During a low‑key showcase at Gamescom last week, the demo of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis made it clear that this title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic; it is a thorough reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure. The development responsibilities have been handed over to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, which has injected new ideas into the established Tomb Raider formula. For instance, the traditional first‑aid kits have been swapped for a crafting system where Lara gathers ingredients to brew health‑restoring tinctures and create meals that boost her stats.
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. After the presentation, a round‑table Q&A featured Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, and Arek Tomaszewski, art director at Flying Wild Hog. They explained how the external‑development partnership operates, described the studios’ relationship with publisher Amazon, and clarified why the beloved “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, based in California, and Flying Wild Hog in Poland. Siqueira emphasizes that everyone involved sees themselves as part of a single unit, internally dubbed “Team Atlantis.” “We’re surprisingly good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project,” he said. “From the moment we started talking, it was obvious that both teams share a very similar 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 added, “Crystal Dynamics brings a deep legacy of Tomb Raider titles and a lot of history, but sometimes you need a fresh set of eyes. Bringing in a new perspective can spark ideas that make the final product 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 giant, is publishing both Legacy of Atlantis and the upcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, and is 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 to the character that goes beyond studio walls," he explained. "We have an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics—seasoned veterans who have been shaping Tomb Raider for over two decades.
They’re involved in every project, ensuring a seamless collaboration across the board." He laughed, adding, "If I start talking about all the other projects we have, someone might come after me on stage!" In the early stages of development, the team revisited both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, to understand how memory can distort perception. "We all carry a mental image of what the game looked like, and when we actually play it again we notice the differences," Siqueira said.
"That exercise helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations we must preserve, while also identifying areas where we could safely deviate and add new color." Team Atlantis has indeed added new systems such as crafting and weapon upgrades, but one hallmark of the original has been removed: the infamous tank‑control scheme. "The control layout has been modernised for today’s audience," Siqueira stated. "The original games are still available—you can play Tomb Raider 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel.
If you’re nostalgic for tank controls, I respect that enthusiasm, but I’ve tried it many times and it’s genuinely cumbersome." Tomaszewski echoed that sentiment: "When I think back to playing the original, it felt great at the time, but revisiting it after twenty years is a different experience. It’s just… difficult." When Legacy of Atlantis was first announced, it appeared 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 there is "definite collaboration" but stressed that each game remains its own distinct project. "We’re developing the games together, but it’s crucial to keep Legacy of Atlantis true to its source material," he said.
"We also want to respect the narrative arc of Lara’s journey across all titles. The Lara you see in Legacy of Atlantis is the same Lara from the Survivor era—Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider—and she will continue to be the Lara we portray in future projects." In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how external development can inject fresh ideas while honoring a beloved franchise.
By discarding outdated mechanics like tank controls and introducing modern systems such as crafting, skill trees, and upgraded weaponry, the team aims to deliver an experience that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. The close ties with Amazon further broaden the franchise’s reach across games, television, and merchandise, ensuring Lara Croft’s legacy continues to evolve. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Raider*.