At Gamescom last week, the demo of 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 full‑scale reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure. The responsibility for bringing this vision to life has been handed over to the Polish development house Flying Wild Hog, which has injected a number of fresh ideas into the established Tomb Raider formula. For instance, the familiar first‑aid kits have been removed entirely.
In their place, Lara now gathers ingredients scattered throughout the world and uses them to brew health‑restoring elixirs and meals that boost her statistics. Additionally, a brand‑new skill tree has been introduced, allowing players to allocate points to enhance abilities such as the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, as demonstrated in the recent showcase. Following the demonstration, a round‑table Q&A featured Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, alongside Arek Tomaszewski, art director at Flying Wild Hog. The two executives shed light on how the external development partnership functions, described their working relationship with Amazon, and clarified why the notorious tank‑control scheme will not be resurrected for Legacy of Atlantis, slated for release on February 12.
Legacy of Atlantis is a joint effort between Crystal Dynamics, based in California, and Flying Wild Hog in Poland. Siqueira emphasized that, despite the geographic split, everyone involved considers themselves part of a single unit, internally dubbed “Team Atlantis.” “We’re surprisingly good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project,” Siqueira explained.
“From our first conversations it was evident that both teams share a very similar philosophy on game development. We were brutally honest about what we needed and how we wanted to achieve it, and the collaboration just clicked.” He went on to note the value of bringing an outside perspective to a legacy franchise. “Crystal has a deep history with Tomb Raider, and that heritage is invaluable. But sometimes you need fresh eyes.
Having a new studio step in and look at what we have can spark ideas that make the final product truly unique. That partnership has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this project.” Flying Wild Hog is not the only external partner Crystal Dynamics is juggling for Legacy of Atlantis.
The tech and retail behemoth Amazon is acting as publisher for both this game and the upcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, and it is also producing a television series based on the franchise starring Sophie Turner. Siqueira said his studio works "pretty closely" with Amazon across all fronts. "We share a commitment to the franchise and the character that goes beyond studio walls," he said. "We have an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics—seasoned veterans who have been shaping Tomb Raider for over two decades.
They’re involved in every project, ensuring a seamless collaboration across the board." He added with a laugh, "If I start talking too much about the other projects, someone might chase me off the stage!" In the early stages of development, the team revisited both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, to understand how memory can distort perception. "We all have a mental image of what the game looks like, and then we sit down and play it and realize it’s different," Siqueira said. "That process helped us pinpoint the moments and locations that must stay exactly as they are, while also identifying where we could safely color outside the lines." Beyond the new crafting system and weapon upgrades, one hallmark of the original title has been deliberately omitted: tank controls.
When asked about this decision, Siqueira explained that the control scheme was modernized to suit contemporary players. "The controls have been re‑engineered for today’s audience," he said. "The original games are still available—you can play Tomb Raider 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel. If you’re nostalgic for tank controls, I respect that enthusiasm, but honestly, after trying them many times, they’re just… difficult." Tomaszewski echoed the sentiment, noting that while the tank‑control mechanic felt “awesome” when first experienced, revisiting it after two decades makes it feel cumbersome.
Legacy of Atlantis was announced alongside Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld. When questioned about the level of synergy between the two projects, Siqueira confirmed there is “definitely collaboration,” but stressed that each game remains its own distinct narrative.
"We’re developing both titles together, yet it’s crucial that Legacy of Atlantis stands on its own and remains faithful to the original game," he clarified. "When we consider Lara’s progression, we respect both the titles that came before and those that will follow.
The Lara you encounter in Legacy of Atlantis 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 character in all future projects." In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog demonstrates how an external studio can breathe new life into a beloved classic, introducing modern mechanics like crafting and skill trees while preserving core elements that fans cherish. At the same time, the collaboration with Amazon underscores the expanding multimedia ambitions of the Tomb Raider franchise, spanning games, television, and beyond. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin has previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book Chronicles of the Tomb Raider.