For over 25 years, the Tomb Raider video game franchise has enthralled players by letting them embark on thrilling archaeological adventures through the daring eyes of Lara Croft.
Across 18 mainline titles and numerous spinoffs since 1996, Lara has uncovered lost civilizations, escaped deathtraps, and added her take on surviving action to the gaming world.
In this article, I analyze the entirety of Tomb Raider‘s history across every single game release in order of date. We‘ll dive deep into Lara‘s journey spanning 3 developers, 4 continuity reboots and multiple generations of gaming hardware.
Get ready to relive defining moments in the franchise‘s peaks and valleys alongside key data. Let‘s rediscover what makes Tomb Raider so iconic after all these years!
Overview of Tomb Raider Games by the Years
Tomb Raider has managed to stay culturally relevant for over two decades thanks to the charismatic, tough and intelligent Lara Croft leading the charge. Even as graphics and gameplay conventions evolved around her, Lara always brought her signature flair for globe-trotting adventure.
Developer Core Design kicked things off strongly, establishing gameplay pillars in the original Tomb Raider like 3D platforming, puzzles and action setpieces mixed with exploration. They led development for the first 6 main titles.
Sales and critical reception slowly declined over their run though as the formula got repetitive. Core attempted shifting Lara‘s character into darker territory for The Angel of Darkness, but production issues led Eidos to switch developers.
Crystal Dynamics resuscitated the franchise though, first with Tomb Raider: Legend in 2006 then an ambitious reboot origin trilogy starting in 2013. Their modernized vision for a more vulnerable but headstrong Lara won back old fans and new followers.
This table summarizes the franchise‘s journey across its landmarks and periods of transition:
| Era | Developer | Main Title Focus | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Classics | Core Design | Establishing gameplay formula | First 5 titles (1996 – 2000) |
| Decline | Core Design | Experimentation amidst criticism | Last 2 titles of Core‘s run (2003 – 2005) |
| Revival | Crystal Dynamics | Modernizing and rebooting gameplay | Legend, Anniv trilogy, Survivor trilogy (2006 – 2018) |
| Expansion | Crystal Dynamics & Eidos Montreal | Spinoff experiments | Lara Croft side games, mobile titles (2009 – Present) |
Now let‘s dive title-by title in order of release date chronologically and analyze Lara‘s defining adventures!
1. Tomb Raider (1996) – Blowing Open Pandora‘s Box of 3D Adventure
Tomb Raider (1996) ushered in a new era of action-adventure games. For the first time, players experienced fluid 3D environmental traversal paired with pulse-pounding setpieces.
The game follows the aristocratic British archaeologist Lara Croft hired to recover the three Atlantean Scion artifacts by Jacqueline Natla. However, Lara discovers Natla‘s intentions are more sinister, leading her through presented beautifully cinematic environments filled with lethal traps.
On a $3 million budget over 3 years, Core Design pushed boundaries of 3D visual storytelling paired with compelling gameplay loops of combat, platforming and puzzle solving. Their vision struck gold, selling over 7 million copies to hungry audiences.
Acclaim poured in from enthralled reviewers:
"Tomb Raider is so fluid in execution that it‘s extremely difficult to put down. It combines incredible graphics, tense action and yet manages to tell an intriguing and complex tale." – Edge Magazine
Core Design had unlocked a winning formula both creatively and commercially with the first entry itself. Let‘s see how they built upon these foundations next!
2. Tomb Raider II (1997) – Bigger Budget, Bolder Vision
Following the breakout success of the inaugural title, Core Design received nearly double the budget at $6 million alongside more development flexibility from Eidos. This enabled them to craft an even grander sequel that met hype levels.
Tomb Raider II sends Lara once again looking for an ancient artifact – this time the mythical Dagger of Xian – in ever more exotic locations like Venice and the depths of a sinking ocean liner. All this while utilizing new moves and weapons unavailable before.
Critics and fans alike praised the sequel‘s varied settings, enhanced control scheme and additional vehicles and side objectives. Tomb Raider II sold over 8 million copies, proving public appetite for Lara‘s adventures was just getting started!
3. Tomb Raider III (1998) – Peak Commercial Success
The third entry in as many years, Tomb Raider III shows no signs of franchise fatigue from players nor developers. While introducing stealth gameplay ideas and more close quarters indoor environments, it retains the breathtaking spectacle.
This time Lara must retrieve meteorite artifacts that grant special powers but corrupt the user‘s psyche slowly. Locations now featured urban environments like London and Area 51 versus just remote ancient sites.
