There’s been an ongoing debate regarding two treasure-centric franchises for some time now. Uncharted and Tomb Raider are two series that exist in the same vein, to the point where many people think they are exactly the same with just different protagonists. Uncharted’s Nathan Drake is reminiscent of Indiana Jones, and, to some, he wouldn’t even be allowed to exist if it weren’t for the Tomb Raider franchise. Lara Croft is the classic heroine of a long-running franchise, but it’s hard to ignore that her more recent iterations take a bit of inspiration from Naughty Dog’s action series.
Recently, fans of both series got to see a release for each of the two franchises. Rise of the Tomb Raider released at the tail end of 2015 to high praise (currently sitting on an 86 over at Metacritic) and is currently available on the Xbox One and PC, with a PS4 release on the horizon. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End has been showered with praise (holds a 93 on Metacritic) as it closes out one of Sony’s biggest franchises.
While it’s clear that Uncharted 4 has been received better by critics, there’s more to games than just their scores. Each series, although in the exact same genre, manage to plant their flag in gaming by doing certain things very well. It’s those elements that make choosing much more difficult than it may seem on the surface. You aren’t just choosing a different protagonist, you’re choosing an entirely different experience.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Lara Croft experienced a renaissance of sorts back in 2013 when the reboot to her series, titled simply Tomb Raider, released. Many were quick to draw similarities between the new release and Naughty Dog’s Uncharted Series. Much more fluid controls, fast-paced gameplay, and platforming segments that felt a lot more like those you’d expect from Nathan Drake than from classic Lara Croft.
Yet, even with the similarities, Tomb Raider forged its own path by adding a suite of survival mechanics. Having to search for supplies to upgrade your weapons, using stealth, and that lovely bow helped the game really stand out amid all the other action titles. Crystal Dynamics further defined what Tomb Raider will be going forward with Rise of the Tomb Raider.
The developers now have a better feel of who Lara is and what she is to become. A stronger focus on hunting and surviving help Rise of the Tomb Raider feel sort of like a polar opposite to Uncharted as a whole. The need to slow things down and really examine the world, plus the ability to go back and explore with new abilities and tools, makes for more of a journey than just a high-octane adventure.
Not to mention, the light RPG components provide a different feel to the genre. Having to craft upgrades for your weapons and deciding on what skills will help you most on your journey slow things down to a new type of pace. It isn’t a drag; it’s more methodical.
The series (so far) also has a heavier focus on Lara and her development. Focusing on her state of mind as she comes to terms with what it means to survive and what it is that she must do. Killing, skinning, running, and close calls with death are giving a level of gravity that make these games a much more serious ordeal.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End stands at the opposite end of the spectrum from Rise of the Tomb Raider. Where Crystal Dynamic’s second stab at Lara Croft presented an experience focused on the art of hunting and the need to survive, Naughty Dog’s final chapter in this epic series is all about one last score.
The action that fans have come to know and love is still there, with all of the running, jumping, shooting, and “oh s*&!, how did I survive that?” moments still in tow. There’s a lot of excitement going on, with much less of a fear factor than you’ll encounter in Tomb Raider. Don’t get us wrong, Nate is definitely aware of his mortality, and he seems to be much more keen on not dying this time around, but this is definitely an action experience as opposed to a survival one.
Mechanics are much more streamlined in the Uncharted series. There are no upgrades, there are no RPG elements to consider, just your typical action adventure. It’s a simpler game in that regard, yes, but one that never fails to impress.
The story takes a bit of a darker tone than previous entries, though, focusing on the choices Nathan has made over the years and those ahead of him. Previous entries to the series kept things predominantly lighthearted. Here was a man who wanted nothing more than to find lost cities and unearth buried treasure. He has a family now, though, and promises to keep. But, being torn between the life you’ve always known and the future you want can be a heavy burden to bear.
The Raider of Tombs or the Charismatic Adventurer
It’s odd having two adventures centered on treasure and discovery being so different. One with a focus on character expansion through upgrades and skill trees, and another that just brings you along for the ride. That fact makes it hard to choose which one is more worth your time.
Obviously, if you’re considering them, then you’re into the sense of adventure that only treasure hunting can bring. Either game will scratch that itch if that’s all you’re looking for. However, each game offers a varying degree of depth.
Rise of the Tomb Raider includes a few light RPG elements to help players mold Lara into the perfect raider of tombs. The story is centered on her growth as an explorer as she finds herself capable of new things. The world is also contained in a way that allows players to revisit areas, whether for hidden tombs or some other reason.
Uncharted 4, on the other hand, is very much a guided journey. Instead of focusing on what upgrade you should obtain, you can sit back and enjoy the ride as you hop from country to country, uncovering secrets and chasing an elusive treasure. Nate is already established, and even though he has some heavy choices ahead of him, fans know exactly what to expect when stepping into his shoes.
In a way, both adventures perfectly compliment one another. Offering the exotic life of a treasure hunter through two distinct looking glasses. They sit at different ends of the genre to allow anyone interested a means to enjoy what lies beyond. Whether you want something that gives you control of every aspect of the experience, or something that guides you through a grand story, you have stellar options with Rise of the Tomb Raider and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
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