At Gamescom last week, the hands‑on demo for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis made it clear that this title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic; it is a thorough reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure. The development responsibilities have been handed over to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, which has injected a host of new mechanics into the familiar Tomb Raider framework.
First‑aid kits have been replaced by a crafting system that lets Lara combine scavenged ingredients into restorative tinctures and meals that boost her stats. A skill‑tree has also been introduced, allowing players to allocate points to enhance abilities such as the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, as demonstrated in the demo.
Following the showcase, a round‑table Q&A featured Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, and Arek Tomaszewski, art director at Flying Wild Hog. The two explained how the external development partnership operates, described their relationship with Amazon, and clarified why the notorious “tank controls” of the original will not make a comeback when Legacy of Atlantis launches on February 12. Both Crystal Dynamics, based in California, and Flying Wild Hog, based in Poland, are listed as co‑developers, but Siqueira emphasized that everyone works under a single banner: internally the team calls itself “Team Atlantis.” He said, “We’re very good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project. From the first conversations it was obvious that both teams share a common philosophy about game creation.
We’ve been brutally honest about what each side needs and how we want to achieve it, and the collaboration just clicked.” Siqueira added, “Crystal brings a deep history with Tomb Raider, but sometimes you need a fresh perspective. Bringing in a new studio to look at the material can spark ideas you wouldn’t have thought of on your own. That partnership has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this project.” Flying Wild Hog isn’t the only external partner involved. Amazon, the tech and retail giant, is publishing both Legacy of Atlantis and the forthcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, and is also producing a television series based on the franchise starring Sophie Turner.
Siqueira explained that Crystal Dynamics works “pretty closely” with Amazon across all fronts, noting, “We share a commitment to the franchise and the character that goes beyond studio walls. Our internal franchise team—people who have been shepherding Tomb Raider for over two decades—collaborates with Amazon on every project. It’s a strong, mutually‑respectful relationship.” He joked that discussing too many Amazon projects might provoke a playful audience reaction. When the development team first revisited the 1996 original and the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, they were struck by how memory can distort perception.
“We all have an image of the game in our heads, and when we play it again we notice differences,” Siqueira said. “That helped us pinpoint the core moments and locations that must stay true, while also identifying where we could safely experiment and add new color.” Beyond crafting and weapon upgrades, the team made a deliberate decision to drop the original’s tank‑control scheme. “The controls have been modernised for today’s audience,” Siqueira explained.
“The original games are still available—Tomb Raider 1 Remastered, for instance—so if anyone wants to experience tank controls again, they’re free to do so. I’ve tried them many times and, honestly, they’re tough.” Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment, recalling his own experience playing the classic after two decades and finding the controls unintuitive.
Legacy of Atlantis was announced alongside Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld. When asked about the synergy between the two titles, Siqueira confirmed that there is “definite collaboration,” but stressed that each game remains its own distinct project. “We’re making both games together, yet it’s crucial that Legacy of Atlantis stands on its own and remains faithful to the original.
Lara’s journey in this game respects both the titles that came before and those that follow. The Lara you see here is the same Lara from the Survivor era—Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider—and she will continue to be the same incarnation in our future projects.” In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how an external studio can inject fresh ideas while honoring a beloved legacy. By introducing modern mechanics such as crafting, skill trees, and upgraded combat, while consciously discarding outdated control schemes, the team aims to deliver a game that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
The close collaboration with Amazon further expands the Tomb Raider universe across games, television, and publishing, ensuring that Lara Croft’s adventures continue to evolve for new and longtime fans alike. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book "Chronicles of the Tomb Raider."