The reboot is a very good game and definitely worth playing. Besides, rise is a direct sequel and while you don't have to have played the first it's nice knowing how it all began. I also think that if you don't like the reboot it's unlikely you will like Rise all that much. While it's improved over the original they are still the same style of game.

The reboot is a great game and leads directly into Rise, I played them back to back in a week and had an amazing time.

You could just play the reboot (you don't need the story from Rise really to understand it).

However, the reboot is a great game and definitely worth playing.

Play the reboot first.

Agreed, while it isn't necessary, the reboot is very very good. I would argue the 4th best game of that year.

The reboot is ok, just be wary that both games are basically the same game so you could burn out. I played the reboot first and subsequently got bored half way through Rise because the gameplay systems are almost 100% the exact same. Rise feels like an expansion pack more than a full sequel with how little new it does and the stories for both games are borderline terrible so they don't make up for it.

Haven't played the sequel, but I would honestly play that just because the protagonist is prettier. The story in the first one is worthless. It's not even good enough to be a generic summer blockbuster movie. Gameplay-wise, they're pretty much the same.

Play the reboot. It's a good game and Rise improves on pretty much everything

Start with the first. The pacing's a bit tighter and it's a nice intro to this new storyline.

I actually preferred the first one as Rise added a lot of superfluous open world stuff I'm tired of.

I haven't played the newer one, but the original reboot feels like something you'd get a lot of mileage out of before moving on to the more expensive sequel.

You shouldn't skip the 2013 Tomb Raider because it is a better game with superior level design. Lara gets beat up more in the first one too which is good because the only remotely engaging part of either of the stories is where she is depicted as a survivor who endures a bunch of fucked up shit and still keeps struggling. The sequel has prettier environments but isn't quite as much fun to play as the first one. The difference in quality between the two isn't huge though.

Also if you don't play the first one you will miss out on the unshown but implied story of how Lara was a perfect beautiful angel and then ruined herself with facial plastic surgery after her adventures on the Island of Getting Impaled by Sticks.

You have the first one already, so play that first. It might be harder to go back after the newer game.

The first game is great and should not be skipped. Now whether or not you play it first is up to you, but regardless both are worth your time.

Lol whut? I never finished the reboot, this is making me really curious.

In some ways I think the 2013 reboot is better than Rise - it's more focused, has better pacing and better variety in the environments. After a while I got a little too bogged down by the constant snow in Rise of the Tomb Raider. I think they really took those criticisms of Lara not wearing a jacket in the first one to heart and decided "here fuckers, now she wears a jacket the entire time!" I missed the "iconic" tank top look throughout the game and even when I unlocked it as a skin it just felt weird since you're constantly wading in knee high snow.

That said they are both excellent games. They have the awesome gameplay that Uncharted always promised but never quite delivered on. The story is decent in both but like I said, it's more focused in the first game. I'd also argue the 2013 reboot has a few cinematic moments that surpass the ones in the sequel. I think Rise of the Tomb Raider while an excellent game, went the "bigger, not necessarily better" route.

@lestephan That isn't actually true and never happens, but you should still finish it because it's a good game. Unless you didn't enjoy your time with it, then just ..continue not finishing it I suppose.

Play the reboot. It's a great game and totally worth the play through.