Later in the game, Lara witnesses what looks like a miracle after her friend Jonah gets badly hurt.

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Again, the prayer in the scene feels essential. It’s not just some weird undefined mysticism that makes Jonah’s wound get better. It’s the faith in the words uttered by the man laying hands on him.

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These moments from Rise of the Tomb Raider felt bold. When religion gets used as a macguffin in a video game plot—as has happened the conspiracy underpinning the Assassin’s Creed games—there’s a comfortable distance with regard to how it informs the characters. The religion in this game feels up close and personal, true to how it’s lived by many people in the world. I’m glad Crystal Dynamics didn’t shy away from showing the power that faith can give people, good and bad.


Contact the author at evan@kotaku.com.