Rise of the Tomb Raider 5 Reasons Side Image

The 5 Biggest Reasons We’re Loving Rise of the Tomb Raider

In Rise of the Tomb Raider, professional adventuress Lara Croft is back for revenge. Tracking down the organization responsible for the death of her father means climbing some mountains, exploring ancient temples, and fighting a lot of militant bad guys. Here are some reasons why Rise of the Tomb Raider – now available exclusively on Xbox – is one of our favorite games of 2015.

Lara Croft Is a Total Badass

Lara Croft is one of the all-time greatest gaming heroines – and she’s at her best in Rise of the Tomb Raider. Her story is more involved; her character is more complicated. Overall, she is far more capable, much stronger, and more complex than she’s ever been, and it makes for one hell of a journey.

So Many Tombs!

Tombs – the very titular aspect that has defined the series for two decades – are back in full force in Rise of the Tomb Raider. From tucked-away mountaintop temples to flooded crypts, Lara has her work cut out for her. Exploring ancient tombs feels like the best parts of the series we grew up with, and the challenging puzzles make full use of Lara’s many new tools.

Stealthy or Explosive – It’s Up to You

Rise of the Tomb Raider rewards you, no matter which way you prefer to play. You earn experience points for stealth kills, as well as combos and head shots. And with the array of upgradeable weapons at Lara’s disposal, you’re free to mix-and-match to your heart’s desire. The new explosives crafting system is definitely worth exploring (did we mention that Lara’s a badass?).

The World Is Gorgeous

Not only is the sheer scope of the environments in Rise of the Tomb Raider impressive – ranging from deserts to snowy mountains – but so is the layout. On a number of occasions, you’ll turn a corner to find a stunning set piece, making for the sort of cinematic experience that took our breath away on more than one occasion.

Fun New Multiplayer

Expedition mode is a set of customizable challenges that you can set for yourself, and for friends. Using card packs that you can purchase with the currency you earn in-game, you can give fellow players advantages or debuffs. It even integrates with Twitch streams, to let your audience pick cards for you. Awesome!

Rise of the Tomb Raider is out now for Xbox One and Xbox 360. Step into the shoes of Lara Croft, and kick some major ass!