Garry’s Mod vs Rise of the Tomb Raider
A full spec-by-spec comparison of Garry’s Mod vs Rise of the Tomb Raider — engine, performance, dimensions, features and price, with the differences highlighted to help you decide.
| Specification | Garry’s Mod Valve | Rise of the Tomb Raider Square Enix, Microsoft Studios, Feral Interactive |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release Date | December 24, 2004 | November 10, 2015 |
| Availability | Released | Released |
| Age Rating | Rating Pending | — |
| Developer | Facepunch Studios | Feral Interactive, Crystal Dynamics, Nixxes |
| Publisher | Valve | Square Enix, Microsoft Studios, Feral Interactive |
| Official Site | https://gmod.facepunch.com | http://www.tombraider.com/us/ |
| Gameplay | ||
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Simulation, Casual, Indie | Action |
| Game Modes | Single-player, Multiplayer, Co-op, Online Co-op | Single-player |
| Perspective | First-person | Third-person |
| Average Playtime | 14 hours | 14 hours |
| Platforms & Pricing | ||
| Platforms | PC, Apple Macintosh, Linux | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Apple Macintosh |
| Available On | Steam | Xbox Store, Steam, Xbox 360 Store, App Store, Epic Games Store |
| PC Requirements | ||
| Minimum Requirements | OS: Windows® Vista/XP Processor: 1.8 GHz Processor Memory: 2 GB RAM Graphics: DirectX® 9 level Graphics Card (Requires support for SSE) DirectX: Version 9.0c Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 5 GB available space Sound Card: DirectX® 9 compatible Additional Notes: Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor | OS: Windows 7 64bit Processor: Intel Core i3-2100 or AMD equivalent Memory: 6 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 650 2GB or AMD HD7770 2GB DirectX: Version 11 Storage: 25 GB available space |
| Recommended Requirements | OS: Windows® 7/8/8.1/10 Processor: 2.5 GHz Processor or better Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: 1GB dedicated VRAM or better DirectX: Version 9.0c Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 10 GB available space | OS: Windows 10 64 bit Processor: Intel Core i7-3770K Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 980Ti 2560x1440 or NVIDIA GTX 970 1920x1080 DirectX: Version 11 Storage: 25 GB available space |
| Critic & Community Scores | ||
| Community Rating | 3.8 / 5 (1,610 ratings) | 4.0 / 5 (2,808 ratings) |
| Metacritic | — | 86 / 100 |
Garry’s Mod vs Rise of the Tomb Raider: which should you buy?
Both Garry’s Mod and Rise of the Tomb Raider are available for PC and can be purchased on Steam, but they cater to very different gaming preferences. Garry’s Mod is a sandbox title that emphasizes creativity, offering single‑player and multiplayer modes with first‑person perspective. It requires modest hardware: a 1.8 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, and a DirectX 9 compatible graphics card. The recommended spec climbs to 2.5 GHz CPU, 8 GB RAM and a 1 GB VRAM card, but still remains accessible to most mid‑range PCs. The game’s average playtime is 14 hours, and its community rating sits at 3.8/5 from over 1,600 users.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a narrative‑driven action game with a third‑person perspective and a single‑player focus. It demands more powerful hardware: a minimum of an Intel Core i3‑2100 or equivalent, 6 GB RAM and a GTX 650/HD7770 graphics card. The recommended spec pushes to an Intel Core i7‑3770K, 8 GB RAM and a GTX 980Ti or GTX 970 for full resolution support. The game boasts a higher Metacritic score of 86/100 and a community rating of 4.0/5 from nearly 3,000 users.
If you have a modest PC and enjoy building or experimenting with game assets, Garry’s Mod is the logical choice. If you prefer a polished action‑adventure with a strong story and can meet its higher hardware demands, Rise of the Tomb Raider is preferable. Ultimately, the decision hinges on your PC’s capabilities and whether you value sandbox freedom or a scripted narrative experience.
Frequently asked questions
Which game is cheaper?
The data does not provide price information for either title, so a cost comparison cannot be made.
Which game requires more powerful hardware?
Rise of the Tomb Raider has higher minimum and recommended specs, requiring a faster CPU and a more capable GPU than Garry’s Mod.
Which game is better for casual play?
Garry’s Mod offers a sandbox experience with multiplayer options, making it more flexible for casual play compared to the single‑player focus of Rise of the Tomb Raider.
Which game has a higher community rating?
Rise of the Tomb Raider holds a 4.0/5 rating from 2,808 users, slightly higher than Garry’s Mod’s 3.8/5 rating from 1,610 users.