LARA’S CONSCIENCE IS A GAME CHANGER

★★★★ Shadow of the Tomb Raider

There is that moment in every horror movie where you scream at the white woman running up the stairs: “Why are you doing that? Is that even necessary? He’s up there! Don’t be stupid!”

These are questions for the ages, ones that players have themselves wondered while watching Lara Croft for the past 22 years as she raided various tombs across the world: “Why are you like this? Maybe just leave that magical doodad alone?”

But then it wouldn’t be much of game, would it? Except that, for the first time in the history of the Tomb Raider series, the game is asking just those kinds of questions. Why on earth would a white woman be stealing magical Mexican daggers that can bring about the end of the world? What makes her think she has the right to do that? Why can’t she leave well enough alone?

The origin trilogy of Tomb Raider has set the tone for a more human Lara Croft in the past five years. Out with the polygon triangle boobs and in with the feelings.

The series has shown true emotional character development. We’ve seen her crying her way through the first game as she faces trials and physical torment, and witnessed her facing her family’s past. She also braved the cold of Siberia in Rise. Now she has to face jungle cats as well as her white-saviour complex, which up until now in the explorer trope has not been checked.

It’s a bold move by Square Ennix and Crystal Dynamics at a time when the gaming industry is coming under the scrutiny of men’s rights activist groups. I don’t imagine they will be happy with having to face the emotional consequences of their actions (so the storytellers are right on track, right?). I’m not sure how Lara’s newfound conscience will affect the series moving forward, but it’s a welcome game changer.

The only negative is that I don’t enjoy watching her in physical pain or constant near-death situations. Raiding is hard work, but sometimes the game should cut her a break, instead of her leg.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is definitely the best in the trilogy that began with Tomb Raider and continued with Rise of the Tomb Raider. The gameplay is tight and exciting. There’s just enough difference in the game to make it feel new. The graphics, particularly the jungle scenes, are dense and breathtaking and this density, along with the camouflage attack ability, gives a new dimension to the stealth play (my preferred way to slaughter packs of enemies). It’s a fantastic game and a worthy conclusion to a wonderful series. LS

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