At Gamescom last week, a hands‑on 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 re‑imagining of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure. The responsibility for this ambitious overhaul has been handed to the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, which has injected new mechanics and a modern sensibility into the beloved formula. One of the most noticeable changes is the removal of the old‑school first‑aid kits.
Instead, Lara now gathers ingredients scattered throughout the world to brew health‑restoring tinctures and nutritious meals that boost her stats. This crafting system adds a layer of strategic resource management that was absent from the original. Additionally, the game introduces a skill‑tree progression system.
In the demo, players could allocate skill points to extend the range of Lara’s signature dual pistols, hinting at deeper customization options that will let fans tailor Lara’s abilities to their play style. Following the demonstration, 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 functions, described their working relationship with Amazon, and clarified why the notorious “tank controls” of the early games will not make a comeback when Legacy of Atlantis launches on February 12.
Both studios – Crystal Dynamics in California and Flying Wild Hog in Poland – consider themselves part of a single entity called “Team Atlantis.” Siqueira emphasized the importance of breaking down the invisible barriers that can arise when multiple teams collaborate across continents. “From the first conversation we realized we shared a common philosophy about game development,” he said. “We were brutally honest about our needs and our vision, and the partnership evolved naturally.” He went on to note that while Crystal Dynamics brings decades of Tomb Raider heritage, fresh eyes can reveal opportunities that long‑time insiders might overlook.
“Sometimes you need someone new to look at what you have and help you create something unique,” Siqueira explained. “That collaboration 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 conglomerate, is publishing both Legacy of Atlantis and the forthcoming Tomb Raiser: Catalyst, and it is also producing a television series starring Sophie Turner.
Siqueira described the relationship with Amazon as “pretty close,” noting that both parties share a deep commitment to the franchise that extends beyond the studio walls. He highlighted an internal franchise team at Crystal Dynamics, composed of veterans who have shepherded the series for over twenty years, and praised the seamless coordination across all projects. When asked about the influence of other Tomb Raider titles, Siqueira explained that the team began by replaying the 1996 original and the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary. This exercise helped them identify which moments and locations are sacrosanct and must be preserved, as well as where they could safely innovate.
“We all have a mental picture of the game,” he said. “Playing it again shows us where the memory diverges from reality, allowing us to decide what to keep exactly as it was and where we can color outside the lines.” Beyond crafting and weapon upgrades, the team made a deliberate decision to drop the classic tank‑control scheme.
“The control layout has been modernized for today’s audience,” Siqueira clarified. “The original games are still available as Tomb Raider 1 Remastered for those who crave that experience.
I’ve tried tank controls many times, and honestly, they’re brutally difficult.” Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment, recalling his own experience revisiting the old system after two decades and finding it nearly unplayable. Legacy of Atlantis was announced alongside Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld.
When questioned about synergy between the two projects, Siqueira confirmed a collaborative relationship but stressed the importance of treating Legacy of Atlantis as an independent work that honors its source material. He assured fans that the Lara depicted in both games is consistent with the “Survivor” era established in the 2013 reboot trilogy (Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider) and will continue to represent the same character across future titles. In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how external development can inject fresh ideas while respecting a franchise’s legacy.
By introducing crafting, skill trees, and modern controls, the team aims to make Lara’s first adventure accessible to new players without alienating longtime fans. At the same time, the close collaboration with Amazon ensures a unified vision across games, television, and publishing.
As the February release approaches, fans can look forward to a re‑imagined classic that balances nostalgia with contemporary design, proving that sometimes, a new perspective is exactly what a beloved series needs. Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin has previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Raider*.