REVIEW | Rise of The Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration

Some games stay with you long after the credits roll and for me, Rise of the Tomb Raider is one of them. Of the three games released in this trilogy, Rise was always my favourite. When it first launched on the Xbox One back in 2015, it instantly became one of my all‑time favourites. It is the kind of adventure that pulls you in with its atmosphere, its sense of discovery and Lara’s determination to push forward no matter what stands in her way.

The 20 Year Celebration edition, originally released in 2016 to mark Lara Croft’s 20th anniversary, bundled in all previously released DLC for Rise of the Tomb Raider along with a few exclusive extras created for the occasion. So when the opportunity came to cover this version on the Switch 2, I did not hesitate. Returning to this adventure on new hardware feels a bit like opening a time capsule. I am excited to see how it performs on the Switch 2 and whether that blend of exploration, survival, and cinematic storytelling still hits as strongly as it did all those years ago.

Time to step back into the snow, the ruins and the mystery and see if this adventure still shines as brightly as I remember.

Things I liked!

• Gameplay | Rise of the Tomb Raider remains one of the most finely balanced adventures in the series, a mix of exploration, combat, and puzzle solving that rewards curiosity as much as precision. Every snowy ridge and forgotten tomb feels alive with detail, and the game constantly nudges you to look beyond the obvious path.
  
  Combat still feels sharp and deliberate, with stealth and resource management playing a bigger role than in the original reboot. Crafting arrows,  traps, and healing items on the fly keeps the tension high, while the bow remains Lara’s most satisfying weapon, quiet, powerful, and versatile. I’ve always loved how upgrades and new weapons unlock gradually as you progress through the story; it gives every discovery a sense of purpose and keeps the momentum steady without ever feeling rushed.
  
  The world itself is thoughtfully designed, layered with secrets that encourage repeat visits and reward players who take time to explore every corner. From crumbling ruins to hidden valleys and forgotten cities, each area feels distinct and full of purpose. The optional Challenge Tombs are generally shorter but still manage to test your observation and timing, offering satisfying rewards for those willing to take a detour. Whether you’re scaling icy cliffs or sneaking through enemy camps, Rise of the Tomb Raider still captures that sense of discovery and danger that defined the series at its best, and even after all these years, it hasn’t lost its spark.

• Story | What makes Rise of the Tomb Raider stand out even now is how personal Lara’s journey feels. It is not just about surviving harsh environments or uncovering ancient secrets; it is about her determination to prove herself and understand her father’s legacy. The story follows Lara as she searches for the lost city of Kitezh and the mysterious Divine Source, a relic said to hold the power of immortality. This quest takes her from the frozen Siberian wilderness to ancient ruins and hidden valleys, blending myth and history in a way that keeps the mystery alive throughout.
  
  The writing and performances hold up well, giving Lara more emotional depth than in the first game. You can feel her confidence growing as the stakes rise, and the pacing keeps the narrative moving without losing focus. I have always appreciated how the story ties exploration and progression together, with collectibles such as books and notes adding extra layers of context and backstory. These are delivered through spoken narration, which helps the world feel more alive and makes each discovery feel meaningful.
  
  Revisiting it on Switch 2 reminded me why this chapter of Lara’s story resonated so strongly back in 2015. It is a tale of resilience and curiosity, told with enough heart and momentum to make it just as compelling now as it was then.

• Visuals | Rise of the Tomb Raider remains a striking game to look at, even years after its original release. The environments are rich with detail, from the glint of ice on mountain peaks to the soft glow of firelight in underground ruins. Lighting plays a huge role in setting the mood, with shadows and reflections shifting naturally as you move through each area. Fire effects flicker convincingly, casting warm light that dances across nearby surfaces. Moments when you step out of a dark cave and see bright light spilling through a crack in the wall look stunning and show how carefully the game uses light to guide your eye.
  
  Character models are excellent throughout, with expressive faces and realistic clothing textures that bring Lara and the supporting cast to life. The attention to detail in movement and expression adds believability and complements the world’s atmosphere perfectly.
  
  While the visuals have had a slight downgrade compared to the original release, I was still impressed by how well the game holds up. Visual effects like snow, water and particles add texture and realism to every scene and cutscenes blend seamlessly with gameplay, drawing you deeper into the story with cinematic framing that still feels modern today.

