In hand-to-hand combat a white circle with a X in it appears - is this something I can use...

Hello Brian, sorry to hear you're having trouble with your game.

Usually when you see a circle with an X in it during gameplay it is usually a hint on what you should do during that scene. You should try rapidly pressing the X when that appears or if the circle is closing try to press the X at the right moment

As long as we're on the subject... I think that's one of the many beauties of this game, you just don't know what types of weapons and abilities you're going to get and once you do it makes you anxious to use it... I'm not spoiling anything by saying i just
got the rope retractor and it's really cool to use when climbing across ropes....wasn't expecting that one at all....hands down, the best game i've played in years.

That part was amazing! It was so high up I was scared to move Lara in the end lol.

...to be honest - no, not that far in- just got to the radio tower section so still quite early on in the game!

Thanks for the clarification and for confirming the above....!

I don't think he actually needs to be that far in the game. He could spend his gear points on upgrading his brawler skills early on instead of his weapons i think... I may try that next time i start over.