Best Tomb Raider Games

Few online game protagonists have stood the take a look at of time to last up to the likes of Mario or Sonic The Hedgehog. Any such characters could be Lara Croft. When Tomb Raider burst onto the scene in 1996, it was once very uncommon for a feminine protagonist to be the main playable personality in a online game, with the one noteworthy exception being Samus from the Metroid collection.

Tomb Raider exploded right into a mega-franchise that persisted for a few years, then discovered itself rebooted with a brand new collection of video games that loved super good fortune throughout the 2010s. That are the perfect Tomb Raider video games? That are the worst?

Up to date October 16, 2024 by way of Mark Sammut: Aspyr has introduced a brand new remaster compilation for February 14, 2025, one containing 3 entries that don’t seem to be most often thought to be being a number of the perfect Tomb Raider video games. May just this upcoming free up trade issues?

Each and every Tomb Raider Sport

Tomb Raider has an extended and storied historical past, one who spans greater than 15 video games throughout a plethora of platforms and console generations. Lara Croft has been all over the world a couple of occasions, and that appears set to proceed. The desk beneath lists each and every Lara Croft sport, together with its unique free up date, developer, and writer.

Choose a sport to visit its rating.

Sure video games had been launched on each house and hand held consoles; in those instances, the previous would be the precedence because the latter are, most often, now not the similar.

22 Tomb Raider: The Angel Of Darkness (2003)

Lara’s Damaged Journey

When Lara made the soar from the PlayStation to the PlayStation 2, fanatics had been met with a grittier and darker sport that upset a lot of avid gamers. The loss of polish to the controls, a digital camera the avid gamers ended up combating greater than the in-game enemies, and a plethora of insects and system defects made The Angel of Darkness a multitude to play.

The builders overtly admitted to affected by a serious lack of leadership with an excessive amount of ambition for the undertaking resulting in many manufacturing problems ensuing within the sport avid gamers got in 2003. The Angel of Darkness has neat concepts and a probably fascinating tale, however it’s tough to counsel in its present shape. Out of all of Lara Croft’s adventures, this will be the perfect candidate for a remaster or remake.

21 Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)

Franchise Fatigue

The builders at Core Design had already turn into fatigued by way of Tomb Raider by the point Chronicles rolled round. In consequence, they tried to kill off Lara Croft within the earlier sport however Eidos was once decided to stay the franchise going as a money cow. This ended in the general sport for Lara at the unique PlayStation.

With a combined reception, the consensus is that Chronicles was once not anything dangerous however very uninspired, forgettable, and with little to no distinction to differentiate it from earlier installments. That is simply some other PS1 Tomb Raider sport, an journey that is going in a single ear and out the opposite.

20 Tomb Raider Reloaded (2023)

An OK Cell Diversion

Tomb Raider‘s handiest new sport to be launched within the 2020s to this point, Reloaded went by way of in large part overlooked, which is sensible because the franchise is predominantly a console staple quite than a cellular heavyweight (in spite of generating fairly a couple of initiatives for the latter). A number of huge IPs have attempted their hand at iOS and Android gaming, and whilst there are a few nice releases, they have a tendency to fall by way of the wayside fairly temporarily. Tomb Raider Reloaded isn’t any exception, even if that doesn’t imply the sport has not anything to supply. If truth be told, this can be a first rate cellular undertaking, even supposing it would fight to meet long-time fanatics who need a conventional Lara Croft journey.

Reloaded‘s gameplay loop revolves round short-burst phases full of traps and enemies. The controls and mechanics are stripped down fairly slightly, however they do supplement this sort of free up. Sadly, like such a lot of cellular video games earlier than and after it, Reloaded‘s monetization is maddening at the most efficient of occasions. That mentioned, the Netflix model gets rid of numerous the commercials and a great deal improves the full enjoy.

19 Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (2002)

A First rate However Forgettable Transportable Journey

Swapping from a third-person journey to a Zelda-esque review, Lara jumped to the Nintendo Sport Boy Advance with a mildly a hit identify. Tomb Raider: The Prophecy was once praised for its spectacular graphics and sound for a Sport Boy Advance identify.

