At Gamescom last week, attendees were treated to a hands‑on look at Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and the demo made it clear that this title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic. Instead, it represents a thorough re‑imagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure, rebuilt from the ground up with modern design sensibilities. The revamp is being handled by Crystal Dynamics in partnership with the Polish development house Flying Wild Hog. The collaboration has already introduced several notable departures from the original formula.
For instance, the iconic first‑aid kits have vanished, replaced by a crafting system that lets Lara combine scavenged ingredients into restorative tinctures and meals that boost her stats. A new skill‑tree also makes an appearance; the demo highlighted how players can allocate points to extend the effective range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, adding a layer of strategic depth previously unseen in the series. Following 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 relationship with publisher Amazon, and clarified why the long‑awaited return of tank‑style controls will not be part of the final product slated for release on February 12.
Both studios consider themselves part of a single entity, internally dubbed “Team Atlantis.” Siqueira emphasized that the two teams have managed to dissolve the invisible barriers that often separate studios during joint projects. “From the moment we started talking, it was obvious that we shared a common philosophy about game development,” he said. “We were brutally honest about our needs and our preferred approaches, and the collaboration just flowed naturally.” He went on to note that while Crystal Dynamics brings a deep‑seated heritage of Tomb Raider titles to the table, bringing in an outside perspective can be invaluable. “Sometimes you need fresh eyes,” Siqueira remarked.
“Having a new team examine what we already have allows us to craft something truly unique. That partnership has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this endeavor.” Flying Wild Hog isn’t the only external relationship Crystal Dynamics is juggling for Legacy of Atlantis. Amazon, the tech and retail conglomerate, is not only publishing this game but also the forthcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, and it is producing a television adaptation starring Sophie Turner.
Siqueira described the interaction with Amazon as “pretty close,” noting that both parties share a deep commitment to the franchise that extends beyond the walls of any single studio. He praised the internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics, a group of veterans who have shepherded the series for more than two decades and now coordinate efforts across all related projects. “There’s a fantastic level of collaboration everywhere,” he said, adding with a laugh that delving too deeply into other Amazon‑backed projects might provoke a playful retaliation from the audience. When the development team first revisited the source material, they played through both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary.
This exercise highlighted how memory can be deceptive. “We all carry a mental image of what the game looked like,” Siqueira explained.
“When we actually play it, we notice differences, and that helps us pinpoint the moments and locations that must stay true to the original, as well as the areas where we have creative freedom to expand.” Among the new features added by Team Atlantis are the aforementioned crafting system and weapon upgrade paths. However, one hallmark of the 1996 title has been deliberately omitted: the infamous tank controls. Siqueira clarified that the control scheme has been modernized to suit contemporary players. “The original games are still available—you can grab Tomb Raider 1 Remastered if you want to experience the classic feel,” he said.
“If you’re nostalgic for tank controls, I respect that enthusiasm, but after trying them myself countless times, I can confirm they’re quite unforgiving.” Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment, recalling his own experience replaying the game after two decades. “It felt amazing back then, but revisiting it now is a different story—those controls are just plain hard.” Legacy of Atlantis was announced alongside Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld. When asked about the synergy between the two projects, Siqueira confirmed that there is “definitely collaboration,” yet he stressed that each title remains distinct.
“Legacy of Atlantis is its own standalone effort, and we’re committed to honoring the original game’s spirit,” he said. “At the same time, we’re mindful of Lara’s evolution across the series.
The Lara you encounter here is the same survivor version introduced in the 2013 reboot trilogy, and she will continue to appear in our future endeavors.” In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how external development can inject fresh ideas while preserving the core identity of a beloved franchise. By embracing modern mechanics, discarding outdated control schemes, and maintaining a tight-knit collaboration with both internal teams and external partners like Amazon, the studios aim to deliver a Legacy of Atlantis that feels both nostalgic and forward‑looking. The result promises to be a compelling re‑interpretation that respects its roots while inviting a new generation of players into Lara Croft’s world.
Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book Chronicles of the Tomb Raider.