Lara Croft: Temple of Osiris

Three ideas drive Lara Croft: Temple of Osiris: shoot, solve and survive. Feral Interactive's Android release swaps the third-person camera of earlier Tomb Raider games for a fixed view from above, which suits touch controls and short sessions. You guide Lara through cursed Egyptian tombs, avoid traps and fight undead enemies while trying to stop Set, the god of evil, from enslaving humanity.

Shooting

It is a twin-stick game: one control moves Lara and the other aims and fires. That is a familiar format for fast arena combat. Lara starts with her dual pistols and, according to the listing, can move on to shotguns, machine guns and flamethrowers. Rings and amulets improve her stats and change how you approach fights.

Solving

Between fights you jump, roll and dodge, but the rooms are really puzzles. The publisher describes trap-filled tombs, chasm leaps and devious mechanisms. Reading a room to work out which lever, block or switch opens the way matters as much as aiming. That puzzle element keeps the game from becoming a simple shooter.

Surviving together

You can play alone or in online co-op for up to four players. Lara is joined by Carter Bell and the gods Isis and Horus, each with different abilities that change how puzzles are solved. Co-op can make the harder rooms more fun, although it also asks for some coordination.

Controls

Touch controls are supported, along with full gamepad support and mouse and keyboard on Android. In intense fights a controller usually feels more precise than a touchscreen.

An unusual price model

The first level is free, and the full game and extras unlock through one in-app purchase, as the publisher describes it. That differs from the many mobile games that sell lots of small items, and it means you can try before you pay. Prices vary by region, so check the store page for the current figure.

Playing on a phone

Twin-stick shooters can feel cramped on a small screen, because both thumbs cover part of the action. If you own a Bluetooth controller, the gamepad support mentioned in the listing is worth using, and a larger screen helps with reading trap layouts. On a touchscreen, keep your thumbs relaxed and take short breaks, since precise dodging gets harder as your hands tire.

Getting started

Practise the dodge and roll in the free level, because positioning is as valuable as aim. Explore side areas for upgrades and collectibles. Try puzzles on your own first, since the satisfaction comes from working them out. In co-op, agree who does what before entering a room.

The right player

Fans of action-adventure and puzzle games who want a premium-style experience on a phone will be happiest. Players who dislike combat or want purely relaxed puzzles may find it too intense. The game contains fantasy violence, so check the age rating before younger players try it. The store showed 10K+ installs and a 4.4 rating when this page was prepared.

Conclusion

A free first level, clever puzzles and optional co-op make this an easy game to judge for yourself before deciding to buy.