Best Tomb Raider Games in Order by Release Date
There were twelve Tomb Raider Games, plus two spinoffs of the RPG. Since its inception the game has sold more than 8 millions copies.
Core Design created the first trilogy in 1996 between 1996 and 1999. Following a less popular trilogy, Crystal Dynamics rebooted the series in the year 2006.
The year 2013 saw Square Enix became the new publisher for the series. The series was rebooted for the second time in 2013. The final three games are called the ” Survivor Timeline.” These games had the highest number of sales for all the franchises.
Also Read : Best Rom sites to download retro games in 2023
As of now we have all the Tomb Raider games in order:
- Tomb Raider -1996
- Tomb Raider II: The Dagger of Xian – 1997
- Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft – 1998
- Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation -1999
- Tomb Raider Chronicles – 2000
- Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness -2003
- Tomb Raider: Legend -2006 (Reboot)
- Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary (Remake) – 2007
- Tomb Raider Underworld – 2008
- Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (Spinoff) – 2010
- Tomb Raider (Reboot) – 2013
- Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (Spinoff) – 2014
- Rise of the Tomb Raider -2015
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider -2018
There have been three games since the Tomb Raider reboot.
In addition to playing the game itself, there’s spin-offs that are based on other consoles, such as Game Boy and mobile devices. These titles aren’t included however.
Original trilogy
Tomb Raider -1996
Publisher: Eidos Interactive. Developer: Core Design.
Tomb Raider debuted in 1996 for Sega Saturn. Then, later on, versions were released for PlayStation, MS-Dos, macOS, Pocket PC, N-Gage, iOS, and Android were released.
In 1996, Tomb Raider introduced Lara Croft. Jacqueline Naffla, a businesswoman, employed her to locate an ancient Scion of Atlantis artifact.
The first title game established the formula for the series, and it hasn’t changed since.
Its primary elements offer the experience of a third-person adventure game that revolves around discovering tombs and ruins. In your quest you’ll have to solve the puzzles and fight against the wild animals, thieves, and various other foes.
Then, the game creates levels that include multiple areas with complex environments and difficult puzzles. For the moment, puzzle-solving is an essential part in Tomb Raider’s solo-player adventure.
In addition, Lara Croft packs her two pistols of the past with endless ammo in the back. These are her primary guns, however, she can also engage in melee combat.
The game also has sixteen levels. It was an extremely long experience for a game in 1996.
Tomb Raider II: Dagger of Xian – 1997
Publisher: Eidos interactive. Developer: Core Design.
The sequel in the Tomb Raider series debuted in 1997 on PC as well as PlayStation. It was released on the Sega Saturn version never reached the market. However, there were later ports available for macOS as well as iOS.
The game was sold for more than 8 million copies, and it became one of the top sales.
Its story is set in the Great Wall of China, in which Lara must locate her way to the Dagger from Xian. The dagger is the property of the first Chinese Emperor and that’s why it has a tremendous worth.
In addition to a fresh story and new locations It’s the same game like before. Lara can leap up, climb and pull, push as well as use weapons with range and fight using her fists. Climbing was an interesting feature in comparison to the previous game.
Additionally, there are some new guns Lara Croft can use. In addition the game puts greater importance on battle.
Tomb Raider II: The Golden Mask
The Golden Mask debuted for PC in 1999.
Tomb Raider II has an expansion called The Golden Mask. It has a brand-new mission on four levels.
The expansion tells a bizarre story that explores to the Tomb Raider universe. When she searches to find Golden Mask, she is confronted by Golden Mask, she faces giant monsters and dinosaurs.
Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft – 1998
Publisher: Eidos Interactive. Developer: Core Design.
Adventures of Lara Croft continued the series in 1998. The first season was released on PlayStation as well as Windows. A port reached macOS a year later.
The third movie follows Lara Croft on a quest to discover four meteorite fragments. They’re scattered throughout various parts of the globe.
While the gameplay is very like Tomb Raider II, it has a number of enhancements. For instance, the game comes with an new graphics engine which enhanced graphics, efficiency, and performance.
The engine also gave developers the ability to develop more intricate level and even puzzles. This is the reason Tomb Raider III puts more focus on puzzles than the previous two games.
Second Trilogy
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation -1999
Publisher: Eidos Interactive. Developer: Core Design.
The Last Revelation debuted in 1999 on PlayStation as well as Windows. One year later, the version was released for Dreamcast and macOS platforms.
The story is updated with more mysterious elements. Lara Croft’s mission is to capture Set, the Egyptian god Set. Set.
Revelation offers the same gameplay as previous games, while improving the game’s graphics and AI. In addition it lacks any significant technological advancements.
The game’s conclusion is the preposterous end of Lara Croft.
Tomb Raider Chronicles – 2000
Publisher: Eidos Interactive. Developer: Core Design.
