Summary
- Popularized by Tomb Raider, action games have evolved to include modern game elements for exploration and puzzle-solving entertainment.
- Fans seeking similar gameplay to the 2013 reboot can explore titles like A Plague Tale: Innocence, Uncharted, and Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor.
- Games such as God Of War, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, and Horizon Zero Dawn offer expansive worlds, engaging narratives, and challenging gameplay that can remind you of Tomb Raider 2013.
The action-platformer landscape is one that Tomb Raider can be credited with making popular. As the series was released about a quarter of a century ago, numerous titles have followed the format this franchise has set. 2013’s Tomb Raider reboot changed things up, and remains in line with modern games in the genre.
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Posts By Victoria MooreSince there are a finite amount of games in this series, fans have taken to pursuing other titles with a similar feel and style. There are more than enough options in this regard, as many quality entries are available that deliver the same kind of entertainment that Tomb Raider provides.
Updated on December 9, 2024, by Zackary Wiggs: Lara Croft and her travels in the Tomb Raider series has been around for decades now, not only pushing envelopes with a strong female protagonist, but also what makes an action-platforming game fun. Its obvious that the series isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and while it might take some time to welcome in the next in the series, there are plenty of similar games that will keep you entertained until then.
Ghost Of Tsushima
Reclaim Your Place
Ghost of Tsushima
Action Adventure 3.0/5 Released July 17, 2020 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity Developer(s) Sucker Punch Publisher(s) Sony Engine Proprietary Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 Genre(s) Action, Adventure Powered by Expand CollapseThis open-world experience balances the line between cozy exploration and violent action. Instead of arrows everywhere, visual cues direct you towards the next objective. You will like it if you appreciate the more open-ended nature of the recent Tomb Raider titles that have more exploration.
There is also a focus on stealth that fans will surely appreciate. Ghost of Tsushima is a historical drama, so don't expect any supernatural elements to creep their way into Jin Sakai's quest to defend Japan from the Mongol invasion.
Alan Wake 2
Fight The Darkness
Alan Wake 2
Survival Horror 5.0/5 Released October 27, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language Developer(s) Remedy Entertainment Publisher(s) Epic Games Franchise Alan Wake Genre(s) Survival Horror Powered by Expand CollapseThe first Alan Wake is a fairly straightforward experience riding the line between action, horror, and psychological thriller. Alan Wake 2 leans full tilt into the horror while also adding more exploration into the mix.
The temperate forest environment of Bright Falls does not differ that much from the jungle in 2013's Tomb Raider. The size of the explorable map and the puzzles within its bonus objectives will also please any Tomb Raider fan. Where Tomb Raider deals with ancient mysteries, Alan Wake 2 deals with a present supernatural evil that threatens to destroy reality.
Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor
Power Corrupts
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Action Adventure Released September 30, 2014 Developer(s) Monolith Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Games Franchise The Lord of the Rings Platform(s) PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Linux, macOS Genre(s) Action, Adventure Powered by Expand CollapseThe Lord of the Rings series has had both highs and lows in its gaming history. Shadow of Mordor might represent the highest of the highs. The game takes a couple of cues from the Arkham series in its gameplay.
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Posts By Dominic AllenOn top of that the dynamic nemesis system influences the game world based on how you interact with the orcs. Though open-world games were rampant in 2014, Shadow of Mordor stood out with its refined gameplay, nemesis system, and unique take on Middle Earth.
Kena: Bridge Of Spirits
Enter The Spirit World
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Adventure Released September 21, 2021 ESRB T for Teen: Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Ember Lab Publisher(s) Ember Lab Engine Unreal Engine 4 Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Genre(s) Adventure Powered by Expand CollapseKena: Bridge of Spirits is a game like Tomb Raider in a few different ways. After all, it's a third-person action-adventure title featuring puzzles and archery. Also, the bright grassy environment resembles some of the locations Lara has visited over the years.
Unlike Croft, though, Kena doesn't use guns on her adventure. Instead, she mainly uses her staff and special abilities. Her purpose is to help free spirits as she makes her way to a sacred shrine.
God Of War
What Is A God?
