Tomb Raider I

Tomb Raider I is a highly popular action-adventure game that invites players to follow in the protagonist's footsteps, exploring ancient ruins and tombs in search of lost artifacts. The game features a tutorial for newcomers alongside meticulously designed levels of varying difficulty; players must creatively use environmental objects to solve puzzles and wield firearms to defeat enemies as they complete their quest. Optimized for mobile devices, the game retains core mechanics while ensuring smooth visuals and fluid gameplay, delivering a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Gameplay of Tomb Raider I:

Tomb Raider I is an action-adventure video game in which the player assumes the role of archaeologist-adventurer Lara Croft, who navigates through a series of ancient ruins and tombs in search of an ancient artefact. The game is split into four zones: Peru, Greece, Egypt and the lost island of Atlantis. A training level set in Lara's home of Croft Manor can be accessed from the start menu. The game is presented in third-person perspective. Lara is always visible, and the camera follows the action by focusing on Lara's shoulders by default, but the player can take manual control of the camera to get a better look at an area. The game automatically switches to a different camera view at key points, either to give the player a wider look at a new area or to add a cinematic effect. In the Sega Saturn and PlayStation versions, players save their progress in a level using Save Crystals, while in the PC versions the player can save at any point. If Lara dies, the player must restart from a previous save.

The object of Tomb Raider I is to guide Lara through a series of tombs and other locations in search of treasures and artefacts. On the way, she must kill dangerous animals and creatures while collecting objects and solving puzzles. The emphasis lies on exploring, solving puzzles, and navigating Lara's surroundings to complete each level. Movement in the game is varied and allows for complex interactions with the environment. In addition to standard movement using tank controls, Lara can walk, jump over gaps, shimmy along ledges, and swim through bodies of water. Certain button combinations allow Lara to either perform a handstand from a hanging position or execute a swandive.

Lara has two basic stances: one with weapons drawn and one with her hands-free. When her weapons are drawn, she automatically locks on to any nearby targets. Locking onto nearby targets prevents her from performing other actions which require her hands, such as grabbing onto ledges to prevent falling. By default, she carries two pistols with infinite ammo. Additional weapons include a shotgun, dual magnums, and dual Uzis. A general action button is used to perform a wide range of movements, such as picking up items, pulling switches, firing guns, pushing or pulling blocks, and grabbing onto ledges. Items to pick up include ammo, small and large medi-packs, keys, and artefacts required to complete a stage. Any item that is collected is held onto in Lara's inventory until it is used. Throughout each stage, one or more secrets may be located. Discovering these secrets is optional, and when the player finds one a tune plays. The locations of these secrets vary in difficulty to reach. The player is usually rewarded with extra items.

Features of Tomb Raider I:

One of the most noticeable strengths of Tomb Raider I is its console-inspired design. Levels are carefully structured to guide exploration without feeling restrictive. Environments are built with intention, using terrain, lighting, and environmental details to tell a story beyond dialogue alone.

The pacing reflects what players expect from a full-length console game. Calm exploration segments are balanced with tense encounters, allowing tension to rise naturally. Story moments transition smoothly into gameplay, maintaining immersion instead of interrupting it.

This level of production quality is uncommon on mobile. Tomb Raider I avoids shortcuts and oversimplified systems, demonstrating how large-scale game design can translate effectively to a smaller screen when handled with care.

Many mobile games rely on repetition, encouraging players to repeat short gameplay loops for incremental rewards. Tomb Raider I follows a different philosophy. Gameplay depth sits at the center of the experience, requiring players to learn mechanics, adapt strategies, and improve through practice.

Combat emphasizes positioning, timing, and situational awareness rather than automated actions. Exploration is not optional filler; it directly influences progression by unlocking upgrades, narrative elements, and hidden challenges. Puzzle-solving requires observation and patience, reinforcing the idea that the game is designed to be played thoughtfully.

Strategies of Tomb Raider I:

You'll probably need more medipacks later in the game, as the enemies get tougher and the traps more dangerous. So don't use more than you need. Small medipacks bring back half of Lara's health; large kits restore full health. Remember, too, that full health is restored before each new level. So don't bother cracking that medipak if you're almost at the end of a level. In Tomb Raider I, where you can move back and forth between certain levels, you can use this feature to restore Lara's health.

Lara gets flares to light her way. There are plenty to be found, but if you're running low, try these tricks. Save your game, explore a dark area using a flare then reload if you don't find anything interesting. Or, if you're desperate, turn up the brightness on your monitor or TV, or use pistol fire to light your way. 

This will seem obvious to veteran players, but if you're new to the game, take note: In the first three  games Lara won't be injured if you walk  through these dangerous areas. 

By the end of the game, I had saved over 6000+ uzi ammo and still had around 90 shotgun shells and 2500 Magnum rounds. I wish I'd gone ahead and used the guns earlier. Atlantis is full of uzi ammo everywhere, so I could have used these far more liberally in Egypt.

Echoing SwiftieLuma, skip some enemies. Larson in Sanctuary of the Scion definitely comes to mind because of a lack of save crystals nearby.

There are some points in the game when it's easier to hide and shoot. For instance, in Sanctuary of the Scion, the three Atlanteans won't pursue Lara beyond the first square of the corner before the long hall to get to the stairs where they appear. In Atlantis, when the three Atlanteans spawn, Lara can turn around and head back to the lava room and shoot them as they range around the hall (although this requires some patience)

Player Comments of Tomb Raider I:

excellent port. runs perfectly on my Red Magic 11 air which has a active cooling fan and a snapdragon 8 elite and a Adreno 830 gpu. controls are fine,not much i can complain about because the remaster is great. i grew up dealing with the original games and the tank controls so it doesn't bother me. hopefully they port 4, 5 and 6 to mobile as well .

Excellent! Just one thing: please 86 the new in-game menu system and bring back the classic carousel menu from the originals and the other versions of the remaster. The carousel is much easier to navigate and removing it unnecessarily takes away a big part of the Tomb Raider nostalgia. The main game selection menu is fine and it does make it easier for mobile. But in-game please bring back the old menu system.

Suprised there wasn't a bigger push in marketing to spread more awareness about these classic games being out on the mobile store. What you have here are the 3 original 1990's games of Tomb Raider, fully remastered and customizable, as well as restored bonus missions that were cut all those years ago. This is the definitive way to play and experience Lara Croft's adventures while on the go. The framerates and image quality is very smooth and clear. I'm very happy this exists on the mobile store!

I love this game mostly because I love the original tomb raider but I think they honestly would have done better if they kept it as the original not the remastered version but it still hits different.

Summary:

With Tomb Raider I players can live out the fantasy of an action-adventure video game based on the literary works of the world famous author Lara Croft. Experience the thrill of navigating through perilous tombs, hostile territories and evading treacherous traps, all while discovering priceless relics and ancient artifacts.