5/5 ★ – atlasliddell's review of Tomb Raider: Underworld.

Tomb Raider: Underworld acts as the epic conclusion to Crystal Dynamics’ first attempt at a Tomb Raider trilogy. However, “epic” is not the correct descriptor. This game aims inward, exploring Lara’s relationship with hope, grief, loss, and acceptance. It’s a masterclass in showing and not telling players what its themes are through narrative, gameplay, and art direction. The gameplay expands on what made Legend tick. All of Lara Croft’s signature acrobatics are here but more grounded. The camera can be finicky, and the controls can feel outdated; but the more grounded animation work lends itself to the games darker themes. The art direction cements the darker themes further by taking Lara to-as the titles suggests-the underworlds of different cultures. The game brilliantly showcases that these underworlds were simply misunderstood archeological sites with ancient technology that were co-opted as mythology for the cultures who discovered them. This ties in with the narrative themes of loss and grief, foreshadowing a major plot point towards the end of the campaign. The real star of the show here is the narrative. While the world’s well-being is hanging in the balance, the focus lies primarily with Lara’s inner turmoil of accepting the logistics of her mother’s survival in ancient ruins juxtaposed with her naive hope that her mother could have somehow survived 20+ years post her disappearance. Lara knows logically it is not possible, evidenced by her knowledge of and experience seeing how misunderstood technology is reinterpreted as mystical mythology. However, she still hopes that her mother will be in Avalon, Helheim, or whatever underworld her search takes her to. Personally, this was the first game that ever stuck with me. It was a connection I still can’t accurately articulate. However, as I’ve aged and lost my own mother, my connection to Lara’s journey here grows stronger, and it will always be my favorite game of all time. With its outdated controls and annoying camera, it’s a 3/5 for most. But it’s my very first “soul” game. And for that, it’s easily a 5/5.