Last week at Gamescom, attendees were treated to a hands‑on preview of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis that made it clear this isn’t merely a polished remaster of the 1996 classic. Instead, it is a full‑scale reimagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure, rebuilt from the ground up with modern design sensibilities. The heavy lifting on this project has been shared between Crystal Dynamics and the Polish development house Flying Wild Hog. The collaboration has already produced several noticeable departures from the original formula.
First‑aid kits have vanished, replaced by a crafting system that lets Lara brew health‑restoring tinctures and prepare meals that temporarily boost her stats, using ingredients she gathers throughout the world. A brand‑new skill tree also appears, giving players the ability to allocate points to enhance abilities such as the range of Lara’s iconic dual pistols, as demonstrated in the demo.
Following the showcase, Crystal Dynamics game director Raul Siqueira and Flying Wild Hog art director Arek Tomaszewski fielded questions about how the external development partnership functions, how they coordinate with publisher Amazon, and why the beloved "tank" control scheme will not make a comeback when Legacy of Atlantis ships on February 12. Both studios consider themselves part of a single entity dubbed “Team Atlantis.” Siqueira explained, “We’re really good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project.
From the first conversation it was obvious that we share a common philosophy on game development. We’re brutally honest about what we need and how we want to achieve it, and the partnership just clicked.” He went on to note the value of an outside perspective: “Crystal brings a deep legacy of Tomb Raider titles, but sometimes you need fresh eyes.
Bringing in a new team lets you look at what you have and shape something unique. That collaboration has been one of the best parts of this project.” Flying Wild Hog isn’t the only external relationship Crystal Dynamics is juggling for Legacy of Atlantis. The tech‑giant Amazon is acting as publisher for this title and the forthcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, while also developing a TV adaptation starring Sophie Turner. Siqueira said his studio works “pretty closely” with Amazon across all fronts, adding, “We share a commitment to the franchise and the character that goes beyond studio walls.
Our internal franchise team—seasoned veterans with over two decades on the series—are involved in every project, ensuring a seamless collaboration.” He laughed that delving too deeply into other Amazon‑backed projects might provoke a playful audience reaction. In preparation for the remake, the development team revisited both the 1996 original and the 2007 anniversary edition.
This exercise highlighted how memory can distort perception. “We all have an image of what the game looks like in our heads, and when we actually play it we notice the differences,” Siqueira said. “That helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay true, while also identifying where we could safely color outside the lines.” Beyond the new crafting and weapon‑upgrade systems, one hallmark of the 1996 game has been deliberately omitted: the infamous tank controls. Siqueira clarified the decision, stating, “The control scheme has been modernised for today’s audience.
Of course the original versions are still available—you can play Tomb Raider 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel. I’ve tried the tank controls many times, and they’re genuinely tough.” Tomaszewski echoed the sentiment, recalling his own experience: “I remembered the tank controls as being awesome back then, but after twenty years they feel clunky and confusing.” 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 games, Siqueira confirmed that there is “definite collaboration,” yet emphasized that each title stands on its own.
“Legacy of Atlantis is its own project, and we’re committed to honoring the original game’s spirit. At the same time we respect the narrative arc of Lara’s journey across all installments. The Lara you see here is the same Lara from the Survivor era—2013’s reboot, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider—and she will continue to be the Lara in our future projects.” The partnership model exemplified by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog showcases how a veteran studio can benefit from an infusion of new ideas without sacrificing the core identity of a beloved franchise. By blending the historical knowledge of the original creators with the fresh design language of an external team, Legacy of Atlantis aims to deliver a game that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
The result is a title that respects its roots while offering modern mechanics such as crafting, skill trees, and refined combat, all packaged in a control scheme that feels intuitive for today’s players. In summary, the external development approach has allowed Crystal Dynamics to break down traditional studio silos, incorporate innovative gameplay loops, and maintain a unified vision across multiple media platforms—all while ensuring that the essence of Lara Croft’s first adventure remains intact.
The upcoming release promises to deliver a fresh yet familiar experience, proving that sometimes, a new set of eyes is exactly what a classic needs to thrive in the modern gaming landscape. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin has previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Raider*.