We’ve known since Fortnite that a new Tomb Raider game would be announced at The Game Awards. But surprise: Crystal Dynamics has a second title up its sleeve.
No, you’re not seeing double in your excitement: Crystal Dynamics has actually unveiled two new Tomb Raider games at The Game Awards! nbsp;Catalyst is set to continue the series in 2027, while Legacy of Atlantis will take us back three decades next year to experience a reinterpretation of Lara’s debut adventure.
The developers aren’t giving away too many details beyond the trailers, but let’s take a closer look at the two games.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst
Seven years after Lara’s last adventure in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the tomb raider returns in Tomb Raider: Catalyst. A mystical catastrophe reveals ancient secrets and awakens the powers that guard them. Treasure hunters from all over the world are quick to arrive on the scene. And so Lara Croft finds herself in North India, where she intends to stop anyone who wants to use the newly acquired knowledge for their own gain.
Catalyst is said to offer the largest Tomb Raider world to date, so it’s quite possible that Crystal Dynamics will expand the open areas from the reboot trilogy into a true open world. Rumors to this effect have been circulating for some time.
The new entry in the series is intended to bring together the two timelines of the old TR games and the new reboot trilogy: in the trailer, Lara’s adversary mentions that the adventurer has already been to the Dragon Triangle (Yamatai, Tomb Raider 2013) and Atlantis (Tomb Raider 1996).
Game Director Will Kerslake also confirms that Catalyst takes place years after the events of Tomb Raider: Underworld. That’s why we see an experienced and confident Lara Croft in the trailer – in contrast to the fearful adventurer in Tomb Raider 2013.
The connection between the timelines could also be the reason why Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games are announcing another game right away.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Following Tomb Raider: Anniversary and Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered, Legacy of Atlantis is already the fourth iteration of Lara’s very first adventure from 1996. A modern reinterpretation is set to be released in 2026 to mark the 30th anniversary of the genre-defining action-adventure game. Legacy of Atlantis is being developed by Crystal Dynamics in collaboration with Flying Wild Hog (Evil West, Trek to Yomi, Shadow Warrior) and, like Catalyst, is being built using Unreal Engine 5.
Judging by the trailer, this reinterpretation is intended to bridge the gap between the reboot trilogy and Catalyst. In the trailer, Lara wears the same jade necklace that we know from the reboot games. This would place Legacy of Atlantis chronologically between Tomb Raider (2013) and Catalyst.
According to the game director, Legacy of Atlantis is being built completely from scratch. In addition to modern controls, a visual overhaul, and new game design, such as puzzles, there are also a few surprises in store for long-time fans in Legacy of Atlantis. For example, there will be new areas that we haven’t seen before. “This allows us to realize the original vision that was not possible with the technology available at the time,” says Will Kerslake. Incidentally, Lara Croft’s English voice in both games is provided by actress Alix Wilton Regan, whom you may know as the female Inquisitor in Dragon Age: Inquisition or Alt Cunningham in Cyberpunk 2077.
In the coming days, we will receive more information about Catalyst and Legacy of Atlantis, which we will of course add to this article as soon as possible.
Editor’s conclusion
Considering how disappointed I was with the reboot trilogy, it’s almost extraordinary how excited I am about the announcement of Tomb Raider: Catalyst and Legacy of Atlantis.
But my first thought when watching the trailers was: My Lara is back! Because the tomb raider has regained her coquettish, cheeky manner. She’s confident, experienced, climbing through ancient tombs, swinging her two iconic pistols again—and finally has her braided ponytail back! And yes, details like that are important to me! In Catalyst Lara, I recognize my childhood heroine, and I can’t help but grin from ear to ear.
Now all that’s left is for the rest to fit in as well. After all, we haven’t seen anything of the world or the actual gameplay yet – and that could, of course, still be a real dealbreaker.
Legacy of Atlantis is also a nice bonus for the 30th anniversary of the series. I never tire of playing the first part in all its interpretations. And if Crystal Dynamics wants to create a unified timeline with it, then I’m the last person to complain. Because objectively speaking, two new Tomb Raider games are simply much better than just one new Tomb Raider game!
