Why Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Is the Tomb Spin-Off Worth Uncovering Again
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Review Pros:
- Gorgeous graphics.
- Platinum trophy.
- Initial tutorial section with ongoing help.
- Looks good, has some really nice, varied environments
- Online/Offline co-op
- While the level progression is the same, doing it in co-op means you do it a different way. A more varied and rewarding way
- Upgrades are available, such as more health and ammo
- Challenge rooms can be found to up the puzzle count
- Hidden collectables.
- Loads of collectables as you would expect, Artefacts, treasure, etc
- New weapons can be found and used, as well as new outfits
- Has a score attack mentality that, while often mission-based, leaderboards are present for competition
- Still has the whole Tomb Raider atmosphere
- A lot of replay value due to the collectables and high score runs
- A refreshing pick-up and play approach
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Review Cons:
- Die-hard fans may not like the new style of play
- Levels, while varied in looks, can feel the same puzzle-wise
- The DLC is just skins or a few extra challenge rooms
- Aiming can be fiddly and awkward
- Jumping and climbing detection can be really bad. A wall you should be able to climb on doesn’t register
- A lot of cheap deaths. Deaths cost you points, which in turn up the rage meter
- If it were not for YouTube, you would easily get stuck and frustrated. The puzzle difficulty mix is a bit off
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light:
Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Square Enix
Store Links:
PlayStation (currently unavailable)
Expand your experience with the next entry in the series with the Temple of Isiris.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Review
Summary
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light – The Thrills and Highlights of Gameplay:
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light offers a refreshing isometric twist on the Tomb Raider formula, blending top-down action, puzzle-solving, and arcade-style score attacks. Players can dive into both online and offline co-op, where level progression adapts based on cooperative tactics, making for a varied, rewarding experience. The game features hidden collectables like artefacts and treasure, challenge rooms, unlockable outfits, and weapon upgrades, encouraging replay value. The leaderboard-driven design and accessible pick-up-and-play structure give it a satisfying arcade energy that keeps fans coming back for high scores and completionist runs.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light – Where It Falls Short: Key Negatives:
Despite its charm, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light has some frustrating flaws. Jumping and climbing mechanics can be inconsistent, leading to cheap deaths that penalise your score and patience. Aiming feels clunky in places, and puzzle difficulty isn’t always balanced, making some areas overly reliant on external guides. While the DLC adds a few extra challenges, it mostly consists of cosmetic additions. Fans of classic Tomb Raider may also find the departure from third-person exploration jarring, especially given the repetitive puzzle structure across visually distinct levels.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light – Immersive Story and Narrative Elements:
While narrative isn’t the main draw, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light weaves its light story through ancient ruins and forgotten legends, delivering just enough plot to support the fast-paced tomb-raiding adventure. The emphasis is on gameplay, with story beats acting more as a backdrop than a central pillar, letting players focus on solving traps and surviving set pieces rather than deep character development.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light – Visual and Performance Aspects:
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light showcases striking visuals, with vibrant, varied environments that enhance the puzzle-platforming experience. The graphical fidelity, particularly for a game of its era, still impresses in 2025. While performance remains stable overall, minor issues like imprecise hit detection and janky traversal can occasionally break immersion. Still, the game retains much of its visual appeal and atmospheric Tomb Raider essence.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light – Overall Verdict: Is It Worth Playing?:
Revisited in 2025, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light still feels like an adventurous gem worth dusting off. Its quickfire puzzles, co-op depth, and arcade sensibility make it stand out among spin-offs, even if some outdated mechanics and lacklustre storytelling hold it back from greatness. For those seeking a bite-sized, replayable dose of Lara Croft with a fresh perspective, this isometric experiment still holds treasure beneath the surface.
Back of the Box Quotes:
“Lara’s boldest spin-off still dazzles—puzzles, points, and peril in equal measure!”
