The recent announcements of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst have ignited discussions among fans regarding possible retcons in Lara Croft's lengthy timeline. With Legacy of Atlantis set to release next year using Unreal Engine 5, it marks the franchise's 30th anniversary and serves as a reimagining of the original 1996 classic. Following this, Catalyst is scheduled for a 2027 release. Fans speculate that reimagining the first installment might be necessary to unify the story arcs of the franchise. Some believe retcons will especially address the plots of four key games from the series, enhancing continuity within the Lara Croft narrative. The new direction has led to discussions about character recasting, with Alix Wilton Regan taking over the role of Lara Croft from Camilla Luddington. Additionally, an upcoming Amazon Prime TV series starring Sophie Turner is set to further interweave live-action storytelling with the game franchise.

What are the upcoming Tomb Raider games about?

The upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a reimagining of the original 1996 game, set to modernize its story and gameplay, while Tomb Raider: Catalyst will continue the narrative from the Survivor trilogy. Both projects aim to create a unified timeline for the series as it celebrates 30 years.

The Tomb Raider franchise has been a staple in video game history since its debut in 1996, following the adventures of archaeologist Lara Croft as she travels the world searching for ancient artifacts and unraveling secrets. Over the years, the series has undergone multiple revamps, with the most recent being the Survivor trilogy, which offers a grittier take on Lara’s origin story. As the franchise evolves with new titles and adaptations, it seeks to maintain its iconic status while appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers.