During Gamescom last week, attendees were treated to a hands‑off showcase of Tomb Ranger: Legacy of Atlantis that made it clear this title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic. Instead, it represents a full‑scale reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure, rebuilt from the ground up.
The project’s development has been handed over to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, which has injected fresh ideas into the established Tomb Ranger formula. One of the most noticeable changes is the removal of the old‑school first‑aid kits. In their place, Lara now gathers ingredients throughout the world and uses a crafting system to brew health‑restoring tinctures and meals that provide temporary stat boosts.
A brand‑new skill tree has also been introduced; the demo highlighted how players can allocate skill points to extend the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, adding a layer of customization that never existed in the original. After the demonstration, Crystal Dynamics game director Raul Siqueira and Flying Wild Hog art director Arek Tomaszewski sat down for a round‑table Q&A. They explained how the external development partnership functions, described their collaboration with publisher Amazon, and clarified why the notorious tank‑control scheme will not make a comeback when Legacy of Atlantis launches on February 12. Both studios—Crystal Dynamics in California and Flying Wild Hog in Poland—operate under a single internal banner: "Team Atlantis." Siqueira emphasized that the two teams have deliberately broken down the invisible barriers that often separate studios during a joint effort.
"From the first conversation we realized we shared a common philosophy about game development," he said. "We were brutally honest about our needs and our methods, and the partnership fell into place naturally." He went on to note the value of an outside perspective.
"Crystal has a deep heritage with Tomb Ranger, but sometimes you need fresh eyes. Bringing in a new studio lets you look at the material from a different angle and create something truly unique.
That collaboration has been one of the strongest aspects of this project." Flying Wild Hog isn’t the only external relationship Crystal Dynamics is juggling for Legacy of Atlantis. Amazon, the tech and retail giant, is publishing both this game and the upcoming Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, and 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 the studio walls," he explained. "Our internal franchise team, which includes veterans with over two decades of experience, collaborates on every project. The synergy is remarkable." He added with a laugh, "If I start talking too much about the other projects, someone might chase me off the stage." In preparation for the remake, the team revisited both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Ranger: Anniversary.
This exercise highlighted how memory can distort recollection. "We all have a mental image of how the game looked, and when we play it again we notice the differences," Siqueira said. "That helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay true to the source, while also identifying areas where we could safely deviate and add new color." Beyond the crafting system and weapon upgrades, the developers made a conscious decision to drop the original’s tank‑control scheme. "The controls have been reworked for a modern audience," Siqueira stated.
"The original games are still available—you can play Tomb Ranger 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel. I respect anyone who wants to try tank controls again, but after many attempts I can confirm they’re extremely unforgiving." Tomaszewski echoed that sentiment, recalling his own experience revisiting the old controls after two decades.
"It felt awesome at first, but after 20 years of playing more fluid games, it just feels… clunky." Legacy of Atlantis was announced alongside Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, a sequel set years after 2008’s Tomb Ranger: Underworld. When asked about the relationship between the two titles, Siqueira confirmed there is significant collaboration, yet each game remains distinct.
"We’re developing both games together, but Legacy of Atlantis is its own project. We’re committed to honoring the original while also respecting the narrative arc established in later entries. 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 the same character 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, offering modern gameplay mechanics, a robust crafting system, and a skill tree while preserving the core identity of Lara Croft’s first adventure. The collaboration with Amazon further expands the franchise’s reach across games, television, and merchandise, ensuring that the Tomb Ranger legacy continues to evolve for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book "Chronicles of the Tomb Ranger."