Nearly a year after its initial release on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 owners can now experience Lara Croft’s second adventure in the rebooted franchise. Does the 20 Year Celebration edition of Rise of the Tomb Raider, with its added content, justify the wait?
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the debut of Lara Croft. The original heroine, with her iconic short shorts and dual pistols, motivated players to invest in early 3Dfx graphics cards – pioneering 3D accelerators – for their Pentium PCs. Over the years, developers and the gaming industry have moved beyond simplistic portrayals, and even in film, Lara – formerly played by Angelina Jolie and Rhona Mitra – is now embodied by the more nuanced Alicia Vikander. Rise of the Tomb Raider builds upon the foundation established by the 2013 reboot, Tomb Raider, and the 20th-anniversary edition offers compelling additions, especially for the PlayStation 4 platform.
For a detailed analysis of the core gameplay of Rise of the Tomb Raider, refer to our original Xbox One review. This PlayStation 4 version delivers the same core experience, enhanced with the previously released DLC packs, including the new Blood Ties expansion (discussed below). This review will focus primarily on the new content and the technical distinctions between the different versions.
Even on Xbox One, *Rise of the Tomb Raider* exhibited impressive graphics and technical execution. The lighting, environments, and particularly the handling of light sources, were noteworthy, complemented by a reasonably consistent frame rate. We compared the Xbox One (original model) and PlayStation 4 versions and initially observed no significant differences. However, under load, with more on-screen characters (NPCs), the PlayStation 4 maintained a more stable 30fps, our minimum acceptable threshold, more consistently than the Xbox One. This difference might be mitigated on the Xbox One S, which offers slightly more processing power. Nevertheless, the PlayStation 4 exhibits a slight advantage in overall performance. Of particular interest is that ROTTR is among the first titles to leverage the enhanced capabilities of the PlayStation 4 Pro (released November 11th). Our PlayStation 4 Pro review confirms that users can select between “classic” 1080p/30fps HD with enhanced detail via higher-quality textures and improved anti-aliasing; an “uncapped frame rate” mode in 1080p, targeting 50-60 fps; and a “true” 4K mode with significantly improved image sharpness, locked at 30 fps. These options allow players to prioritize resolution and detail or smoother performance. The PlayStation 4 Pro’s capabilities allow it to potentially rival the visual fidelity and frame rates of a high-end PC.
The character models and facial animations, however, represent a minor weakness. Compared to titles like Uncharted 4, they appear somewhat rigid. The skin textures lack subtle imperfections, resulting in a slightly artificial appearance reminiscent of the Uncanny Valley. While Lara’s animations are generally excellent, the overall effect can be slightly jarring. We still award the PlayStation 4 version a slightly higher score due to its improved anti-aliasing, more stable frame rate, and the availability of enhanced graphics on the PlayStation 4 Pro. This release offers a polished console experience that effectively supports Sony’s updated hardware.
Rise of The Tomb Raider – 20 year celebration supports 4K on PC and PS4 Pro
The audio experience is nearly identical to the Xbox One version. However, the voice acting is inconsistent, and the direction of the dubbing occasionally lacks polish. For instance, in the opening scene, the actors’ tone feels somewhat exaggerated, diminishing the believability of a close-quarters conversation. Furthermore, the surround mix lacks precise directional clarity. While the soundtrack evokes classic Hollywood adventure themes, and the atmosphere is effectively enhanced through sound effects and diegetic audio found in dictaphones, parchments, and letters, a warmer overall mix and deeper bass response would have been welcome.
The improved frame rate on the PlayStation 4 results in slightly smoother and more responsive controls compared to the Xbox One version. While the differences are subtle, both versions exhibit some degree of input lag, which can impact aiming precision. At its best, Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers an engaging, intense, and challenging experience, approaching the quality of Uncharted. Loading times are acceptable, and the game includes co-op and VR support, as detailed in our PlayStation VR review.
The optional tomb challenges provide stimulating puzzles and extend playtime
This edition includes all previously released Downloadable Content, alongside virtual cards that can be used in survival mode to modify the difficulty and boost your score. Square Enix is also offering 100,000 bonus credits to players who purchase and log in during the first week, ensuring a substantial starting card collection. In addition to Baba Yaga – The temple of the witch, the package includes the Blood Ties adventure, playable in first-person and VR modes. Accessed relatively early in the game, Blood Ties presents a poignant narrative thread in which Lara explores her childhood home, uncovering the truth about her mother’s fate. This focus on character development contributes significantly to the appeal of the modern Lara Croft. The protagonist’s gender becomes secondary to her compelling story.
Revisiting Rise of the Tomb Raider on PlayStation 4 has been a rewarding experience, even more enjoyable than our initial playthrough. We anticipate further exploration on the PlayStation 4 Pro, taking advantage of its 4K and 60fps modes. Crystal Dynamics has successfully crafted a contemporary, engaging, and emotionally resonant action-adventure title with a compelling female lead. This PlayStation 4 edition mirrors the quality of the Definitive Edition released for the previous-generation reboot, offering a more complete and polished experience compared to the original release. We look forward to further exploring the game in PS VR and with the enhanced graphics on PS4 Pro.
Footnote: Rise of the Tomb Raider – 20 year celebration has also been released for Xbox One and PC.
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