The Tomb Raider Series, In Order

The Tomb Raider series is one of gaming’s most iconic franchises, starring the fearless archaeologist-adventurer Lara Croft. Spanning decades and multiple generations of consoles, the series has evolved from its polygonal roots on the original PlayStation to cinematic reboots that explore Lara’s origins in greater depth. With a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and action-packed combat, each installment builds on the last while offering new twists on the treasure-hunting formula. This guide explores the Tomb Raider games in order, helping fans and newcomers alike trace the journey of gaming’s most enduring heroine. 1. Tomb Raider Initial releaseOctober 24, 1996DeveloperCore DesignPlatform(s)– PlayStation– Sega Saturn– iOS– Android Tomb Raider (1996) is the first entry in the iconic action-adventure series. The game introduces players to Lara Croft, a British archaeologist and adventurer, as she explores ancient tombs and dangerous ruins across the globe in search of the mysterious Scion artifact. With its 3D platforming, puzzle-solving, and combat elements, Tomb Raider set a new standard for cinematic gameplay and helped define the action-adventure genre in the early days of 3D gaming. 2. Tomb Raider II Initial releaseNovember 21, 1997DeveloperCore DesignPlatform(s)– PlayStation– PC– iOS– Android Tomb Raider II (1997) builds on the success of the original game with improved graphics, expanded environments, and more action-oriented gameplay. Lara Croft returns for a globe-trotting adventure in search of the mythical Dagger of Xian, a powerful artifact said to grant its wielder the strength of a dragon. Featuring new weapons, vehicles, and more complex level design with an emphasis on combat, Tomb Raider II refines the formula of its predecessor while introducing greater variety in both combat and exploration, solidifying Lara's place as a gaming icon. 3. Tomb Raider III Initial releaseNovember 20, 1998DeveloperCore DesignPlatform(s)– PlayStation– PC– Mac Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft (1998) takes Lara on a challenging quest across five diverse global locations—including India, Nevada, and Antarctica—in search of powerful artifacts linked to a mysterious meteorite. Building on the mechanics of its predecessors, the game introduces nonlinear level progression, new moves like crawling and sprinting, and more complex puzzles. With upgraded visuals, dynamic environments, and a greater emphasis on exploration and difficulty, Tomb Raider III offers a deeper and more varied adventure for fans of the series. 4. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation Initial releaseNovember 24, 1999DeveloperCore DesignPlatform(s)– Dreamcast– PlayStation– PC– Mac Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999) marks a return to the series' roots with a more story-driven and puzzle-focused experience. Set primarily in Egypt, the game follows Lara Croft as she accidentally unleashes the ancient god Set and must race against time to stop the coming apocalypse. Featuring improved graphics, tighter controls, and a more cohesive narrative, The Last Revelation emphasizes exploration, trap-filled tombs, and intricate puzzles, offering a more mature and atmospheric take on the classic Tomb Raider formula. 5. Tomb Raider Initial releaseJune 7, 2000DeveloperCore DesignPlatform(s)– Game Boy Color Tomb Raider (2000) offers a unique take on Lara Croft’s adventures in a portable, 2D platformer format. Unlike the 3D console versions, this game features side-scrolling gameplay with an emphasis on action, exploration, and puzzle-solving, while still retaining the essence of the Tomb Raider series. Players guide Lara through various environments, such as ancient tombs and remote jungles, as she searches for artifacts and battles enemies. Despite the limitations of the Game Boy Color hardware, the game successfully captures the spirit of the franchise with tight controls, challenging gameplay, and a compelling narrative for fans on the go. 6. Tomb Raider: Chronicles Initial releaseNovember 17, 2000DeveloperCore DesignPlatform(s)– Dreamcast– PlayStation– PC– Mac Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000) is the fifth main entry in the Tomb Raider series. The game takes place after the events of The Last Revelation, with Lara Croft presumed dead. As her friends gather to remember her, players relive four previously untold adventures from different points in her career. Featuring a variety of settings—from Rome to a high-tech Russian submarine—Chronicles combines classic platforming and puzzle-solving with new gameplay mechanics like tightrope walking and stealth. While it didn’t innovate much from its predecessors, it offered fans a deeper look into Lara’s storied past. 7. Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword Initial releaseJune 25, 2001DeveloperCore DesignPlatform(s)– Game Boy Color Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (2001) is an action-adventure game and a follow-up to Tomb Raider on the same platform. The game features a 2D side-scrolling take on Lara Croft's adventures. This time, Lara finds herself caught in a supernatural plot after being marked for sacrifice by a cult trying to resurrect an evil sorceress. Players guide Lara through urban rooftops, docks, museums, and temples as she battles enemies, avoids traps, and solves puzzles. While limited by the handheld’s hardware, Curse of the Sword captured the spirit of the franchise with clever level design and a strong narrative for a portable title. 