Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft vs Tomb Raider
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Tomb Raider III takes Lara Croft on a worldwide adventure, from the icy peaks of Antarctica to the dense jungles of South America, delivering classic platforming with new environments and challenges. The game blends fast‑paced shooting, intricate puzzles, and exploration, cementing its place as a hallmark of 90s action‑adventure gaming. Developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive and Aspyr Media, the title launched in November 1998 on PlayStation 3, PC, and Mac. Its single‑player experience offers a timeless mix of skill‑based combat and brain‑teasing riddles, appealing to both veteran fans and newcomers to the series.
Tomb Raider introduced the world to Lara Croft, an iconic explorer who combines acrobatic platforming with puzzle‑solving and combat. Set across exotic locations, the game blends shooter mechanics with survival challenges, delivering a sandbox experience that rewards curiosity. The 1996 release on PlayStation 3 and PC set a new standard for 3D adventure games, offering a rich narrative and memorable level design that still influences modern titles.
- Iconic level design across diverse environments
- Balanced mix of shooting and puzzle solving
- Memorable soundtrack and atmospheric graphics
- Strong sense of exploration and discovery
- Iconic protagonist and memorable setting
- Innovative blend of platforming and shooting
- Rich level design with hidden secrets
- Controls feel dated compared to modern standards
- Limited camera angles can cause occasional frustration
- Save system is checkpoint‑based, not continuous
- Dated graphics by modern standards
- Limited combat depth
- Single‑player only, no multiplayer replayability
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft
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Lara Croft returns to uncover ancient Egyptian secrets in a classic action‑puzzle adventure.
Alternatives to Tomb Raider
View all →Lara returns for a globe‑trotting quest of puzzles, shooters, and ancient secrets.
Dive into a breathtaking treasure hunt on the PSP’s successor, the Vita.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth classic Tomb Raider titles offer solo action‑adventure fun at the same price, but Tomb Raider III adds more varied locations and weapons at the cost of older‑style controls.
Key differences
- •Tomb Raider III features six global locations versus the original’s single tomb setting.
- •III adds a broader arsenal (pistols, shotgun, grenades, bow) while the original has limited shooting.
- •III uses checkpoint saves; the original lacks a modern save system.
- •III’s camera angles are more limited and controls feel dated compared to the original’s free‑movement camera.
- •Both share the same price and critic score, but III includes a hidden collectible system and atmospheric soundtrack.
Gameplay & fun factor
III mixes shooting, puzzles, and diverse environments, offering broader gameplay variety than the original’s single‑tomb focus.
Graphics & performance
Both are from the late 1990s; neither is noted as superior, and both are described as dated by modern standards.
Content & replayability
III adds six locations, hidden collectibles, and a varied soundtrack, increasing exploration incentives.
Difficulty & accessibility
Original’s simpler controls and free‑movement camera are less frustrating than III’s dated controls and limited camera angles.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both are single‑player only with no multiplayer components.
Pricing & value
Both priced at $49.99 with identical critic scores, offering equal monetary value.
Platform availability
Platform details are not provided in the facts.
Choose Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft if…
Buy if you want varied global settings, more weapons, and extra collectibles despite dated controls.
Choose Tomb Raider if…
Buy if you prefer simpler controls, classic single‑tomb adventure, and less camera frustration.
Common questions
Do both games cost the same?
Yes, each is priced at $49.99.
Which title has more varied environments?
Tomb Raider III offers six distinct global locations, while the original focuses on a single tomb.
Is there any multiplayer in either game?
No, both are single‑player only.