Few games from the mid-2010s have aged quite as gracefully as Rise of the Tomb Raider. Originally released in 2015, Crystal Dynamics’ second entry in the reboot trilogy remains one of the strongest modern action-adventure games, blending exploration, puzzle-solving, platforming, and cinematic spectacle into a consistently enjoyable package. Now arriving on Nintendo Switch 2, the question is less about whether the game itself still holds up and more about how well this version brings Lara Croft’s adventure to Nintendo’s new hardware.
The answer is largely positive. While some aspects of the experience show their age, particularly the combat and storytelling, Rise of the Tomb Raider remains an engaging adventure thanks to its excellent exploration systems and some of the best optional tombs the franchise has ever produced.
Exploration Remains the Star
What continues to set Rise of the Tomb Raider apart is its focus on exploration. Rather than dropping players into a massive open world, the game is built around interconnected hub areas that gradually expand as Lara unlocks new traversal abilities. It creates a satisfying sense of progression, encouraging you to revisit earlier locations and uncover secrets that were previously out of reach.
The structure strikes a balance that many modern games still struggle to achieve. Collectibles, hidden relics, treasure caches, challenge objectives, and optional side activities are plentiful, but they rarely feel overwhelming. Every return trip tends to reveal something worthwhile, whether it’s a hidden cave, a new side quest, or another piece of environmental storytelling.
Resource gathering and character progression also feed naturally into the loop. Hunting wildlife, collecting crafting materials, and earning experience points all contribute towards unlocking new skills and equipment upgrades at campsites. It’s a familiar formula by today’s standards, but one that remains surprisingly effective.
Challenge Tombs Steal the Show
The real highlights are the challenge tombs.
These optional puzzle-focused dungeons are where Rise of the Tomb Raider is at its absolute best. Each tomb revolves around a central idea, whether it’s manipulating water levels, operating ancient machinery, or navigating environmental hazards. They’re compact enough to avoid overstaying their welcome yet substantial enough to feel rewarding when completed.
More importantly, they trust players to think. The solutions rarely feel overly complicated, but there’s genuine satisfaction in piecing together how each puzzle works and finally unlocking the path forward. Completing a tomb also grants a valuable new ability, giving players a meaningful incentive to seek them out.
Even more than the main campaign’s blockbuster moments, these tombs capture the spirit of Tomb Raider. They’re easily the strongest part of the entire experience and remain some of the finest puzzle content in the genre.
Combat Shows Its Age
Unfortunately, the combat doesn’t enjoy the same timeless quality.
While Lara’s bow, firearms, and stealth abilities offer a reasonable amount of variety, encounters often feel clunky compared to modern action games. Aiming lacks precision, and weapons don’t deliver the kind of satisfying impact you might expect. Fights frequently devolve into unloading ammunition into enemies who absorb far more punishment than feels natural.
Stealth fares slightly better. Sneaking through enemy camps and silently picking off guards can create some genuinely tense moments, but the system lacks flexibility. Once combat begins, it often feels difficult to regain control of the situation and return to stealth. Enemy encounters become noticeably less interesting once the alarm has been raised.
Thankfully, combat never dominates the experience. Exploration, platforming, puzzle-solving, and narrative sequences occupy the majority of your time, preventing the weaker action mechanics from dragging down the entire adventure.
A Serviceable Story Elevated by Lara
The narrative does its job without ever becoming particularly memorable.
Set after the events of the 2013 reboot, Lara’s search for a legendary artefact leads her into a race against the mysterious organisation Trinity across the frozen wilderness of Siberia. The setup is straightforward, and most of the major story beats can be predicted long before they happen. The dialogue rarely surprises, and several twists are telegraphed far too early.
What saves the story is Lara herself.
This version of Lara Croft continues her transformation from inexperienced survivor into the confident adventurer fans recognise from earlier games. Watching that growth unfold gives the campaign an emotional anchor, even when the plot itself struggles to generate excitement.
The villain, Constantine, also deserves credit. He’s not particularly nuanced, but his unwavering dedication to his cause makes him an effective antagonist. Sometimes a straightforward villain is all a story needs, and Constantine fills that role well.
A Strong Showing on Switch 2
From a technical perspective, Rise of the Tomb Raider generally performs well on Switch 2.
Environmental detail remains impressive, with richly textured ruins, snowy wilderness landscapes, and atmospheric interiors helping to create a strong sense of place. Character animation still holds up nicely, and many of the visual effects continue to look impressive despite the game’s age.
Performance is mostly stable, maintaining a consistent frame rate throughout much of the adventure. There are occasional moments where things appear less smooth during larger encounters or transitions between areas, but these instances are relatively minor and never significantly impact playability.
That said, the game’s age is impossible to ignore. Some environmental geometry and texture work clearly belong to an earlier generation, and certain locations can feel visually repetitive due to the heavy reliance on muted greys and browns. While the art direction remains strong, players expecting a complete visual overhaul may find the presentation closer to a polished remaster than a dramatic upgrade.
The new control options also feel like a missed opportunity. Mouse controls are available, but using a Joy-Con in this way never feels entirely natural. More puzzling is the limited implementation of gyro functionality. The feature is present, but only for examining relics and objects rather than aiming weapons. Given how effective gyro aiming can be on Nintendo platforms, its absence during combat feels like an obvious omission.
Plenty of Reasons to Keep Playing
The package is bolstered considerably by the inclusion of all previously released downloadable content.
Additional story content, including the excellent Baba Yaga expansion and Croft Manor missions, adds worthwhile adventures beyond the main campaign. There are also several extra modes designed to extend the game’s lifespan after the credits roll.
Combined with numerous collectibles, side quests, challenge tombs, and completionist objectives, there’s plenty here for players who want to see everything the game has to offer.
Verdict
Rise of the Tomb Raider remains a highly enjoyable action-adventure game more than a decade after its original release. Its exploration systems are expertly designed, the challenge tombs are consistently brilliant, and Lara Croft’s journey continues to be one of the stronger character arcs in modern gaming.
The combat undoubtedly feels dated, the story rarely rises above blockbuster adventure clichés, and the new Switch 2-specific features could have been implemented more effectively. Even so, the strengths comfortably outweigh the shortcomings.
For newcomers, this is an easy recommendation and one of the better ways to experience Lara’s adventure on a portable system. Returning players may find fewer surprises, but the core experience remains as compelling as ever.
Rise of the Tomb Raider remains a masterclass in atmospheric exploration, driven by expertly crafted optional puzzle tombs and a compelling protagonist. The Switch 2 port delivers clean handheld visuals, but clunky, dated combat mechanics, blocky menu controls, and a formulaic story show the passage of a decade.
