Uncharted Vs Tomb Raider Franchise
Round 1: Gameplay
When the first “Tomb Raider” released for the PlayStation in 1996, it blew everyone away. What seems like standard action-adventure fare now was groundbreaking then. Exploring unique tombs, dual-wielding pistols against dangerous animals, and solving puzzles set our imaginations alight. For a while, further installments only built upon this foundation with subtle changes, like a stamina bar in “Tomb Raider III” or the grappling hook in “Tomb Raider Chronicles.” However, when Lara’s origins were explored, gameplay was significantly enhanced. The 2013 reboot added light RPG mechanics like skill points and craftable items, as well as stealth and non-linear areas to emphasize the survival aspect. “Uncharted,” on the other hand, subscribes to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. You’ll get a handful of guns to shoot enemies, climb through some dangerous landscapes, solve some puzzles; basically a modern version of what “Tomb Raider” had accomplished years ago. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But if you’ve played one, you know what you’ll be getting into with all the rest. There have been some improvements implemented in newer entries, like a grappling hook for traversal and less linear areas to explore. And its puzzles are some of the best we’ve ever seen, enhancing each game’s story and helping the world come to life. Both franchises are pinnacles of stellar action-adventure gameplay. “Tomb Raider” has shown an ability to adapt and grow stronger while “Uncharted” puts puzzles and set pieces at the forefront. However, the improvements of the newer “Tomb Raider’s” make it much more interesting from a gameplay perspective. WINNER: Tomb Raider SCORE: Tomb Raider 1 / Uncharted 0
Round 2: Storytelling
If a game is successful, a developer or publisher will find ways to keep it going. “Tomb Raider” was a massive hit, spawning multiple sequels. But quality has dipped over its history, causing it to be rebooted twice so far. That makes its continuity a bit messy. In the original games, Lara survived a plane crash in the Himalayas, instilling in her a desire to explore and find hidden treasures. However, both reboots have added more personal touches to the story through Lara’s parents. In the recent trilogy, for example, she’s driven by her late father’s unfinished research to uncover the mystery of his death. “Uncharted” has fewer games, but that works to its benefit when it comes to storytelling. Beginning with the first game, we’ve watched Nathan Drake grow from snarky adventurer to conflicted husband and brother. Naughty Dog’s cinematic approach has made “Uncharted” one of the most respected stories in gaming. And there are dozens of moments across the franchise that fill us with awe and suspense. Each entry sucks the player in through charming characters, fascinating historical tales, and some of the finest vocal and mocap performances to grace a console. “Tomb Raider” has certainly left its mark on storytelling in video games. It made players want to be like Lara, venturing into the unknown for a grand adventure. But it arguably didn’t begin delivering stronger narratives until the 2013 game. In fewer games, “Uncharted” has been able to deliver a more concrete arc for its hero while simultaneously making its players want to delve into history. WINNER: Uncharted SCORE: Tomb Raider 1 / Uncharted 1
Round 3: The Hero
Top 10 Biggest Movie Franchise MISTAKES
Lara Croft became a recognizable character almost instantaneously. It wasn’t just that her game was fun to play; she effortlessly dripped cool. Born from a high class British family, Lara shunned her lifestyle in favor of finding things no one else could. She was a character who kicked ass and looked great doing it. In 2013, her characterization grew even stronger. Stripping her of her confident persona was by no means a bad idea. Crystal Dynamics turned her into someone who’s survival and well-being meant far more to us than some treasure in a long-lost city. Seeing her fail and deal with the repercussions in “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” only made us want to see her succeed more. With his cleverness and knack for humor, Nathan Drake is certainly an engaging protagonist. With no parents or fortune to rely on, he grew up craving the chance to write his name in the history books. Although he’s definitely more light-hearted, “Uncharted” has shown there’s something sinister underneath. His obsession with discovery has been the bane of loved ones like Sully and Elena, though there’s no denying his devilish charm. However, what makes Nathan work are the same qualities that make a lot of other characters work. Han Solo, Star-lord, Mal from “Firefly.” There’s a reason these characters are so popular. Lara began as cool and aloof, and players loved her for it. But it’s her journey in the “Survivor” trilogy that has cemented her as a heroine worth caring for. Nathan will definitely make us chuckle, but his actions often bring misery to himself and those he’s supposed to care about. And because there are so many similar characters, he’s not quite as unique as Lara. WINNER: Tomb Raider SCORE: Tomb Raider 2 / Uncharted 1
Round 4: Supporting Characters
Top 10 Marvel Supporting Characters Who Stole The Movie
Both adventurers are undoubtedly experts, though they’ve had a few helping hands over the years. Earlier games in “Tomb Raider” essentially had Lara on her own, except for her devoted, albeit creepy, butler Winston. Later games would give her more allies, such as Zip, her helpful man in the chair. But even still, it wasn’t until 2013 when Lara got to have some closer allies. Although many of them would perish on Yamatai, they were at least more fleshed out than others in previous games. Only Jonah has appeared in all three games, offering a friendly hand and calling Lara out when it’s needed. Nathan Drake’s allies are almost as famous as he is. Father figure Sully has been through thick and thin with the wily explorer, always giving advice and getting Nate out of binds. Fellow treasure hunter Chloe has gone through her own arc, growing from merciless to caring in “The Lost Legacy.” Nate’s brother, Sam, while only introduced in “Uncharted 4,” showed us how badly obsession and greed could grow inside someone. Last but definitely not least is Nate’s love interest, Elena. She’s proven time and time again that, despite being new to the lifestyle in “Drake’s Fortune,” she can handle herself and will do anything to get to the bottom of a story. Seeing their relationship evolve has provided one of the more endearing parts of Nate’s characterization. Lara prefers to go things alone most of the time, though even she has needed some support from the sideline. However, outside of Jonah, most of these characters haven’t left strong impressions. Those in “Uncharted,” however, are key parts to the narrative. And there’s no way the story would be the same without them. WINNER: Uncharted SCORE: Tomb Raider 2 / Uncharted 2
Round 5: Legacy
5 Live-Action Disney Adaptations That Worked & 5 That Killed the Legacy
“Tomb Raider” released at the perfect time, showcasing the power of 3D gaming. And with most games focusing on male heroes, Lara Croft became an icon, appearing on magazine covers in a time when video games weren’t nearly as mainstream. Since then, “Tomb Raider” has received a treasure trove of comics and novels, three film adaptations, one animated series with another on the way, and a multitude of awards. Lara is now one of the most recognizable figures in gaming, not just because of her appearance but because of her strong will. Although it hasn’t been around as long, “Uncharted’s” legacy isn’t anything to scoff at either. Not only has it been a stand out exclusive for Sony, but it has solidified Naughty Dog as an incredible studio for telling stories. It hasn’t received the plethora of adaptations in other media as “Tomb Raider;” a film adaptation finally released in 2022 after a development period of over a decade and so far, there’s only been one novel and a comic mini-series. Still, it has earned an impressive amount of accolades over its short period and become one of PlayStation’s most profitable franchises. Gamers are lucky to have both “Tomb Raider” and “Uncharted.” There’s a laundry list of reasons why they’re some of the most beloved games in existence. But while “Uncharted” improved the action-adventure genre, “Tomb Raider” helped build it in the first place. “Tomb Raider” is more than just a video game series; it's a staple of pop culture. WINNER: Tomb Raider SCORE: Tomb Raider 3 / Uncharted 2 Cutting it close just like her adventures, it seems Lara has been able to snag a victory for “Tomb Raider.”
