Crystal Dynamics Rebuilds Lara Croft’s Origins With A New Tomb Raider Era

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis was formally unveiled at The Game Awards as a full reimagining of the 1996 original, marking the franchise’s return to its starting point ahead of its 30th anniversary. Crystal Dynamics confirmed the game is scheduled for release in 2026 and rebuilt entirely in Unreal Engine 5. The project sits alongside a second title, Tomb Raider: Catalyst, planned for 2027, positioning the series for a multi-year revival anchored by a single, unified version of Lara Croft.

In a post-announcement Q&A on VGC, Crystal Dynamics leadership outlined why now was the moment to revisit the first Tomb Raider, and why the studio chose a reimagining rather than a straight remake. Studio head Scott Amos and game director Will Kerslake described a project driven by reverence for the original’s structure and tone, paired with a modern approach to camera, controls, and environmental scale.

“Legacy of Atlantis is a love letter by fans, all of us, for fans,” said Scott Amos.

“Looking at the opportunity we had with this, we knew the 30th anniversary was coming up and wanted to do something special… but still pay an honor to all of Core Design’s original DNA and intent from this amazing title that launched the franchise.” — Scott Amos

According to Amos, the decision to rebuild the game from the ground up was essential to that goal. Entire regions that once existed as background imagery are now fully navigable spaces, constructed with modern lighting, physics, and traversal systems. The studio sees the project not as preservation through replication, but through reinterpretation.

“We’ve taken all of those things that were critical from that first game, and then said, what can we do to push it through a modern-day gamer’s lens,” Amos said.

“That is literally the debut title that’s set up for what we’re doing now, 30 years later.”

Iconic moments remain central to the design. The original game’s T. rex encounter, collapsing bridges, and lethal traps are still present, though reworked to fit a contemporary action-adventure framework. The team aims to recreate the emotional impact of those scenes rather than their exact mechanics.

Will Kerslake addressed the distinction directly when asked whether Legacy of Atlantis should be considered a remake.

“We want to honor the legacy of that original game, by modernizing it with a gameplay experience and a fidelity that’s now possible in Unreal 5,” Kerslake said.

“Our goal there is you make it feel like it felt when you played it the first time, but play like a modern game.” — Will Kerslake

Difficulty remains part of that identity. While older Tomb Raider entries relied heavily on instant-death traps and trial-and-error progression, Crystal Dynamics says danger and failure are still fundamental. Rolling boulders, environmental hazards, and high-risk traversal remain, but tuned for modern player expectations rather than pure punishment.

Both announced games share the same Lara Croft, though at different stages of her life. Legacy of Atlantis revisits her origins, while Tomb Raider: Catalyst presents a seasoned explorer at the height of her abilities, set in Northern India. Crystal Dynamics confirmed the character continuity was deliberate, avoiding reboots that fracture identity across timelines.

A significant change comes with Lara’s new voice and performance. Alix Wilton Regan has been cast as Lara Croft, replacing Camilla Luddington. Regan previously worked with the studio before the cancellation of the Perfect Dark reboot and was present during the live reveal.

“From the very first moment we met with her, she loves this character,” said Amos.

“She was already a fan… she has that wit, that charm and charisma that is a natural essence and core for Lara, but she also has that confidence and that depth of emotionality that we need for telling these great stories.” — Scott Amos

Kerslake echoed that assessment, emphasizing Regan’s understanding of the role beyond surface traits.

“From the very beginning she got what we were trying to do and bring all the confidence of the character forward, but continue to push on the emotional depth that we need for modern storytelling,” he said.

Crystal Dynamics also addressed questions about the broader Tomb Raider universe, including its relationship to Amazon’s upcoming live-action series. While details remain undisclosed, the studio confirmed coordination across projects and described the current moment as a rare alignment of development efforts.

“We’re here to talk about the two games that we just announced,”

Amos said, adding that collaboration with Amazon has been ongoing and productive, even if specifics will come later.

Development on Legacy of Atlantis involves a mix of long-time Tomb Raider veterans and new contributors. The studio confirmed internal staff with decades of franchise experience are working alongside Flying Wild Hog, a partner team new to the series. That blend, according to Crystal Dynamics, is intended to prevent the project from becoming either nostalgic mimicry or detached reinvention.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis now stands as both a return and a recalibration. By revisiting the foundation of Lara Croft’s legacy with modern tools and a unified vision, Crystal Dynamics is attempting to reconnect the series’ past with its future without severing either.