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Tomb Raider Remake Gameplay Changes Are Dividing Fans
Amazon Game Studios has shown new gameplay systems for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a remake of Lara Croft’s 1996 adventure due in 2027. The changes have divided fans, particularly those who worry that progression and crafting will move the game away from the original’s straightforward design.
The new Focus meter builds as Lara deals or takes damage and dodges, then lets her slow time and use acrobatic moves. The remake also adds a skill tree, herb collecting and crafting for healing items and buffs, drawing on the Survivor Trilogy; skill points come from finding artefacts. Developers say players can complete the game using only Lara’s dual pistols. It is scheduled for 12 February 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC and Xbox Series X.
In short
- New progression and crafting systems have divided Tomb Raider fans.
- Lara can earn skill points by collecting artefacts.
- Developers say the game can be played with dual pistols alone.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The new systems could make the remake’s action more expressive, giving players tactical options and rewarding exploration through artefacts, skills and crafting. Drawing on the Survivor Trilogy may help the game feel contemporary while keeping the original adventure’s identity, especially if the promised dual-pistols-only route preserves a straightforward way to play.
The case against
The original’s appeal may lie partly in its direct design, where exploration and danger do not depend on building Lara through upgrades or gathering resources. A Focus meter, skill tree and crafting could add complexity and shift attention towards combat optimisation, making the remake feel less like the 1996 adventure even if the classic pistols remain usable.
Explained simply
Tomb Raider began in 1996 as an action adventure about Lara Croft, an archaeologist who explores dangerous ruins, solves puzzles and fights enemies. Its original design was relatively direct, built around exploration, platforming and combat.
The remake draws on ideas from later Tomb Raider games, including a skill tree and crafting, where players collect materials to make useful items. These systems can add ways to develop Lara and approach challenges, while also changing the pace and feel of the original.
The debate reflects different expectations about what a remake should preserve and what it can update. The series has evolved over several decades, so longtime fans may value the original’s simplicity while others may welcome more character progression.