Which to Play First: Shadow of the Tomb Raider or Rise of the Tomb Raider?
If you’re a fan of the Tomb Raider series or just looking to start your adventure with Lara Croft, you might be wondering which game to play first: Shadow of the Tomb Raider or Rise of the Tomb Raider. Both games are part of the reboot trilogy and offer an exciting experience, but knowing which one to play first can be confusing.
Story Context
Before diving into the games, it’s essential to understand the story context. The reboot trilogy follows Lara Croft’s journey as she becomes the Tomb Raider. Here’s a brief summary:
- Tomb Raider (2013): The first game introduces Lara Croft, a young and ambitious archaeologist, as she searches for her missing mother on the island of Yamatai. The game follows her transformation from an amateur to a seasoned adventurer.
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015): Set a year after the events of the first game, Lara Croft is now a more experienced and skilled Tomb Raider. She’s on a quest to uncover the secrets of her father’s past and prevent a powerful organization from misusing ancient artifacts.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018): The third installment takes place after the events of Rise of the Tomb Raider. Lara Croft must stop a Mayan apocalypse by preventing the spread of a deadly disease.
Which to Play First?
Now that you know the story context, let’s get to the main question: which game to play first? Here are some points to consider:
- Story Chronology: If you want to experience the story in chronological order, play the games in the following order: Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018).
- Gameplay and Difficulty: If you’re new to the series, playing the games in order might make the gameplay and difficulty more challenging. You can start with the first game, which introduces Lara Croft’s skills and abilities, and then move to Rise of the Tomb Raider, which is slightly more challenging. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the most challenging game in the trilogy, so you might want to start with the first two games to build your skills and confidence.
- Character Development: Playing the games in order allows you to see Lara Croft’s character development, from a young and inexperienced archaeologist to a seasoned and skilled Tomb Raider.
- Gameplay Mechanics: If you want to experience the gameplay mechanics and features, you can play the games in any order. Each game introduces new skills and abilities, but the core gameplay mechanics are similar.
Key Differences
Here are some key differences between Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider that might help you decide which game to play first:
| Feature | Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Rise of the Tomb Raider |
|---|---|---|
| Story | Lara Croft must stop a Mayan apocalypse | Lara Croft is on a quest to uncover her father’s past and prevent a powerful organization from misusing ancient artifacts |
| Gameplay Mechanics | Improved combat and puzzle-solving mechanics | Introduces new skills and abilities, such as climbing and traversal |
| Difficulty | More challenging than Rise of the Tomb Raider | Slightly more challenging than Tomb Raider (2013) |
| Environment | Takes place in South America, with a focus on the Mayan civilization | Takes place in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, with a focus on ancient artifacts and cultures |
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider depends on your personal preferences and gaming goals. If you want to experience the story in chronological order, play the games in the following order: Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). If you’re new to the series, starting with the first game and then moving to Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider might be a better approach.