Lara Croft GO Review by Atarun

Description

Lara Croft GO, much like Hitman GO, is a reinterpretation of the Tomb Raider game series as a puzzle game. In this turn-based stylized cell-shaded isometric 3D platform game, you'll have to think, try and retry to find the right path. Enemies move and traps activate only when you move and there is no time limit here, so you can take your time and you can retry indefinitely (or bail and use the hint system).

Pros

+ Cute art style that looks just as nice on PC as it does on tablets
+ Mechanics so self-explanatory there is no tutorial and very little text (and no actual need for either)
+ Hint system alleviates any potential frustration
+ Relaxing atmosphere throughout

Cons

- Die and retry is mandatory (though as painless as possible)
- Awkward mouse controls (sliding in the desired direction is clearly meant for touchscreens, I would advise using a gamepad instead)

Verdict

Lara Croft had already embarked on a journey through puzzle-adventure games with the Guardian of Light and Temple of Osiris. Here the logic is taken to the extreme by stripping away all the action... and yet somehow part of the feel of the franchise remains. At times, this game reminded me of the first Tomb Raider more than the rebooted Tomb Raider franchise. To me, it felt more like an answer to the question "What if the first Tomb Raider had actually been a puzzle game?" than to "What other genre can we put Lara Croft into?"

If you're a fan of Lara Croft or if you enjoy relaxing brain teasers, you'd do yourself a disservice to avoid this game.
However if all you've ever appreciated in Tomb Raider games is their action, if you despise their puzzle and platform mechanics, stay away.