During Gamescom last week, the demo for Tomb Ranger: Legacy of Atlantis revealed that the title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic; it is a thorough reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure. The responsibility for this ambitious overhaul has been handed to the Polish development house Flying Wild Hog, which has injected new life into the series’ core mechanics.
For instance, the familiar first‑aid kits have been replaced by a crafting system that lets Lara brew health‑restoring tinctures and prepare meals that boost her stats using ingredients she discovers throughout the world. Additionally, a skill tree has been introduced, and the demo showcased players allocating points to extend the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols.
Following the showcase, a round‑table Q&A featured Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, alongside Flying Wild Hog’s art director Arek Tomaszewski. They explained how the partnership between the two studios operates, touched on their relationship with Amazon, and clarified why the long‑awaited return of tank‑style controls will not be part of Legacy of Atlantis, slated for release on February 12.
Both Crystal Dynamics, based in California, and Flying Wild Hog in Poland are co‑developing the game, yet Siqueira emphasizes that everyone involved functions as a single entity, internally dubbed “Team Atlantis.” “We excel at breaking down the invisible walls that can form between studios during a project,” he said. “From the moment we started talking, it was clear that both teams share a common philosophy about game development.
We’re brutally honest about what we need and how we want to achieve it, and the collaboration just felt natural.” He continued, “Crystal brings a deep heritage of Tomb Ranger titles, but sometimes you need fresh perspectives. Bringing in an outside studio allows new eyes to examine what we have and helps us craft something truly unique.
That collaboration has been one of the best parts of this project.” Flying Wild Hog isn’t the only external partner in the mix. Amazon, the tech and retail giant, is publishing both Legacy of Atlantis and the forthcoming Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, and is also producing a television series based on the franchise starring Sophie Turner.
Siqueira noted that Crystal Dynamics works “pretty closely” with Amazon across all fronts. “We share a commitment to the franchise and to the character that goes beyond studio walls,” he explained. “Our internal franchise team at Crystal has been stewarding the series for over two decades, and they’re involved in every project.
The collaboration across the board is fantastic.” He added with a laugh, “If I start talking more about other projects, some people might tackle me from the stage.” At the start of development, the team revisited both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Ranger: Anniversary, to understand how memory can distort perception. “We all have that mental image of what the game looked like, and when we play it again, we notice differences,” Siqueira said. “That helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay true, while also identifying where we could safely color outside the lines.” Team Atlantis has introduced several modern conveniences, such as crafting and weapon upgrades, but one hallmark of the original has been deliberately omitted: tank controls. “The control scheme has been adapted for today’s audience,” Siqueira explained.
“The original games are still available—you can play Tomb Ranger 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel. If you crave tank controls, I respect that enthusiasm, but I’ve tried them many times and they’re genuinely tough.” Tomaszewski echoed the sentiment, noting, “I remember thinking the tank controls were awesome back then, but after twenty years, playing them feels like, ‘What is happening?’ It’s just too hard for modern players.” When Legacy of Atlantis was first announced, it appeared alongside Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Ranger: Underworld. Asked about the synergy between the two titles, Siqueira confirmed there is “definitely collaboration,” but stressed that each game remains distinct. “Legacy of Atlantis is its own project, and we’re committed to staying faithful to the original.
Regarding Lara’s journey, we want to honor both the games that came before and those that follow. The Lara you see here is the same Lara from the Survivor era—Tomb Ranger (2013), Rise of the Tomb Ranger, and Shadow of the Tomb Ranger—and she will continue to be that version 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 respecting a beloved legacy. By discarding outdated mechanics like tank controls and adding contemporary features such as crafting, skill trees, and upgraded weaponry, the team aims to deliver a game that feels both nostalgic and new. The collaboration with Amazon further expands the franchise’s reach into publishing and television, ensuring that Lara Croft’s adventures continue to evolve across multiple media.
Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Ranger*.