By Jon Scarr
The Game Awards 2025 delivered a surprise double reveal for Tomb Raider fans. Amazon Game Studios and Crystal Dynamics announced not one, but two new adventures starring Lara Croft. The long-awaited Tomb Raider: Catalyst was shown with a new cinematic that sets the stage for the next major chapter in the franchise. Then the teams surprised viewers with Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a modern reimagining of Lara’s very first outing from 1996. As someone who grew up with the original games and watched the series evolve, seeing both a new direction and a respectful return to the beginning felt like a moment fans will talk about for a long time.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst Takes Lara to Northern India
Tomb Raider: Catalyst is being developed by Crystal Dynamics and marks the boldest direction yet for Lara’s story. Set in Northern India after a mythical cataclysm, the game follows Lara as ancient forces awaken and rival treasure hunters descend on the region. The reveal describes a fractured landscape full of secrets and a conflict where Lara must choose her allies carefully. That mix of trust, betrayal and hidden history has always been part of the series, but this feels like it pushes those themes in bigger ways.
Powered by Unreal Engine 5, Catalyst aims to deliver the largest Tomb Raider world to date, with lost tombs, deep puzzle design and expanded traversal. The team says Lara’s customizable adventure tech will play a major role in how you explore and solve mysteries. Tomb Raider: Catalyst is set to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Reimagines Lara’s 1996 Debut
The second reveal, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, reimagines Lara’s first adventure through a modern lens. Developed by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog, the project brings updated visuals, expanded design and new surprises. The game follows Lara as she searches for the pieces of the Scion, the powerful artifact at the core of the original story. The teams say the goal is to honor the atmosphere of the classic while building something that fits modern expectations. As someone who remembers the original’s sense of isolation and discovery, seeing it rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 is something that definitely stands out.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is planned to release in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam.
A New Era of Lara Croft With Alix Wilton Regan
Both new games feature Alix Wilton Regan as Lara Croft. Known for roles in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Cyberpunk 2077 and Mass Effect 3, her performance is described as adding fresh warmth and energy to the character. With two distinct games in development at once, this marks one of the most significant expansions of the Tomb Raider franchise in years.
Studios Reflect on a Transformative Partnership
Amazon Game Studios, Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog all emphasized how important this collaboration has been. Christoph Hartmann of Amazon Game Studios said the partnership allows the teams to pursue bold creative visions across both Catalyst and Legacy of Atlantis. Scot Amos of Crystal Dynamics credited Amazon’s support for giving the studio freedom to fully realize both projects. Michał Szustak of Flying Wild Hog noted the responsibility of reimagining such an iconic adventure and said the team is approaching it with passion and respect.
With a major new entry and a full reimagining arriving in back-to-back years, the franchise is entering a new era. We will keep following both projects as more details emerge.