Alternatively, it obtained grievance for its uninteresting gameplay, little to no tale to power the repetitive motion set items, and quite a lot of different court cases. All of it ended in a identify that even die-hard Tomb Raider fanatics have forgotten had existed through the years. Whilst it’s a ways from sensible, The Prophecy is a serviceable hand held access within the franchise.

18 Tomb Raider: Apocalypse (2002)

(Virtually) Misplaced To Time

Arguably the toughest Tomb Raider undertaking to search out, Apocalypse was once a 4-episode sport launched thru Sky Gamestar, a provider that allowed shoppers to play fairly an intensive record of titles by way of paying both for a consultation or day by day. The provider introduced in 2001 and resulted in 2015, making its library tough to get right of entry to legitimately. Whilst unknown to other people outdoor the United Kingdom, Sky Gamestar had video games in line with fairly a couple of recognizable IPs (Ben 10, Avatar, Codename: Children Subsequent Door, Dexter’s Laboratory, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Hulk, and Scooby-Doo!), together with in style originals like Beehive Bedlam.

For years, Tomb Raider: Apocalypse was once thought to be misplaced media, as had been many Gamestar initiatives; alternatively, 2023 modified all of that, as many of the provider’s video games had been found out and made to be had in some shape or some other. Irrespective of high quality, the truth that Apocalypse will also be skilled at the present time is implausible. That mentioned, is it in fact price enjoying? Smartly, the sport is an got style, particularly because it does now not play like every of the opposite Tomb Raider releases. An old-school cinematic platformer, Apocalypse very a lot turns out ripped from the past due ’80s and early ’90s, albeit with OK visuals that take pleasure in the episodes visiting fairly a couple of other places. The gameplay is ok however sluggish and punishing, and it will get repetitive fairly temporarily. Nonetheless, Apocalypse is fairly really extensive, containing dozens of ranges throughout its episodes.

17 Lara Croft: Relic Run (2015)

Tomb Raider Is A Just right Have compatibility For An Unending Runner

This cellular spin-off took its liberties to offer the collection to an informal target audience. Necessarily a Tomb Raider model of the cellular sport Temple Run, Relic Run does comprise one of the franchise’s trademark qualities that permit the sport to face out within the never-ending runner style.

It’s extra of an evolution within the never-ending platforming style, as parts like wall-running and using guns are injected into the sport. All issues thought to be, Relic Run is a good way for informal fanatics to be presented to the collection, even supposing it’s too one-dimensional.

16 Tomb Raider: Curse Of The Sword (2001)

Spectacular For The {Hardware}

The GBA’s Curse of the Sword is the sequel to 2000’s Tomb Raider which got here out at the Sport Boy Colour. Very similar to that identify, the 2001 free up takes avid gamers on a small however fulfilling journey. This time, the marketing campaign basically takes position in town places and opts for higher phases quite than its predecessor’s shorter ranges.

Curse of the Sword seems to be lovely first rate for a Sport Boy Advance sport, in particular its backdrops. Even though the environments don’t seem to be particularly unique, the sport does its perfect to cause them to visually putting.

15 Lara Croft And The Temple of Osiris (2014)

Actually Amusing Co-Op Best-Down Shooter

In 2014, the Tomb Raider collection attempted its hand at arcade-inspired gameplay with co-op driven to the vanguard. The Temple of Osiris comprises as much as 4 characters, together with Lara, and they all have their very own particular talents and characteristics.

It has a top-down view of the motion, which takes away one of the franchise’s attraction because the digital camera is so restricted. Except that, alternatively, the sport is excellent a laugh for a couple of avid gamers to make it a small-scale however stress-free access within the collection.

