That said, there is a definite quantity over quality issue going on after the first Core Tomb Raider, which has kept me from really loving any of the sequels.

How'd I never see this pic and do you still have it. For archival purposes.

I unno

Kim Stanley Robinson! Pacific Edge, Ministry of the Future, and any number of other novels of his.

I'm loving it so far! a lotta Ligotti vibes.

The final level of the original Tomb Raider is so unexpected and hellish that I think this could work, but also that final level works because it's such a contrast to the rest of the game.

Like, it's not better necessarily! But there's a mystique to it.