Last week at Gamescom, the developers presented a hands‑on demo of Tomb Ranger: Legacy of Atlantis that made it clear this title is far more than a straightforward 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 responsibility for this overhaul has been handed to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, which has already begun to reshape the familiar Tomb Ranger formula.
For example, the iconic first‑aid kits have been removed entirely. In their place, Lara now gathers ingredients throughout the world and crafts restorative tinctures and nutrient‑rich meals that not only heal but also provide temporary stat boosts. A brand‑new skill tree has been introduced as well; the demo highlighted how players can allocate skill points to extend the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, adding a layer of strategic depth previously unseen in the series. Following the showcase, a round‑table Q&A featured Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, alongside Flying Wild Hog’s art director Arek Tomaszewski.
The two executives shed light on how the external development partnership functions, described their relationship with publisher Amazon, and clarified why the nostalgic tank‑control scheme will not make a comeback when Legacy of Atlantis launches on February 12. Both Crystal Dynamics, based in California, and Flying Wild Hog, located in Poland, are co‑developing the game, yet Siqueira emphasized that everyone works as a single entity known internally as “Team Atlantis.” “We’re exceptionally good at tearing down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project,” he explained.
“From the moment we started talking, it was evident that both teams share a common philosophy about game development. We’re brutally honest about our needs and the methods we want to employ, and the collaboration just felt natural.” He continued, “Crystal brings a deep legacy of Tomb Ranger titles, but sometimes you need fresh perspectives. Bringing in a new partner can help you look at existing material with fresh eyes and create something truly unique.
That collaboration has been one of the strongest aspects of this project.” Flying Wild Hog isn’t the only external relationship Crystal Dynamics is juggling for Legacy of Atlantis. Tech giant Amazon serves as the publisher for this game as well as the forthcoming Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, and is also producing a television series based on the franchise starring Sophie Turner.
Siqueira noted that his studio works "pretty closely" with Amazon across all fronts. “We share a commitment to the franchise and the character that transcends studio walls,” he said. “We have an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics—seasoned veterans who have been shaping the series for more than two decades. They are involved in every project, fostering a strong collaborative environment.” He added with a laugh, “If I start talking too much about other projects, some people might chase me off the stage.” To ground their redesign, the team revisited both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Ranger: Anniversary.
This exercise highlighted how memory can distort recollection. “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 allowed us to pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay true, while also identifying areas where we could safely push the boundaries.” Among the new features are crafting systems and weapon upgrades, but one hallmark of the original has been omitted: the infamous tank controls. “The control scheme has been updated for modern audiences,” Siqueira explained. “The original games are still available—you can play Tomb Ranger 1 Remastered if you want the classic feel.
If you’re eager to return to tank controls, I respect that enthusiasm, but I’ve tried them many times and they’re just… hard.” Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment: “When I first played the original after twenty years, I thought it was brilliant, but then I realized how clunky it feels now. It’s a relic of its time, and we decided to move forward with a more fluid, contemporary control layout.” Legacy of Atlantis was announced alongside Tomb Ranger: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Ranger: Underworld. When asked about the synergy between the two projects, Siqueira confirmed there is “definitely collaboration,” but stressed that each title remains distinct.
“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 titles. 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 consistent protagonist across our future endeavors.” In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how bringing an outside studio into the fold can inject fresh ideas while preserving the core identity of a beloved franchise.
By discarding outdated mechanics like tank controls, introducing modern systems such as crafting and skill trees, and maintaining close ties with both Amazon and the internal franchise team, the developers aim to deliver a version of Lara’s first adventure that feels both nostalgic and newly exciting for long‑time fans and newcomers alike. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin has previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Ranger*.