Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider is back in a big way. This third person adventure is the best we’ve ever seen of its kind. Yes, that explicitly includes you, Uncharted. The comparisons between Tomb Raider and the Uncharted franchise will likely rage on between fans, but the simple fact of the matter is, that Crystal Dynamics has built a better mousetrap and iterated on the formula. It rarely makes a misstep in the single player campaign, and for longtime fans, it’s an even more interesting look into the origin story of this iconic character.

Tomb Raider is an exceptional game. Break-neck set pieces and quality combat help make the action exceedingly enjoyable, even if it does stray from the themes of the narrative at times. Impressive visuals and a lively environment brimming with distractions will encourage you to explore, while a solid if unspectacular multiplayer component provides some replayability. Nathan Drake may want to watch his back, because the queen of adventure's gunning for his crown.

That unexpected thoughtfulness extends to most of the game. It's easy to point out the many ways that Tomb Raider borrows bits and pieces from other popular games of the last five years, but Crystal Dynamics has blended these disparate strengths into something remarkable. It's cinematic yet open, intense yet laid-back, fresh yet polished. It's a near-perfect embodiment of the age of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 with a hint of what to expect next.