Chronicles first launched in 2000 on PlayStation, Windows, and Dreamcast.
It’s a sequel to The Last Revelation story. A group of friends go to Lara Croft’s funeral at the Croft Mansion to discuss the early adventures of Lara. The game plays out in a flashback sequence.
The players go through various levels, complete puzzles, and fight against enemies. Lara Croft could now move in stealth and fight enemies from a stealthy position.
However, the final part of the gameplay suggests Lara could be alive beneath in the Great Pyramid ruins.
Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness – 2003
Publisher: Eidos Interactive. Developer: Core Design.
The Angel of Darkness debuted in 2003 on PlayStation 2 and Windows. In 2003, a port reached macOS X PCs.
The story continues in The Last Revelation and Chronicles. A few days after the supposed death, she is brought to Paris. She is accompanied by her mentor Wener Von Croy assigns her a brand new task to find the Obscura paintings. Prior to the treasure hunt begins the unknown assassin is killed by Von Croy.
Authorities believe that Lara Croft is the murderer. The game then transforms in to Lara looking to establish she is innocent. To succeed she has to find the paintings of the Obscura.
The visual and performance improvements are evident because this is the very first Tomb Raider game for PlayStation 2. In addition, the developers developed the stealth mode that is similar to that of the Metal Gear series. In the same way that Lara Croft had to hide from police officers this was a fundamental mechanic.
Legend Timeline
Tomb Raider: Legend – 2006
Publisher: Eidos Interactive. Developer: Crystal Dynamics.
Legend is the upcoming entry to the action-adventure Tomb Raider series. The game was released in 2006 on PS2, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS as well as Windows PC. It was launched in 2011, and made it to its release on the PlayStation 3.
Crystal Dynamics was in charge of the game and they chose to restart Tomb Raider. The game was essentially an entirely brand new Lara Croft origins story.
The new plot focuses on Lara Croft searching for the Excalibur sword throughout the globe. The story is told across linear levels in which Lara must fight off foes, resolve puzzles and explore dangerous areas.
Crystal Dynamics overhauled the graphics and engine. In the end, the game featured a fresh style of Lara Croft, improved controllers and improved AI for enemy AI.
It’s the game that saved the franchise.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary – 2006
Publisher: Eidos Interactive. Developer: Crystal Dynamics and Buzz Monkey Software.
The game was released in 2007 on Microsoft Windows, PS2, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii, and smartphones. The game was released a year later. game was released for PS3 as well as macOS X.
Ten years in the making from Lara Croft, this game is an recreation of the 1996 original Tomb Raider game.
It reintroduces Croft’s original story, but with the graphic prowess of the day. If you’re a fan the plot, it’s about the search for Scion’s artifact. Scion artifact.
The story and the levels are identical, but there are few changes. The first was that Lara Croft’s creator Toby Gard came back to enhance the story in the game. Gard changed the design of Lara as well as co-wrote the script and was in charge of the characters, character movements and cinematics.
Then, the creator Troels Brun Folmann recreated the score using an orchestra.
Similar to that, Lara Croft has new moves that are similar to those players are able to do in Legend. This affected the design of levels as the game got more complex and vast.
For instance, the development team revised the puzzles in order to work with the graphics engine. Furthermore, the levels were designed with different paths to follow, so the Anniversary version wasn’t like the other games that were linear.
Apart from that the new game also had better game play, acrobatics as well as improved gaming performance overall.
Tomb Raider Underworld – 2009
Publisher: Eidos Interactive. Developer: Crystal Dynamics
Underworld The third chapter in the Legend storyline. It launched in 2008 on PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS along with Windows.
The game has different gameplay components. The game has been improved overall, including gunplay, inventory systems along with the map and even movement. Additionally, the developers included an grasping hook that can be used for multiple purposes.
Another new feature was the hint system, which guides players through puzzles and platforms. Additionally, Lara Croft could now grapple and kick opponents.
The story revolves about Lara Croft exploring a family mystery.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (Spinoff) – 2010
Publisher: Square Enix Europe. Developer: Crystal Dynamics.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is an spinoff. It isn’t based on the original series’ storyline, and is accompanied by an entirely different style of gaming.
This is an isometric RPG game that blends character development with puzzles, platforming, and exploration.
The plot is set the region of Central America. Lara Croft and her team must confront Xolotl the evil spirit who is raising dead.
Finally, the title permits co-ops to be both local as well as on-line cooperatives.
Overall, it’s an excellent RPG; however, it doesn’t have a lot of notoriety. It was the first game to be released that fell under the Square Enix umbrella, I think the RPG masters were looking to move the series to a new genre.
The game was released in 2010 on Windows, PS3, and Xbox 360.
