During a low‑key showcase at Gamescom last week, Tomb Ranger: Legacy of Atlantis revealed that the upcoming title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 original; it is a full‑scale reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural quest. The demo highlighted a host of new systems that signal a departure from the classic formula, underscoring the impact of the external development team that has been brought on board.
Crystal Dynamics has handed the bulk of the development responsibilities to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog. This collaboration has already introduced several notable changes to the series’ core mechanics. The familiar first‑aid kits have been removed, replaced by a crafting system where Lara gathers ingredients to brew health‑restoring tinctures and prepare meals that grant temporary stat boosts. Additionally, a skill‑tree has been implemented, allowing players to allocate points to enhance abilities such as the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, as demonstrated in the live demo.
Following the presentation, a round‑table Q&A featured Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, alongside Flying Wild Hog’s art director Arek Tomaszewski. The two discussed how the partnership functions, their relationship with publisher Amazon, and 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—are working under a single internal banner known as “Team Atlantis.” Siqueira explained, “We’re very good at tearing down the invisible walls that can form between studios during development.
Early conversations showed us that both teams share a common philosophy about game creation. Honesty about needs and methods came naturally, and the collaboration quickly felt seamless.” He added, “Crystal brings decades of Tomb Ranger heritage, but sometimes a fresh set of eyes is essential. Bringing in new talent to reassess what we have enables us to craft something truly distinctive.
That partnership has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this project.” Flying Wild Hog is not the only external relationship Crystal Dynamics is navigating for Legacy of Atlantis. Amazon, the tech and retail conglomerate, is serving as both publisher for this game and the forthcoming Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, as well as producing a television adaptation starring Sophie Turner. Siqueira noted that his studio works "pretty closely" with Amazon across all fronts, emphasizing a shared commitment to the franchise that extends beyond the studio walls. He described an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics that has been stewarding the series for over twenty years, collaborating across every project to ensure consistency and quality.
When asked about the memory of the original game, Siqueira recounted that the team first replayed both the 1996 classic and the 2007 remake, Tomb Ranger: Anniversary. This exercise highlighted how personal recollections can differ from actual gameplay. "We all have a mental image of how the original looked, and when we sit down to play it, we notice discrepancies," he said. "That helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay true, while also identifying areas where we could safely innovate." Team Atlantis has therefore introduced systems such as crafting, weapon upgrades, and a more fluid combat loop.
However, one hallmark of the original—its tank‑style movement—has been deliberately omitted. "The control scheme has been modernized for today’s audience," Siqueira explained. "The original games remain available; we’ve released Tomb Ranger 1 Remastered for purists. If you crave tank controls, I admire your dedication, but after trying them myself countless times, I can attest they’re brutally unforgiving." Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment, recalling his own experience revisiting the old controls after two decades: "It felt clunky and confusing—fun in a nostalgic way, but not suitable for a contemporary action‑adventure title." Legacy of Atlantis was announced alongside Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Ranger: Underworld.
When questioned about synergy between the two projects, Siqueira confirmed there is "definitely collaboration," yet stressed that each game remains a distinct entity. "Legacy of Atlantis is its own project, faithful to the 1996 source material. Meanwhile, the Lara you see here is the same iteration from the Survivor era—Tomb Ranger (2013), Rise of the Tomb Ranger, and Shadow of the Tomb Ranger—and she will continue to appear across our future titles.
We’re mindful of honoring both the legacy games and the newer narrative arcs." The discussion also touched on the broader ecosystem surrounding the franchise, including the upcoming novelization and the TV series, illustrating how the brand is expanding across multiple media while maintaining a cohesive vision. Siqueira concluded with a light‑hearted warning: "If I start talking about all the other projects we have in the pipeline, someone might chase me off the stage!" In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog exemplifies how external development can inject fresh ideas into a beloved series, resulting in a reimagined experience that respects its roots while embracing modern design principles. Legacy of Atlantis promises to deliver a revitalized Lara Croft adventure—complete with crafting, skill trees, and refined controls—while leaving behind outdated mechanics like tank movement.
Fans can look forward to a game that feels both familiar and innovative, set to launch in early February, alongside a suite of complementary projects that expand the Tomb Ranger universe across games, television, and literature.