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Tomb Raider II (1997) similar games & best alternatives

Tomb Raider II (1997)

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2012

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Quick resume

The second instalment in the Tomb Raider series invites you to join Lara as she travels around the globe to retrieve a precious artefact before it falls into the wrong hands. The legendary artefact, the Dagger of Xian, is said to give its possessor the power of a fire breathing dragon.

Global score

87/100

Genres

Action, Adventure

Similar games

    Pros

    • Classic and nostalgic gameplay
    • Challenging puzzles and platforming
    • Diverse and atmospheric levels
    • Engaging exploration and secrets
    • Iconic character and soundtrack

    Cons

    • Dated graphics and controls
    • Clunky camera and tank controls
    • High difficulty and frustration
    • Lack of modern quality of life features
    • Steam version requires patches for best experience

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Relaxation, Survival, Violence, Fellowship. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Status.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

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

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

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

    • Competence
      4

      "The game requires skillful platforming, combat, and puzzle solving with challenging jumps and enemy encounters."

    • Competition
      -4

      "Focus is on solo exploration and personal challenge without multiplayer or leaderboards."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Many players report long play sessions and repeated playthroughs driven by nostalgia and challenge."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative elements."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players explore varied environments and solve puzzles, but follow a linear path with limited player-created content."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No multiplayer or social dominance features; interactions are solo."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a nostalgic escape into adventurous exploration and fantasy."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia rather than obligation."

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Some experimentation with puzzle solutions and exploration is encouraged, though within a fixed game structure."

    • Exploration
      5

      "Strong emphasis on discovering new areas, secrets, and hidden items across diverse locations."

    • Expression
      2

      "Some character costume changes and minor customization, but mostly standardized presentation."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Game features mythical elements like dragons and ancient magic artifacts in an adventurous fictional world."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community features; purely individual gameplay."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop skills in platforming, combat, and puzzle solving through gameplay progression."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to challenging gameplay."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship-building elements."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management features."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players collect weapons, ammo, and secrets to improve capabilities and advance."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "Gameplay can be tense and challenging with frequent deaths and precise timing required."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Atmospheric music and sound effects enhance sensory engagement despite dated graphics."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or ranking systems."

    • Story
      2

      "Simple narrative with cutscenes linking levels, but story is not the main focus."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Players must plan jumps, combat tactics, and puzzle solutions, requiring problem solving."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Game provides suspense and tension through traps, enemies, and timed challenges."

    • Value
      4

      "Players perceive good value due to nostalgia, length, and challenging gameplay."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat involves shooting and killing enemies, including humans and animals."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must avoid death from traps and enemies, managing health and ammo."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026