Is Tomb Raider: Anniversary on PS Plus Premium Worth It? The 2025 Definitive Verdict

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Lara Croft is back—and this time, she’s bringing one of her most celebrated adventures to PS5. As of November 18, 2025, Tomb Raider: Anniversary has officially joined the PS Plus Premium Classics Catalog, giving players access to the definitive emulated PS2 edition running on Sony’s ultra-refined PS5 emulation layer.

This isn’t a lazy port, a downgraded mobile build, or a blurry nostalgia trap. It’s a shockingly clean, high-performance version of the iconic 2007 remake—running smoother, faster, and more stable than any original console version. The real question is: does it still hold up in 2025?
Short answer: yes—but with a few caveats.

Below is the fully updated, community-informed verdict.

🔥 The PS Plus Premium Advantage: Zero Cost, Maximum Value

Why This Is the Perfect PS+ Premium Title

PlayStation Plus Premium is at its best when it brings back beloved classics—especially ones modern players wouldn’t risk paying full price for. Unlike the Tomb Raider 4–6 Remastered trilogy (priced at $29), Anniversary on Premium is:

  • Free for subscribers

  • Accessible instantly

  • Emulated with major performance boosts

  • Preserved exactly as fans remember it

No repurchase. No “HD” up-charge. No low-effort port.

Just a great classic done right.

⚙️ Technical Performance: This Is the Best Console Version Ever

Community testers, performance reviewers, and players agree: Sony’s emulation is shockingly good here.

Is Tomb Raider: Anniversary on PS Plus Premium Worth It? Buying Guide

✓ Locked 60 FPS — Everywhere

From Lost Valley dinosaurs to Midas’ Palace puzzles, Anniversary hits a stable 60FPS with zero dips, outperforming PS2, PS3, and PSP-era versions by a massive margin.

✓ Instant Load Times

Thanks to the PS5’s SSD, load screens barely appear—reviving after a fall takes under one second.

✓ Zero Crashes, Zero Visual Bugs

  • No screen tearing

  • No shadow flickering

  • No PS2-era texture pop-in

This is a clean playthrough from start to finish.

✓ Better Input Responsiveness

The PS5’s reduced input latency makes Lara’s acrobatics feel tighter and more accurate—especially in precision jumps.

Final verdict on performance?
This is easily the cleanest, smoothest version Anniversary has ever had.

🧩 How Well Has the Gameplay Aged in 2025?

Still Amazing: Puzzle Design & Exploration

Tomb Raider: Anniversary nails what modern Lara games lost:
massive, intricate tombs designed as multi-layer puzzles.

  • No waypoints

  • No forced combat sections

  • No corridor-style cinematics

This is pure, brain-engaging tomb raiding.

Locations like St. Francis’ Folly, Lost Valley, and Atlas’ Quarters remain legendary even by today’s standards.

Still Good: Movement & Traversal

Built on the Tomb Raider: Legend engine, Anniversary still features:

  • Fluid acrobatics

  • Tight platforming

  • Great environmental navigation

The PS5 version enhances this with smoother inputs and consistent timing.

Has Aged Poorly: Combat

The one downside:

  • Simple lock-on combat

  • Repetitive enemy encounters

  • The “adrenaline dodge” QTE mechanic gets old fast

Modern action-adventure players may find combat simplistic.

Mixed: Camera Behavior

The camera is far better than the 1996 original—but still occasionally fights the player in tight spaces.

🎨 Visual Quality: Old Assets, New Clarity

This isn’t a remaster—but it still looks surprisingly good in 4K.

Improvements include:

  • Sharper upscaling

  • Cleaner texture filtering

  • More stable lighting

  • Better contrast in darker tombs

Some areas genuinely look like early PS3-quality visuals.

No new textures, but the art direction aged beautifully.

💡 Who Should Download It Immediately?

✓ PS+ Premium subscribers who want maximum value
✓ Fans of puzzle-heavy Tomb Raider
✓ Newcomers who want to see Lara’s origins
✓ Retro gamers and preservation fans
✓ Trophy hunters—15–18 hours for platinum

⚠️ Who Should Skip It

✗ Players expecting remastered graphics
✗ Combat-focused action fans
✗ Those with low tolerance for camera quirks

🏆 Final Verdict: Is It Worth It in 2025?

Absolutely — especially for PS Plus Premium members.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary remains one of the strongest entries in Lara’s legacy, and this PS5 emulated release is the best console version ever made.

  • Incredible puzzles

  • Stable 60FPS

  • Instant loads

  • Zero crashes

  • Beautiful upscaling

  • No extra purchase required

For classic Tomb Raider fans and newcomers alike, this is a must-download.

Lara’s greatest puzzle-platforming adventure is back—and it has never played better.

❓ FAQ — Tomb Raider Anniversary on PS Plus Premium (2025)

1. Is Tomb Raider: Anniversary included in PS Plus Premium for free?

Yes. It’s part of the Classics Catalog at no extra cost.

2. Is this a remaster or emulated version?

It’s the original PS2 version running through Sony’s enhanced PS5 emulation layer.

3. Does the game run at 60FPS on PS5?

Yes—rock-solid 60FPS with no dips.

4. Are there any new graphics improvements?

No new textures, but the upscaling and stability make it the cleanest it has ever looked.

5. How long does it take to beat?

About 12–14 hours for story, 15–18 hours for 100%.

6. Is this version better than the Xbox 360 enhanced version?

Both are excellent, but PS5 now offers better load times and smoother overall responsiveness.  

✅ Community & Resources 

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