Focus on the puzzles and traps of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

To witness the grand return of Lara Croft in the video game realm, we now have to wait until February 12, 2027. It is on this date that Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Dog will release Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. As the game's name suggests, it will take the form of a reinvention of the 1996 classic, focusing on its legacy. Everything will be done to offer a new adventure that combines modernity and nostalgia to win the hearts of fans and attract newcomers. To prepare the ground, the duo does not hesitate to release developer diaries to discuss the work done on this installment. Proof of this is the video of the day addressing the topic of puzzles and traps. 

The satisfaction of overcoming a challenge by oneself

Since 1996 and the release of the first Tomb Raider game on Sega Saturn, the franchise has evolved significantly. Even though many people still remember the 2007 remake, the remaster of the first trilogy, or the 2013 reboot, it must be acknowledged that Lara Croft has come a long way. With Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, Amazon Game Studios aims to create a new starting point at the crossroads, as highlighted during the announcement. Indeed, the game is not simply a new remake of the original title; it truly represents a new vision of the adventure that will celebrate its 30th anniversary on October 24. To achieve this, the publisher has teamed up with two talented studios, namely Crystal Dynamics (which has been working on the series since Tomb Raider: Legend, released in 2006) and Flying Wild Hog (known for the Shadow Warrior trilogy). 

Thus, the duo leverages their skills to offer an adventure that might make it seem like the most famous explorer has found the fountain of youth. While the adventure, settings, and elements constituting the DNA of the franchise will certainly speak to those in their thirties and older, this Legacy of Atlantis will primarily take the form of a game in tune with our times. The proof, and just watch the developer diary below to be convinced, the rendering will flatter the retina thanks to the use of Unreal Engine 5. The animations, as we saw in our columns last June, have been refined, far from the rigidity of the time imposed by technical constraints. Lara Croft's flexibility will impress as she performs all her iconic movements. 

Reinterpreting such a video game legend is not just about offering better visuals and more enjoyable gameplay... It means revisiting every aspect of the game to rework it in its entirety. This is also the case for puzzles and challenges. The development teams have focused on what made these gameplay phases specific to the Tomb Raider universe. With Legacy of Atlantis, they will let players use their brains to understand the necessary steps to solve a puzzle or evade a trap before tackling it. Thus, everyone will have the satisfaction of progressing by their own means, without having an element that blinks and spoon-feeds the work. As Jason Epps (Design Director of Crystal Dynamics) states, they have "done everything to invest in these puzzles and make them much more interesting." In other words, observation will be essential to understand all the mechanisms to activate in order to come to an end. 

Cover image: Amazon Game Studios®