Are all Tomb Raider games related?

Are All Tomb Raider Games Related?

The Tomb Raider series has undergone numerous changes and revamps over the years, leaving fans wondering if all the games are connected. The answer is a bit complicated, but we’ll break it down for you.

The Original Games (1996-2003)

The first five games in the series, developed by Core Design, follow the adventures of Lara Croft as she explores ancient tombs and uncovers hidden secrets. These games are connected by their narrative, with each installment building upon the previous one. Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II, Tomb Raider III, The Last Revelation, and Chronics form a continuous story arc, with Lara Croft’s character development and backstory unfolding throughout the series.

The Legend Trilogy (2006-2008)

The Legend trilogy, developed by Crystal Dynamics, marked a significant shift in the series’ direction. Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and Tomb Raider: Underworld introduced new gameplay mechanics, characters, and storylines, effectively rebooting the series. While these games share some connections with the original series, they can be considered a separate narrative thread.

The New Tomb Raider (2013-2018)

The 2013 reboot, developed by Crystal Dynamics, brought a fresh perspective to the series. Tomb Raider and its sequels, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, form a new narrative arc, focusing on Lara Croft’s early years and her transformation into a Tomb Raider. These games are connected by their storyline, with each installment building upon the previous one.

Are the New Games a Reboot?

Yes, the 2013 reboot can be considered a reboot of the series. The game’s story and characters were reimagined, and the gameplay mechanics were updated to appeal to a new generation of players. However, the 2013 reboot did establish a connection to the original series, with nods to the classic games and character developments that built upon the original story.

A Brief Summary

To summarize, the Tomb Raider series can be divided into three main branches:

• The Original Games (1996-2003): A continuous narrative arc that follows Lara Croft’s adventures and character development.
• The Legend Trilogy (2006-2008): A separate narrative thread that rebooted the series and introduced new gameplay mechanics and characters.
• The New Tomb Raider (2013-2018): A new narrative arc that reimagines Lara Croft’s early years and transformation into a Tomb Raider, connected to the original series through nods and character developments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Tomb Raider series has undergone changes and revamps over the years, the games are connected through their narrative and character developments. The original games form a continuous story arc, while the Legend trilogy and the new Tomb Raider games can be considered separate narrative threads. Whether you’re a fan of the classic games or the more recent reboots, the Tomb Raider series offers something for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are all Tomb Raider games connected?
  • The original games (1996-2003) form a continuous narrative arc.
  • The Legend trilogy (2006-2008) is a separate narrative thread.
  • The new Tomb Raider games (2013-2018) form a new narrative arc, connected to the original series through nods and character developments.
• Is the 2013 reboot a remake or a reboot?
  • The 2013 reboot is a reboot of the series, reimagining the story and characters while establishing connections to the original series.
• Which Tomb Raider game is the best?
  • The answer is subjective and depends on personal preferences. Some fans prefer the classic games, while others enjoy the more recent reboots.

Table: Tomb Raider Games and Their Connection

Note: The table only includes the mainline Tomb Raider games and does not include spin-offs or mobile games.