Yeah trying to know who to beleive when it comes to reviews, especially the journalist can be tough. Look at the rocky road they have traveled and continue to do so. I'm not saying discredit their thoughts, but the idea of their views being tainted or skewed in favor or not is there for a reason. It's happened in the past and could happen again.
Now everyone has different expectations for a long running franchise. When you change it and some of the core fundementals of a game, your going to piss off or alienate some people. There is simple no way around it. Alot of people came to Tomb Raider for the lack of combat, the heavy exploration and puzzles.
With my time spent on the game. I can say while there is still minor puzzles, there is some platforming goodness, and there is alot more combat. I really like the combat and it feels pretty good, granted I'm playing on hard my first go so sometimes the enemies feel like they can really take a beating. So yes the core gameplay has been altered completely in many ways. I've been a huge Tomb Raider fan and I've enjoyed almost every iteration sans Angel of Darkness and Chronicles and even those I didn't hate. With that said I really am enjoying this rebirth, restart, remake... whatever you want to call it. I'm much more accepting of changes though and generally have a postive look overall so you could consider my viewpoint skewed but at least I'm very honest about it.
What the new Tomb Raider does have is great atmosphere, some amazing visuals and locations, the feeling of exploring and discovery is somewhat there, not completely but I still have been awe struck by the scenery and finding notes that are explaining either backstory to some of my crew or the legend on the island. I still don't know why the enemies are after me, and that makes me feel vulnerable because all I know is since the very first encounter is that : They want me and they want my friends dead. But why? I still don't know and the mystery behind the island is slowing starting to take shape. So yeah the game still has some ideas and elements from Tomb Raider and for what this new envision is, I'm absolutely loving it. Though I'm accepting of change. Now I know alot of people are saying "Lara is just a hard core killer now" and yeah if you look at it from that way then yes your right. Though I feel they absolutely gave me the impression that these guys are out to kill anyone that gets in their way and Lara, will defend herself as much as possible. I have a machine gun at this point but still haven't been able to pull off that animated gif, so not sure if that unlocked later or what.
I still need to play deeper into the game because I'm fairly certain I've only played a fraction of what the game offers. I've only done one tomb after all and yes it was short. Though I still felt that level of excitement and expploring when coming upon it. This will vary depending who you ask, but as a game I'm absolutely enthralled and compelled to keep playing and love the world Crystal Dynamics have crafted here. As a long time Tomb Raider player and fan, this is a different beast, and I'm ok with that, but this won't get anywhere close to repeating the same feeling the first Tomb Raider did. This is a whole other beast in comparison.