Honestly, it’s been a long time coming. After the credits rolled on Shadow of the Tomb Raider back in 2018, the silence from Crystal Dynamics was almost deafening. We’ve had remasters, sure. We had a mobile game that most people ignored. But for the longest time, the future of the new Lara Croft Tomb Raider era felt like a giant question mark floating over a survivor-style campfire.
Then came the bombshell.
At The Game Awards recently, we didn’t just get one announcement. We got a double-whammy that basically resets the clock on the entire franchise. Amazon Games and Crystal Dynamics are coming out swinging with two distinct projects: Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst.
If you’re a fan, 2026 is the year everything starts.
What is Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis?
Let’s talk about the first one landing in 2026. This isn't just a "remake." Crystal Dynamics is calling it a "reimagining" of the original 1996 debut. It’s being built in Unreal Engine 5, which means those blocky corridors from our childhood are being replaced by hyper-realistic Peruvian jungles and Egyptian ruins.
I know what you're thinking. Didn't we already have Anniversary? We did. But that was almost twenty years ago. This new version is being developed alongside Flying Wild Hog—the team behind the Shadow Warrior reboot—and it’s meant to serve as the "anchor" for a unified timeline.
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Basically, the developers are tired of the fans being split into "Classic Lara" and "Survivor Lara" camps. They want one timeline where all her adventures actually happened. This 2026 title is the first step in making that mess make sense.
The India Adventure: Tomb Raider Catalyst
While 2026 is about looking back, 2027 is when things get really weird. Tomb Raider: Catalyst is the next big mainline entry. Set in Northern India, it’s rumored to be the biggest game the studio has ever attempted.
Word on the street—and by street, I mean leaks that Amazon hasn't been able to scrub—is that this game features a semi-open world. You’ve got a motorcycle. You’ve got a group of fellow raiders. You’ve got a version of Lara who isn't crying in a cave because she had to kill a deer. This is the "formidable, self-assured" Lara we’ve been missing.
Who is the new Lara?
The casting is probably the most controversial part of any new Lara Croft Tomb Raider discussion. For the games, Alix Wilton Regan is officially stepping into the boots. You might know her voice from Dragon Age: Inquisition or Cyberpunk 2077. She’s got that authoritative, posh-but-dangerous vibe that the original games nailed.
But the "Tomb Raider-verse" (if we have to call it that) doesn't stop at your PC or console. Amazon is going full Marvel-mode here.
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- The Series: Phoebe Waller-Bridge is writing a live-action show for Prime Video.
- The Lead: Sophie Turner (yes, Sansa Stark) was just officially revealed as the live-action Lara Croft.
- The Vibe: Production is already underway as of January 2026, and the first-look images show a Lara who looks a lot more like the 90s icon than the 2013 version.
Why this actually matters for gamers
The shift to Unreal Engine 5 isn't just a buzzword. For a game like Tomb Raider, it changes the fundamental "feel" of the world. We’re talking about Nanite-driven environments where every brick in a ruin is a unique asset, and Lumen lighting that makes your torchlight actually behave like light.
Crystal Dynamics head Scot Amos mentioned that the collaboration with Amazon gave them "creative freedom without compromise." Translation? They have a massive budget now.
There's also a big focus on "customized adventure tech." In the upcoming games, Lara isn't just using a pickaxe and some rope. She’s using specialized gear that actually matters for traversal. The platforming is reportedly becoming much more vertical and less "press X to win."
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think this is just another reboot. It’s not. It’s a "unification."
The goal is to bridge the gap between the young, traumatized Lara of the survivor trilogy and the dual-pistol-wielding, T-Rex-killing Lara of the old days. Think of it as a "middle age" for the character where she’s finally found her footing.
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Also, don't expect it to be a pure open world like Far Cry. The devs are leaning into "hub-and-spoke" design. You’ll have big areas to explore with the motorcycle in Catalyst, but the "Tombs" themselves will still be tight, focused, and—thankfully—full of deadly traps.
Moving Forward: What to Watch
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep your eyes on the following milestones:
- Summer 2026: Expect the first extended gameplay deep dive for Legacy of Atlantis.
- Amazon Games ID: Start looking into the "Mediterranean Wetsuit" unlock. Apparently, if you link your Amazon account to your console/Steam ID, you get exclusive legacy outfits at launch.
- Prime Video Updates: Since the Sophie Turner series is filming now, a trailer is likely dropping late this year to build hype for the 2026 game launch.
The era of Lara being "in hiding" is over. We’re moving into a phase where Tomb Raider is meant to be the flagship of Amazon's gaming division. It’s a lot of pressure, but seeing Lara back in the shorts and the turquoise tank top—even if it's just for a reimagining—feels like coming home.
Grab your gear. 2026 is going to be a long year of raiding.