14 Tomb Raider (2000)

Higher Than It Has Any Proper To Be

2000’s Tomb Raider took Lara to Nintendo’s Sport Boy Colour, and the franchise treated the transition to hand held unusually properly. Naturally, expectancies wish to be tempered because the {hardware} may just now not most likely reflect the house console enjoy, however Tomb Raider does an admirable task of replicating Lara’s iconic moveset.

As the sport maintains a fairly sluggish tempo, that is in no way an action-heavy enjoy; alternatively, the marketing campaign gives a excellent mixture of puzzles, exploration, and cutscenes. Whilst now not a must-play identify, this free up would are compatible snugly in any GBC assortment.

13 Tomb Raider 3 (1998)

Very Just right, However Protected Sequel

Whilst now not as liked as the primary two video games within the collection, Tomb Raider 3 is a forged threequel that made the entirety larger than ever earlier than. Admittedly, this did come on the lack of many of the thriller and suspense discovered within the prior entries.

There was once additionally a serious loss of innovation that brought about Tomb Raider 3 to really feel extra corresponding to a spread pack to the second one sport quite than a big-budget sequel. In spite of those criticisms, Tomb Raider 3 is a extremely stress-free vintage romp within the collection, one that are supposed to please any person keen on Lara’s earlier two adventures.

12 Tomb Raider: The Final Revelation (1999)

Not anything New However Not anything Dangerous

Perfect remembered in this day and age for being a failed effort by way of the collection to kill off Lara Croft and introduce a brand new lead, The Final Revelation remains to be a forged affair that represents the way and gameplay alternatives of gaming again within the day.

There’s no innovation to be discovered right here, however nostalgia and the trademark Tomb Raider leisure are to be had in buckets. Puzzle-solving is extra centered upon right here than in different video games, making this access a subtler challenge for the collection.

11 Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Starring Lara Croft (2024)

The Perfect Approach To Revel in The Authentic Trilogy

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered is a hard compilation to correctly price since it’s concurrently one of the simplest ways to enjoy the PS1 trilogy, the entire whilst now not being in particular spectacular. Simply to be crystal transparent, this free up remasters the video games by way of updating the visuals and offering the choice to make use of fashionable controls, even if the latter will also be swapped for the unique variations. The bundle’s adjustments and enhancements don’t move a lot additional than that, so any person anticipating any tweaked content material or recent concepts will be upset. In consequence, if any individual has already performed during the vintage entries and does now not have any need to revisit them, they are going to almost definitely get subsequent to not anything out of Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered.

Whilst in all probability now not the entirety it might had been, this 2024 free up nonetheless preserves 3 influential video games that don’t seem to be in particular out there on fashionable techniques outdoor of PC. The brand new controls are a welcome selection, even supposing the degrees are obviously designed to deal with tank controls quite than fashionable motion. The video games are nonetheless brimming with creativity and persona, with the primary identify being particularly nice.

10 Lara Croft Cross (2015)

Nice Cell Sport

It appeared as though the Tomb Raider collection had explored all avenues so far as gaming genres had been involved, just for Lara Croft Cross to make use of the turn-based gaming taste. The sport is totally puzzle-based and is dependent upon a very powerful actions the participant makes.

This makes it one of the vital smartest smartphone video games in the market, as Lara needs to be navigated in this type of approach that avid gamers wish to strategize their subsequent strikes. General, it’s an efficient trade from the norm the collection engaged in.

9 Lara Croft And The Dad or mum of Mild (2010)

Very Other Gameplay However Nails What It Is Attempting To be

Remarkably, the top-down digital camera way doesn’t obstruct the joys issue of this spin-off. The sport makes puzzle-solving and platforming its biggest energy as those are reinforced by way of the gorgeous visuals and steadiness with motion sequences.

The slight adverse here’s the tacky storyline, which is a ways got rid of from the Tomb Raider system. Nonetheless, it’s simple to disregard that taking into consideration the exceptional replay worth courtesy of Lara Croft and the Dad or mum of Mild‘s a laugh gameplay, nice degree design, and usage of conventional Tomb Raider gameplay.

