Revisiting the 1996 original through the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered collection reveals a core gameplay flaw that modern patches can't solve. The game's pioneering tank controls—where turning pivots the character on axis—feel sluggish and clunky by today's standards, detracting from its otherwise brilliant level design and atmosphere.

Developed alongside Super Mario 64 and Quake, Tomb Raider emerged when 3D navigation had no established best practices. Its controls were inspired by Prince of Persia's precise, grid-based platforming, a design choice that felt revolutionary in 1996 but frustrates players accustomed to fluid, modern camera and movement systems.

While the remaster's updated graphics and optional modern control scheme are welcome, they can't overcome the fundamental design limitations. The industry has since solved these problems, but revisiting this landmark title highlights how much game design has evolved in just three decades.