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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris makes a strong case for a compact Tomb Raider-style adventure on mobile: its rooms combine exploration, puzzles, combat and loot, and gear unlocks let players shape their approach. The catch is the touchscreen. In Cristina Mesesan’s Pocket Gamer review, unclear button timing turns a basic grappling-hook move into a frustrating lesson in trial and error.
What kind of game is the mobile version?
Pocket Gamer lists Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris for iOS and Android and classifies it as an action game and shooter. The mobile play loop described by Mesesan moves between rooms where Lara explores, fights enemies, solves puzzles and gathers loot. The appeal is variety: progress is not just a string of firefights, and the mix brought back Tomb Raider memories for the reviewer.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Lara Croft Temple of Osiris (PS4) | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris - Gold Edition (Game not Included) | $11.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris + Season's Pass | $37.15 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (PS4) | $28.43 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris | $3.99 | Buy on Amazon |
This article concerns the mobile adaptation reviewed by Mesesan, not a separate assessment of the 2014 console and PC release. The Pocket Gamer game page provides its listing and synopsis.
How does it feel to play?
Exploration, puzzles and combat
The room-based structure gives the adventure a readable rhythm: explore an area, work through its obstacles, fight, and look for loot. Mesesan found the presentation clear and the blend of rooms, enemies and puzzles enjoyable. She describes the mobile adaptation as charming and says it retains what she sees as the spirit of the series.
#1 Best Overall
- All-New Adventure - Lara must overcome deadly traps and forsaken gods to uncover the missing pieces of Osiris and change her fate
- Classic Arcade Action - First ever 4 player co-op multiplayer experience featuring Lara Croft. Have your friends play as Carter, Isis, and Horus while you play as Lara in the fully cooperative story mode - both offline and online supported
- Competitive Co-op - Compete against your friends with seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op to earn bigger rewards, treasures, and powerful artifacts to boost your character. Will you work together or will you sacrifice your friends for a higher score
Loot that changes your approach
Gear unlocks offer more than a cosmetic reward. Mesesan points to amulets that can add shots or create scatter shot, giving players ways to modify a build as they collect equipment. That customization adds a useful layer to the combat without taking over the exploration-and-puzzle structure.
Why are the controls frustrating?
The chief problem in Mesesan’s review is not that the touchscreen controls are inherently unresponsive; it is that the game does not make their sequence and timing clear enough. She writes, “The controls are simplified, but they still feel responsive,” while also noting that button placement and timing can make actions unexpectedly difficult. The review says, “There is a lack of a simple tutorial.”
Rank #2
- Gold Edition only - game NOT included
- The Gold Edition of Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris features multiple exclusive items including a Lara figurine, an art book featuring never-before-seen art, a folding map of the over world
Her grappling-hook example captures the gap between a simple action and a poorly signposted one. Trying to cross spikes, she needed to jump first, then press and hold the hook control. Mesesan says it took her roughly 15 to 20 minutes to work out that sequence. That is her personal account of learning one move, not a general estimate of how long players should expect to spend on it.
She also notes quirks such as an enemy HP bar not appearing. These are observations from her play on an iPhone 17 Pro, not a controlled comparison across phones. She did not have keyboard or mouse access while playing, so the review does not establish how those controls would perform on other devices.
The Tool Desk
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- Box includes one Product Key Card - No Disc - Digital Download Only
- Season Pass - Includes Icy Death and Twisted Gears Packs as well as an exclusive content pack not available anywhere else, filled with 4 costumes, and an assortment of rings, amulets, and weapons; see Product Description below for more details
- All-New Adventure - Lara must overcome deadly traps and forsaken gods to uncover the missing pieces of Osiris and change her fate
- Classic Arcade Action - First ever 4 player co-op multiplayer experience featuring Lara Croft. Have your friends play as Carter, Isis, and Horus while you play as Lara in the fully cooperative story mode - both offline and online supported
- Competitive Co-op - Compete against your friends with seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op to earn bigger rewards, treasures, and powerful artifacts to boost your character. Will you work together or will you sacrifice your friends for a higher score
Can you play with keyboard and mouse?
Mesesan suggests that an iPad player could connect a keyboard and mouse and that external controls might make the experience smoother. She did not test that setup or identify particular compatible devices, so treat it as a possibility rather than a verified fix. The review does not establish which iPads or accessories work.
Is there a demo, and what about multiplayer?
Mesesan says a free demo stage is available before buying the full version. The reviewed material does not state a current price, so check the relevant store listing for present availability and cost.
Rank #4
- Successor to the press acclaimed Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
- Competitive co-op mode: play with and against your friends for rewards, character enhancements, powerful, mystical artifacts and much more
- SEAMLESS DROP IN/DROP OUT Play online with up to three friends locally or online and seamlessly step in or out of the game
- For the first time in the series, a 4-player co-op mode is included
The review presents multiplayer as a way to play with friends, but Mesesan did not try it. It therefore offers no firsthand judgment of multiplayer’s quality or how it compares with solo play.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should try it?
The mobile version is most appealing to players who want a varied adventure of exploration, puzzles, combat and collectible gear, and who are willing to learn around touchscreen friction. Players who expect every action to be clearly taught may find the grappling-hook learning curve a poor fit. A free demo stage gives interested players a way to sample the game before purchasing the full version.
Best Value
- Box includes one Product Key Card - No Disc - Digital Download Only
- All-New Adventure - Lara must overcome deadly traps and forsaken gods to uncover the missing pieces of Osiris and change her fate
- Classic Arcade Action - First ever 4 player co-op multiplayer experience featuring Lara Croft. Have your friends play as Carter, Isis, and Horus while you play as Lara in the fully cooperative story mode - both offline and online supported
- Competitive Co-op - Compete against your friends with seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op to earn bigger rewards, treasures, and powerful artifacts to boost your character. Will you work together or will you sacrifice your friends for a higher score
Read Cristina Mesesan’s Pocket Gamer review for her full account of the mobile adaptation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
