Tomb Raider (2013): The Circle Event (QTE)

A guide to explain how the so-called "circle event" in Tomb Raider (2013) works. Text, screenshots and a video.

The Circle Event Explained

Think of the circle event as consisting of three stages.
∙ If you press the key/button during the first stage, it will fail because you reacted too early.
∙ If you press the key/button during the MIDDLE stage, you will SUCCEED.
∙ If you press the key/button during the third stage, it will fail because you reacted too late.

FIRST STAGE
The action slows down, a faint white circle appears and, while getiing clearer, shrinks towards a second circle inside it. Do not press yet.



SECOND STAGE (SAFE ZONE)
When the outer circle touches the second circle, that inner circle turns red. This signals the start of the safe zone to press the shown key/button. The white circle continues shrinking towards the middle.



Pressing the correct key/button before the shrinking, white circle reaches the little innermost circle will result in success for Lara, indicated by a yellow spark.



THIRD STAGE
The white circle reaches the third circle in the centre, turning it bright red. It is now too late to press the key/button. Pressing the required key/button now will result in failure.



SUMMARY
So it is a matter of timing it right: not too early and not too late.
The safe zone starts when the outer circle reaches the second circle inside it.
The safe zone ends when the outer circle reaches the small innermost circle.



Take note
∙ The circle event simply requires a single press; no mashing the key/button. Mashing is required in some instances in the game, like with the left-right (A-D) action, yes, but not for the circle event.
∙ As can be seen In the screenshots above the required key was Right Ctrl. This is a rebinding of this particular action to suit my hands and it is not the default key used in the game (which should be 'F'). The correct key should be displayed on your screen, although there isn't much time to have a look at it. Check your key bindings.

Video

This video illustrates the correct handling of the so-called circle event in Tomb Raider (2013).
Three scenes were picked from the game, representing all instances of the event throughout:
1) Escaping from Scavanger's Den (the boulder crush) - 1 circle event
2) The fresh Russian - 2 circle events
3) Retrieving Roth's pack from the wolf cave - 2 circle events

Duration: 1:38

[euplay1220]

Another lame aspect of this is that it doesn't show which key to press in the circle. Instead there is a small instruction at the bottom of the screen. I hate all QTEs to begin with, but this game design is a whole new level of stupidity.

[Chris]

Damn this is one of the worst minigames i've played.

[Henrimagne]

Great to hear you found a way! :) Thank you for the feed back. You are welcome.

[XSNOW]

I don't have a controller that I can use so I tried two things: Steam link on my phone to act as a controller (it partially worked and let me get to the 2nd QTE in the Endurance boss fight) and then Cheat Engine to slow the game down during QTEs. Once I figured out the timing that way it helped me get it done properly. The guide did definitely help me get a better idea of how to nail QTEs though so thank you for that!

[Henrimagne]

@xsnow17
Hi.
The QTE's in this game has always been an issue and that's why I posted the guide as an attempt to help out. You are not the only one; many have this problem.
Apart from what I'm saying in the guide I'm not sure what else to tell you. Maybe switching between mouse and controller? (I've only ever used mouse and keyboard myself though.) Or try to focus on the outer circle reaching the next circle inside it as your moment of action (the exact moment when the "safe zone" starts), but wait for it to actually reach that first inner circle before you press.
I wish I had more to help you.

[XSNOW]

I'm still having issues with the QTE's not working for me. I've played other games before with QTE's so I know how they work but for some reason TR acts like I'm not pressing it at the right time. Any suggestions?

[Henrimagne]

@OniiChan-Baka
Thank you.

[God]

nice

[Thumper]

yeah after I thought about it, by the time you reach that part of the game you should know how to

[Henrimagne]

@Thumper
Well, my good friend, it's the same timing in all instances, so adding the final fight with Matthias isn't necessary. It's about knowing what to do and how to do it, which is what this guide is about.