TOMB RAIDER – New Tombs to Raid

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Earlier this month at the 2025 Game Awards hosted by Geoff Keighley, Crystal Dynamics unveiled not just one, but two new games starring the iconic dual eagle-toting heroine Lara Croft. The games are “Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis” and “Tomb Raider: Catalyst”, releasing in 2026 and 2027 respectively. Along with the trailer unveiling the two new games, we got some information on what’s going on with what the team at CD is calling the “unified timeline” along with our first look at the new Lara.

Speaking first on “Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis”, the 2026 title is a complete remake/reimagining of the original 1996 classic released by Core Design for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. In an interview with both Video Game Chronicle and GamesRadar+, head of studio Scott Amos and game director Will Kerslake shed some light on what exactly the game is and what’s going on. In their interview with VGC, Amos stated “…being able to have the entire game built from scratch is why we call this a reimagining. We’ve taken all those things that were critical from the first game, and then said, what can we do to push it through a modern-day gamer’s lens…”. To further clarify, the team is rebuilding the original game from the ground up using the power of Unreal Engine 5. This means modernized controls and camera angles, new character models and potentially even entirely new set design that pays homage or the original game. To top things off, Kerslake stated that the Lara we see in “Atlantis” is the same one that we see in 2027’s “Catalyst”.

To help this new timeline make sense, Kerslake further clarified in the interview with GamesRadar+ that “…Tomb Raider: Catalyst is set years after the events of Tomb Raider: Underworld, with the reboot trilogy serving as her origin story…”. This means, for the first time ever, we’re seeing a complete unified timeline for Lara that includes, the original series of games, the reboot trilogy and the current animated series on Netflix titled “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft” starring Hayley Atwell. Seasoned fans know that this comes with somewhat of an asterisk, as there will be plenty of retcons to be explained in the years to come. This could also be potential for new remakes, especially on the story heavy installments such as the aforementioned “Underworld” or the much loathed entry “Angel of Darkness”. Personally, I fully welcome this for as much as I love all of the games, the older ones are definitely showing their age, especially when it comes to the old school tank controls, making them harder to play in the modern age.

Of course, with a new Lara comes a new voice actress. This time, the mantle is being helmed by Alix Wilton-Regan, taking over for Camilla Luddington, the fan-favorite who portrayed the heroine during the decade-long reboot trilogy. In a post on Instagram, Luddington gave her passing-of-the-torch post stating “I want to let you know that I have loved this fandom. To join the list of Lara Crofts before me was an incredible honor and she will forever be a part of me… So with that said-@alixwiltonregan, if you’re ever in need of a bow & arrow, I know the exact spot to look for one at Croft Manor.” In response, Wilton-Regan said “From one Lara to another, I salute you and thank you”. If you don’t know Alix by name, you may know her better as the female Inquisitor option from “Dragon Age: Inquisition” or as Alt Cunningham in “Cyberpunk 2077”.

As a long time “Tomb Raider” fan, even loving at least the first Angelina Jolie movie and the 2018 Alicia Vikander romp, I’m beyond excited for the franchise’s future in the gaming space. These next two years are going to be one great ride! I can feel it in my bones.

Let me know how excited you are in the comments below!