Strong critical reception praised the greater personal struggle conveyed through Lara‘s changing expressions despite a ludonarrative dissonance between her violence and characterization.
With a series-high 6.5 million copies sold, Tomb Raider cemented itself as a cultural zeitgeist and Lara Croft as the queen of PlayStation mascots in the 90s. What awaited her in the new millennium though?
4. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
The fourth title digs deeper into Lara‘s past alongside Egyptian sands. As a teen, Lara embarks on her first archaeological adventure with mentor Werner Von Croy. But she unwittingly releases the god Set, forcing her to seal him back despite Von Croy‘s protests.
This personal touch to Lara‘s backstory helped ground the heightened formula. Coupling a more unsafe partner dynamic with expanded environmental interactions like rope swinging also further modernized Tomb Raider‘s gameplay innovations.
Critics applauded the adventure despite its familiar structure:
"Though the series is beginning to show some wear after four games, Last Revelation tosses in enough new looks and puzzles to make it worthwhile." – Gamespot
Unfortunately after half a decade on tight deadlines, Tomb Raider‘s initially breakneck pace seemed to dent creative vision. Signs of franchise fatigue were showing…
5. Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)
Chronicles tries reinventing itself and justifying a fifth entry by framing Lara‘s death in Last Revelation as premature. It serves players past adventures described posthumously by her friends.
Unfortunately while featuring a broader range of locales beyond desert ruins, the variety gets lost in rather disjointed, rushed delivery. Critics panned the game as just rehashing ideas in incoherent fashion despite production chops.
With sales sliced to just 2 million copies versus 6 million a mere year before, warning signs were clear. Tomb Raider as a series was losing its luster rapidly.
One odd but ambitious attempt still awaited to close out Core Design‘s custodianship. And it would push the franchise to the brink of collapse before truly evolving Lara…
6. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003) – Franchise‘s Low Point
Perhaps from knowing a transition was imminent, Core Design took huge risks narratively and in gameplay. Angel of Darkness showed a darker, grittier and more jaded Lara living in Parisian exile shrouded by mystery.
Lara is wanted for Von Croy‘s murder plus gets caught up in supernatural occult societies. Introducing RPG mechanics like leveling up abilities alongside QTE prompt reaction-based gameplay brought new depth.
However these half-baked ideas failed to deliver an engaging experience, rather just frustrating trial-and-error with pacing issues aplenty. Hampered midway by a switch to PS2 focus, Angel is riddled with glitches and bugs on launch.
Widely panned as flatout broken, critics lambasted Core‘s swansong:
"Poor game design combined with awkward control leaves Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness an unacceptable product." – 3.4/10 Gamespot
With sales crashing below 1 million units shifting to Crystal Dynamics seemed the sole remedy left…
7. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006) – The Revival
Crystal Dynamic‘s first attempt fares exponentially better both creatively and commercially! Their reboot Legend retcons Core Design‘s continuity, instead just keeping Lara‘s early backstory as established.
Set after a plane crash strands her in the Himalayas for weeks, Lara is now focused on answering lingering questions on her past. This centers on mystical stone dais Setup provides motivation while letting Crystal Dynamics reimagine staple gameplay.
Fluid environmental navigation returns sharper than ever thanks to new console hardware. Setpiece spectacle feels thrilling again and less trial-and-error prone with well-designed pacing between puzzles, combat and traversal.
Reviews hailed the series as feeling both nostalgic yet thoroughly refreshed:
"Crystal Dynamics manages to capture the original game‘s sense of isolation, adventure and mystery while adding its own pizzazz." – 1UP.com
Selling over 4.5 million copies, Crystal Dynamics had saved the franchise from brink of disaster by remembering the core principles of play. Their Anniversary would celebrate this properly.
8. Tomb Raider Anniversary (2007) – Sweet Nostalgia
Anniversary had a straightforward goal – remake where Tomb Raider all began as a decade celebration with modern polish. Every memorable catacomb of the first adventure recreated with Legend‘s already proven engine hit the intended notes squarely.
The origins of Lara herself got more characterization too in slight environmental storytelling cues. Swimming finally in fully 3D, less clunky inventory management and graphical shine made it the definitive way to relive Lara‘s maiden trek for veterans.
Critics praised the effort:
"Remaking a game can be tricky, but Anniversary proves that you can look backwards without moving backwards." – Game Informer
Its middling commercial reception likely represents overlap with nostalgic fans who already played Legend. For Crystal Dynamics would deliver the closing piece to its revival trilogy in grand style.
