Rise of the Tomb Raider Endurance Mode Review
The first large DLC drop for the excellent Rise of Tomb Raider has been released and it’s an interesting take on one of the games more underutilised parts. Endurance mode is based around surviving the elements as well as the various enemies that frequent the map. Although very light on story the basic premise is whilst waiting for rescue Lara decides to explore the area hoping to come across intel and ways to slow down the shadowy Trinity organisation before calling in a Helicopter distraction. It’s simple and straight to the point but it could have done with a little more narrative and maybe some more dialogue but it’s enough for starters.
You start with no abilities having all your upgrades removed and just with a Bow and Axe with constantly decreasing food and heat supplies that kill you if they reach 0. To replenish them you need to find basecamps to start fires and hunt animals for food as well as finding items to upgrade weapons and craft ammunition.
The constantly ticking clock adds a much needed sense of urgency to the game without making it too risky to explore and study your surroundings and the removal of your abilities and upgrading weapons puts you back in the role of survivor. Taking notice of your surroundings is now of paramount importance with every area needing to be explored and stripped of resources before moving on.
The other major change is the removal of the map instead of the map you get way point markers to objectives and previously lit basecamps. This allows you to create a base and roam outwards exploring the surroundings whilst adding more basecamps to use.
Hidden throughout the environment are puzzle filled crypts and caves that reward completion with credits and some pretty good loot as well as various members of Trinity for you to shoot, melee kill or just sneak past if you prefer it. Hunting relics is again super important and a great way to increase your score and XP gains as well as earning Cards for use in various Expedition modes.
Whilst it’s not quite the Woman versus the Wild that it was described as it’s still a very good addition to the already brilliant package. It changes up the formula without altering it to the point where it becomes a separate entity. It’s tense but not to the point where you stop exploring the world which is one of the main games biggest assets.
It’s a tad pricey for just the one Environment to play in with hopefully more to follow once the Campaign DLC is out of the way as the concept is solid and once you get in the challenge caves it’s a lot of fun. Hopefully we’ll see more maps to play in and maybe a little more narrative in any future DLC.
