With Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, Lara Croft gains flexibility

Tomb Raider is a monument of video games. The franchise, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, has managed to endure through several installments that have instilled a taste for adventure. Between a Lara Croft who embodies a strong, determined woman who moves forward despite adversity and the exotic locations to visit, the franchise has won the hearts of players, not to mention its puzzles. In 2027, it will make a grand return with Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a reinterpretation of the 1996 game, before the arrival of a new original installment. Of course, in thirty years, video games have evolved, and the development teams are keen to showcase the improvements made to the movements while preserving the essence of what distinguished the original game from competing titles. 

A meticulous work that modernizes the experience

All those in their forties and older surely remember their first steps in the very first Tomb Raider game, whether on the original version released on the Sega Saturn or the port that arrived shortly after on the first PlayStation. Lara's jumps, her swan dive, her way of moving along walls, her agility, her way of shooting, all these elements gave her a real identity. With this reinterpretation, the teams at Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog wanted to honor what made the character's essence. They have therefore worked on the movements to preserve all the athletic aspects of the heroine. With the controller in hand, we will be able to perform several acrobatics, like the famous cartwheel to dodge traps and enemy attacks. 

As indicated by the speakers in the video released today, Lara moves with confidence, she jumps, she climbs, this is what defines her identity. She doesn't just make a simple jump but indeed a movement that is unique to her. As a result, everything has been worked on to convey what makes the adventurer's personality. If the gameplay was more rigid due to the technical limitations of the time, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis should allow the full potential of Lara Croft to be unleashed while modernizing the experience. We can also thank the work of Alix Wilton Regan, the actress who plays Lara, enhancing the realism of the animations thanks to motion capture. 

The mission of this installment, which will be released on February 12, 2027, on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S, is clearly to bring everyone together around this entry point combining nostalgia and modernity. The title will offer an experience tailored for both those familiar with the original installment and newcomers who want to discover the franchise. Additionally, visually, one can count on the Unreal Engine 5 to enjoy a rendering that is pleasing to the eye. The development studios also promise some surprises to ensure that enthusiasts don't feel left wanting. 

Cover image: Amazon Game Studios®