Game Guide: Tomb Raider [Punksroach]

1. Introduction
Overview: Tomb Raider follows Lara Croft’s origin story, depicting her transformation from a young archaeologist into a resilient survivor. Set on the mysterious island of Yamatai, Lara faces hostile forces, environmental dangers, and supernatural threats.
Gameplay Style: The game combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. Lara’s survival skills, resourcefulness, and strategic combat abilities are central to the experience.
Unique Features: Tomb Raider introduces a survival aspect, with Lara needing to gather resources and improve her skills to survive. The dynamic weather, realistic physics, and stunning visuals enhance immersion.

2. Before You Play: Must-Know Tips
Take Time to Explore: Yamatai is filled with secrets, relics, and lore. Exploring thoroughly helps you collect resources, gain XP, and uncover the game’s rich backstory.
Upgrade Skills Wisely: Skills are divided into three categories: Survivor, Hunter, and Brawler. Focus on Survivor skills early on for more salvage and resources.
Resource Management: Ammunition and supplies are limited, especially in tougher areas. Conserve what you have and make use of stealth kills to save ammo.
Use Instinct Mode Often: Lara’s Survival Instinct mode highlights points of interest, collectibles, and enemies. It’s essential for spotting hidden paths and items.

3. Beginner Tips & Tricks
1. Gather Salvage for Upgrades: Salvage is used to upgrade weapons and tools. Collect it frequently from enemies, crates, and campsites to stay prepared for tougher foes.
2. Focus on Stealth: Early in the game, stealth is your best approach. Using silent takedowns helps conserve ammo and gives you control over engagements.
3. Collect Relics and Documents: These items grant XP, which is useful for upgrading skills. They also reveal the island’s backstory, enhancing the game’s depth.
4. Use Fire Arrows Wisely: Fire arrows are powerful and useful for crowd control. Use them strategically, especially when facing groups of enemies.
5. Campsites for Fast Travel: Campsites allow you to fast-travel between locations on the island, letting you revisit areas for missed collectibles or salvage.
4. Advanced Tips & Tricks
1. Upgrade the Bow First: The bow is silent and versatile, perfect for both stealth and combat situations. Prioritize upgrades like damage and draw speed.
2. Dodge Counter in Combat: Use dodge maneuvers to avoid enemy attacks. Lara’s counter skills allow her to strike back effectively, especially against tougher enemies.
3. Explore Tombs for Extra XP: Optional tombs are hidden around the island and contain unique puzzles. Completing them grants XP and salvage, so it’s worth seeking them out.
4. Experiment with Weapon Mods: Upgrading different weapons allows for varied combat styles. Try modifications to see what works best for each situation.
5. Look Out for Rope Bridges and Zip Lines: These structures allow quick travel across the map, but they’re also key for setting up ambushes or creating escape routes.

5. Combat Techniques & Skills
Aim for Headshots: In situations where stealth isn’t possible, headshots are effective for conserving ammo and dispatching enemies quickly.
Use Cover Efficiently: The island’s environments offer natural cover. Use it to avoid gunfire and assess the battlefield before engaging enemies.
Unlock the Dodge Kill Skill: This skill becomes essential as enemies become stronger. It lets you deal massive damage after a successful dodge.
Explosive Barrels: Explosive barrels are scattered around certain locations. Use them to take out groups of enemies when outnumbered.
Focus on the Shotgun and Rifle Upgrades: These weapons become invaluable against armored enemies. Aim to increase their damage and stability for close-quarters combat.

6. Exploration & Side Quests
Complete Optional Tombs: These offer extra puzzles, loot, and rewards. They’re relatively quick and add a great deal to the experience.
Track Down GPS Caches: These hidden collectibles contribute to 100% completion and provide extra XP. They’re often located off the beaten path.
Challenge Missions: Certain areas have challenges like burning banners or shooting down targets. They offer bonus XP and are usually easy to complete during exploration.
Collectibles Guide: Use Survival Instinct mode to find collectibles. Items like documents and relics add to the story and reward you with XP.
Map Exploration: Each area has a map that highlights collectibles and points of interest. Finding these maps is incredibly helpful for completionists.

7. Resources, Crafting, & Upgrades
Gather Salvage Constantly: Salvage is used for upgrading your weapons, so gather it from every source possible, including crates, fallen enemies, and campsites.
Upgrade Priority: Early in the game, prioritize upgrading the bow, then focus on essential skills like extra ammo capacity and fire rate for other weapons.
Ammunition Conservation: Craft and conserve ammo, especially for your strongest weapons. Use stealth attacks or melee whenever possible to save resources.
Crafting Explosives: Look for cans and bottles for makeshift explosives. They’re handy for crowd control and diversions.
Skill Tree Strategy: The Brawler skill tree provides essential survivability upgrades, while the Hunter skills enhance weapon effectiveness. Balance both for the best results.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I unlock new skills?
A: Skills are unlocked as you earn XP. Completing objectives, killing enemies, and finding collectibles all grant XP, which you can spend at campsites.
Q: What’s the best weapon to upgrade first?
A: The bow is generally recommended, as it’s versatile, silent, and powerful. It’s also frequently used for both combat and puzzle-solving.
Q: How do I deal with armored enemies?
A: Use the shotgun or upgraded rifle to break through armor. You can also use explosive arrows or bombs to stun and damage them.
Q: Are there benefits to replaying missions?
A: The main story missions can’t be replayed, but you can revisit areas to collect any items or complete optional objectives you missed.

9. Secrets & Hidden Content
Hidden Relics: Certain relics are hidden in difficult-to-reach locations, often requiring some environmental puzzle-solving.
Hidden Trophies and Achievements: Many achievements are tied to exploration, stealth kills, and creative combat. Keep an eye out for hidden tasks for additional rewards.
Unique Outfits: Completing challenges and finding specific items can unlock different outfits for Lara. They’re often cosmetic but add variety.
Easter Eggs: The game is packed with nods to Lara’s original adventures, so explore every nook and cranny for these references.
Special Weapon Upgrades: Some upgrades are only available in later levels, so keep progressing and checking back at campsites to see what’s new.

10. Final Thoughts & Summary
Strengths: A strong narrative, immersive atmosphere, and Lara’s journey from survivor to adventurer make the experience memorable. The gameplay’s balance of combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration is well-executed.
Weaknesses: Some players may find the game’s linearity restrictive, and certain combat sequences can be challenging.
Replay Value: High for completionists, with optional tombs, collectibles, and challenge missions adding depth. The game’s combat and puzzles make replaying enjoyable.

11. Additional Resources
Community Forums: Reddit and other forums are great for sharing tips and discussing the game’s hidden content and best strategies.
Video Walkthroughs: YouTube offers in-depth video guides for tough puzzles, tombs, and difficult sections.
Strategy Guides: Official or fan-made guides provide detailed maps, collectible locations, and in-depth gameplay tips.
Future DLC Content: While Tomb Raider (2013) doesn’t have much DLC, future installments in the series might offer expanded content.