During a low‑key showcase at Gamescom last week, the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis revealed itself to be far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic. The demo made it clear that the title is a full‑scale reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure, built from the ground up with modern design sensibilities. The development mantle has been passed to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, which has already begun to reshape the series’ core mechanics. Traditional first‑aid kits have been removed entirely, replaced by a new crafting system that lets Lara brew health‑restoring tinctures and prepare nutrient‑rich meals from scavenged ingredients.
A skill tree has also been introduced; the demo highlighted how players can allocate points to extend the reach of Lara’s signature dual pistols, adding a layer of strategic depth previously unseen in the franchise. In a post‑demo round‑table Q&A, Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, and Flying Wild Hog’s art director Arek Tomaszewski explained how the external development partnership functions, how the studios coordinate with publisher Amazon, and why the notorious tank‑control scheme will not be resurrected when Legacy of Atlantis launches on February 12.
Legacy of Atlantis is a joint effort between Crystal Dynamics, based in California, and Flying Wild Hog in Poland. Siqueira emphasized that, despite the geographic split, everyone works as a single entity known internally as “Team Atlantis.” “We’re quite good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project,” he said. “From our first conversations it was obvious that both teams share a very similar philosophy on game development.
We’re brutally honest about what we need and how we want to approach it, and that honesty made the collaboration feel completely natural.” He added, “Crystal brings a deep legacy of Tomb Raider titles and a wealth of history, but sometimes you need fresh eyes. Bringing in an external partner can provide a new perspective that helps you craft something truly unique. That partnership has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this project.” Flying Wild Hog is not the only external relationship Crystal Dynamics is juggling for Legacy of Atlantis.
Amazon, the tech and retail conglomerate, is publishing both this game and the upcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, while also producing a television series based on the franchise starring Sophie Turner. Siqueira noted that Crystal Dynamics works "pretty closely" with Amazon across all fronts. “We share a commitment to the franchise and the character that goes beyond studio walls,” he explained. “We have an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics—seasoned veterans who have been with the series for over two decades.
They’re involved in every project, ensuring a seamless collaboration across the board.” He laughed, “If I start talking too much about other projects, someone might chase me off the stage!” When the development team began, they revisited both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, to understand how memory can distort perception. “We all have a mental image of what the game looks like, and when we actually play it, we notice the differences,” Siqueira said.
“That process helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay true, while also identifying areas where we could safely deviate and add new color.” Team Atlantis has therefore introduced features such as crafting, weapon upgrades, and a skill progression system. However, one hallmark of the original experience—tank controls—has been deliberately omitted. “The control scheme has been modernized for today’s audience,” Siqueira explained. “The original games are still available; we released Tomb Raider 1 Remastered for those who want the classic feel.
If you’re nostalgic for tank controls, I respect that enthusiasm, but I’ve tried them myself and they’re brutally unforgiving.” Tomaszewski echoed the sentiment: “When I revisited the game after twenty years, the tank controls felt like a relic—awesome in theory but painfully difficult in practice.” Legacy of Atlantis was announced alongside Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel set years after 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld. When asked about the synergy between the two titles, Siqueira confirmed that there is “definite collaboration,” but stressed that each project remains distinct. “Both games are being developed together, yet it’s crucial to treat Legacy of Atlantis as its own entity, faithful to the original source material,” he said.
“Regarding Lara’s narrative arc, we aim to honor both the games that preceded her and those that follow. The Lara you encounter here is the same iteration from the Survivor era—spanning Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider—and she will continue to appear in our future projects.” In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how an external studio can inject fresh ideas while preserving the spirit of a beloved classic.
By updating mechanics, adding depth through crafting and skill trees, and modernizing controls, Legacy of Atlantis aims to satisfy long‑time fans and attract new players alike, all while maintaining a cohesive relationship with Amazon and the broader Tomb Raider universe. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Raider*.