Survivor Timeline Trilogy
Tomb Raider (Reboot) – 2013
Publisher: Square Enix. Developer: Crystal Dynamics.}
After a gap of four years, Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix returned with another update. The game was released in 2013 for PS3, Xbox 360, and Windows. It was in 2014 that the game was released for macOS X and Linux as well. There are currently versions available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series.
Tomb Raider 2013 tells a brand new origin story to Lara Croft. The story is set in Yamatai which is a fictional island belonging to the former Japanese empire. Lara Croft and her team are looking in search of the missing island. A shipwreck, however, leaves the survivors of the ship stranded.
The setting offers a linear, cinematic action-adventure adventure game. Since this is prior to the time Lara Croft had any combat experience, your objective is to survive, help your family members and escape from the island. So, you’ll gradually move throughout the island, searching for what you need , and the people who are in need of you.
The game’s mechanics emphasize aspects of survival. Although gameplay is linear the zones are vast and allow you to discover ammo, weapons and even the secrets.
In addition, The Survivor Timeline Trilogy included RPG-related mechanics. Lara Croft gains XP by fighting, hunting, exploring in tombs, raiding tombs, as well as collecting artifacts. As Lara increases in level, players acquire points of skill to use on various survival, combat, or exploration abilities.
Tomb Raider 2013 received critical and popular applause. Some believe that the reboot was far ahead in its day. The design of the graphics, sound music, atmosphere the gameplay and story telling remains relevant to this day.
The game was sold more than 8 million copies in 2015. The game was the first high in the history of the series.
The game is currently offering the multiplayer feature, which includes PvP battle in 4v4 on various maps. In the event that you browse Steam for the game, you’ll discover many skins and power-ups to play the multiplayer aspect that the game offers.
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (Spinoff) – 2014
Publisher: Square Enix. Developer: Crystal Dynamics.
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris continue the Guardian of Light with a similar gameplay style to the isometric A-RPG. Platforming, RPG and puzzles are included.
The game also lets you play the co-op of four players, either on the internet or off. If you’re playing on your own you’ll play as Lara. When friends join your game you can choose to be Carter, Isis, and Horus.
The co-op functions as an opportunity to drop in and out. With more players joining your group it becomes more challenging and rewarding.
In the tale, Lara and her group travel to the Egyptian underworld to fight Set, the god of evil. Set.
The game launched on PS4 as well as Xbox One in 2014. At present, there are a number of packs and DLCs available for the game. There’s also an Google Stadia version available.
Rise of the Tomb Raider – 2015
Publisher: Square Enix. Developer: Crystal Dynamics.
Rise of the Tomb Raider continues the reboot and maintains the same gameplay and look.
The game was launched as an Xbox-timed-exclusive in the year 2015 ( Xbox One and Xbox 360). The game was released to gamers on PlayStation 4 and Windows PCs in the year 2016. There are now versions available for Linux, macOS, Google Stadia, PS5, and Xbox Series.
The story takes place in Siberia The setting is Siberia, in Siberia, where Lara Croft searches for Kitezh the city of legend. Kitzeh holds the key to immortality, however another paramilitary organization is looking for its strength as well.
Like before, you move through areas, fight enemies, and work out challenges. The elements of survival and stealth are common. The game, however, offers semi-open pockets instead of linear levels.
In each of these hubs Lara can explore tombs for rewards. Furthermore, she is able to take on side missions and mine materials to make items.
Eidos Montreal and Nixxes Software have created the brand new game engine to this game. It enhanced the general performance as well as the graphics in the game.
Like his predecessor Rise of the Tomb Raider was a hit game. In 2017 it was sold more than seven million units. It wasn’t able to beat Tomb Raider 2013, but it was able to keep its high marks in any case.
If you search for the game’s information on Steam or any other platform there are a variety of DLCs or packs as well as add-ons.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider – 2018
Publisher: Square Enix. Developer: Eidos Montreal.
The most recent installment of Tomb Raider is out. Tomb Raider saga came out in the year 2018 on Windows, PS4, and Xbox One. Today, the game is available on PS5, Xbox Series, macOS, Linux, and Google Stadia.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the final installment in the trilogy of reboots. It was released on Windows, PS4, and Xbox One. macOS, Linux, and Google Stadia versions are currently available.
The new storyline places Lara Croft in the Americas in search of the mythical city of Paititi. Her goal is to stop the Mayan Apocalypse, which is unleashing.
Like before, you are able to explore tombs, mine resources, and finish tasks on each pocket semi-open globe. Apart from that some gameplay changes include swimming, grappling hooks and a higher difficulty.
In the end, Shadow of the Tomb Raider added an additional layer of complexity in these RPG options. There are more abilities and advancement pathways. Additionally, there’s a new ability that three players can obtain through the new Game+ feature.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider includes a variety of DLCs and add-ons. However, you can purchase the Definitive Edition. Ultimate edition to play the complete game’s content.
