Should I Play Tomb Raider Before Shadow of the Tomb Raider?
The Tomb Raider series has undergone a significant reboot in recent years, with a new trilogy that reimagines the iconic Lara Croft. If you’re new to the series, you may be wondering if you should play the original Tomb Raider game before diving into Shadow of the Tomb Raider. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide you with some key insights to help you make an informed decision.
The Short Answer
You don’t necessarily need to play the original Tomb Raider game before playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The two games are part of a trilogy, but they are designed to be played in a specific order. Here’s a brief summary of the trilogy:
- Tomb Raider (2013): This game introduces Lara Croft as a young and inexperienced archaeologist who becomes embroiled in a treasure hunt on the island of Yamatai.
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015): This game takes place a year after the events of the first game and follows Lara as she searches for a powerful artifact that could save her friend from a deadly disease.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018): This game concludes the trilogy and sees Lara facing off against a powerful cult that seeks to use the artifact to bring about a global catastrophe.
The Story Connection
While the games are designed to be played in a specific order, the story of Shadow of the Tomb Raider is relatively self-contained. You won’t need to have played the first two games to understand the plot of the third game, as the story is structured to allow new players to jump in at any point.
The Gameplay Connection
However, the gameplay mechanics and Lara’s abilities have evolved significantly over the course of the trilogy. If you play Shadow of the Tomb Raider without playing the first two games, you may find that you’re at a disadvantage when it comes to understanding Lara’s skills and abilities. For example, Shadow of the Tomb Raider introduces a new skill system that allows Lara to craft and upgrade her own gear, which may be confusing if you’re new to the series.
The Verdict
In conclusion, while you don’t necessarily need to play the original Tomb Raider game before playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider, it’s still recommended that you play the games in the order they were released. The story and gameplay mechanics are designed to build upon each other, and playing the games in the correct order will provide the best possible experience.
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
- Start with the original Tomb Raider game: While you don’t need to play the original game to understand Shadow of the Tomb Raider, it’s still a great game that sets the tone for the rest of the trilogy.
- Play Rise of the Tomb Raider after the original: Rise of the Tomb Raider builds upon the story and gameplay mechanics of the original game, and playing it after the first game will provide a more cohesive experience.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a great standalone game: If you’re short on time or don’t want to play the first two games, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is still a great game that can be enjoyed on its own.
Table: Tomb Raider Trilogy Overview
| Game | Release Year | Story | Gameplay Mechanics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | 2013 | Introduces Lara Croft as a young and inexperienced archaeologist | Basic combat and platforming mechanics |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 2015 | Lara searches for a powerful artifact to save her friend | Improved combat and platforming mechanics, introduces skill system |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 2018 | Lara faces off against a powerful cult | Advanced combat and platforming mechanics, introduces crafting system |
By following the order of the games and playing them in the correct order, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the story and gameplay mechanics of the Tomb Raider trilogy. Happy gaming!