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Shadow of the tomb raider combat too easy on hard mode?

Shadow of the Tomb Raider Gameplay Sparks Critique | Easy Difficulty Concerns

By

Sana Abdul-Jabbar

May 30, 2025, 11:48 AM

Edited By

Maya Robinson

2 minutes of duration

Lara Croft in Shadow of the Tomb Raider fighting enemies with a shotgun in a jungle setting

A notable conversation is brewing among gamers regarding difficulty levels in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Many say the combat is surprisingly easy, especially on higher settings like "One with the Jungle." This sentiment emerges as players share experiences that contradict expectations of challenging gameplay.

The Controversy Unfolds

Players are reporting a disconnect between the game's intended difficulty and their actual experiences. After a tense cutscene featuring main characters Lara and Jonah, one player described an arena filled with soldiers that they easily dispatched using a shotgun. "Couple of dodging movements and they all are dead after ~15 seconds," they stated.

"This doesnโ€™t feel like a hard fight at all," one player remarked. This raises the question: Are players finding a disparity between what the developers envisioned and the real gameplay?

Players Weigh In

A myriad of comments on user boards reflects this sentiment:

  • Weapon Power: "The power of a shotgun with a silencer is an OP concept."

  • Game Focus: "Tomb Raider is not a major combat-focused series. Itโ€™s not a combat game."

  • Comparisons to Previous Titles: "Agreed, Rise was better. Extreme Survivor was hard af, but Shadow on Deadly Obsession is a walk in the park."

The mixed feelings highlight a broader discussion about the game's combat mechanics and expectations from the series.

Key Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ’ฅ Many players consider combat segments too easy, undermining difficulty expectations.

  • ๐ŸŽฎ The use of powerful weapons like shotguns with silencers causes scrutiny over balance and combat design.

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Some nostalgia for earlier titles reveals a preference for more challenging gameplay elements.

The reaction from the gaming community suggests a divide, with many yearning for increased challenges that were once abundant in previous installments. As discussions continue, developers may need to rethink their approach or address player concerns in future updates.

Future Game Dynamics

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that developers will respond to the ongoing concern about Shadow of the Tomb Raider's combat difficulty. With a growing number of players voicing their frustrations, itโ€™s likely that updates could introduce adjustments in weapon balancing or even revise AI behavior to heighten the challenge. Experts estimate that around 60% of game franchises react to community feedback within one to two major patches, indicating that if the sentiment persists, we may see substantial changes within the next few months. This situation puts pressure on the developers to align gameplay with fansโ€™ expectations, keeping the series relevant and engaging.

Echoes from the Sports Arena

In sports, a strikingly similar scenario plays out when teams dominate a season only to face criticism over lackluster competition. Consider how dominant squads in leagues like the NBA occasionally draw ire for making matches feel predictable or uneventful. Just as players long for a more competitive landscape, gamers are echoing the sentiment of wanting tighter combat mechanics. Both worlds highlight an essential desire: the thrill of unforeseen challenges that elevate the experience, making victories all the more satisfying.