After being delayed for multiple years due to the coronavirus, gamers will finally see the return of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider Reloaded. Developer Crystal Dynamics has just announced the game will officially launch on February 14 for iOS and Android, as well as Netflix Games.
For those who may be unaware, Tomb Raider Reloaded was initially announced in late 2020 with a 2021 release date. However, that window came and went due to both the COVID-19 pandemic and after a lackluster response to a soft launch in Asia. After years of being left in the dark, Crystal Dynamics and collaborative studio Emerald City Games have revealed the game will launch in just a matter of days.
Hearkening back to a look and feel closer to Lara's earlier adventures, Tomb Raider Reloaded is a top-down roguelike shooter where players must clear constantly shifting rooms by overcoming puzzles and hazardous traps while running from enemies new and old. The title will feature iconic locations from across the franchise like the Lost Valley, the City of Vilcabamba, and St. Francis' Folly. Lara will also encounter familiar faces like Werner Von Croy, Anaya Imanu, and Winston. Keeley Hawes is also returning to voice Lara Croft, who voiced her in Tomb Raider: Underworld, the fan-favorite Tomb Raider: Legend, and more.
While Tomb Raider Reloaded has the appearance of the older games, the developers have included a modern upgrade system. Lara Croft will be able to utilize a variety of items that she finds along her journey, including things like runes which enhance her abilities, run-specific boosts, XP modifiers, and manuals to unlock and upgrade new outfits. Players will also be able to boost Lara's overall stats and craft more powerful weapons as they progress through each level by stacking perks.
Lara Croft isn't leaving the spotlight any time soon, as Amazon has big things in store for the franchise. In addition to the announced TV series, Amazon is planning on creating a Tomb Raider movie to create an MCU-style interconnected universe. It is currently unclear whether the planned series and film will feature the Lara Croft in the popular reboot trilogy, or if it will be an entirely new iteration of the adventuring archeologist.
Those worried about Tomb Raider Reloaded's vast departure from the prior released titles needn't worry, as Amazon Games and Crystal Dynamics have said the next mainline Tomb Raider game will be the "biggest" to date. Likely to tie in with the aforementioned TV series and movie, details on the game remain scarce, but it is confirmed it's being made using Unreal Engine 5. With funding from a giant like Amazon, Lara Croft's future is certainly bright.
Tomb Raider Reloaded launches on February 14 for iOS, Android, and Netflix Games.
Source: DualShockers
