Tomb Raider

Computer and Video Games (CVG) ( )

The puzzles are logical, progressively more sneaky and relate to the ever-changing environment of the game. The creatures are convincing, from the trouble taken to animate and motivate them realistically. And the platforming provides lots of sweaty-palm moments, followed by sickeningly long drops. The 3D is just excellent, with superb water and lighting effects, and the vastness of the 15 levels begins to get apparent when you're tired and lost somewhere about a quarter through the game. Considering the limits of what 32-bit machines can achieve, Tomb Raider is a faultless achievement.

Just Adventure (A)

When it was released, Tomb Raider broke new ground in the third-person arena, and it continues to do so today. If puzzles and exploration are up your alley, I strongly recommend that you go out and get this game as soon as you can (although I think I was the last person left on the face of the earth who hadn't already played this game). As far as "game for the dollar" goes, Tomb Raider is tops.

The Video Game Critic (A)

Tomb Raider set a new standard for action/adventure games, featuring realistic 3-D creatures and huge expansive levels. The first Tomb Raider game is a classic, appealing to the Indiana Jones in all of us. Lara Croft makes for a beautiful heroine, and the third-person view provides some dramatic camera angles.

High Score (5 out of 5)

Tomb Raider är helt enkelt det ultimata äventyrsspelet i ordets rätta bemärkelse och ett självklart val.

Tokyo Fan ( )

The PlayStation version comes off better than the Saturn, with smoother movement and nicer colours, but all versions are as immersive and enjoyable as each other.

P.S.X. (Playstation Experience) (97 out of 100)

This game is one of they best I've ever seen for the new Playstation yet. The huge levels really give the feeling of exploring. Nothing beats running into a room so gigantic you can't even see the other side!

Game Players (9.5 out of 10)

Without question, one of the very best games available for the PlayStation, Saturn and PC CD-Rom, Tomb Raider is a must have for any system.

P.S.X. (Playstation Experience) (95 out of 100)

Tomb Raider is one of the several "must-buys" of the holiday season. It's huge nonlinear levels, awesome character animation and gripping soundtrack give the game a cinematic feel and make Tomb Raider an instant classic.

P.S.X. (Playstation Experience) (95 out of 100)

This game will go down in gaming history as a classic. If you don't want to miss out, play this game!

NowGamer (9.4 out of 10)

What really impressed me about Tomb Raider is the complete package. Core could have been lazy and knocked out a pretty standard maze game, where one lever opens a door and the gameplay was linear, but instead it has taken the bull by the horns and produced something which can truly be called revolutionary. You have 15 levels, increasing in size from massive to completely insane, a stately home training centre to practice your moves and relax with a nice cup of tea. And rather than give you the option to save willy nilly and reduce the overall challenge, you must find save crystals strategically positioned so that you must earn the security they bring. Tomb Raider rarely puts a foot wrong, and when it does (such as the mindless camera work sometimes) you forgive it instantly because there are so many clever touches and tricks up its sleeve (besides, where else are you able to stare at a pair of pert breasts and arse for four hours without being labelled a pervert?).

IGN (9.3 out of 10)

Tomb Raider's only real problem lies in the graphics. To be frank, the seams in the textures are glaringly noticeable. Some of the background images are also pretty chunky. These points aside, though, Tomb raider is one of the best games on 1996.

Mega Fun (92 out of 100)

Heutzutage kann sich kaum ein Genre vor einer dreidimensionalen Verjüngungskur schützen – jüngst geschehen im Adventure-Bereich. Springt Mario bis März leider ausnahmslos nur in japanischen und amerikanischen Gefilden, kann man seine weibliche Konkurrentin, Lara Croft schon jetzt durch abenteuerliche 3D-Welten steuern. Ähnlich wie der Klempner muß auch die smarte Hobby-Archäologin ihre Frau stehen. Und das macht sie, wie ich meine, sehr eigenständig. Denn nicht nur die Bewegungsvielfalt der Powerfrau weiß zu überzeugen, es ist vielmehr der gekonnte Abenteuerbeigeschmack, der Appetit auf mehr macht. Was mir noch besser gefallen hat, ist der Abwechslungsreichtum der vier Welten, die von Aufsammeln von Zahnrädern bis hin zu logischem Kombinieren viel Geschick vom Spieler abverlangt. Und da hierbei auch die Action nicht zu kurz kommt, kann ich das Spiel nur wärmstens empfehlen. Über 100 Stunden Spielspaß pur - was will man mehr, zugreifen!

Gaming Target (9.2 out of 10)

I just think the team at Core was going for a horror movie "jump scare" moment because whenever a group of animals or people enter the screen that you have to shoot the music kicks on. It's a good attempt, but it's just too quiet. However, the voice acting is almost as good as a video game gets. While Capcom was toiling away at trying to make "the master of unlocking" sound formidable, Eidos got it right on the first try.

Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) (36.5 out of 40)

TR is the best PlayStation game to date.

Quebec Gamers (9.1 out of 10)

Tomb Raider est un véritable classique! Probablement un des meilleurs level design de son temps (et même encore aujourd'hui). Je peux très bien comprendre pourquoi certaines personnes n'accrocheront pas, car il peut être frustrant par moments et les -pourtant très bons - contrôles ne semblent pas plaire à tout le monde. Mais sinon, c'est un jeu aux proportions épiques avec une ambiance où l'on a vraiment l'impression d'explorer de vieux endroits mythiques remplis de secrets et de trappes avec Lara! Les tableaux me sont tellement mémorables qu'il est toujours agréable d'y revenir. Ce jeu fait littéralement partie de ma vie maintenant, c'est à ce point qu'il m'a marqué!

