Gaming's WORST Remake? | Tomb Raider Anniversary Review

In 2007, Crystal Dynamics decided to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the original Tomb Raider with a remake of Lara's first outing. Jason Botta, Creative Director for the project, stated that they were inspired to make a new game based on the original Tomb Raider. Not just a remake, but something more.

Did the team achieve that goal, or in their pursuit of making a more modern retelling of Lara's inaugral outing, did they fail to recapture the charm and magic of that first game?

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:04:34 - Tomb Raider Legend
00:06:07 - Controls
00:09:39 - Challenge
00:10:51 - Combat
00:17:08 - Level Design Introduction
00:17:50 - Peru
00:30:16 - Greece
00:37:56 - Egypt
00:43:36 - "Lost Island"
00:51:12 - Croft Manor
00:52:28 - Presentation
00:59:00 - Story
01:11:33 - Version Comparisons
01:12:14 - PlayStation 2
01:13:57 - PlayStation Portable
01:14:50 - Nintendo Wii
01:17:25 - Xbox 360
01:19:00 - PC
01:20:24 - PlayStation 3
01:21:36 - Side-By-Side
01:24:16 - Core's Cancelled Remake
01:25:14 - Conclusion

[WebstersYouTube]

Hi there. I wanted to address some of the common themes in the comments:
"Resident Evil 3 was worse than Tomb Raider." - Probably. For me, my connection with the original TR is stronger than my love for the original RE3, so TRA is, personally, more insulting than RE3R was.
"This is a reimagining, a new game, not a remake." - I agree. I explain and acknowledge that at several points. I still think this new game, inspired by the original, misses the mark though.
"They had to change these things to make it fit with Legend and Underworld." - I'm aware of and explain this. I also explain why I think that making it part of that trilogy was a bad idea.
"Well, *I* liked Anniversary." - Cool. I'm glad. I don't enjoy disliking games, I would have much rather this remake been something that I liked. As it is, I had a bad time with this game and I spent 90 minutes explaining my reasons why.
"You're too hung up on the original." - Maybe. Towards the end of the video, I quote Game Maker's Tool Kit on how Resident Evil 2 (2019) was successful because, despite being a significantly different reimagining, it evoked the same emotions and responses as the original game. I agree with him. RE2 was my personal GOTY for 2019. Tomb Raider Anniversary doesn't achieve that. Its design brings about entirely different responses, which I explain at length throughout the video.
"This must be click bait." - I can see why you might think that, but I respectfully disagree. To me, this is the worst remake I have played, and I have 90 minutes of receipts as to why that is. The title and thumbnail have certainly been effective, this has quickly become one of my most popular videos, but that's also just kind of how YouTube works. Hate the meta game of the platform, not the uploader.

[BlueKoshinomi]

Strange. I enjoyed the hell out of Tomb Raider Anniversary. To me it's the best TR in Crystal Dynamics name.

[SonicDeeHedgehog]

Anniversary is one of my all time favorite games. I also love the original Tomb Raider. They're two completely different games. And I love them both. Sad you didn't enjoy this one.

[potchary]

Anniversary and Legend were prime Tomb Raider for me. Fluid Gameplay, Combat that isn’t completely shitty and Lara was the goat.
I don’t get why people can’t enjoy both games, they were both brilliant in their own right.

I have never a control problem with Lara in Anniversary. Really enjoyed the game.

[sleepdeprived]

Complains that you can't see the final goal the moment you step into level one - complains that you can see the final goal the moment you step into The Lost Valley. Complains that boss fights don't use environmental puzzle elements - complains that the T-Rex fight does have environmental puzzle elements that are "mandatory" (they're not, you can just shoot it till it dies). Complains that weapons get taken away - complains that weapons get given back because it's not the "right" way. Complains that weapon isn't given back because it requires the mysterious and arcane game mechanic of checking the enemy for loot just like every other game in existence. Complains that the T-Rex fight copies the Bane fight from a game that came out four years later on a different console generation! Just stop.

[Shunfertast]

One of the better remakes...
I'd love to see the rest of the series in this style.

[MadsterV]

"a game of chess against level designers where each of us was trying to outdo the others in a way that felt personal and engaging"
- slowly walks into an unmissable gigantic blade and keels over

[MalooYT]

Strange, it is my favourite out of the Crystal Dynamic Games

[JamesCarmichael]

Absolutely love Anniversary. I recently played the Legend trilogy and loved every minute of it.

[Dosnmeda]

Nah, this game is great. Sure it has its shortcomings but I still come back to play it every other year. I always thought its controls were great, when playing it with keyboard and mouse. I can‘t go back to the original tank controls.

[CrazyChemistPL]

This video could very much as well have been a critique of how gaming and games has changed between 1996 and 2007. There's no manual saving because it was seen as very backwards in 2007. There's no backtracking because backtracking is now seen as an example of bad game design. I personally don't agree with either of these two but Its just me. Semi manual aiming was also very much a product of its day, but I see it as positive change.
To me Anniversary is one of the best proper remakes of any games. It keeps the spirit of the original (in my opinion) but updates it to modern technology and gameplay concepts. I love this game and I would definitely recommend it as entry game for anyone wanting to get into Tomb Raider. The fact they managed to get the story to fit within the Legend-Anniversary-Underworld continuity is just an added boon.
And as far as that Sanctuary of the Scion puzzle, I actually solved it manually. I copied the pattern on a piece of paper and solved it in school during a break between the lessons. It was super rewarding to do it that way, actually.

[jonasjojofalco]

Defending the crystal save system is unbelievable

[firstreality]

Although I generally agree, limited saves were never a good thing and I'm glad that even the original TR got rid of it in later games and the PC versions. It's just a holdover from the dying arcade era that drained your quarters.

[BatmanCK]

I love Anniversary and it is in my top 3 Tomb Raider games. Agree to disagree, I suppose!

[christophermarcil]

Having replayed both the original game and the Anniversary version in the past year, I think Anniversary is a great game and it honestly only drops the ball in a few areas -- mainly in tone, atmosphere, and difficulty. And some slight cuts to the size of the game. The level design is really good though and it feels good to play with better controls and the addition of the grapple hook.

[Jaknize]

Anniversary takes place before legends. It's pretty common knowledge. Larson was supposed to be her first kill. But good indepth analysis

[Deezter]

Anniversary is great, as is legend. A logical evolution from the originals, not like the dumb 2013 "I want to be like Uncharted" trilogy

[rosegoldboi]

literally had no idea that cowboy in the ambush FMV wasn't Larson till today

[marconobrega]

I think it's a great remake and a great game overall. From the first Crystal Dynamic trilogy, it may be my favourite. It has a few frustrating moments, but it's really good.