Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition similar games & best alternatives

Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2018

Should you play it?

As Lara Croft races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, she must become the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.

What works
  • Stunning graphics and immersive environments
  • Challenging and rewarding puzzles and tombs
  • Engaging exploration and platforming mechanics
  • Customizable skills and weapons
  • Atmospheric sound design and music
Things to keep in mind
  • Weak and rushed story with underdeveloped characters
  • Combat is less satisfying and sometimes repetitive
  • Bugs and glitches affecting gameplay
  • Some frustrating controls and camera issues
  • Side missions and collectibles can feel tedious

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • STAR WARS™: Bounty Hunter™

  • 3030 Deathwar Redux - A Space Odyssey

  • Crossing Souls

  • Overture

  • bit Dungeon II

  • Pine

  • Ghost 1.0

  • Mages of Mystralia

  • Lethe - Episode One
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Lethe - Episode One

  • Approaching Infinity

  • Killing Time: Resurrected
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Exploration

    Caribbean Legend
  • Autonomy

    Tomb Raider II (1997)
  • Escapism

    TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have control over Lara's movements, exploration, combat, and puzzle solving with some freedom in approach."

    Capsule for Tomb Raider II (1997) Tomb Raider II (1997)

    "Players have significant control over Lara's actions, including exploration, puzzle-solving, stealth, combat style, and skill customization."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "The game offers challenging puzzles and platforming that require skill and problem solving, though combat is simpler and less demanding."

    Capsule for Tomb Raider: Underworld Tomb Raider: Underworld

    "The game offers challenging puzzles, platforming, and stealth mechanics that require skill, though combat can be easier and less demanding."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on single player experience with no evidence of competitive multiplayer or leaderboard features."

    Capsule for King Arthur: Legion IX King Arthur: Legion IX

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no evidence of competitive multiplayer or leaderboard features."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Many players report addictive and engaging gameplay with long play sessions, though some mention bugs and UI issues that can disrupt flow."

    Capsule for OverField OverField

    "Many players report long playtimes, engaging exploration, and side content encouraging extended sessions, though some mention frustration and bugs."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "The game is a single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements."

    Capsule for Loop Hero Loop Hero

    "The game is a single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players customize badges, abilities, and outfits; exploration and puzzle solving encourage creative problem solving."

    Capsule for Escape from Ever After Escape from Ever After

    "Players can customize skills, weapons, and outfits; exploration and puzzle-solving encourage creative problem solving."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are single-player and narrative-driven."

    Capsule for Inscryption Inscryption

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are single-player and narrative-driven."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as an immersive escape into a richly developed fictional world with engaging story and characters."

    Capsule for TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children

    "Players use the game to immerse in a richly detailed fictional world, escaping reality through exploration and story."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and interest, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Just Deserts Just Deserts

    "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and interest, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "The game encourages trying different strategies and approaches to puzzles and levels, though some repetition exists."

    Capsule for Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee

    "The game encourages trying different play styles, stealth approaches, and puzzle solutions, though some mechanics are reused from previous titles."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on discovering new locations, secrets, and treasures in a large open world."

    Capsule for Caribbean Legend Caribbean Legend

    "Strong emphasis on discovering new areas, tombs, secrets, and collectibles in a large, immersive world."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Character customization through outfits and weapon upgrades allows personal expression."

    Capsule for METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE

    "Character customization through outfits and weapon modifications allows personal expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Game features mythological elements, supernatural themes, and adventurous fiction beyond realistic scenarios."

    Capsule for Tomb Raider: Underworld Tomb Raider: Underworld

    "The game features a fictional narrative with supernatural elements, ancient myths, and adventurous scenarios."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Primarily a solo experience with limited social or community interaction."

    Capsule for Risen Risen

    "Primarily a solo experience with limited social interaction or community engagement."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills, learn game mechanics, and improve through progression and challenges."

    Capsule for Chicken Invaders Universe Chicken Invaders Universe

    "Players develop skills, unlock abilities, and improve gameplay proficiency through progression."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    Capsule for Assassin's Creed® Origins Assassin's Creed® Origins

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement to navigate puzzles and platforming."

    Capsule for Teslagrad 2 Teslagrad 2

    "Requires continuous focus and engagement, especially during platforming and puzzles."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of forming close social relationships or emotional sharing within gameplay."

    Capsule for Whiskerwood Whiskerwood

    "No evidence of forming close social relationships or emotional sharing within gameplay."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player narrative focus."

    Capsule for God of War God of War

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player narrative focus."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate upgrades, skills, weapons, and collectibles throughout the game."

    Capsule for Watch_Dogs™ Watch_Dogs™

    "Players accumulate skills, weapons, upgrades, and collectibles as part of character and gameplay progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Gameplay balances challenge and fun, providing enjoyable flow though some report frustration with bugs and difficulty spikes."

    Capsule for John Carpenter's Toxic Commando John Carpenter's Toxic Commando

    "The game balances challenge and flow, though some frustration from bugs and difficulty spikes is reported."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "High-quality graphics, sound design, and atmospheric effects provide strong sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Cyberpunk 2077 Cyberpunk 2077

    "High-quality graphics, sound design, and atmospheric environments provide strong sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on individual experience."

    Capsule for Blade and Sorcery Blade and Sorcery

    "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on individual experience."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Narrative is present but considered weak or underdeveloped by some players."

    Capsule for Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD

    "Narrative is present and engaging for some players but considered weak or rushed by others."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires problem solving for puzzles and tactical combat decisions, though not highly complex."

    Capsule for Hollowbody Hollowbody

    "Requires problem solving in puzzles and tactical stealth approaches, though combat strategy is less complex."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Stealth and combat provide moments of suspense and excitement, though overall difficulty is moderate."

    Capsule for Assassin's Creed® Revelations Assassin's Creed® Revelations

    "Some suspense and tension in exploration and stealth, but combat is often less intense."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Generally considered worth the price, especially on sale, with extensive content and replayability."

    Capsule for DiRT Rally 2.0 DiRT Rally 2.0

    "Generally considered worth the price, especially on sale, with substantial content and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Includes combat avoidance and monster encounters; some destruction of boxes but no graphic violence."

    Capsule for Vigil Vigil

    "Includes combat and stealth takedowns with violence, though less emphasized than exploration and puzzles."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "A few games involve survival mechanics such as resource management and avoiding death."

    Capsule for Dread X Collection Dread X Collection

    "Some survival mechanics and resource management exist but are less central than in other games."

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Last update: 01/06/2026