Last week at Gamescom, developers presented a hands‑on look at Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and it quickly became evident that this title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic. Instead, it represents a full‑scale re‑imagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure, blending nostalgic set‑pieces with modern gameplay mechanics. The project is being shepherded by Crystal Dynamics, but the bulk of the development work has been handed over to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog. This external collaboration has already introduced several noteworthy changes to the series’ formula.
For instance, the familiar first‑aid kits have been replaced by a crafting system that lets Lara mix health‑restoring tinctures and create meals that boost her stats using ingredients she discovers throughout the world. Additionally, a brand‑new skill tree lets players allocate points to enhance abilities such as the range of Lara’s iconic dual pistols, giving her a more customizable combat style. 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 partnership functions, their relationship with publisher Amazon, and why the controversial tank‑control scheme from the original will not be resurrected when the game launches on February 12. Both studios operate under a single internal banner: “Team Atlantis.” Siqueira explained that this unified identity helps dissolve the invisible barriers that can appear when multiple teams collaborate across continents. “From the very first conversations we realized we shared a common philosophy about game development,” he said. “We were brutally honest about our needs and our creative vision, and that openness made the partnership feel natural.” He went on to acknowledge Crystal Dynamics’ deep roots in the Tomb Raider franchise while emphasizing the value of fresh input.
“We have decades of history, but sometimes you need an outside perspective to shake things up and create something truly unique,” Siqueira noted. “That collaboration has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this project.” Flying Wild Hog is not the only external relationship influencing Legacy of Atlantis. Amazon, a tech and retail giant, is publishing both this game and the upcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, and is also producing a television series starring Sophie Turner. Siqueira said Crystal Dynamics works “pretty closely” with Amazon on all fronts, sharing a mutual commitment to the franchise that extends beyond the studio walls.
He highlighted an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics composed of veterans who have overseen the series for over twenty years, ensuring continuity across games, TV, and other media. When asked about the challenges of revisiting a beloved classic, Siqueira described the team’s initial approach: they played through the original 1996 version as well as the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary.
This exercise revealed how memory can distort perception. “Everyone carries an internal image of what the game looked like, and when you actually play it, you notice the differences,” he explained. “That helped us pinpoint the moments and locations we absolutely had to preserve, while also identifying areas where we could safely experiment.” Among the new features, the crafting system and weapon upgrades stand out, but one hallmark of the original has been deliberately omitted: tank controls.
Siqueira clarified that the control scheme has been modernized to suit contemporary audiences. “The original games are still available—you can play Tomb Raider 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel,” he said.
“If you’re nostalgic for tank controls, I respect that enthusiasm, but honestly, after trying them many times, they’re just… tough.” Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment, recalling his own experience revisiting the old control style after two decades and finding it frustratingly unintuitive. Legacy of Atlantis debuted alongside Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld. When asked about synergy between the two projects, Siqueira confirmed there is “definite collaboration,” yet stressed that each title remains distinct. “Legacy of Atlantis is its own self‑contained experience, and we’re careful to stay true to the source material,” he said.
“The Lara you encounter here is the same version that appears in the Survivor era—Tomb Raider 2013, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider—and she will continue to be the consistent protagonist across all future installments.” In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how external development can inject fresh ideas into a legacy franchise while respecting its core identity. By discarding outdated mechanics like tank controls, introducing modern systems such as crafting and skill trees, and maintaining a collaborative relationship with Amazon, the team aims to deliver a game that feels both nostalgic and forward‑looking.
Legacy of Atlantis is slated for release on February 12, and fans can expect a re‑imagined adventure that honors Lara Croft’s origins while propelling her into a new era of gameplay. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Raider*.