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Preview: Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Has the Right Lara, But Something’s Missing
Push Square's hands-off preview at Gamescom of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, the remake being made by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog, left the writer feeling underwhelmed despite the return of the more acrobatic, classic-style Lara Croft. The game matters as Amazon's first major step in reviving the franchise after the divisive PS4-era reboot trilogy, but the preview suggests the new version leans heavily on survivor-trilogy mechanics like skill trees and crafting, which the writer felt undercut the immersion of exploring ancient tombs.
The demo showed a reworked version of the Damocles Room beneath St. Francis' Folly, set in Greece, with revamped visuals, atmospheric lighting and a puzzle involving suspended swords that can be shot down with dual pistols. A new optional scanner tool offers hints, and a boss fight against a leopard showcased improved enemy behaviour and Lara's acrobatic mobility, achieved through motion capture with stunt performers plus animator flourishes. Despite praising individual elements, the writer found the overall experience derivative, comparing it unfavourably to Uncharted, though remained hopeful ahead of its 2027 release.
In short
- Push Square previewed Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis at Gamescom.
- Classic acrobatic Lara returns, but survivor-trilogy mechanics remain, feeling uninspired.
- Reworked Damocles Room and leopard boss fight shown; game due 2027.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The remake has a strong case as a way to bring classic Tomb Raider to modern players: Lara’s acrobatic movement, atmospheric tombs and updated puzzles could preserve the series’ distinctive appeal while making it feel contemporary. Familiar systems such as crafting, skill trees and optional hints may also give players more ways to engage with the adventure, and the preview was only a brief look at a game still in development.
The case against
The preview raises a reasonable concern that importing mechanics from the reboot trilogy could weaken what made classic Tomb Raider distinctive: the sense of immersion and discovery in exploring ancient places. If crafting, progression systems and hint tools interrupt that atmosphere, or the action feels too derivative of Uncharted, the remake may have the right version of Lara without a sufficiently distinctive experience.
Explained simply
Tomb Raider is an action-adventure series about Lara Croft, an archaeologist who explores dangerous ruins, solves puzzles and faces wildlife and other threats. Its first game, released in 1996, established a more acrobatic Lara and a focus on tomb exploration; a later trilogy took a more grounded approach to her origins and added features such as crafting and skill upgrades.
The new game is being made by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog, with Amazon involved in reviving the franchise. It revisits the original game’s setting and style, bringing together elements associated with different periods of the series. That makes its balance between exploration, puzzles and action relevant to long-time fans and newcomers alike.