Tomb Raider(2013) is a pretty amazing reboot of the franchise, but it's certainly not the old style busty puzzle run-about. This Tomb Raider is mainly about the story. You get quite a few cut scenes to further it along. Puzzles and gymnastics have been toned down and the game is loaded with hand holding and QTE. But that doesn't spoil it as a stand-alone game.

So what's amazing? Combat has been updated to more than just pistols and jumping around, the scenery and graphics are first class and Lara is a modern reactive character that's meant to be more human, delivering more drama. The game will stretch the bounds of realism but it still ends up being a fun adventure. It moves along with a good balance between action and repose, between exploration and discovery. Once I accepted the new Lara and the new approach, it became a great single player adventure story.

It's mostly a story … a good story. It's frames people dealing with an apocalypse and the stress that brings on morality. Graphics are ok, controls are awkward and movement is quite restricted, even frustrating. Your choice of dialogue can send you in an unwanted direction and sometimes make no difference at all. So with so many limitations and frustrations, what's good about it? Dialogue and characterization win you over. It can grab you and stay with you even after you finish. It's a story … a good story.

If you liked Borderlands you'll probably LOVE this sequel. Lots of improvements and a better pace. Not without faults (inventory system) but Game of the Year IMO.