Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a 'Reimagining,' Not a Remake

Capturing the essence of the original Tomb Raider while modernizing it for today's hardware is a delicate balancing act. At Summer Game Fest, Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog clarified that Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is intentionally framed as a "reimagining" rather than a traditional remake. By their definition, a remake implies a graphical polish over existing level design, whereas this project is a complete reconstruction of Lara Croft’s debut.

"What we've done is we've taken the unique points of the original game, then the story and the moments that people remember and keep in their memories, and we just reimagined them," said Art Director Arek Tomaszewski of Flying Wild Hog. According to the team, the goal is to expand the lore, environments, and storytelling into a much deeper experience while honoring the spirit of the 1996 classic.

Building a New World

Game Director Raul Siqueira noted that the team is rebuilding from the ground up, drawing design inspiration from the entire Tomb Raider franchise. This "reimagining" approach extends to classic mechanics, such as the iconic clockwork wall puzzles. Experience Director Jeff Adams explained that these puzzles have been evolved to feel like authentic, discoverable parts of the world, often incorporating narrative context like water-driven machinery to explain their presence.

The developers are also pulling influence from the more recent "Survivor trilogy." While they aim to maintain the humanity that made the 2013–2018 era of Lara relatable, they are pivoting toward a version of the character that possesses the "bravado" and authority seen in her earlier appearances. Alix Wilton Reagan has been tapped to voice this iteration of Lara, with the team emphasizing her ability to command a room.

Crafting and Modern Gameplay

Players can expect new layers to the gameplay, including a confirmed crafting system. While specific mechanics are still being kept under wraps, the team noted that it is tied to healing and other "surprises" that will be revealed closer to launch. The environments themselves are being designed with an emphasis on exploration, rewarding players for finding every nook and cranny rather than simply increasing scale for the sake of size.

Addressing AI Usage

Following discussions regarding an AI disclaimer on the game's Steam page, the developers clarified their stance on the technology. They describe AI as a tool used in early development to visualize ideas or objects before they are moved into the studio's traditional pipeline. The team stressed that all finished content in the final game is "human-crafted," with AI utilized only to help the team reach decisions faster during the prototyping phase.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is set to arrive on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X on February 12, 2027.