So, you’ve got a PlayStation 4 sitting under your TV and you're itching to go raiding. It’s funny because even though the PS5 is the "shiny new thing," the PS4 is arguably the best place to be a Lara Croft fan right now. Basically, almost every era of her life is playable on this one box.
We aren't just talking about the gritty "survivor" reboot stuff, either. Thanks to some recent remasters and the weird way Sony handles its "Classics" catalog, you can jump from 1996 tank controls to 2018 photo-realistic jungle stealth without moving a muscle.
The Modern Trilogy (The "Survivor" Era)
If you ask most people about Lara Croft PlayStation 4 games, they’ll point to the reboot trilogy. This is where Crystal Dynamics stripped Lara of her dual pistols and gave her a bow and a lot of emotional baggage.
Honestly, the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is still a looker. It came out in 2014 as a "next-gen" upgrade for the PS4, and it runs at a silky 60fps. That’s a big deal. Most games from that era chugged along at 30, but seeing Lara’s hair (using that TressFX tech) whip around in 60 frames makes the island of Yamatai feel way more dangerous.
Then you have Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration. This is the one where she goes to Siberia. If you buy it on disc or digital today, you get all the DLC, including a VR mission in Croft Manor and a weirdly fun zombie mode called "Lara’s Nightmare."
Finally, Shadow of the Tomb Raider wraps it up. Eidos-Montréal took the reins here. It's darker. Lara is kind of a jerk for a minute because she accidentally triggers a Mayan apocalypse. Oops. But the stealth? It’s peak. You’re basically Predator in a tank top, covered in mud and hiding in vines.
The Classics are Back (And They’re Hard)
For a long time, the PS4 was a desert for "Classic Lara." You just couldn't play the old games. That changed on Valentine's Day in 2024.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered hit the store, and it’s a love letter to the 90s. It includes the first three games and their elusive PC expansions like The Unfinished Business and The Gold Mask. You can swap between the chunky original polygons and the new HD graphics with a single button press.
Pro tip: Don't use the "Modern Controls" if you want the authentic experience. The game was built for "Tank Controls"—where you move like a literal tank. It feels clunky at first, but once you find the rhythm of the grid-based jumping, it’s remarkably precise.
Wait, there’s more. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, Aspyr kept the momentum going with Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered. Yes, that includes The Angel of Darkness. It’s a mess of a game, historically speaking, but having it on PS4 with fixed controls is a miracle for preservationists.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Middle" Games
There is a weird gap in the Lara Croft PlayStation 4 library that confuses people. I'm talking about the "Legend Timeline" (Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld).
For years, these were stuck on PS3. But recently, Sony started dropping them into the PlayStation Plus Premium "Classics" catalog. You can now technically play Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary on your PS4.
The catch? They aren't remasters. They are emulated versions of the PS2 releases.
You’ve gotta be okay with some fuzzy textures. However, playing Anniversary—which is a remake of the first 1996 game—is a blast. It’s faster and more acrobatic than the originals. It’s Lara at her most "superhero," doing backflips off pillars and swinging from grappling hooks.
The Top-Down Spin-offs
Don't sleep on the "Lara Croft" (not Tomb Raider) branded games. Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is a four-player co-op twin-stick shooter. It’s totally different. You’ve got Egyptian gods, magic staves, and a lot of "I accidentally blew up my friend with a bomb" moments.
It’s great for couch co-op. In an era where everything is online-only, having a game you can play with three friends on one sofa is a rare find.
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There's also Lara Croft GO. It’s a puzzle game that started on mobile but ported beautifully to PS4. It’s turn-based. It’s quiet. It’s basically a high-stakes board game where one wrong move gets you eaten by a giant snake. It’s actually one of the most relaxing Platinum trophies you can get.
What’s the Best Way to Play?
If you’re new to the series, start with the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. It’s usually on sale for less than five bucks. It’s the easiest point of entry.
If you’re a masochist or a nostalgic 90s kid, get the I-III Remastered collection. Just be prepared to die. A lot. Spikes, tigers, and missed jumps don't care about your feelings.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your PS Plus membership. If you have the "Premium" tier, you might already have access to Legend and Anniversary without paying extra.
- Look for the "Survivor Trilogy" bundle. The PlayStation Store frequently bundles all three modern games (Tomb Raider, Rise, and Shadow) for a massive discount.
- Turn on "Classic" graphics in the remasters just to see how far we've come. The contrast is mind-blowing.
- Download Lara Croft GO for your phone or PS4 if you want a "zen" version of raiding tombs.
The PS4 might be "last gen," but for Lara Croft, it's the definitive machine. You have nearly 30 years of history accessible on a single console. Go get some treasure.