8. Tomb Raider: The Prophecy Initial releaseNovember 12, 2002DeveloperCore DesignPlatform(s)– Game Boy Color Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (2002) is an action-adventure game departing from the traditional side-scrolling format of its handheld predecessors. This installment features an isometric perspective, offering a more dynamic and visually rich experience. In the game, Lara Croft sets out to stop the resurrection of three ancient demonic entities foretold in a mysterious prophecy. With improved animations and fluid combat mechanics tailored to the GBA, The Prophecy delivers a compact but engaging adventure that blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and action—faithfully capturing the essence of the Tomb Raider series in a portable format. 9. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness Initial releaseJune 20, 2003DeveloperCore DesignPlatform(s)– PlayStation 2– PC– Mac Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003) marked a bold but troubled shift for the franchise. Featuring a darker tone and more mature story, the game follows Lara Croft as she’s framed for the murder of her former mentor and drawn into a conspiracy involving ancient artifacts and a shadowy alchemist. It introduced RPG-like elements, stealth mechanics, and a new playable character, Kurtis Trent. Despite its ambition and atmospheric design, Angel of Darkness was heavily criticized for its clunky controls and technical issues. Still, it remains a cult favorite for its storytelling and willingness to evolve the series. 10. Tomb Raider: Legend Initial releaseApril 7, 2006DeveloperCrystal DynamicsPlatform(s)– PC– PlayStation 3– Xbox 360– PlayStation 2– Xbox– GameCube– Game Boy Advance– PlayStation Portable– Nintendo DS Tomb Raider: Legend (2006) marked a successful reboot of the franchise and a triumphant return for Lara Croft. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, the game reimagined Lara’s origin story while modernizing gameplay with fluid controls, cinematic action sequences, and physics-based puzzles. The narrative follows Lara on a globe-trotting quest to uncover the truth about her mother’s mysterious disappearance, leading her through lush jungles, ancient tombs, and high-tech facilities. Legend revitalized the series with a fresh sense of adventure and emotional depth, reestablishing Lara Croft as a leading figure in action gaming. 11. Tomb Raider: Anniversary Initial releaseJune 1, 2007DeveloperCrystal DynamicsPlatform(s)– PC– Mac– PlayStation 3– PlayStation 2– Xbox 360– Wii– PlayStation Portable Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) is a modern reimagining of the original 1996 Tomb Raider game, built using the improved engine from Tomb Raider: Legend. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, the game retells Lara Croft’s first major adventure as she hunts for the mythical Scion artifact, traveling through iconic locations like Peru, Greece, Egypt, and Atlantis. With updated graphics, refined controls, and enhanced puzzle mechanics, Anniversary honors the classic while delivering a more fluid and immersive experience for modern players. It stands as both a nostalgic tribute and a polished entry point for newcomers to the series. 12. Tomb Raider: Underworld Initial releaseNovember 18, 2008DeveloperCrystal DynamicsPlatform(s)– PC– Mac– PlayStation 3– PlayStation 2– Xbox 360– Wii– Nintendo DS Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008) continues the story from Tomb Raider: Legend and Anniversary, concluding Lara Croft’s trilogy arc. In this installment, Lara explores ancient ruins across the globe—from coastal Thailand to the icy depths of the Arctic—in search of the mythical hammer Mjölnir and the secrets of her mother’s disappearance. With improved graphics, fluid animations, and expansive, multi-layered environments, Underworld combines puzzle-solving, exploration, and cinematic action to deliver a darker, more emotionally driven adventure. 13. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light Initial releaseAugust 18, 2010DeveloperCrystal DynamicsPlatform(s)– PC– PlayStation 3– Xbox 360– Nintendo Switch– iOS– Android Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010) is a spin-off from the main Tomb Raider series that takes a fresh approach with an isometric, arcade-style perspective. The game follows Lara Croft as she teams up with Totec, an ancient Mayan warrior, to stop the evil spirit Xolotl from plunging the world into darkness. Emphasizing fast-paced combat, co-op puzzle-solving, and score-based challenges, Guardian of Light delivers a fun and action-packed experience that blends traditional Tomb Raider elements with a new cooperative gameplay twist. 14. Tomb Raider Initial releaseMarch 5, 2013DeveloperCrystal DynamicsPlatform(s)– PC– Mac– Linux– PlayStation 4– Xbox One– Xbox 360– PlayStation 3 Tomb Raider (2013) is a reboot of the iconic franchise, reimagining Lara Croft’s origin story with a grittier, more realistic tone. