overall experience with Shadow of the Tomb Raider. You’ll gain a better understanding of:
- Lara’s motivations and backstory, making her character more relatable and engaging.
- The mythology and world-building, which are more appreciated when understood within the context of the series.
- The relationships between characters, such as her rivalry with Sam Nishahn, which is more poignant when experienced through the events of the previous games.
- The gameplay mechanics and improvements, which are showcased more effectively in Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider when compared to the 2013 reboot.
Optional Prequels
While the prequels offer a richer experience, playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider without prior knowledge of the series is not necessary. The game can be enjoyed as a self-contained story, with brief exposition and tutorials introducing players to the world and characters.
Key Takeaways
- Playing the prequels can enhance your understanding of the storyline and characters in Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
- The original trilogy, Legend trilogy, and reboot trilogy are all connected to some extent, but they can be played in various orders.
- Tomb Raider (2013) is a self-contained game that can be played without prior knowledge of the series.
- The franchise’s lore and characters are more appreciated when understood within the context of the series.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned Lara Croft fan or a newcomer to the franchise, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is an excellent choice for fans of action-adventure games. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of the characters and storyline, playing the prequels can add depth and richness to your experience. However, it’s not necessary to have played the prequels to enjoy the game.