Tomb Raider Definitive Edition Switch 2 Review

Tomb Raider Definitive Edition Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider series is easily one of the most legendary franchises in gaming. Beginning on PlayStation and PC, the series saw a steady stream of releases before many players felt the formula needed a fresh direction. Crystal Dynamics responded by rebooting the franchise with a new trilogy that reshaped Lara’s story for a modern audience. The first of those reboot titles, originally released in 2013, has now arrived on the Switch 2 in its Definitive Edition. What is it like? Pack your kit, sharpen your climbing axe, and prepare to scavenge for supplies as we review Tomb Raider Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch 2.

As this is a reboot, Tomb Raider Definitive Edition introduces a young Lara Croft who is eager to make her name as an explorer. She joins an expedition to a remote region of the Pacific, hoping to uncover the secrets of a long-forgotten kingdom. Things quickly take a dangerous turn when the team becomes stranded on a mysterious island filled with hostile forces, ancient myths, and environmental threats at every turn.

The story follows Lara’s journey from an inexperienced archaeologist to a capable survivor, and there are a lot of tense moments where Lara is pushed to her limits as she searches for her friends, uncovers the island’s strange history, and tries to escape its grip. It is a character-focused tale that builds the foundation for who Lara becomes.

Even more than a decade after its original release, the writing in Tomb Raider Definitive Edition still captures the sense of discovery and personal struggle that defines this version of Tomb Raider. It can be a bit full on with shocking deaths should you fail particular sections, and there are uncomfortable moments where Lara is pushed to the limits, but the game does a good job of highlighting the struggles and the stakes of the story.

Tomb Raider Definitive Edition follows the traditional third-person action-adventure setup of the games that came before it. Because this reboot is driven strongly by its narrative, the structure takes a more cinematic and engaging approach. At the beginning, you are simply fighting for survival, scavenging supplies, and navigating the harsh jungle that surrounds you. Before long, the stakes rise, and you are taking down crazed cult members with the bow and a selection of firearms. The gunplay is slick and exciting, placing Lara against an encroaching army in action-packed scenarios that keep the tension high.

When the shooting stops, the focus shifts to traversal and platforming as you navigate cliffs, crumbling ruins, and deadly traps hidden throughout the island. There are hidden tombs to uncover that take fans back to the spirit of the original games. These optional dungeon-style areas offer environmental puzzles that reward Lara with weapon upgrades and treasures to catalogue. Outside of these tombs, the island is filled with small trinkets, GPS caches, and documents that add extra exposition and world-building.

Explorers at heart will have plenty to discover in Tomb Raider Definitive Edition, while action-focused players can enjoy either approaching combat with stealth or diving straight into chaotic firefights. For those who enjoy competition, there are also multiplayer modes. These include free-for-all matches, a unique scavenger mode, and team-based deathmatch. I was unable to test these features during my review, although their inclusion adds another layer of variety to the overall package.

Tomb Raider Definitive Edition on Switch 2 comes fully loaded with all previously released DLC, including six Lara outfits, eight multiplayer maps, and four multiplayer characters. Controls feel intuitive, whether you are playing docked or handheld. The game supports touch screen menu navigation, mouse input, and the standard Switch 2 controllers, making it flexible for different playstyles. Combat and traversal are responsive, keeping the cinematic pacing of Lara’s adventure intact. Surprisingly, or more confusingly, the game has gyro support but only for the menu, and not for gameplay. Here’s hoping Aspyr patch it in at some point, as I know many gamers love gyro for shooters.

Even a decade after its original release, Tomb Raider Definitive Edition’s visuals still hold up. The island feels gritty and harsh, full of mud, rock, and jungle overgrowth, but it also has moments of serene beauty, like misty cliffs or calm coastal views, with the sun breaking through the clouds. The environments are detailed and immersive, helping sell Lara’s struggle for survival. There are some quirks, like occasional stiff hair physics, and it’s clear this version is more of an upscaled iteration of the PS3 version, rather than the PS4 one.

Some lighting and shadows are less detailed, and hair movement isn’t quite as natural as in the original high-end version. Despite this, the game’s visual design and strong atmosphere allow it to stand confidently alongside more modern titles.

Tomb Raider Definitive Edition features excellent voice acting that brings the story and characters to life. Camilla Luddington’s performance as Lara is particularly strong, with her monologues and pained responses effectively conveying the physical and emotional struggle of survival. The music complements the action perfectly, elevating both quiet exploration and high-stakes combat. From tense, atmospheric tracks during stealthy climbs to sweeping, cinematic cues in major set pieces, the soundtrack enhances the sense of immersion throughout the island. Sound effects, from crashing waves to arrow impacts, are clear and well-balanced, adding another layer to the overall experience.

From what I can tell, this port closely mirrors the original Switch version, with the main upgrades being a higher framerate and resolution. Tomb Raider Definitive Edition on Switch 2 runs smoothly, sticking close to 60 frames per second throughout the adventure. During my playthrough, I only encountered one minor bug: after taking a zipline, the camera occasionally failed to recenter. It did not impact gameplay in any way, aside from a quick 2-second checkpoint reload. Overall, Aspyr has delivered a stable and polished port that performs well on Nintendo hardware.

For archaeologists looking into accessibility, Tomb Raider Definitive Edition offers a few helpful options, mainly around aiming sensitivity, which can make exploring and combat on the island easier. As always, I recommend further research to see if the game suits your needs. At $30 AUD, or 10% less for owners of the other Aspyr Tomb Raider games, the Definitive Edition delivers excellent value. The campaign is packed with story, combat, exploration, and optional tombs, offering plenty of replayability.

While the game is over a decade old, it still holds up remarkably well. Aspyr has done an outstanding job bringing Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition to the Switch 2. The port runs smoothly, the controls feel intuitive, and the cinematic pacing of Lara’s adventure remains intact. When it was first released, this reboot was a refreshing take on the franchise and quickly became one of my favourite games of the time. Now, over a decade later, it’s available for a whole new audience on the Switch 2.

For those who played it before, it’s like discovering an old artifact that’s received a careful polish for the Switch 2. For newcomers, it’s a treasure waiting to be discovered. The story still captivates, the gameplay remains engaging, and the island is just as immersive as ever. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to experience one of the best Tomb Raider adventures.

So What’s it Like?  is like the original Tomb Raider games, crossed with Uncharted.

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