At Gamescom last week, a hands‑on showcase of Tomb Ranger: Legacy of Atlantis revealed 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 this overhaul has been handed over to the Polish development house Flying Wild Hog, which has injected fresh ideas into the long‑standing Tomb Ranger formula.
For instance, the familiar first‑aid kits have been replaced by a crafting system that lets Lara brew health‑restoring tinctures and prepare meals that boost her stats using ingredients scattered throughout the world. Additionally, a new skill‑tree has been introduced, allowing players to allocate points to extend the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, among other upgrades. Following 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 publisher Amazon, and the decision to abandon the nostalgic tank‑control scheme in the final product, slated for release on February 12. Legacy of Atlantis is being built jointly by Crystal Dynamics, based in California, and Flying Wild Hog in Poland. Siqueira emphasized that, internally, the entire crew operates as a single entity known as “Team Atlantis.” "We’re excellent at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project," he explained. "From the moment we first talked, it was obvious that both teams share a common philosophy about game development.
We’ve been brutally honest about our needs and our vision, and the collaboration just clicked into place." He went on to note the value of an outside viewpoint. "Crystal brings a deep legacy of Tomb Ranger titles and a wealth of history, but sometimes you need fresh eyes.
Bringing in a new partner can highlight opportunities you might have missed and help you craft something truly distinctive. That partnership has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this effort." Flying Wild Hog isn’t the only external relationship Crystal Dynamics is juggling for Legacy of Atlantis. Amazon, the tech and retail conglomerate, is publishing both this game and the forthcoming Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, and is also producing a television series based on the franchise starring Sophie Turner.
Siqueira said his studio works "quite closely" with Amazon across all fronts. "Our commitment to the franchise and to Lara goes beyond studio walls," he said. "We have an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics—seasoned veterans who have been shaping Tomb Ranger for over two decades.
They are involved in every project, fostering strong collaboration across the board." He added with a laugh, "If I start talking too much about other projects, someone might chase me off the stage." When the development team began, they revisited both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Ranger: Anniversary, to understand how memory can distort perception. "We all have a mental image of what the game looked like, and when we actually play it, we notice differences," Siqueira said.
"That exercise helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay true, while also identifying where we could safely deviate and add new color." Team Atlantis has therefore introduced mechanics such as crafting and weapon upgrades, but one hallmark of the original has been omitted: the infamous tank controls. "We adapted the control scheme for modern audiences," Siqueira explained. "The original versions are still available—you can play Tomb Ranger 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel. If you’re eager for tank controls, I commend your enthusiasm, but honestly, they’re quite unforgiving.
I tried them many times and they’re tough." Tomaszewski echoed that sentiment: "When I think back, the tank controls felt awesome at the time, but replaying them after twenty years is a different experience—it's almost bewildering." Legacy of Atlantis was announced alongside Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Ranger: Underworld. When asked about the synergy between the two projects, Siqueira confirmed there is "definite collaboration" but stressed that each title remains its own distinct narrative. "We’re developing the games together, yet it’s crucial to keep Legacy of Atlantis independent and faithful to its source material," he said. "Regarding Lara’s progression, we aim to respect both the earlier entries and the later ones.
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 appear in our future projects." In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how an external studio can inject new life into a beloved classic, delivering modern gameplay systems while preserving the core spirit of the original adventure. The decision to forgo tank controls reflects a broader trend of updating legacy titles for contemporary players, ensuring that both longtime fans and newcomers can enjoy a polished, accessible experience.
Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin has previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Ranger*.