I preferred the more campy approach of the original (even with the camp found in this one). It’s still hilarious to see how much destruction Lara causes on anything just by standing on it. It’s like like and hyperbolic constant gag that parodies Uncharted. Story wants to be something that it absolutely never ends up being. Mechanics are washed out as the world really wants you to advance in constant urgency, so there’s not much room for actual exploration. Enjoyable fireworks, I suppose. It’s pretty short so that helps.

It’s much more funny and charming than anything else (not the best platformer around), but it plays just fine tbh. Granted, it’s a PS2 game sequel, but I really enjoyed playing something so PS2-like in current gen, it maintains the essence perfectly. Gotta say, some may like the more straight forward and more “humble” setting of the original, but this sequel does a great job of taking all the juice out of what the first one suggested and transforms it into an epic adventure. Story wise, mind you, definitely not gameplay wise.