8 Shadow Of The Tomb Raider (2018)

A Just right Conclusion To A Nice Trilogy

The 1/3 access within the rebooted Tomb Raidercollection by way of Sq. Enix garnered sure critiques for bringing Lara again to a extra visually interesting jungle environment. It additionally retained the gameplay that made the former two video games classics in avid gamers’ eyes, even if this access focuses extra on exploration and platforming than motion. Shadow of the Tomb Raider additionally comprises some nice underwater sections.

Even though it happy fanatics, the sport did not upward push to the bar that the former entries set because of a disappointing tale and protected gameplay that felt very “been there, executed that.” Whilst a forged enjoy in its personal proper, Shadow of the Tomb Raider ended the Survivor trilogy on a somewhat underwhelming word.

7 Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

A Nice Conclusion To A Moderately Overshadowed Trilogy

After the collection had returned with Anniversary and Legend, Tomb Raider made its largest comeback with Underworld. This access combined vintage and new mechanics with pleasurable visuals from the Xbox 360 and PS3 technology. Underworld ended in an access that fanatics felt was once a pleasing finishing for the vintage Lara Croft.

Naturally, the sport was once now not thought to be best possible; the battle gadget felt slightly dated, the tale was once unusually brief, and just like with Angel Of Darkness, Underworld may just now not fairly get a correct snatch of the digital camera. Nonetheless, it is a a laugh journey sport that nails the franchise’s trademark exploration and platforming whilst showcasing Lara on the peak of her cool.

6 Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)

A Legend Is Revised And Revered

After the disappointing Angel Of Darkness, Legend was once meant as the actual go back to shape as a brand-new tale within the collection, and it did simply that in spite of its brief duration. Whilst she were given slightly of a redesign, Lara persisted to be a really perfect hero, the gameplay was once fluid and fulfilling, the puzzles had been difficult but a laugh, and it equipped an journey that rivaled the unique trilogy.

Even though the sport was once in all probability now not thought to be on par with the unique trilogy, Legend did damage new floor in a unique gaming era. This 2006 sport introduced Lara again in an enormous approach, putting in the franchise for extra adventures to return at some point.

5 Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)

Improbable Remake Of The Authentic Tomb Raider

Taking what that they had executed with Lara Croft in Legend, the builders selected to rejoice over ten years of the franchise with a sport that acted as a remake of the very unique access. This led to Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Because the score suggests, Anniversary was once well-received around the board, in particular the PC model. Anniversary acted as a distinct reward for each longtime fanatics of the collection and people who sought after to get into the video games, just like what Capcom has executed just lately with the Resident Evil franchise.

Whilst nowhere close to as iconic as the unique Tomb Raider, Anniversary gives an implausible refresh of a vintage journey, using the adjustments noticed in Legend to nice impact. Because of being so other from the 1996 unique, they’re each price enjoying without reference to any individual’s familiarity with them.

4 Tomb Raider 2 (1997)

High-quality-Tuning A Masterpiece

After exploding to iconic standing with the primary sport on my own, it was once just a yr later that Lara Croft returned for a sequel that fanatics welcomed with open fingers. A lot in the similar vein as Die Laborious 2, the collection have shyed away from peaking in the second one sport, however it nonetheless controlled to provoke and make its a reimbursement.

Even though some praised its difficult problem, there are those that have idea it was once too not easy in spots. In spite of everything, even though, Tomb Raider 2 is a just about best possible follow-up to the vintage unique.

3 Tomb Raider (2013)

The Get started Of A New Technology

With video games changing into extra cinematic in high quality and magnificence, Sq. Enix and Crystal Dynamics made the courageous number of now not handiest utterly rebooting the Tomb Raider franchise but in addition giving avid gamers the foundation tale in their favourite explorer. It took inspiration from video games on the time like Uncharted and the Arkham franchise.

Did it paintings? Sure. Lovers had been fast to fall in love with the darkish, gritty, and extra lifelike foundation tale that embraced new gameplay whilst respecting the classics with considerate puzzles, nice third-person shooter gameplay, and extra characters but even so Lara to like.