Last week at Gamescom, a hands‑on showcase of Tomb Ranger: Legacy of Atlantis made it clear that the upcoming title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic; it is a full‑scale reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure. The responsibility for bringing this vision to life has been handed over to the Polish development house Flying Wild Hog, working in close collaboration with Crystal Dynamics. The external studio has introduced several substantial changes to the familiar formula. For example, the traditional first‑aid kits have been removed; instead, Lara now gathers ingredients throughout the world to brew health‑restoring tinctures and cook meals that boost her stats.
A new skill‑tree system also appears, allowing players to allocate points to enhance abilities such as the range of her signature dual pistols, as demonstrated in the demo. Following the demonstration, Crystal Dynamics game director Raul Siqueira and Flying Wild Hog art director Arek Tomaszewski took the stage for a round‑table Q&A.
They explained how the partnership between the two studios functions, described their working relationship with publisher Amazon, and clarified why the notorious tank‑control scheme will not make a comeback when Legacy of Atlantis launches on February 12. Both the California‑based Crystal Dynamics team and the Polish crew at Flying Wild Hog are listed as co‑developers, but Siqueira emphasizes that internally they operate as a single unit, dubbed “Team Atlantis.” “We’re really good at breaking down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during development,” he said.
“From the moment we started talking, it was obvious that both teams share a common philosophy about game creation. We’re honest about our needs and our methods, and the collaboration just felt natural.” Siqueira went on to note that while Crystal Dynamics brings a deep well of Tomb Ranger history, fresh eyes can be invaluable.
“Sometimes you need fresh perspectives. Sometimes you need someone new to look at what you have so you can create something unique. I feel like that collaboration has been one of the best parts of this project.” Flying Wild Hog is not the only external partner involved. Amazon, the tech and retail giant, is publishing both Legacy of Atlantis and the forthcoming Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, and is also producing a television series based on the franchise starring Sophie Turner.
Siqueira described the relationship with Amazon as “pretty close” across all fronts. “We share a commitment to the franchise and to the character that goes past the walls of the studio and beyond,” he explained.
“We have an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics—seasoned veterans who have been shaping Tomb Ranger for more than two decades. They’re engaged across every project, and the collaboration is excellent.” He added with a laugh, “If I start talking more about other projects, some people might tackle me from the stage.” To ensure the new game respects its roots, the development team first replayed the original 1996 title as well as the 2007 remake, Tomb Ranger: Anniversary. This exercise highlighted how memory can distort perception.
“We all have that memory of what that game looks like in our brain, and then we play it, and we’re like, ‘Ah, that’s different,’” Siqueira said. “That helped us pinpoint the key moments and locations that must stay exactly as they are, while also identifying where we can safely color outside the lines.” Among the additions are the crafting system, upgraded weapons, and the skill tree mentioned earlier. However, one hallmark of the original has been deliberately omitted: tank controls.
“The control scheme has been adapted to fit the modern audience,” Siqueira stated. “Of course, the original games are always available to you: we just released Tomb Ranger 1 Remastered. If you want to go back to tank controls, I applaud your enthusiasm. I tried it many times, and man, it’s hard.” Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment, recalling his own experience revisiting the classic after two decades.
“I remember thinking it was awesome, but when I played it after 20 years, it was like: What is going on? It’s so hard.” Legacy of Atlantis was unveiled alongside Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Ranger: Underworld. When asked about the degree of synergy between the two projects, Siqueira confirmed that there is “definitely collaboration,” but stressed that each title remains distinct. “Obviously, we are making the games together,” he said.
“However, it is very important for us to distinguish that Tomb Ranger: Legacy of Atlantis is completely its own project and we are making sure that we stay faithful to the original game. When it comes to specifics of where Lara is in her journey moving forward, we want to be respectful to both the games that came before and the games that came after.
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, which tell Lara’s origin story—and it will be the same Lara in our projects moving forward.” In summary, the collaboration between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how an external studio can inject fresh ideas while honoring a beloved legacy. By discarding outdated mechanics like tank controls, adding modern systems such as crafting and skill trees, and maintaining a clear line of communication with both Amazon and internal franchise veterans, the team aims to deliver a game that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. The result should be a vibrant, re‑engineered adventure that respects the spirit of the 1996 original while offering new depth for both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin has previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book Chronicles of the Tomb Ranger.