There are few games that have come to define a console quite like the Tomb Raider series. In its early years, the Tomb Raider games were inextricably linked to the PlayStation, and their rising popularity perfectly matched the console's increasing prevalence in the gaming world. Lara Croft became one of video games' most iconic heroines, with her pistols and classic braid becoming as memorable as other video game giants' paraphernalia like Link's sword and shield and Mario's red cap. In an industry where female protagonists were few and far between, Tomb Raider helped to carve a niche for strong characters that could also embrace their feminine side, even if there were a few controversies around her perceived sex appeal.
When the series was rebooted in 2013 with the release of Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider, gamers were beyond excited to get the origin story for the iconic character. With the spirit of the earlier games' action-adventure roots combined with a grittier, mature story and in-depth characterization, Tomb Raider was met with universal acclaim. Two more games inevitably followed, with Lara's character continuing to grow as she took her adventures across the globe. The recent announcement that another Tomb Raider title is in active development has sparked fan excitement once again, and there are so many interesting places Crystal Dynamics can take the new series. However, it shouldn't forget what Eidos Montreal did with its entry in the trilogy.
A New Adventure
Epic Games' State of Unreal 2022 showcase brought lots of compelling updates and intriguing glimpses at projects in development, but one of the most exciting announcements was that another Tomb Raider was on the way. The upcoming game, which will be using the breathtakingly beautiful Unreal Engine 5, will be returning to Crystal Dynamics after Eidos Montreal developed Croft's last outing in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Franchise General Manager Dallas Dickinson claimed that Crystal Dynamics will be aiming for "next-level storytelling and gameplay experiences" in the next Tomb Raider title, pushing the boundaries of what the game engine is capable of to deliver a truly exceptional adventure.
While this all sounds great, especially for fans who have eagerly followed Lara's journey over the years, the game is still in early development. It will be a while before players learn more about what it will entail or when they can get their hands on it. It's not certain yet where Crystal Dynamics will take the series, whether it will choose to reboot it once more or continue on from Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Whatever the studio decides to do with the story, it shouldn't forget Eidos Montreal's offering and should make sure it's learning a few lessons from the previous installment.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider's Impact
Crystal Dynamics' first two titles in the Tomb Raider reboot trilogy were game-changers. While previous Tomb Raider games had been successful and beloved, 2008's Tomb Raider: Underworld had received some mixed reviews and its combat and mechanics were starting to feel a little dated. The series needed a shake-up, and 2013's Tomb Raider provided just that. It revolutionized the franchise, bringing it to a new generation of gamers and giving the eponymous adventurer a stronger backstory and much-needed modernization. The follow-up, Rise of the Tomb Raider, elevated parts of the previous game and offered players even more content, taking the series in a slightly updated direction.
However, when Eidos Montreal took over for Shadow of the Tomb Raider, it tried to push the boat out even more. Despite positive reviews, the twelfth mainline entry in the Tomb Raider series had a bit of a slow start when it came to sales, and its differences from the previous two installments turned some fans off. While no means a failure, some players saw it as a misstep that didn't manage to freshen up the gameplay in the right ways compared to its two predecessors. Now that development has switched back to Crystal Dynamics, the studio may be tempted to distance the next installment from Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but the 2018 title brought so much to the table that it would be a mistake to dismiss it altogether.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider was definitely the most ambitious entry in the trilogy when it came to set pieces and upping the action ante. The game kept challenge tombs and puzzles front and center – popular aspects of the series that have always defined the Tomb Raider experience. The elements of platforming and the look of the game also received praise from critics, but it was its story that really set it apart. Shadow of the Tomb Raider wasn't afraid to take Lara Croft in some dark directions and explore how her single-mindedness could have incredibly destructive consequences. The previous games explored this to some extent, but Shadow of the Tomb Raider embraced the more unlikeable sides to Lara's character, which added interesting nuances that are often lacking in female representation.
What The Future Holds For Tomb Raider
Shadow of the Tomb Raider helped to delve deeper into who Lara Croft was, going beyond the heroic facade and tight tank tops. It tinkered with the gameplay, making the difficulty more tailored to player progression and incorporating more ways for Lara to get around her environments. It may not have been the perfect game, but there were aspects that evolved much of what players encountered in Tomb Raider and its sequel, and Crystal Dynamics should continue to build on this in its next entry. The arc of Lara's story is key in this, and the studio shouldn't be afraid to plumb the darker depths like Shadow of the Tomb Raider did.
While not much is known about the next game, there are so many interesting avenues it could take. A look at Lara in her later years in the next Tomb Raider could present some fascinating plot directions for the adventurer and could look at how she still struggles to shed some of her more reckless antics now that her body is less able to cope with them. It could be the start of a new trilogy, with a new cast of characters coming in to support the titular archeologist as a variety of relationships are explored. Shadow of the Tomb Raider provided closure for the reboot trilogy, and fans will be eager to see how Crystal Dynamics either opens this back up or chooses to start a new story.
Tomb Raider is in development.