Lara Croft Go (PlayStation 4) Review

By Az Elias 30.12.2016

Review for Lara Croft Go on PlayStation 4

The Go series of strategic puzzle variants on its own franchises is one of the best things Square Enix has come up with in recent times. Following Hitman Go and its Definitive Edition console update, along with Deus Ex Go, Square Enix's Montreal team has brought treasure hunter Lara Croft into the fold, with an HD port of the mobile Lara Croft Go for PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. After jumping from node to node in the PS Vita version, Cubed3 takes a look at the full screen PS4 release to see how it differs.

The smartphone release of Lara Croft Go was already a lovely looking piece of software, but the higher resolution of the PlayStation 4 version presents such a gorgeous and clean artistic world that retains all of the hallmarks of the original Tomb Raider titles in incredible form. Whether it is jungles, caves, mountains, or even the inside of Lara's manor itself in one of the newly-added chapters for this HD port, it is incredible how this actually feels like a Tomb Raider game, thanks to the amazing attention to atmospheric detail. The polygonal graphics add a stylistic edge to enable the world to stand out, and compliments the stop-start nature of the gameplay nicely, boosted further by a smooth frame rate that the mobile release lacked.

Naturally, this PS4 edition controls slightly differently to the Android and iOS original, and it may come as a surprise to say that it isn't necessarily better—at least right away. Totally touch screen-based, the smartphone version simply asked players to swipe diagonally in the direction they wanted Lara to jump to, and enemies and treasure be tapped on to attack or pick them up, respectively. In this port, control is limited solely to the left stick, and since Lara is designed to move in diagonal directions, instead of left or right, this takes some getting used to.

Screenshot for Lara Croft Go on PlayStation 4

Until you learn exactly where to push the stick so that it doesn't accidentally register another input, there can be a fair bit of frustration and unnecessary deaths. In addition, throwing spears at distant enemies requires holding a button and then flicking the stick, which can produce unintended results if rushing. Picking up hidden treasures is now also done with the right stick, moving a cursor around and hovering over the items to grab them. It's not as amusing or quick as simply tapping, as in the mobile release.

It is simply a learning curve, though, and honestly doesn't take long at all to work out how buttons must be pressed and sticks must be flicked, and after a few puzzles, Lara will be hopping and skipping to glory. It's just that the control differences are quite noticeable if coming off the back of the mobile game, and mistakes will be made if not taking the time hit the sticks correctly or making sure objects are highlighted before button pressing.

Screenshot for Lara Croft Go on PlayStation 4

It's almost as if the touchpad on the DualShock 4 went completely unnoticed in the development of the PS4 edition, though. Why it isn't possible to swipe on the pad to emulate the touch screen inputs of the mobile release is strange indeed, but perhaps it has something to do with needing to look at the screen whilst swiping, with SE Montreal seeing that as a problem. The fact the PS Vita version allows for both touch screen and stick input pretty much confirms that. The option to use this control method would have been appreciated, though, or at least to use the D-pad, which would stamp out the possibility of mistaken inputs that can occur with the stick.

Away from the control barrier, which just requires some playing with to grasp it, Lara Croft Go is an expertly designed puzzle game that is beyond addictive. Each chapter consists of approximately ten levels (give or take), usually with a different design theme, and gameplay mechanics and enemies that behave in different ways are introduced steadily and in the most basic of ways. With little need of tutorials or text that would otherwise invade the game and halt play, new ideas are presented respectfully and ask the player to try in order to learn.

Screenshot for Lara Croft Go on PlayStation 4

Lara will eventually pick up a torch. She is forced to move towards a snake. It backs up in fear of the fire, and Lara is made to move onto the snake's node to kill it. The purpose and function of the torch is immediately learned, and the following puzzles open up to put this knowledge to the test, with multiple paths, snakes and switches to overcome with the new ability. This simplistic nature of gameplay is spread throughout Lara Croft Go, but it is far from easy.

Each strategic level demands critical thinking, as well as a fair bit of trial and error, in order to overcome the challenges, but never does any one single puzzle seem impossible to clear. The strategic turn-based mechanics mean as much time as necessary can be taken before committing to a move, and that lack of urgency allows for greater scope and complexity. The only problem is trying to remember the moves taken and redoing a puzzle again if messing up quite a way into completing one. This is even more impactful in the latter challenges, especially if a final slip-up was caused through a mistake or lapse in concentration.

Screenshot for Lara Croft Go on PlayStation 4

Cubed3 Rating

8/10
Rated 8 out of 10

Great - Silver Award

Rated 8 out of 10

It is remarkable just how well the Tomb Raider world has been condensed and transformed into a totally different type of experience, but one that comes out fitting snugly into the overall franchise; Lara just doesn't seem out of place in this strategic puzzle game. It cannot be overstated how brilliant and well-crafted a title Lara Croft Go truly is, with an amazing atmospheric soundtrack that partners the relaxing nature of gameplay, whilst offsetting any frustration accrued by the tougher challenges. Although it is better suited to touch input, the incredibly sharp visuals and PlayStation exclusive chapter make up for minor setbacks in controls. Square Enix Montreal is doing great things with the Go series, and the studio will be making plenty of people happy if it can continue to add to it, hopefully with another puzzle quest for Lara to overcome in the future.

Developer

Square Enix

Publisher

Square Enix

Genre

Puzzle

Players

1

C3 Score

Rated $score out of 10  8/10

Reader Score

Rated $score out of 10  0 (0 Votes)

European release date Out now   North America release date Out now   Japan release date Out now   Australian release date Out now   

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