Tomb Raider Collection 1 Review: A Nostalgic Dive into Lara Croft’s Origins

Growing up with the original PlayStation, I spent countless hours guiding Lara Croft through crumbling temples, dangerous traps, and mysterious ruins. So when Tomb Raider Collection 1 was announced, I was instantly intrigued. This set, which includes enhanced versions of the first three Tomb Raider games, promised a return to the franchise’s roots. In this tomb raider collection 1 review, I’ll share my in-depth experience playing the collection on modern hardware and whether it lives up to its legacy.

What the Collection Includes

Let me start by explaining exactly what you’re getting with Tomb Raider Collection 1. This bundle features remastered versions of Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II, and Tomb Raider III, originally released between 1996 and 1998. These titles were pivotal in shaping the 3D action-adventure genre and introduced the world to Lara Croft — a character who quickly became a gaming icon.

I downloaded the collection for my console, eager to see how well the developers had modernized these classics. What I found was a carefully crafted homage that respects the original gameplay while making some much-needed updates.

Visual Makeover With Optional Nostalgia

One of the first things I noticed was the graphical facelift. Each game now features higher-resolution textures, improved lighting effects, and more detailed environments. The character models look smoother, and the ancient architecture is more immersive than ever.

But here’s the feature I appreciated most — the ability to switch between the updated visuals and the original graphics on the fly. This gave me the chance to relive my childhood memories while still enjoying the polish of today’s gaming standards. Flicking back and forth, I could appreciate how far the series has come without losing sight of where it started.

The updated visuals don’t just look better — they make navigation easier. Dimly lit tombs that were once hard to see are now clearer, helping to reduce frustrating deaths caused by hidden spikes or traps.

Reworked Controls Make a Huge Difference

Let’s face it — one of the biggest barriers for newcomers to classic Tomb Raider games has always been the controls. The original “tank” movement system was clunky and unforgiving, especially when precision was required. Thankfully, this collection provides an alternative.

In this tomb raider collection 1 review, I have to highlight the modern control scheme that has been added. You can toggle between classic and updated controls. I stuck with the modern version after testing both, as it made Lara feel much more responsive and fluid in her movements.

Jumping gaps, aiming at enemies, and performing acrobatic feats no longer felt like I was wrestling with the controller. The updated controls don’t alter the core experience; they just make it far less frustrating to play. That said, purists who want to relive the original control challenge still have that option.

Enhanced Audio Adds Depth Without Altering the Mood

Sound plays a huge role in the atmosphere of the Tomb Raider series. The original games relied heavily on ambient sound — the echo of Lara’s footsteps, the howl of distant wolves, or the sound of a crumbling floor giving way.

The remastered audio keeps all of that intact but adds a layer of clarity that modern sound systems can fully take advantage of. I wore headphones during much of my playthrough, and I was blown away by how immersive the game sounded. Each creak, splash, and trap triggered felt visceral.

The musical score, used sparingly in the originals to maximize dramatic impact, is still intact. When it kicks in — usually after discovering a secret or narrowly escaping a death trap — the sweeping orchestral tones feel just as powerful as they did all those years ago.

Puzzle Solving and Exploration Remain at the Heart of the Experience

What really sets Tomb Raider apart from other action games is the balance between exploration, puzzle solving, and combat. These games were never about speed-running or button-mashing — they were about observation, patience, and discovering secrets hidden in the world.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the puzzles haven’t been simplified in the remastered versions. You’ll still find yourself pushing blocks, pulling levers, and using your wits to navigate through multi-level mazes. In one instance during Tomb Raider II, I spent nearly an hour in a sprawling temple, trying to figure out how to access a single hidden artifact. That level of challenge and satisfaction is hard to come by in modern titles.

The level design also holds up remarkably well. Levels are nonlinear, rewarding players who take time to explore every corner. Secrets, hidden paths, and cleverly placed items are everywhere. These games respect the player’s intelligence, something I always valued about the original trilogy.

Performance and Platform Impressions

I tested the collection on both a high-end PC and a handheld device to see how it performed across the board. On PC, the frame rates were smooth, the load times nearly instantaneous, and the graphical enhancements really shined. On the handheld, performance was still solid, with only minor dips during graphically intense moments.

What impressed me most was how well the remastered games scaled to different devices. Whether I was playing on a 4K monitor or a portable screen, the visual clarity and control responsiveness remained consistent.

A Look at Combat and Enemy Design

One area where time hasn’t been as kind is the combat system. These games were never known for their deep combat mechanics, and that still holds true here. The lock-on shooting, while nostalgic, feels dated compared to modern third-person action games.

However, in the context of these titles, the combat still serves its purpose. It’s meant to add danger and tension, not serve as the primary gameplay focus. Fighting off wolves, mercenaries, and mythological creatures adds urgency to your exploration, but it’s the platforming and puzzles that remain front and center.

A Celebration of a Gaming Legend

This tomb raider collection 1 review wouldn’t be complete without recognizing how important these games are to video game history. Lara Croft wasn’t just a protagonist — she was a symbol of independence and determination. She paved the way for more complex female characters in gaming and became a pop culture icon in the process.

Replaying her earliest adventures reminded me why she captured the imagination of so many gamers in the 90s. Despite the limitations of the original hardware, these games were ambitious, immersive, and bold.

Is It Worth Buying Today?

If you’re a retro gaming enthusiast like me, this collection is an easy recommendation. It successfully brings classic Tomb Raider titles into the modern era while preserving their soul. It’s not a remake — it’s a revitalization, and that’s an important distinction.

For younger gamers who may have never played the originals, this collection offers a chance to understand where the franchise came from and how much it influenced later titles. With accessible controls, visual upgrades, and thoughtful presentation, it’s the perfect entry point into Lara’s origins.

Final Thoughts

In wrapping up this tomb raider collection 1 review, I can say with confidence that the developers struck the right balance. They preserved what made the original trilogy special while implementing enough upgrades to make it feel fresh and approachable in 2025.

Revisiting these games was more than just a trip down memory lane — it was a reminder of how powerful video game storytelling and design can be, even with limited resources. Tomb Raider Collection 1 serves both as a time capsule and as a modernized homage. For fans old and new, it’s a journey worth taking.