During Gamescom last week, attendees were treated to a hands‑on showcase of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis that made it clear this title is far more than a straightforward remaster of the 1996 classic. Instead, it represents a full‑scale reimagination of Lara Croft’s inaugural adventure, rebuilt from the ground up.
The responsibility for this ambitious overhaul has been handed to the Polish development house Flying Wild Hog, which has already injected a number of fresh ideas into the series’ core mechanics. The most noticeable change is the removal of the old‑school first‑aid kits. In their place, Lara now gathers ingredients scattered throughout the world and uses them to brew restorative potions and nourishing meals that boost her stats. Additionally, a new skill‑tree system lets players allocate points to enhance abilities such as the reach of Lara’s signature dual pistols, a feature that was demonstrated during the demo.
Following the showcase, a round‑table Q&A featured Raul Siqueira, game director at Crystal Dynamics, and Arek Tomaszewski, art director at Flying Wild Hog. The two executives explained how the external development partnership functions, described their ongoing relationship with Amazon, and clarified why the notorious tank‑control scheme 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—work under a single banner internally known as “Team Atlantis.” Siqueira emphasized that the collaboration has been seamless: “We’re very good at breaking down the invisible walls that can appear between studios during a project. From the first conversation, it was evident that we share a common philosophy on game development.
Transparency about our needs and our methods came naturally, and that honesty has been a cornerstone of the partnership.” He added, “Crystal brings a deep legacy of Tomb Raider titles and a wealth of history, but sometimes you need fresh perspectives. Bringing in a new team to look at what we have can spark unique ideas. That collaborative spirit has been one of the best parts 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 forthcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, while also producing a television adaptation starring Sophie Turner. Siqueira noted that Crystal Dynamics works "pretty closely" with Amazon across all fronts, saying, “We share a commitment to the franchise and the character that goes beyond studio walls.
Our internal franchise team, composed of veterans who have spent over two decades on Tomb Raider, collaborates with Amazon on every aspect of the project. It’s a truly integrated effort.” He laughed that mentioning other Amazon‑backed projects might provoke a playful “stage‑attack” from the audience.
To ensure the remake honored its roots, the development team first played through both the original 1996 game and the 2007 remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary. This exercise highlighted how memory can distort recollection. “We all have a mental image of how the game looked, and when we actually play it, we notice the differences,” Siqueira explained.
“That helped us pinpoint the essential moments and locations that must stay exactly as they are, while also identifying where we could safely experiment and add new color.” 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 said. “The original games are still available—you can play the Tomb Raider 1 Remastered if you want the old feel. I respect anyone who wants to revisit tank controls, but honestly, after trying it many times, it’s just hard.” Tomaszewski echoed this sentiment, recalling his own experience: “I thought tank controls were great when I first played them, but after twenty years they feel clunky and unintuitive.” When Legacy of Atlantis was first announced, it appeared alongside Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel set years after the events of 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 distinct. “Legacy of Atlantis is its own project, and we’re committed to staying true to the original 1996 experience.
At the same time, we respect the narrative arc established by both earlier and later games. The Lara you see here 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 same incarnation across our future projects.” In summary, the partnership between Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog illustrates how an external studio can breathe new life into a beloved classic while preserving its core identity. By introducing modern mechanics such as crafting, skill trees, and refined combat, and by discarding outdated control schemes, the team aims to deliver an experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The close collaboration with Amazon further expands the Tomb Raider universe beyond games, promising a cohesive franchise across multiple media.
Disclosure: Alex Forbes‑Calvin previously collaborated with Crystal Dynamics on the book *Chronicles of the Tomb Raider*.