Last week at Gamescom, the team gave a hands‑off demo of Tomb Ranger: Legacy of Atlantis that made it clear this isn’t merely a polished remaster of the 1996 classic. Instead, it is a full‑scale re‑imagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure, built from the ground up with modern design sensibilities. The development baton has been passed to Poland’s Flying Wild Hog, a studio that has already left its mark on the franchise by introducing a host of fresh mechanics. The familiar first‑aid kits have vanished, replaced by a crafting system where Lara can mix health‑restoring tinctures and prepare meals that boost her stats using ingredients scattered throughout the world.
A brand‑new skill tree lets players allocate points to enhance abilities such as the reach of Lara’s signature dual pistols, giving her a more customizable combat style. During a post‑demo round‑table, Crystal Dynamics game director Raul Siqueira and Flying Wild Hog art director Arek Tomaszewski opened up about how the external development partnership functions, the studios’ ongoing relationship with Amazon, and the decision to abandon the nostalgic tank‑control scheme for the February 12 launch.
Legacy of Atlantis is a joint effort between Crystal Dynamics, headquartered in California, and Flying Wild Hog in Poland. Yet, according to Siqueira, everyone works as a single entity known internally as “Team Atlantis.” > “We’re very good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project,” Siqueira explained. “From the first conversations it was obvious that both teams shared the same philosophy about game development.
We were brutally honest about our needs and our approach, and the collaboration felt completely natural.” He continued, “Crystal brings a deep legacy of Tomb Ranger titles and a wealth of history, but sometimes you need fresh eyes. Bringing in a new perspective can help you look at what you have in a different way and create something truly unique. That partnership 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 both Legacy of Atlantis and the upcoming Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, while 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 to the character that goes beyond the walls of our studio,” he said.
“We have an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics—people who have been shaping Tomb Ranger for more than two decades. They’re involved in every project, fostering a strong collaborative environment.” He added with a laugh, “If I start talking about other projects, some people might chase me off the stage.” When the team first began, they revisited both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Ranger: Anniversary, to understand how memory can distort perception. “We all carry an image of what the game looked like in our heads, and when we actually play it we notice the differences,” Siqueira noted.
“That helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay true, while also identifying where we could safely color outside the lines.” Beyond the new crafting system and weapon upgrades, one hallmark of the original has been deliberately omitted: tank controls. The team opted for a modern control scheme that feels familiar to today’s players.
“The original control layout is still available if you want it— we released Tomb Ranger 1 Remastered for that purpose,” Siqueira said. “If you’re eager to try tank controls again, I respect that enthusiasm, but I’ve tried it many times and it’s genuinely tough.” Tomaszewski echoed the sentiment, recalling his own experience revisiting the classic after two decades. “I remembered it being awesome, but when I sat down with the old scheme after 20 years, I thought, ‘What is happening?’ It’s just very hard to master.” Legacy of Atlantis debuted alongside the announcement of Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, a sequel set years after 2008’s Tomb Ranger: Underworld.
When asked about the level of synergy between the two projects, Siqueira confirmed there is “definite collaboration,” but emphasized that each title remains distinct. > “We’re developing both games together, but it’s crucial to treat Legacy of Atlantis as its own independent project.
We’re staying faithful to the source material while also respecting the narrative arc of Lara’s journey. The Lara you see in Legacy of Atlantis is the same Lara from the Survivor era— the games that began with Tomb Ranger (2013), continued with Rise of the Tomb Ranger, and concluded with Shadow of the Tomb Ranger. She will remain consistent across all our future projects.” The partnership model employed by Crystal Dynamics illustrates a broader trend in the industry: leveraging external studios to inject fresh ideas while preserving a franchise’s core identity.
By combining the veteran expertise of Crystal Dynamics with the innovative mindset of Flying Wild Hog, the team aims to deliver a game that feels both nostalgic and forward‑looking. In addition to gameplay enhancements, the developers have invested heavily in visual fidelity, environmental storytelling, and audio design.
New lighting techniques bring the sun‑kenned ruins of Atlantis to life, while dynamic weather systems affect both combat and exploration. Voice acting has been re‑recorded with a focus on emotional nuance, ensuring that Lara’s personality shines through in every cutscene. The decision to drop tank controls also reflects a commitment to accessibility. Modern players expect fluid, responsive movement, and the new scheme accommodates a wider range of input devices, from controllers to keyboard‑mouse setups.
This inclusivity aligns with Crystal Dynamics’ broader goal of welcoming newcomers to the series without alienating longtime fans. Overall, the collaboration between Crystal Dynamics, Flying Wild Hog, and Amazon showcases how strategic partnerships can revitalize a beloved classic. By marrying reverence for the original with contemporary design, Tomb Ranger: Legacy of Atlantis promises to deliver a fresh yet familiar adventure for both veteran explorers and first‑time treasure hunters alike. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin has previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Ranger*.