During the 2025 Game Awards, Tomb Raider Fans were surprised by not one but two announcements for upcoming games starring Lara Croft. one, Tomb Raider: Catalyst, is a brand new adventure, while another, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, is a reimagining of the iconic 1996 game that first introduced Lara to the world. Developed exclusively by developer Crystal Dynamics Legacy of Atlantis To release during the series' 30th anniversary year, the hope is to create an experience that honors what longtime players remember while encouraging new ones. Tomb Raider Fans to try the series.
At a press event attended by Game Rant, Crystal Dynamics head of studio Scott Amos and game director Will Kerslake revealed that, as huge fans of the series, they were particularly excited to work on it. Legacy of Atlantis. The game takes Lara's first adventure, an epic globe-spanning quest for an artifact originating from the lost continent of Atlantis, and recreates it in stunning modern detail using Unreal Engine 5. Amos and Kerslake confirmed that there are classic moments, locations, and puzzles – all to remember, even some fans may be surprised.
Legacy of Atlantis celebrates 30 years of Tomb Raider
“Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a love letter from fans to fans,” Amos said, the excitement evident in every word he spoke. Amos confirmed that Legacy of Atlantis, A reimagining of the original title with some fun new additions like favorite costumes from the entire series of the underworld wetsuit, was always planned to be of Tomb Raider 30th anniversary title. The Crystal Dynamics team saw developing this game as an opportunity to celebrate all the fans – including themselves – love about the franchise:
“We knew the 30th anniversary was coming up, and wanted to make both special to celebrate that moment. [and] Still honoring all of its original designs, original DNA and intent from this amazing title that launched the franchise.”
It was important to both Amos and Kerslake to incorporate many of the key elements that made up the original Tomb Raider The game is very prestigious. In particular, they highlighted the moments when Lara falls into a wolf's den and is forced to flee quickly, as well as her tense encounters. tyrannosaurus rex, which is briefly shown Legacy of Atlantis Trailer. Amos initially felt that the visuals stayed with him long after playing the game. He's excited to see both longtime players reunited and new players discover them for the first time:
“We had to fight T. rex in that original game, and now, [we’re] Having said that, how it is reimagined today for an epic action adventure moment that can create a new core memory for players who have never experienced it. [for] the first time. Or, if you're a longtime fan, you'll now experience it all over again for the first time.”
The game is a reimagining, not a remake
Marketing for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, With a trailer shown at the Game Awards 2025, it referred to the game using the term “re-imagining” and not “remake”. Kerslake feels that “reimagined” is the appropriate term because, while Legacy of Atlantis While everything present in the original game will feature, there are significant updates to the graphics, mechanics, and combat system – as well as potentially a few other surprises that have yet to be revealed. Kerslake said:
“We want to honor the legacy of that original game by modernizing it with the gameplay experience and fidelity that is now possible in Unreal 5…There are essential things that we have to keep the same: that confident, capable Lara Croft, the globe-trotting adventure, the fun, strategic puzzle-solving within that space…to bring new moments to us to go into those moments. And so, when we reimagine it, it reimagines the experience, but for a modern game.”
The Crystal Dynamics team shared that there are many elements that they were able to expand and improve using the technology available through Unreal Engine 5. Amos gave an example: “What might have been a background image in an old game is now fully realized in full 3D.” The Game Awards trailer gave a small preview of the stunning visuals that will be featured in it. Legacy of Atlantis. Kerslake confirmed that the game will retain the “globe-spanning adventure” nature of the original, with Lara Croft traveling to multiple locations, including the Peruvian Andes, Greece, Egypt, and of course, eventually the once-lost city of Atlantis.
Another element confirmed to return is Lara Croft, who encounters several deadly traps as she travels through ancient tombs and other hidden locations. The trailer has already confirmed that one memorable trap will return: one Indiana Jones-Inspired segment in which Lara must avoid a large rolling boulder. While he couldn't share any details, Kerslake hinted that many other memorable traps and danger sequences will appear. Legacy of Atlantis: “That's what the core is for Tomb Raider Experience that there are puzzles and combat and traversal and death-defying action…things you'd expect. Tomb Raider The series will be held there.”
Crystal Dynamics may have some new surprises in store
While Legacy of Atlantis Going to be a faithful reimagining of the original Tomb Raider title, that doesn't mean there won't be some new things that fans can be surprised by. Eagle-eyed viewers noticed in the first trailer that Lara is shown using a grappling hook, a tool that didn't appear in the original game but would later become an iconic part of her arsenal. While the Crystal Dynamics team intends to reveal more gameplay details at a later date, Kerslake encouraged fans to watch the trailer carefully for possible clues. “If you poke at that trailer, there's a lot of cool stuff that's in the game.”
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis It is scheduled for release in 2026, 30 years after the original debuted Tomb Raider In 1996. It will be later Tomb Raider: Catalyst, A new chapter in Lara Croft's adventure that takes her on a mysterious new quest in northern India. The Crystal Dynamics team is excited to celebrate the history and future of the series with these two exciting upcoming releases. Tomb Raider Titles.
- issued
-
2026
- Publisher(s)
-
Amazon Games
- Number of players
-
single player