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, the game follows a young, inexperienced Lara as she fights to survive after a shipwreck leaves her stranded on the mysterious island of Yamatai. Blending cinematic storytelling with intense combat, exploration, and environmental puzzle-solving, Tomb Raider introduces a more vulnerable yet determined heroine, marking the beginning of her transformation into the legendary adventurer. With stunning visuals and a strong emotional core, the reboot revitalized the series for a new generation. 15. Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris Initial releaseDecember 9, 2014DeveloperCrystal DynamicsPlatform(s)– PC– Xbox One– PlayStation 4– Nintendo Switch Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (2014) is the sequel to Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and continues the series’ cooperative, isometric action-adventure style. Set in ancient Egypt, the game sees Lara teaming up with rival treasure hunter Carter Bell and the gods Horus and Isis to stop the evil god Set from enslaving humanity. Featuring four-player local and online co-op, the game combines fast-paced combat, dynamic puzzles, and loot-based progression in richly detailed tombs. Temple of Osiris offers a fun, arcade-style adventure that blends mythology with classic Tomb Raider elements in a multiplayer-friendly format. 16. Rise of the Tomb Raider Initial releaseNovember 10, 2015DeveloperCrystal DynamicsPlatform(s)– PC– Mac– PlayStation 4– Xbox One– Xbox 360 Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015) continues Lara Croft’s evolution as a fearless adventurer following the events of the 2013 reboot. In this installment, Lara journeys to the remote mountains of Siberia in search of the legendary lost city of Kitezh and the secret to immortality, pursued by the ruthless paramilitary group Trinity. With expansive environments, improved crafting and survival mechanics, and cinematic storytelling, Rise of the Tomb Raider deepens the series’ blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. The game further develops Lara’s character as she embraces her destiny and legacy as a tomb raider. 17. Shadow of the Tomb Raider Initial releaseSeptember 14, 2018DeveloperEidos-MontrealPlatform(s)– PC– Mac– Linux– PlayStation 4– Xbox One– Xbox 360 Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018) concludes the origin trilogy of Lara Croft with a darker, more introspective journey. Set primarily in the dense jungles of Central and South America, Lara races to stop the apocalypse she inadvertently sets in motion while uncovering the secrets of a lost Mayan civilization. The game emphasizes stealth, exploration, and puzzle-solving over combat, offering richly detailed tombs, environmental storytelling, and moral complexity. As Lara confronts her inner demons and the consequences of her actions, Shadow of the Tomb Raider delivers a powerful and atmospheric finale to her transformation into the legendary adventurer. 18. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Initial releaseFebruary 14, 2024DeveloperAspyrPlatform(s)– PC– Xbox Series X|S– PlayStation 5– Xbox One– PlayStation 4– Nintendo Switch Tomb Raider I–III Remastered (2024) comprehensive collection that brings Lara Croft’s original adventures to modern platforms with enhanced visuals and updated features. Developed and published by Aspyr in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics, the remastered trilogy includes Tomb Raider (1996), Tomb Raider II (1997), and Tomb Raider III (1998), along with their respective expansions: Unfinished Business, The Golden Mask, and The Lost Artifact. Players can seamlessly switch between the original and enhanced graphics, as well as choose between classic tank controls and modernized control schemes inspired by later entries in the series . Additional features include improved lighting, updated character models, boss health bars, and a photo mode, all designed to preserve the essence of the originals while enhancing the overall experience. This remastered collection offers both longtime fans and new players an opportunity to experience Lara Croft's early adventures with modern enhancements. 19. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered Initial releaseFebruary 14, 2025DeveloperAspyrPlatform(s)– PC– Xbox Series X|S– PlayStation 5– Xbox One– PlayStation 4– Nintendo Switch Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered (2025) revitalizes Lara Croft’s darkest adventures with enhanced visuals and modernized gameplay. This collection includes Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999), Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000), and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003), each reimagined for contemporary platforms. Players can toggle between the original polygonal graphics and updated visuals, and choose between classic tank controls or a modernized control scheme. New features include a Photo Mode with various poses and outfits, a Flyby Camera Maker for creating cinematic shots, an ammo counter, cutscene skipping, and over 150 trophies and achievements. Restored content in The Angel of Darkness enhances the narrative and gameplay experience. This remastered trilogy offers both longtime fans and newcomers an opportunity to experience Lara Croft's formative adventures with modern enhancements.

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