Game Revolution (A-)

Anyway. Best of luck. Stiff upper lip and all that. We love this game here at game-revolution. We're pretty sure you will too. We give it a rare 'A'.

VicioJuegos.com / uVeJuegos.com (90 out of 100)

La belleza está en el interior, o al menos eso dicen, y Tomb Raider es un juego con mucho contenido que ofrecer, mucho más que la imagen de Lara Croft. La primera partida dura en torno a quince horas, lo que no está nada mal, y si queremos desconectar un poco siempre está ahí la opción de ir a la mansión de Lara para que ella misma nos haga una visita guiada. Lógicamente a Tomb Raider le faltan detalles por pulir, es algo que salta a la vista, pero gracias a la acertada combinación de plataformas, acción y puzles - todo ello en un entorno tridimensional - este título se convirtió en uno de los principales referentes del género de aventuras. Aquellos que quieran rememorar los pinitos de Lara Croft tienen disponible en Playstation Network el juego original o en su defecto Tomb Raider: Anniversary, una reedición con numerosas mejoras. Porque nunca es tarde si la dicha es buena.

Edge (9 out of 10)

It is perhaps unfortunate that Tomb Raider has appeared now, several months after Super Mario 64. Even though the two games were created thousands of miles apart, Core Design has managed to create an experience more than slightly akin to – and featuring many features of – what many see as the best game of all time. If SM64 was still six months away, Tomb Raider would be justifiable hailed as one of the finest videogame experiences ever. But, while it may not be seen as redefining the videogame per se, it will certainly be seen to be pushing the 3D platformer towards a new level of excellence.

Jeuxvideo.com (18 out of 20)

"Aventure" est le terme qui vient à l'esprit quand on parle de Tomb Raider. Le titre constitue une épopée magique merveilleusement orchestrée. Ce premier né d'une longue série peut se targuer d'avoir créé un style de jeu à part entière. Fort de son succès, Lara connaîtra de nouvelles péripéties aussi bien sur nos machines favorites que sur grand écran.

Video Games (90 out of 100)

Mit Tomb Raider setzt Core Design grafisch und spielerisch einen neuen Standard bei 3D-Spielen für 32-Bit-Konsolen und beweist, daß man 3D-Welten nicht nur mit 64-Bit darstellen kann. Ein absolutes Muß für den Weihnachtswunschzettel!

GamePro (US) (4.5 out of 5)

Overall, Playstation thrill-seekers should sign on for this Raider adventure...and hope for another one next year.

Retro Archives (18 out of 20)

Tomb Raider est un jeu souvent associé à la PlayStation, et vu l’excellente réalisation du titre, on comprend facilement pourquoi. Sans parvenir à se hisser au niveau de la version optimisée pour cartes accélératrices sur PC, la technique est irréprochable et la jouabilité est très bonne une fois qu’on a pris le pli. Dommage que les nappes d’ambiance aient disparu, en revanche, et que le système de sauvegarde rende le jeu beaucoup plus exigeant, mais si vous êtes prêt à découvrir le jeu « à la dure », inutile de bouder cette version.

Gamezilla (88 out of 100)

Tomb Raider is a challenging game that takes a lot of mental ability. It can be frustrating at times, but is always engrossing. I found that I could not wait to see what secret was lurking behind the door I'd just opened. If there was ever a video game that was destined to be a movie, this is it. The varying degrees of action are a nice touch. This keeps the game ever-changing. If you ever want to unlock all the secrets of this game, I suggest you go out and get yourself a good strategy guide. Don't look at it unless you are really stuck. After playing Tomb Raider, you will quickly realize what felt like ten minutes was actually an hour and a half. The tedious maneuvers required in some areas are quite frustrating. It really makes me mad when it takes me 10 minutes to climb up a wall, just to step off the edge at the top while trying to line Lara up to make a jump, or to jump and have her fall a fingernail short.

GameSpot (8.5 out of 10)

Tomb Raider is simply a smart game, bursting with great touches. In the training level, Lara takes players through her house, into her gym, and tutors them on the skills they'll need to stay alive. Fortunately, the complicated maneuvers can be learned in moments. This is the first 32-bit game to compete with Nintendo 64's polygon arsenal, and it handles itself very well. If there are more Playstation and Saturn releases like this one, Lara and her followers might very well be uncovering Nintendo 64s along with the other artifacts in Tomb Raider 5.

GameTrip.net (8 out of 10)

Lara est bonne, c’est un pléonasme. Tomb Raider est excellent, c’en est un que pour les débuts de la série. Pilier d’un genre nouveau, ce jeu est une référence absolue, un must. L’action est haletante, le suspense et la tension bien jaugés, mais c’est une bombe!

Retrogaming History (8 out of 10)

Innovativo, immersivo, d’atmsofera. Carico di muffa e polvere. Il tutto aiutato da un prosperoso seno triangolare, uno zainetto e un bel sedere sempre in primo piano. L’inizio di un mito. Non c’è altro da dire.

Retrogaming.it (8 out of 10)

Dare un voto obiettivo sarebbe quindi impossibile: metro di giudizio dei tempi per il valore storico che ha avuto o metro di giudizio odierno? Una via di mezzo tra i due non avrebbe senso, Per questo si è deciso per un voto tutto basato sui gusti personali di chi scrive.

HonestGamers (Staff reviews only) (5 out of 10)

Tomb Raider is an odd duck and reviewing it today feels weird. It's a platformer with severely restrictive and limited jumping, an action game where combat is mostly limited to a sprint for safety. Perhaps most of all, it's a groundbreaking classic that many of today's crowd may well find unplayable. If you're interested in the evolution of 3D games, though, or you are interested in experiencing an eclectic mix of titles, go ahead and give Tomb Raider some of your time. Otherwise, perhaps consider a later game in the series for your adventuring needs.