Do I need to play the previous games to understand the story?

[Hugobossman]

I've never played a Tomb Raider game before and thought I'd start with the latest one rather than the early ones.

Mainly for the graphics but will that mean I don't understand what's going on? Thanks in advance

[Obsidian]

Umm... It... Is... A... Trilogy! 😏

[One Punch Man]

Start with TR 2013 then Rise then Shadow.

[Hugobossman]

引用自 Obsidian：

Umm... It... Is... A... Trilogy! 😏

AH 🤦‍♂️

[Катя Мяу <3]

A few references here and there. Nothing important honestly.
Story was never a strength of Tomb Raider.

[Hugobossman]

Cheers

[Maviba]

Would be advised, since they are based on each other.
So you should start with TR 2013

[sobral97]

no you don't need to play the previous games to understand Shadow's story, but if you wan't to understand some of the references about Lara's life then yes. There are plenty references to the previous games, and even to Lara's childhood, which is also refered to in the previous games
But to be honest Lara's story (the one that connects all three games) isnt that great or interesting. Each game's individual storyline is far more interesting than that
The only thing you might not understand is who is the enemy and what is their motive, but again it's the same entity in Rise and Shadow, just with different motives I guess. Rise gives you a bit more information about your enemy, which is not that interesting either

There's also the fact that Shadow is different from the prequels in what comes to gameplay. This game is far more focused on interactive puzzles. The previous two games were more focused on gun play and stealth

[Obsidian]

引用自 sobral97：

no you don't need to play the previous games to understand Shadow's story, but if you wan't to understand some of the references about Lara's life then yes. There are plenty references to the previous games, and even to Lara's childhood, which is also refered to in the previous games
But to be honest Lara's story (the one that connects all three games) isnt that great or interesting. Each game's individual storyline is far more interesting than that
The only thing you might not understand is who is the enemy and what is their motive, but again it's the same entity in Rise and Shadow, just with different motives I guess. Rise gives you a bit more information about your enemy, which is not that interesting either

There's also the fact that Shadow is different from the prequels in what comes to gameplay. This game is far more focused on interactive puzzles. The previous two games were more focused on gun play and stealth

Try injecting this SPOILERS next time because even small details could be damaging for those that wants to go in knowing nothing to the experience of that title(s). 😏

[tigerpoetry]

I don't think you need to play the earlier games. It can easily stand alone. I agree with those who say this game of the trilogy was best for puzzles and tombs. I wouldn't worry too much about graphics quality in 2013 and 'Rise', either. The graphics in those games is perfectly adequate... and also a lot easier on your PC! This game was why I upgraded my CPU and GPU. My old set up played the first 2 games fine, but really struggled with 'Shadow'.

[Thumper]

you can start with Shadow/TR sure no problem. The 1st part of each game is a trainer, you'll do everything once. Don't let anybody tell you one is better then the other. Each of the 3 has something the others don't. Either way no matter where you start you'll still enjoy what she can do.

if you get stuck or lost come find me, I'll point you in the right direction.

[Ash vs. Himself]

引用自 Hugobossman：

I've never played a Tomb Raider game before and thought I'd start with the latest one rather than the early ones.

Mainly for the graphics but will that mean I don't understand what's going on? Thanks in advance

I've played the previous games--but years ago, and I feel like the story gets convoluted (and is kind of boring). I don't think you need to, though I think starting at the beginning isn't bad either. The prior two games are pretty great.

[HannahBarbarian]

Tomb Raider (2013) is a stand-alone story, (and a reboot of the Lara Croft Story, starting at her "first" adventure). it's great, it's my favourite. I recommend starting with this one.
Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider are linked in that they are both about Lara coming up against the Trinity Army . It would help to play Rise of the Tomb Raider before playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but it's not compulsory - It's pretty obvious who the bad guys are.

[philkill]

Start with the 2013, it is still looking very good and the story of the Triology is very nice. You can play only the last part of it, but it is also nice to see how mutch the series developed in the last 8 years. First a shooter with some puzzles. 2nd The world opens and a good balance of puzzles/exploring and shooting and the last the world is more opend more puzzles more exploring. I make now a run started with the first 2 weeks ago and now I´m again in the 2nd one and enjoy every houre. So try to start with the first game, if you don´t like it skip it and try 2nd (in my opinon tht best of all 3). If you don´t like the 2nd you will probably also dont like the last game, Oh and I think the story of the last one is better if you have played the first 2 parts!!!

[chumface]

引用自 Maviba：

Would be advised, since they are based on each other.
So you should start with TR 2013

Trinity is the only link to all three

[MARC FÉNIX]

No. Its all pretty non-sense and Mrs. Croft is a psycho with a father-complex and a pretty face.