Key Takeaways
- 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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Since 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
- Released
-
July 17, 2020
- Engine
-
Proprietary
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
This 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
- Released
-
October 27, 2023
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language
The 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
- Released
-
September 30, 2014
- Developer(s)
-
Monolith
- Franchise
-
The Lord of the Rings
The 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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On 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 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 (2018)
- Released
-
April 20, 2018
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
As 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
Like Lara Croft, Splinter Cell’s Sam Fisher is one 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
Survival Horror
Horror
Adventure
Action
- Released
-
October 8, 2024
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
Most 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 (2013)
- Released
-
June 14, 2013
- Franchise
-
The Last of Us
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
Uncharted 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 playing if you’re a fan of the newer Tomb Raider installments.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Rats, Rats, More Rats
Set 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 soldiers and 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 capable than even he thought was possible. There are even some gameplay similarities, as Cal has to solve many puzzles and do plenty of climbing around.
Lara Croft And The Temple Of Osiris
A Fun Twist
Although her name is indeed in the title, this spin-off is a far more fantastical adventure than her usual outings. In this isometric sequel to Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Lara teams up with members of the Egyptian pantheon to try and stop Set, the god of chaos, from raising an evil army and taking over the world.
It’s a different take on the familiar character and formula but has just enough weapons and treasures to maintain that classic Croft experience. And it matches the quality of the best Tomb Raiders, too.
Darksiders (2010)
Start The Apocalypse, Save The World
If you’re a fan of Tomb Raider, you might want to turn your attention toward Darksiders. At first glance, its fantasy-heavy setting may seem quite a bit different, but the gameplay is surprisingly similar.
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How Long To Beat Every Tomb Raider Game?
Too many tombs here… how many hours will Lara Croft’s adventures take you?
True, the first two titles in this dark fantasy saga might take more from The Legend of Zelda series, but to say there wasn’t some note of Tomb Raider in some of the environments, traversal, and puzzles would be completely untrue. War might be a bit more armed than Lara Croft, but she could handle his terrain on any given day.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Discover The World Of Zelda
- Released
-
March 3, 2017
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- ESRB
-
E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo EPD
Tomb Raider might not be the first game that comes to mind when thinking of Zelda-esque titles. However, the biggest (and arguably most beloved) entry in this classic series – Breath of the Wild – will make any fan of exploration titles feel right at home, especially in the legions of dungeons the game encourages to explore.
Some of the game’s mazes and puzzles feel like something straight out of a Tomb Raider title, especially if they have Link traversing over large obstacles. While it might lack the gunplay and action-movie notes, people are denying themselves true joy by not picking up this adventure.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Hyrule Reimagined
- Released
-
May 12, 2023
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo
- ESRB
-
Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
To everyone’s surprise, the launch of Tears of the Kingdom was totally worth all the hype. Tears of the Kingdom expands the open world of Hyrule and adds two new layers: the Sky Islands, which defy gravity and hover over the land for you to explore, and the Depths, a deep pit of despair and Gloom that perfectly mirrors the land above.
After a devastating event known only as the Upheaval, Hyrule isn’t much like you remember it. There are brand-new quests to take on, friends to make, enemies’ plots to foil, and Zelda to find.
Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time
A Thief’s Life Is Never Easy
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
Platformer
Stealth
Adventure
Fighting
Puzzle
- Released
-
February 5, 2013
- Developer(s)
-
Sanzaru Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Sanzaru Games
- ESRB
-
e
The Sly Cooper games brought new life and ideas into gameplay mechanics like stealth and platforming, something that you can see echoed in the Tomb Raider series. So why not play a great game in such a foundational series, Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time?
As you and your animal compatriots sleuth through various levels, you see some of the best moments in the Sly Cooper series relived. It’s easy to see how earlier games in the series have influenced more modern ones, like the revamped Tomb Raider series.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Rebuild The Assassins
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood earns an honorable mention, mainly due to the exploration sequences as Desmond Miles instead of Ezio. Granted, it feels like the basic platforming and puzzle elements of a Tomb Raider game, but there’s no denying that a certain familiar feeling is present.
It’s also worth mentioning that the exploration quests for the Brutus armor feel like something straight from one of the original titles.
Assassin’s Creed: Origins
Humble Beginnings
How many Assassin’s Creed titles have a specific mechanic in the game where one literally has to raid a tomb? A bit on the nose, but not an unwanted or unloved title. In fact, there couldn’t be a better place for a Tomb Raider or Assassin’s Creed title than Origins.
Armed with a torch and a sense of adventure, you will have your adventurous side more than satisfied as you slink through ancient pyramids and creepy crypts in this expansive adventure.
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
Fame, Fortune, Danger
There have been many comparisons made between Tomb Raider and Uncharted. The first entry in the Naughty Dog series is the best one for Tomb Raider fans, as it contains a jungle setting with puzzles spread out and a fast-paced action style.
There’s also the mythological aspect that Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune brings, which is done without making too big of a deal of it. Along with that, Nathan’s imminently likable persona is what makes this game so engaging.
Really, the whole series is worth playing and is playable on both PS4 and PS5 thanks to the HD collection.
Enslaved: Odyssey To The West
Fight Against The Machines
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West has a unique backdrop of the future, where the world is almost without any more humans. The gameplay focuses heavily on platforming, and it steers toward the action-adventure aspect of things.
Like Tomb Raider, puzzles can be found at any point within the game, giving you a chance to take a break from the main story and engage in further puzzle-solving. The platforming sequences make use of the natural setting, as the playable character climbs and swings around ruins.
Prince Of Persia
A Classic, In Modern Times
Prince of Persia deserves more praise than it gets, and the 2008 installment is one of the best in the series. Plus, it’s the one that hits closest to the mark of a third-person action-platformer. The open world is what makes this game so interesting, as exploration is seen in a new light with the Prince traversing environments to find new items.
The enemies are mythological creatures, and the fighting requires some creative bits of acrobatics. The puzzles are also very detailed, mainly due to the open world allowing you to take your time.