One of the Best Lara Croft Games Comes to IPhone and IPad [Review]

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris was made for consoles but is perfect for mobile. The action-puzzler delivers a compact arcade-style game easily broken up into playable chunks.

So it makes complete sense that Feral Interactive brought the game to iPhone and iPad. And rather than creating a stripped-down mobile version, Feral has delivered what is essentially the full 2014 game, including its downloadable content.

The result is an unusually complete mobile port that holds up surprisingly well more than a decade after the original’s release. I loved the original and I’m enjoying the heck out of the port.

The most important thing to understand about this mobile version of Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is how little has been removed. The iOS version retains the original game’s campaign, weapons, puzzles, platforming, score challenges and downloadable content. It is the same basic adventure that appeared on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC in 2014, just adapted for Apple’s touchscreens.

That means Lara still runs through Egyptian tombs from an overhead perspective, blasting skeletons and other supernatural enemies while solving environmental puzzles and navigating traps. The twin-stick shooting remains the heart of the combat, with Lara switching between weapons and using her grappling hook and other equipment to get through the levels.

Guide Lara through cursed Egyptian tombs in this twin-stick Tomb Raider adventure, filled with devious puzzles, frantic combat and death-defying acrobatics. Face off against hordes of undead fiends and overcome the elements to prevent Set, god of evil, from enslaving all of humanity.

Whether saving the world solo, or with up to three friends in online co-op, Temple of Osiris is the full console experience expertly adapted for mobile, and features full gamepad support, and mouse & keyboard support on iPadOS.

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris draws loosely from Egyptian mythology, sending Croft deep into ancient temples in search of the scattered pieces of the god Osiris.

After Croft and rival adventurer Carter Bell accidentally unleash the evil god Set, they discover that the only way to stop him is to restore Osiris to life.

Croft must battle through a series of increasingly elaborate tombs, solving puzzles, dodging deadly traps and fighting supernatural creatures as she collects Osiris’ missing body parts.

It’s a deliberately pulpy-style Tomb Raider adventure, using Egyptian gods and mythology as a backdrop for an excuse to explore increasingly elaborate temples and tombs.

Some puzzles involve Croft’s grappling hook, which can be used to swing across gaps, pull objects or create paths through the environment. Others require quick reflexes as you race across collapsing platforms or dodge spikes, fireballs and other hazards.

The primary focus is on puzzles, but the evil god Set also sends monsters to kill you. Then it’s time to pull out Croft’s trusty pistols and shoot your way through undead skeletons, scarab-like creatures, giant spiders and other supernatural beasts.

If you get Lara Croft killed, you have to restart from the last save point. Fortunately, these are very frequent. Don’t be concerned you’ll be replaying big chunks of the game because of a single death.

And to make combat more survivable, you’ll pick up additional guns, armor and magic items. You’ll need to watch your health bar, as well as be careful not to run out of ammo. And manage other equipment, too.

Most role-playing games involve the occasional puzzle. Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is mostly environmental puzzles, with some combat mixed in. That’s not criticism — I enjoyed the game on an Xbox and again on my iPad. But it’s important that you know what you’re getting.

Speaking of which, Feral Interactive offers the first level for free. When you complete it, the cost is $9.99 to keep playing. There are no other fees, and what had previously been downloadable content is now built in.