Common Sense Media Review
By Chad Sapieha
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
M-rated reboot of usually T-rated series is super violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Tomb Raider
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 22 parent reviews
Parents say this game is a mix of engaging puzzles and action-packed sequences, but it also contains significant graphic violence and strong language, which leads many reviewers to deem it unsuitable for younger players. While some appreciate the survival skills and character development offered through the gameplay, others express concern over its disturbing content and violent themes, ultimately advising discretion for parents considering it for their children.
- graphic violence
- strong language
- suitable for teens
- survival skills
- engaging gameplay
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 65 kid reviews
What's It About?
You've never seen Lara Croft like this. TOMB RAIDER -- a full-on reboot of Eidos' 18-year-old action/adventure series -- sees the iconic game heroine just starting out. Fresh from college, she's on a ship with friends and colleagues heading toward a mysterious island rumored to be loaded with ancient Japanese history and treasure. But things don't go according to plan. A storm smashes the ship to pieces, scattering Lara and the crew on the shores of the atoll. She soon finds herself confronted by seemingly crazed and nearly wild men -- survivors of other wrecks -- who believe the island is under the control of the spirit of a long-dead Japanese queen. Lara, shivering, hungry, and hurt, must gather the courage to fight the cultists, save her friends, and discover the root of the island's strange power.
Is It Any Good?
This decidedly mature adventure gives players a character they can get to know, admire, and respect. Lara is no fighter at the start of the game, but she is a survivor. Alone and afraid, she frequently talks to herself, coaxing up the strength to find food or climb a steep cliff. And, although she's visibly terrified when first attacked and repelled by the thought of having killed someone, she gradually becomes braver and more confident as the game progresses, making her one of the most dynamic and compelling game characters we've ever seen.
The game's action is a match for the narrative. Tight and intuitive controls combine with a cinematic camera to make navigating the lush, beautifully rendered island an addictive pleasure. Firefights, meanwhile, are helped by a covering system that has Lara naturally and automatically hiding behind rocks and walls exactly when she needs to. It's a brilliant system that will surely be mimicked by other developers. Simply put, Tomb Raider is one of the best action/adventure games to come along in years.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the depiction of women in games. What sorts of traits do you think game makers usually get right? Which ones do they tend to get wrong? How would you change the way women and girls are presented in games?
Families also can discuss the impact of violence in media. How do you feel after playing a particularly violent game?
Do you think violence can only be used for sensational purposes in games, or can it have deeper narrative meaning?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Windows , Xbox 360
- Subjects : Social Studies : exploration , history , Science : physics
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : problem solving , solving puzzles , strategy
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Square Enix
- Release date : March 5, 2013
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate