Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (PC) Review

Players take control of Lara Croft in search of the mirror of smoke, an ancient artefact that lies in the depths of the temple of light. However, Ms. Croft is not the only one in search of the mirror, as awaiting her arrival are a mercenary army who ambush her, taking the mirror in the process and releasing an evil presence. As luck would have it, Lara is not alone, joined by Totec, the guardian of light, and together they battle against those between them and the mirror.

Right off the bat, the presentation in Guardian of Light distinguishes itself from past iterations. The opening cinematic, rather than being played out in the traditional animations, now introduces the plot via comic book-style stills not dissimilar from the cut-scenes in Bayonetta 2. Further cut-scenes throughout are done using animations, making the inclusion of these comic book sections - appearing only at the beginning and end of the adventure - an odd decision.

Immediately coming to mind will be the visual overhaul that has consumed Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. The action is now depicted through a fixed camera, whilst visually the game is stunning and detailed. Whether Lara is traversing volcanic tombs or spider-filled mazes, it's all presented with a level of detail that is hard not to be impressed by. Having the camera at a distance is a nice touch, too, as it makes it easier to see what areas have been visited already and makes it clearer how to progress.

More positive still, and not seen in past Tomb Raider games, is the inclusion of a co-operative mode, which is a very welcomed and rewarding addition. Crystal Dynamics has created a very well balanced co-operative mode with a lot more depth than seen in similar modes across other franchises. Rather than merely using a partner to stand on switches to unlock door, á la Resident Evil, here players will form a co-dependent relationship where they learn to protect each other from danger.

For example, it is possible to grapple onto the partner, preventing them from falling, or equally can prevent hordes of enemies from wounding them. That's not to say Lara Croft and Totec can't be competitive as well, though. Points are now up for grabs, which can be accumulated by collecting treasure and killing enemies. In fact, there is the chance to cheekily steal each other's kills and gems in the hopes of coming out on top when scores are later compared. There are plenty of hidden challenges, offering up further rewards, such artefacts that elevate a character's skill level.

Gamers will be pleasantly surprised by the level of inventiveness catered towards the weaponry in Guardian of the Light. Lara Croft has, of course, her grapple ability, which Totec can use to cross gaps, but she also wields her trademark dual pistols, as well as rifles, spears, grenade launchers, a flamethrower, and even a rocket launcher. For his part, Totec also carries a shield to protect both Lara and himself from oncoming arrows. He can even raise it above his head, producing a platform on which Lara Croft can gain leverage.

Having such a diverse array of weapons to choose from allows for a rich mix of puzzles to be implemented throughout. As both characters approach head-scratching problems, players will find inventive collaborative solutions to progress. One example sees Totec throw some spears into a wall so Lara can jump on top of them. Challenges quickly become harder along the 14 levels in Crystal Dynamics' adventure, but working with a partner and figuring out the best way to progress is extremely satisfying. Impressively, playing in solo mode offers a slightly different experience as the game and puzzles are tweaked so that players can solve them by themselves, allowing for further replayability.

The only downside to be found in this otherwise fun and engrossing title is the story, which for its part is quite the shallow affair, doing little more than presenting excuses for set pieces. It is, however, a small complaint to be had, especially when the game does an excellent job of creating an adventure full of creativity and one that effortlessly oozes the charm and tone of past games. Fans of the franchise will not be disappointed by Lara Croft's latest adventure and should waste no further time in picking up a copy.