During a low‑key showcase at Gamescom last week, developers gave players a glimpse of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and made it clear that this title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic. Instead, it represents a full‑scale reimagination of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure, rebuilt from the ground up.
The heavy lifting on this project has been handed over to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, which has injected fresh ideas into the established Tomb Raider formula. One of the most noticeable changes is the removal of the iconic first‑aid kits.
In their place, Lara now gathers ingredients scattered throughout the world to brew health‑restoring tinctures and prepare meals that grant temporary stat boosts. Additionally, the game introduces a skill‑tree system; the demo highlighted how players can allocate points to extend the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, adding a layer of customization that was absent from the original. After the demo, a round‑table Q&A featured Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, and Arek Tomaszewski, art director at Flying Wild Hog.
The two discussed how the external development partnership functions, their relationship with Amazon, and why the notorious tank‑control scheme 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 as a single unit internally dubbed “Team Atlantis.” “We’re really good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project,” he explained.
“From the first conversations it was obvious that both teams share a very similar philosophy on game creation. We were brutally honest about our needs and our vision, and the collaboration just clicked.” Siqueira also pointed out the value of bringing an outside perspective to a long‑running franchise. “Crystal Dynamics has a deep history with Tomb Raider, but sometimes you need fresh eyes. A new partner can look at what you have and help you craft something truly distinctive.
That partnership has been one of the strongest aspects of this endeavor.” Flying Wild Hog isn’t the only external relationship 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 starring Sophie Turner that expands the franchise’s narrative beyond games. Siqueira said his studio works “pretty closely” with Amazon across all fronts.
“We share a commitment to the franchise and to Lara that goes beyond the walls of any single studio,” 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 cohesive vision.” He added with a laugh, “If I start naming other projects, someone might chase me off the stage.” When the team first began development, they played through both the 1996 original and the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, to understand how memory can warp perception. “We all have a mental picture of what the game looked like, and when we actually play it, we notice the differences,” Siqueira noted. “That exercise helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay true, while also identifying where we could safely color outside the lines.” Beyond the new crafting system and weapon upgrades, the developers made a deliberate decision to drop the original’s tank‑control scheme.
“The control layout has been modernized for today’s audience,” Siqueira said. “The classic version is still available as Tomb Raider 1 Remastered for purists who want that experience.
I’ve tried the tank controls many times—honestly, they’re brutal.” Tomaszewski echoed the sentiment, recalling his own reaction when revisiting the mechanic after two decades: “It felt awesome in theory, but playing it now is just… confusing.” Legacy of Atlantis debuted alongside Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel set years after 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 narrative. “Legacy of Atlantis is its own project, and we’re committed to staying faithful to the source material.
At the same time, we respect the evolution of Lara’s story across all games. 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.” The conversation also touched on the broader ecosystem surrounding the franchise. Amazon’s involvement isn’t limited to publishing; the company is actively shaping the Tomb Raider universe across media, ensuring a consistent tone and character portrayal.
This multi‑platform approach aims to attract both longtime fans and newcomers, offering a cohesive experience whether players engage with a game, a TV series, or other interactive content. In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how external development can inject vitality into a legacy franchise. By combining Crystal’s deep institutional knowledge with Flying Wild Hog’s fresh design sensibilities, the team has crafted a game that honors the original while introducing modern mechanics such as crafting, skill trees, and refined combat. At the same time, they have consciously chosen to retire outdated features like tank controls, opting instead for a control scheme that feels intuitive for contemporary players.
Legacy of Atlantis is slated for release on February 12, and fans can look forward to a reimagined adventure that balances nostalgia with innovation, all while benefiting from the collaborative spirit that bridges studios across continents. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book Chronicles of the Tomb Raider.