Lara Croft GO for Android

A Tomb Raider Designed for Touchscreens

Lara Croft GO is the first Tomb Raider entry created specifically for mobile devices rather than a port of a console or PC title. While other Tomb Raider games have appeared on phones — including ports of the early entries and spin-offs such as Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light or the endless runner Lara Croft: Relic Run — GO was made from the ground up with short sessions and touch controls in mind.

Core Gameplay and Movement

The game borrows the turn-based, grid-based movement of the developer’s earlier Hitman GO, but it abandons the strict “board piece” feel. Each move consumes one turn and the environment reacts after you act, so timing and positioning are critical. As you progress you’ll encounter:

• Traps and environmental switches that must be triggered in sequence.
• Enemies that move only after your turn, forcing you to outthink them.
• Puzzles that combine timing, spatial reasoning, and limited moves to reach the relics.

The pacing feels closer to a single, cohesive expedition than a series of disconnected puzzles, thanks to full character animations and scenario-driven set pieces.

Puzzle Design and Incentives to Replay

Lara Croft GO’s levels begin simply and grow increasingly intricate, introducing mechanisms such as doors that close after a few moves, levers that change layouts, and foes that patrol fixed routes. The game tracks the number of moves you use, and many stages hide secrets or collectibles that encourage replaying levels to refine your solutions. These optional challenges extend the game beyond the main objectives and reward efficient planning.

Visuals, Animation and Sound

Instead of realistic graphics, Lara Croft GO opts for a clean, stylized aesthetic—bold palettes, smartly composed scenes, and subtle animations that guide your eye to important elements. The minimalistic art direction is complemented by restrained audio design that helps sell each locale without overwhelming the puzzles.

Quick Pros and Cons

• Replay value — Levels contain hidden items and move-count challenges that invite repeated attempts.
• Sparse narrative — Fans of deep story and character development may find this entry light on plot.
• Designed for short sessions — Ideal for playing in brief bursts on mobile.
• Simplicity of mechanics — Those expecting complex platforming or action sequences will find a pared-down experience.

Alternative Recommendation

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (paid) — If you want a Lara Croft title with more cooperative action and a higher emphasis on combat and platforming while still being accessible, Guardian of Light is a strong complementary choice.

Final Thoughts

Lara Croft GO is a compact, well-crafted puzzle-adventure built around mobile play. It sacrifices the franchise’s usual narrative depth to deliver thoughtful level design, clever mechanics, and a striking visual identity that make it easy to enjoy in short sittings.