9. Tomb Raider Underworld (2008) – Bold New Visual Ambition
With two solid efforts under its belt, Crystal Dynamics expanded the scope of Lara‘s latest quest that picks up from Legend- further chasing her mother‘s research on Thor‘s fabled gauntlet with ties to Avalon to boot.
Underworld introduced Analog aiming assistance for combat alongside finetuned melee attacks to diversify Lara‘s options in play. But its defining leap was environmental ambition – from lush jungle water effects to sprawling Mediterranean seascapes, Lara had never had this photorealism in her world.
Reviews applauded the cinematic atmosphere gained:
"Impressive locales which are fantastically intricolate and sharply designed so that areas seem believable, playing arenas." – Eurogamer
Commercially while no slacker with nearly 3 million sales, Underworld marks the end of an era. For Crystal Dynamics next sought to truly redefine Lara Croft‘s origins from scratch. And so the seminal 2013 reboot emerged as a bold new vision.
10. Tomb Raider (2013) Reboot – Reinventing an Icon
The simply titled Tomb Raider (2013) serves to reintroduce players to who Lara Croft is and what shaped her into the daredevil, quick thinking and versatile adventurer against all odds. We witness her first harrowing expedition gone awry that forged her characteristic resilience.
Shipwrecked on a perilous untamed island, Lara relies on her wits, climbing axe and hunting bow to both survive agents of the insidious cult Trinity as well as discover hidden secrets of the lost kingdom Yamatai. This grittier, more brutal portrayal added depth complementing Lara‘s trademark aggression perfectly.
The shift to crafting weapons from artifacts found in sprawling hub worlds paired with XP progression kept innovation at the forefront despite nostalgic beats. Critics adored both facets:
"This revitalized version sets out to reboot, refine and revitalize Lara. This new tale heralds great things for Tomb Raider‘s future" – IGN Spain – 9.4/10
Outselling every prior title in the franchise at 11 million copies, the reboot set exciting new expectations for the now battle-hardened Lara exploring her destiny…
11. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015) – Bigger, Better, More Badass
Picking right up after reboot events with Trinity still chasing Lara regarding her notebooks on immortality, she finds herself stranded in the harsh Siberian wilderness with Trinity agent Konstantin hot on her heels.
Expanding the Survival mechanics with hunting wildlife plus stealth combat globally appeals to fans of action games. Side mission tombs reward unique combat advantages for dedicated players with extra content.
However Lara shows more warmer empathy unafraid to crack jokes even amidst trauma – further rounding her. Critics applauded this balance:
"Combat and survival elements make for tense and thrilling gameplay, while the story heads in new directions." – The Guardian
A well-made sequel selling 7 million copies that deepened reboot foundations further to enable the epic finale next…
12. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018) – A Fitting Finale
The grand finale to Lara‘s origin trilogy faces her take responsibility as a global threat emerges from her destructive actions misusing Mayan artifacts. She journeys through Mesoamerica and especially awe-inspiring ancient underwater caves to right wrongs.
With sumptuous South American environments and tense progression through claustrophobic spaces contrasting deadly firefights, Shadow wraps up the trilogy neatly. Side content provides backstory reveals that longtime fans appreciate.
Critics praised the fulfilling emotional close on Lara‘s coming-of-age amidst trauma:
"Shadow of the Tomb Raider nails the conclusion to this trilogy, with exceptional environmental storytelling." – Attack of the Fanboy
By 2018, Crystal Dynamics had charted a rich reinvention for even long term fans. Where could Ms.Croft possibly venture next after over 20 years of adventures already?
Spinoffs & Future – Expanding Lara‘s Universe
Interestingly, Lara Croft‘s continued adventures have expanded beyond mainline series entries the last decade. Handheld exclusives, arcade shooters plus asynchronous multiplayer experiments have released.
While crystal Dynamics charts future main series directions post Shadow trilogy, younger Lara adventures like Tomb Raider Reloaded opening up her tale to wider demographics helps sustain the IP.
Equally fascinating is franchise unto itself of Lara Croft films spanning from early 2000s all the way to Alicia Vikander‘s grittier 2018 reboot take mirroring game continuity shifts!
Through 25 years, multiple developers and story overhauls, Lara Croft has arguably dug up more hours of engaging gameplay than any other mascot just based on her mainline series runtime.
I cannot wait to see both her silver screen return and Crystal Dynamics next envisioning for Ms.Croft‘s treasure hunting escapades next. Perhaps a deeper dive into existing lore or even bolder reinventions?
If history proves anything, both Lara and her franchise know how to tenaciously evolve against odds. So I‘m sure longtime fans and newcomers alike have got incredibly immersive interactive adventures awaiting us in future!
