This story contains light story spoilers, including a description of what happens during a post-credits scene.
Tomb Raider: a gift from the '90s that just cannot stop giving.
On Sept. 14, Square Enix will release the third and final installment of its rebooted Lara Croft origin story, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The new game is the latest entry in a dense log of re-imagined narratives inspired by the 1996 original game.
Although Shadow is undoubtedly the best of Lara's recent missions, its creators made sure not to forget its humble Sega Saturn beginnings. Throughout the flashy new chronicle, players are given the option to revisit some of Lara's earlier days and reminisce on the OG pixel-based archaeologist's birthplace.
Here are a few standout throwbacks to Tomb Raiders gone by in Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
Pointy boobs, ahoy!
Ms. Croft's evolving appearance comes with a sordid and highly political history. But that didn't stop Shadow's developers from bringing back pointy boobs as an option.
When stopped at a campfire, players can swap out Lara's 2018 body for either her 1997 Tomb Raider II physique or 2003 Angel of Darkness look.
A version of this customization came out in PS4's Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, but was only available upon completion of the main storyline. In Shadow, players can rock 1997/2003 Lara pretty much whenever—though the options disappear during major plotlines.
Pros: This is hilarious. Cons: Old Lara's lips aren't animated. Which is also hilarious. 10 out of 10.
(Note: I didn't find any evidence of big head mode, but the search continues.)
Croft Manor in its prime
Lara's home has existed in a handful of iterations throughout Tomb Raider history. (Shout out to Angelina Jolie bungee jumping in her pajamas in the main hall of the 2001 movie version. I ask again... what?)
Last time we saw Croft Manor, Lara was promising to reinstate her family's good name in the Blood Ties expansion pack of Rise of the Tomb Raider. (If you haven't played it, all you need to know is that it was kind of a bummer. Think lots of dusty sheets and a property dispute with a distant relative.)
Shadow offers a flashback to Lara's childhood and Croft Manor at its best. There's a cute little puzzle, a beautiful garden, a child scaling the side of a multistory building—it's just a hoot.
Sure, it's no hedge maze from Tomb Raider II. But can anything really live up to that hedge maze? I saw my life flash before my eyes in that hedge maze.
Winston: out of the freezer and still serving tea
In a post-credits scene, Lara is enjoying her (SPOILER ALERT) inevitable victory at her desk in Croft Manor. She reflects on the perils of the past and the journeys yet to come, lovingly staring at a childhood drawing hung on the wall.
And then there is a familiar... rattling. It has distinct porcelain qualities.
Yep, it's Winston, the Croft family butler that 12-year-olds made a sport out of freezing to death during the '90s.
The familiarly shaky hands slide into view offering Lara tea moments before the game's end and instantly, all is right with the world. Unlike the dozens of Sims you modeled after your family and friends, you didn't kill this guy! Good job.
Bring back the side flip, you cowards
All in all, Square Enix did a fantastic job of honoring past games in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. But, one critical callback is still missing.
When it comes to Shadow combat, there's camouflage, smoke bombs, vine swinging, choking, poisonous arrows, knives, shotguns... everything. Well, everything except Lara's signature side flip.
Sure, it was never the most efficient Trinity-fighting maneuver. But it was ours. You could do that side flip for days! It just went on and on and on. And when you hit a wall cause you weren't paying attention? Amazing! Hilarious! Again, please!
Waiting on that side flip expansion pack, folks. But, otherwise, good job on the throwbacks.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is available September 14 on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Topics Gaming
