Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Initial Release: August 2010

Metacritic Score: 73-85 (details)

ESRB/PEGI Rating: Teen/12

Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One (via backward compatibility), PlayStation 3, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, BlackBerry, Nintendo Switch (part of Lara Croft Collection released June 2023).

Game Info: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light  is quite different from the main Tomb Raider series. It's not every player's cup of tea, but I can say without hesitation that it's one of the best games I've played in a long time. It's not Tomb Raider, nor does it claim to be. There's no third-person camera and very little solitary exploration, but it does have some similar features: well-designed levels; challenging puzzles; a perfect balance between puzzle solving, platforming and combat; a few tough bosses; lots of items to collect and challenges that encourage replay...and of course Lara.

It's pretty light in the story department, but no more so than any of the classic Tomb Raiders. Basically it's another powerful-item-about-to-fall-into-the-wrong-hands-until-Lara-steps-in kind of thing. This time it's an ancient Aztec artifact, the Mirror of Smoke, and the villain is a Mesoamerican demon called Xolotl. The fun is in the gameplay, though.

The single-player campaign is great, but co-op mode is where this game really shines. One player controls Lara, the other Totec, Xolotl's nemesis and the titular "Guardian of Light." Long-time Lara fans who've dreamed of playing with a friend will have a blast exploring, fighting and helping each other navigate fiendish traps to snag that elusive artifact or relic. But don't take my word for it. Try the demo and see for yourself.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light concept art

FEATURES:

  • Digital download format only.
  • Downloadable expansion levels and character packs. (see below)
  • Sprawling environments with minimal load times.
  • Cost: about $15/£10/1200 MS points. (Free, ad-supported version available.)
  • Length of gameplay: About 6 hours (not including DLC).
  • Replay value: High.
  • Single- and two-player cooperative modes either online or on the same console.*
  • Play as Lara in single-player mode or Lara and Totec, her Mayan warrior comrade, in co-op.
  • Isometric perspective (à la Diablo or Dungeon Siege).
  • A full arsenal of weapons, from Lara's dual pistols and Totec's spear to shotguns, rifles, flamethrowers, grenade launchers and more.
  • Lara's grappling hook and Totec's shield aid in exploration and puzzle solving.
  • Collectible weapons, artifacts, relics and other upgrades increase your characters' power as you progress.
  • Hordes of undead enemies, plus bosses, including the obligatory ancient evil overlord.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light screenshots Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light screenshot Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light screenshot Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light screenshot Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light screenshot

DEMOS & DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT:

A demo version of the game is available for Windows PC via Steam, Xbox 360 via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, and PS3 via the PlayStation Network. There is no demo for the iOS or Blackberry versions, but there are download links above.

There are five downloadable content (DLC) packs, including three challenge packs and two character packs. Each challenge pack has four short levels, some packed with fiendish traps, others swarming with enemies. Each can be played solo or co-op and requires players to beat either a time challenge or score challenge to win. Character packs let you play through the entire game as characters other than Lara Croft and Totec.

Challenge and character packs cost about $3.50/£2.25/400 MS points each.

  • Challenge Pack 1: All The Trappings
  • Challenge Pack 2: Things That Go Boom
    (not available for Xbox 360)
  • Challenge Pack 3: A Hazardous Reunion
  • Kane and Lynch Character Pack
  • Raziel and Kain Character Pack
Xbox Lara Croft Avatar

GUARDIAN OF LIGHT XBOX LIVE THEME & AVATAR ITEMS

Beating the Xbox 360 game unlocks special avatar awards. A Guardian of Light "Lava Tomb" premium theme and various avatar items are also available through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. There are Lara outfits for female avatars, Totec and Shaman outfits for the guys, plus T-shirts, hoodies and accessories. Look for avatar goodies under Lara Croft: GoL in the Game Styles section of the Avatar Marketplace or xbox.com.

Here we have the lovely Love2Raid from the Eidos forums modeling the Lara Legend Costume.