I only recently heard about Lara Croft Go so I thought I would try it. I remember when the original Tomb Raider came out from Eidos, and I thoroughly enjoyed the puzzle-solving and exploring in the game. Finding all the hidden items and solving the puzzles was my favorite part of the game, and that’s what it boils down to in this one. The format of this game is a bit different, given the different platform for which it is designed. However, the feel of the original game was still there.

The rotating utility screen is very similar to the one in the original game. It allows the player to select between playing the game, viewing found items, switching outfits, game settings, and then a couple marketing items from Square Enix. This is especially useful in the game if you complete a level without finding all the items on it. Collecting all the items unlocks various outfits. Some of the outfits require purchasing them from the store accessible in Lara Croft Go.

The gameplay has been simplified into turn-based puzzle puzzle solving. Lara can only move along designated paths, which makes some sense for a phone game. It allowed the programmers to focus on creating fun puzzles to unlock and beat, and this is where they truly shone. While some puzzles were pretty easy to figure out, others took multiple attempts (and dying) to escape them.

I liked the little touches from the original game the designers included in Lara Croft Go. One of my favorites was Lara doing handstand flips while climbing (image above). I remember my friend discovering this in the original game, and how cool it was to learn how to do it. Here, it seems to be more random, but it’s still a nice homage. The music when finding the hidden items is the same, too, so that really brought back the nostalgia.

Speaking of the music, it is there in the background—just as in the first one—but is only really noticeable when something important is happening. Whether it’s an interesting view of distant parts of the ruins, or Lara is close to solving something, it plays its role very well. It’s there to set the mood, and nothing else. Pixel Audio did a great job with it. You can download the soundtrack for free.

If you want the game to be just like in the original, you will be disappointed. However, if you want the fun figure-it-out puzzle solving and item finding that was in the first one, Lara Croft Go a good one. There’s even a bonus adventure once you finish the main game. For the price, it is a good deal, and I enjoyed it. I think you will, too.

Release Date: August 27, 2015 (USA)
Publisher: Square Enix
ESRB Rating: E10+

MySF Rating: Four point zero stars
Family Friendliness: 100%

Content:

Alcohol/Drugs: 0
Language: 0
Nudity: 0
Sexuality: 0
Violence: 1 (monster attacks, nothing graphic)