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 classic; it is a thorough reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure. The responsibility for this ambitious overhaul has been handed over to the Polish development house Flying Wild Hog, which has injected new mechanics into the long‑standing Tomb Ranger formula.
The most noticeable changes include the removal of the old first‑aid kits, replaced by a crafting system that lets Lara brew health‑restoring tinctures and prepare meals that boost her stats using ingredients scattered throughout the world. Additionally, Lara now possesses a skill tree; the demo highlighted how players can allocate points to extend the range of her signature dual pistols, adding a layer of customization that was absent from the original.
After 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 executives shed light on how the external‑development partnership functions, described their collaborative relationship with Amazon, and clarified why the nostalgic tank‑control scheme will not make a comeback when Legacy of Atlantis launches on February 12. Legacy of Atlantis is being built jointly by Crystal Dynamics in California and Flying Wild Hog in Poland, yet Siqueira emphasized that everyone involved considers themselves part of a single entity, internally dubbed “Team Atlantis.” “We’re very good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project,” he explained.
“From the first conversations it was obvious that both teams share the same philosophy about game development. We’re brutally honest about what we need and how we want to achieve it, and the collaboration just flowed naturally.” He continued, “Crystal brings a deep heritage 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 relationship Crystal Dynamics is juggling for Legacy of Atlantis.
Amazon, the tech and retail giant, is acting as publisher for both this game and the forthcoming Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, and it is 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 studio walls,” he said.
“We have an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics—seasoned veterans who have been shaping the series for over two decades. They’re involved in every project, fostering a strong collaborative environment.” He added with a laugh, “If I start talking too much about other projects, someone might throw me off the stage!” When the development team first revisited the 1996 original and the 2007 remake Tomb Ranger: Anniversary, they discovered how memory can distort perception. “We all carry an image of the game in our heads, and when we actually play it we realize it’s different,” Siqueira noted. “That helped us pinpoint the essential moments, locations, and set‑pieces that must stay true, while also identifying where we could safely color outside the lines.” Team Atlantis has introduced several new systems, such as crafting, weapon upgrades, and a more robust skill tree, but one hallmark of the original has been deliberately omitted: tank controls.
“The control scheme has been modernized for today’s audience,” Siqueira explained. “The original games are still available—you can play the Tomb Ranger 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel.
If you crave tank controls, I respect that enthusiasm, but after trying them many times I can say they’re extremely cumbersome.” Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment, saying, “I remember thinking the tank controls were awesome back then, but after twenty years they feel like a relic—hard to use and not intuitive for modern players.” 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 there is definite collaboration between the two projects, yet stressed that each title remains distinct. “We’re developing both games together, but it’s crucial to treat Legacy of Atlantis as its own standalone experience, faithful to the source material.
Regarding Lara’s progression, we aim to honor both the earlier games and the newer ones. The Lara you see here is the same Lara from the Survivor era—Tomb Ranger (2013), Rise of the Tomb Ranger, and Shadow of the Tomb Ranger—and she will continue to be the same character across our future projects.” In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how an external studio can inject fresh ideas while respecting the legacy of a beloved franchise. By discarding outdated mechanics like tank controls and adding modern systems such as crafting and skill trees, the team aims to deliver an experience that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. The close collaboration with Amazon further expands the Tomb Ranger universe beyond games into television, ensuring the series remains vibrant across multiple media.
Legacy of Atlantis is slated for release on February 12, promising fans a reimagined yet reverent take on Lara Croft’s first adventure.