• Sound | The soundtrack in Rise of the Tomb Raider features a mix of sweeping orchestral themes and quieter, atmospheric pieces that suit each location beautifully. The music builds tension during combat and exploration but never overwhelms the moment, allowing the world’s natural sounds to stand out.
  
  Sound effects are crisp and detailed, from the crunch of snow underfoot to the echo of gunfire in narrow spaces. Fire crackles, water rushes and the environment feels alive thanks to subtle layering and spatial audio. Voice acting also contributes to the immersion, with performances that fit the tone and emotion of each scene.
  
  Overall, the audio design deepens immersion and perfectly complements the game’s cinematic presentation, maintaining the same high standard as its visuals and performance.

• Content | The 20 Year Celebration edition of Rise of the Tomb Raider packs in a huge amount of content, making it feel like the definitive version of the game. It includes all previously released downloadable content along with several extras created for the anniversary, giving players the full experience in one complete package.
  
  The highlight for me is Blood Ties, a short but memorable chapter set in Croft Manor that explores Lara’s family history. It’s a quieter, more reflective piece that adds emotional depth to the story. Lara’s Nightmare offers something completely different, a survival‑style mode that turns the manor into a combat challenge, perfect for quick sessions.
  
  There’s also Endurance Mode, which adds replay value through scavenging and survival mechanics, plus a range of outfits and weapon skins that let you tailor your playstyle. Altogether, it’s a generous collection that makes this edition feel complete and well worth revisiting, especially for anyone who missed the original release.

• Performance | On Switch 2, Rise of the Tomb Raider runs at a steady 30 fps. While a higher frame rate would be welcome, the experience remains smooth and polished throughout. The original Xbox One version also ran at 30 fps, with only newer Xbox hardware allowing 60 fps through a recent update. It would be great to see a similar update arrive for Switch 2, as the visuals certainly deserve that smoother performance.
  
  Load times are impressively fast, with transitions between areas happening almost instantly. There are no noticeable stutters, crashes, or dips in performance, and everything feels stable and responsive. It’s a consistently smooth experience that lets you focus on exploration and combat without interruption.

• Accessibility and Controls | Controls in Rise of the Tomb Raider are simple and responsive, making movement and combat feel natural. Aiming and camera movement can feel quite sensitive at first, and I found I had to lower the aiming sensitivity to find a comfortable setting. It took a little time to settle on a level that felt right, which ended up being quite low, but once adjusted, the controls felt precise and reliable.
  
  Accessibility options cover the basics, including sensitivity adjustments, vibration toggles, subtitles, and language settings. Players can also fine‑tune audio levels and change the difficulty to suit their playstyle, though there are no advanced features such as colour‑blind modes or full control remapping.
  
  Saving is handled automatically at checkpoints and at campsites, where you can also upgrade gear and weapons, change outfits, and fast travel between discovered locations. Overall, the setup is straightforward and dependable, though a few more accessibility options would help bring it closer to modern standards.

Mixed & disliked!

• Gyroscope and Mouse Controls | Gyroscope aiming appears in the settings as a toggle, but it currently doesn’t function in gameplay. It’s disappointing because it could have offered a helpful layer of precision, especially for fine adjustments. Mouse controls are supported, but they feel basic and not as well‑tuned as the standard controller setup. Both features are nice to see listed, but neither feels fully implemented at this stage. I expect future updates will address these issues, but for now, it’s a bit of a mess.

• How long did I play the review before publishing? 21 Hours
• How long to beat the story? 15-20 Hours
• How long to get 100%? | 35 Hours +
• You’ll love this game if you like these | Tomb Raider Definite Edition & Immortals Fenyx Rising

Score: 88/100

A timeless adventure that proves its strength all over again on Switch 2.

Revisiting Rise of the Tomb Raider on Switch 2 reminded me why this adventure has stayed with me for so long. Even with a few issues that need attention, the heart of the experience is still powerful. The sense of discovery, the atmosphere, and the emotional moments all came back the moment I stepped into the snow again. It could definitely run a little better in places, but it still let me relive one of my favourite journeys in a way that felt both familiar and fresh. If you are new to the series or simply looking for a reason to return, this is still a brilliant adventure worth experiencing.