But often, there are those moments when action is unnecessary; it’s a time to simply stop, breathe, and … stare. And such is the magic of Tomb Raider: Chronicles, which can show you wondrous things even amidst the chaos of fire and the horror of a puzzle. But here now it is, cast in really impressive (and even prettier) heads (and polygons) in a remastered edition, even better than ever, when fans revel in those moments when a game actually froze them mid-battle just to soak it all in.
From the very ancient ruins of Rome to the not-so-casual sleek halls of VCI Headquarters, Tomb Raider: Chronicles was not just the game; this was a postcard straight from the wildest adventures that Lara Croft got to enjoy. The tweet edition of the official Tomb Raider account says it reads quite succinctly: “Sometimes the real treasure is the view!” And really? Not wrong.
Regarding the atmospheric levels of Rome; crumbling columns, moonlit courtyards, shadowy history lurking behind each corner. One second, you’re sneaking past guards; the next, bam! You stop because whoa, that archway framed the moon just right. And the VCI Headquarters? Ancient mystery exchanged for a chilling corporate menace: glass skyscrapers, neon reflections, and that kind of lighting that makes you feel like you’re in a cyberpunk thriller.
But Chronicles was not just about beautiful backdrops to hold you hostage; this level design actually played with those vistas to have fun. A killer vista? Great-now dodge these sniper shots while enjoying the great architecture. A lovely quiet rooftop? Awesome, here comes the timed jump across through a bottomless pit. The game had mentioned that beautiful and brutal were its favorite couple; hence, those moments are stuck in the memory of players for decades.
Now however, with the remastered edition making those environments shine, nostalgia hits harder than Lara’s dual pistols. Players aren’t replaying for the gameplay but for those moments where they go “Wait, let me just… look at this a sec”. Frankly, it’s good to reminisce about a title that encouraged one to slow down and admire its world in speed-and-efficiency era of gaming.
So which level made you stop in your tracks while sprinting? The haunting elegance in Rome, VCI’s sleek dystopia for you, or perhaps one of these other globetrotting locales that haven’t even been mentioned yet? Whatever it is, Tomb Raider: Chronicles knew how to make scenery feel part of the adventure and not just decoration. After all, remastered, bringing those views back into focus, is a good time to go revisit them-there just might be some traps in the way while you’re sightseeing.
Here’s a little surprise: You might be interested in this link about Tomb Raider’s remastered edition and how it revitalizes the classic experience. Don’t forget about how iconic the quotes are from Oblivion as well!
