Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered – Everything You Need to Know

Aspyr carries on their trend of remastering games with a new version of the popular Tomb Raider I-III Remaster, completing the first six games in the series. What sets apart Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is the extra content that’s being reintroduced, adding a fresh feel to the package that might convince those undecided. The way Aspyr handles one of the series’ less well-received games, Tomb Raider VI, will also be intriguing to observe. We don’t have much time left before Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered arrives on February 14th for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Come along as we delve into these 15 fascinating facts about Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.

Enhanced and Classic Graphics Unite

This collection, similar to the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, primarily focuses on visual enhancements. Aspyr has collaborated with Crystal Dynamics to utilize a refined version of the original games’ engine, offering advantages such as higher resolution textures and advanced lighting effects. From trailers and fresh images, it’s evident that there are numerous new environmental elements added specifically for Tomb Raider IV-VI. Remarkably, players can switch between the original and enhanced visual modes on the fly while playing the Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.

Modern and Tank Control Schemes

One distinctive feature that’s often discussed about the original Tomb Raider games is their tank-style controls. Interestingly, these can be adjusted or turned off in the remastered versions of IV to VI, although you can only do so from the menu settings. The updated control system offers more flexibility, enabling free camera control and character movement that depends on the direction you’re moving. Additionally, dashing and dodging can either be held down or used as a simple toggle option.

Boss Health Bar Toggles

Originally, the Tomb Raider series was renowned for its challenging levels and formidable bosses, with Tomb Raider IV standing out due to its unique Egyptian mythology-inspired boss battles. This remaster now offers an option to display health bars for every boss in Tomb Raider IV to VI, making the fights against the guardians of Giza a bit easier to handle.

New Photo Mode Settings

In the upgrade for Photo Mode, it’s evident that it has evolved from its previous versions in the remastered I-III. The Tomb Raider IV-VI Remaster now offers the ability to customize features like adjusting depth of field, zooming in and out, and modifying the camera angle.

Additional Poses and Outfits

In the remastered versions of Lara Croft’s adventures from IV to VI, new camera controls will significantly enhance the experience as Lara receives an array of fresh poses and costumes. Although the additional poses can only be utilized within the Photo Mode, the various outfits should be selectable from a menu and wearable during gameplay. It’s worth noting that outfit selection was introduced in a later update for the original games (I-III), but the developers have promised that the remastered versions will offer more poses and costumes for Lara Croft. We’ll have to anticipate further updates to determine if these new outfits are exclusive to Photo Mode or not.

4K Resolution at 60 Frames Per Second

It’s certain that Aspyr is dedicated to achieving 4K resolution and maintaining 60 frames per second (FPS) on both PS5 and Xbox Series X. Previously, a patch for the remastered versions of I-III offered a 120FPS option for these consoles’ users. It’s possible that a similar update will be applied to versions IV-VI at some point.

For Xbox Series S users, there might be a slight decrease in resolution with a goal of 1440p at 60 FPS. Meanwhile, Switch and PS4 gamers can expect 1080P at 60FPS. However, it’s uncertain whether Aspyr has enhanced the classic graphics performance, so we can speculate that when playing with Classic mode graphics in IV-VI, as seen in I-III, the games may operate at a capped 30FPS.

Inclusion of the “Times Exclusive” Level from The Last Revelation

This assortment features an exclusive hidden gem – a stage from the game “Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation.” Known as the “Times Exclusive” level, it could previously be obtained only as a computer download. It was crafted to coincide with The Times newspaper’s 75th anniversary celebration of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. In this self-contained stage, a staff member from The Times tasks Lara with probing, as you might have surmised, King Tut’s tomb.

168 Trophies/Achievements

Regarding the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, despite boasting an impressive collection of 269 Trophies, gamers were disappointed to find no Platinum trophy as a culmination. Unfortunately, this is also the case for Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, where there’s still no Platinum trophy in sight. However, with only 168 trophies/achievements to manage, players will find it less of a challenge to keep tabs on their progress compared to the previous game.

Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation Story and Setting

This time, I, an avid enthusiast, find myself delving into the mystique of ancient Egypt. My journey leads me to the legendary Giza Pyramids, a sight that leaves me in awe. The narrative gains momentum as I unearth the Amulet of Horus within the Tomb of Set – a discovery that sets my heart racing!

Tomb Raider IV Returns to The Series’ Roots

In a nod to the mystique of ancient Egypt and its crypts and tombs, The Last Revelation gameplay leans heavily towards solving logic puzzles and navigating compact platforming within rooms, rather than the open-zone exploration style with key finding that is typical in games like Tomb Raider II and III.

Tomb Raider V: Chronicles Story and Setting

In contrast to other Tomb Raider games, Tomb Raider V: Chronicles offers an unusual narrative structure. Instead of following Lara Croft directly, you experience her story through the eyes of her closest companions and allies. The game presents four separate vignettes in which you control Lara. This unique perspective arises due to Lara being presumed dead after the events of The Last Revelation.

Gameplay Variety in Chronicles

Reflecting on Lara Croft’s past adventures seamlessly transitions into a diverse range of level themes. The initial tale takes place in Rome and centers around platform-style gameplay, mimicking the design of the first Tomb Raider. Subsequent stories highlight stealth, action, and puzzle-solving elements. Tomb Raider V was the last game in this series to be developed by the original Core Design team. Notably, the team initially planned to end Lara Croft’s life in Tomb Raider IV due to exhaustion and burnout, resulting in what many consider the weakest game in the series, Tomb Raider VI.

Tomb Raider VI – The Black Sheep of the Series

As an ardent fan, I remember vividly that The Angel of Darkness, the initial installment in the series, showcased a fresh take on Core Design’s proprietary engine for its PS2 launch. However, despite the exciting leap to a new generation, Angel of Darkness was met with a wave of criticism due to its glitchy gameplay and lackluster design implementation. One of the aspects that added to the overall frustration was the introduction of a stamina meter, which turned simple climbing tasks into arduous chores.

Fortunately, it’s not yet clear whether Aspyr has eliminated the stamina meter in the modern version, but at least the updated controls now offer smoother movement, as well as the ability to shoot while in mid-air and perform consecutive jumps.

Restored Content for Tomb Raider VI

In the enhanced version of “Tomb Raider VI: Angel of Darkness”, a significant amount of previously omitted content has been reinstated. The secondary playable character, Kurtis Trent, is now equipped with a new Chirugai disc blade weapon. Additionally, he’s been granted a psychic shield ability to ward off enemies and bosses. Other restored elements include items purchasable from Rennes’ Pawnshop like the Silencer and Lasersight, a fresh Parisian Backstreet training zone, unused dialogue, new inventory items such as Von Croy’s cane, and revised notebook entries.

PC Requirements for Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered

To savor the latest Tomb Raider collection, you don’t necessarily need the latest Nvidia RTX graphics card. Just as its previous remaster, Tomb Raider 4-6 can run smoothly even on older laptops and still offer a fun gaming experience. According to Steam, the minimum PC requirements are an Intel i3 or AMD FX-4100 processor and a GeForce GT 620 1GB or Radeon HD 8670D graphics card – both of which are around 10 years old. For better performance, the recommended specs include an Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800 processor and NVIDIA RTX 2080 or Radeon RX 6750 graphics card. With a global release on older consoles like PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and some very modest minimum PC requirements, nearly anyone can enjoy the Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered collection.

2025-01-30 13:42