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 thorough re‑imagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure. The development responsibilities have been handed over to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, which has injected new life into the series’ core mechanics. For instance, the traditional first‑aid kits have been replaced with 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 skill‑tree has been introduced, allowing players to allocate points to enhance abilities such as the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, as demonstrated in the demo.
Following the demonstration, a round‑table Q&A featured Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, and Arek Tomaszewski, art director at Flying Wild Hog. They provided insight into how the external partnership operates, the studios’ relationship with publisher Amazon, and the reasoning behind the decision to drop the nostalgic tank‑control scheme in the final build slated for release on February 12.
Both Crystal Dynamics, based in California, and Flying Wild Hog, located in Poland, are co‑developing Legacy of Atlantis. Siqueira emphasized that, internally, everyone works as a single entity known as “Team Atlantis.” “We’re very good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project,” he explained. “From the very first conversations it was clear that both teams share a common philosophy about game development.
We’re brutally honest about what we need and how we want to achieve it, and that honesty made the collaboration feel natural.” He continued, “Crystal brings decades of Tomb Ranger heritage, but sometimes you need a fresh set of eyes. Bringing in an outside perspective can highlight opportunities you might miss when you’re too close to the material. That infusion of new ideas has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this project.” Flying Wild Hog isn’t the only external partner involved.
Amazon, the tech and retail conglomerate, is publishing Legacy of Atlantis as well as the forthcoming Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, and is also developing a television series starring Sophie Turner that expands the franchise’s narrative universe. Siqueira noted that Crystal Dynamics works “pretty closely” with Amazon across all fronts.
“We share a commitment to the franchise and to Lara that goes beyond studio walls,” he said. “Our internal franchise team—veterans who have been shaping Tomb Ranger for over twenty years—collaborates with Amazon on every project, ensuring a unified vision.” He added with a laugh, “If I start talking about all the other things we’re doing, 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 what the game looked like, and when we actually play it, we notice the differences,” Siqueira said. “That helped us pinpoint the moments and locations that must stay exactly as they were, while also identifying where we could safely innovate.” Among the innovations, the crafting system and weapon upgrades stand out, but one hallmark of the original has been deliberately omitted: the infamous tank controls. Siqueira clarified the decision, stating, “The control scheme has been modernized for today’s audience. Of course, the original versions are still available—you can play Tomb Ranger 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel.
I respect anyone who wants to experience tank controls, but after trying them many times, I can attest they’re brutally unforgiving.” Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment, recalling his own experience: “I remember thinking the tank controls were awesome back then, but playing them after twenty years feels like trying to drive a tank through a maze blindfolded.” When Legacy of Atlantis was first announced, it appeared alongside Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Ranger: Underworld. Siqueira confirmed that there is “definite collaboration” between the two titles, yet stressed that each project remains distinct. “Legacy of Atlantis is its own self‑contained experience, and we’re committed to honoring the original game’s spirit.
At the same time, we’re mindful of Lara’s evolution across the series. The Lara you encounter here is the same iteration that appears in the Survivor era—Tomb Ranger (2013), Rise of the Tomb Ranger, and Shadow of the Tomb Ranger—and she will continue to be the consistent protagonist in our future endeavors.” In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog demonstrates how an external studio can bring fresh ideas while respecting a beloved legacy. By introducing modern mechanics like crafting and skill trees, discarding outdated control schemes, and maintaining close ties with Amazon for cross‑media expansion, the team aims to deliver a game that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
Legacy of Atlantis is scheduled for launch on February 12, promising fans a re‑imagined adventure that balances reverence for the past with innovative gameplay for a new generation. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Ranger*.