God of War
Action Adventure Released April 20, 2018 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Santa Monica Studio Publisher(s) Sony Franchise God of War Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4 Genre(s) Action, Adventure Powered by Expand CollapseAs a full series, God Of War has had a similar path to Tomb Raider. Both used to be more outlandish and action-packed but have become more story-based over the years. So, 2018's God Of War is that series version of 2013's Tomb Raider.
In it, you get to witness a more emotional tale involving Kratos and his son, Atreus.Their goal is to fulfill Atreus's mother's last wish. Along the way, the two bond as they overcome plenty of dangerous obstacles. The third-person combat is mostly about slicing through enemies with your axe.
God of War: Ragnarok is also worth playing for fans of God of War and Tomb Raider. Together, both games provide dozens of hours of gameplay in just their main stories.
Splinter Cell: Blacklist
Sam Is Back
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist
Stealth Released August 20, 2013 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Ubisoft Toronto Publisher(s) Ubisoft Franchise Splinter Cell Platform(s) PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, PC Genre(s) Stealth Powered by Expand CollapseLike Lara Croft, Splinter Cell's Sam Fisher isone of the most iconic protagonists in gaming history. Unlike Lara, he is no adventurer or treasure hunter. He is a spec ops agent. This means he has a lot fancier equipment than Lara, but he still goes about his business in a similar way to the newer version of Croft.
He opts primarily for stealth and intends to pick people off. Yet, Blacklist does allow you to be louder if you like. Whatever style of operative you are, your mission is to stop a mysterious group of terrorists.
Silent Hill 2
Beware The Fog
Silent Hill 2
Survival Horror Horror Adventure Action 3.5/5 Released October 8, 2024 ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence Developer(s) Bloober Team Publisher(s) Konami Franchise Silent Hill Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PC Genre(s) Survival Horror, Horror, Adventure, Action Powered by Expand CollapseMost of the Tomb Raider games are solitary adventures in a setting that fights back against you with environmental puzzles and enemies. If you enjoy that aspect, but maybe want a few frights along the way, Silent Hill 2 might be the game for you.
The entire series is not only a master class of horror, it also has one of the best settings in the genre, that being the titular foggy town of Silent Hill. It may have a bit less platforming, but there are more than enough puzzles in an environment that wants to test you and challenge you from the very first steps.
The Last Of Us
A Found Family
The Last of Us
Action Adventure Released June 14, 2013 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language Developer(s) Naughty Dog Publisher(s) Sony Franchise The Last of Us Platform(s) PS3, PS4 Genre(s) Action, Adventure Powered by Expand CollapseUncharted is understandably the Naughty Dog series that gets compared with Tomb Raider the most. However,there are several similarities between The Last of Us and Lara Croft's most recent adventures.
For instance, both are third-person action-adventure titles that encourage you to be stealthy, there are plenty of hard-to-watch gory moments, and each game includes a deep narrative. So, The Last of Us is worth playingif you're a fan of the newer Tomb Raider installments.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Rats, Rats, More Rats
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Action Adventure Stealth 4.5/5 Released May 14, 2019 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Asobo Studio Publisher(s) Focus Home Interactive Franchise A Plague Tale Platform(s) PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Switch, PC Genre(s) Action, Adventure, Stealth Powered by Expand CollapseSet in a slightly fictional version of the 1300s, A Plague Tale: Innocence is about two young siblings that are trying to survive against French Inquisition soldiersand plague-carrying rats. The two protagonists differ from Lara as they're a lot more vulnerable.
Yet, while Amicia de Rune doesn't have the brawn of the explorer, she's equally resourceful. Throughout the game, she constantly needs to use stealth and solve puzzles to advance, like Croft has had to do on many occasions.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Become The Jedi Of Myth
Star Wars and Tomb Raider sound like polar opposites. However, Jedi: Fallen Order has a more grounded feel to it than many of the SW movies. And the protagonist, Cal, is a kind-hearted and adventurous person, just like Lara.
His journey in Fallen Order isn't too dissimilar to the one Croft goes on in the 2013 game, either. He, too, faces insurmountable odds and ends up becoming a lot more capablethan even he thought was possible. There are even some gameplay similarities, as Cal has to solve many puzzles and do plenty of climbing around.
