Did you think our date with Lara was over? “In Which Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?” Do not decide on this without reading our guide.
I don’t know a single player who loves Tomb Raider games but doesn’t fall in love with Lara Craft. The series, which remained silent for a long time, started to become active again last year. In this guide, “In Which Order to Play Tomb Raider Games?” for those who want to play the series from the beginning. We answer the question and go deeper into the series.
In What Order Are All Tomb Raider Games Played?
History of Tomb Raider and Popularity of Games
First introduced in 1996, Tomb Raider quickly entered the gaming world as a revolutionary action-adventure game. This is not only thanks to its immersive gameplay or complex puzzles, but also thanks to its protagonist – Lara Croft. A strong, intelligent and determined archaeologist, Lara was unlike any other female character in the games.
Tomb Raider’s Place in the Gaming World
Lara Croft is not just a game character, she is a legend in the gaming world. When he first appeared on the screens, he brought with him action, adventure and mystery. Tomb Raider and Lara Croft have become a global phenomenon, not only with their games, but also with their movies, comics and other popular culture reflections. In the gaming world, the Tomb Raider series is considered a work that set the standard for action-adventure games.
Tomb Raider Series Game Rankings
Original Series
Tomb Raider (1996): This legendary beginning, the first game of the series, is Lara Croft’s first step into her adventures. This game is known for its large areas of exploration, complex puzzles, and exciting action sequences.
In What Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?
Tomb Raider II: This sequel offers an adventure that sees Lara embark on even more challenging missions in a series of new locations, from Venice to Tibet. The game features new weapons, moves, and even new vehicles like a motorboat.
In What Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?
Tomb Raider III: In this third installment of the original series, Lara searches for a legendary meteor fragment in locations around the world, from Antarctica to the Pacific Islands. The game features more challenging puzzles and larger areas of exploration than previous versions.
In What Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?
Restart Series
Tomb Raider: Legend: This game features a story in which Lara Croft delves deeper into her past and the tragic loss of her family. The game stands out with its modern graphics, improved mobility and impressive storytelling.
In What Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?
Tomb Raider: Anniversary: Actually a remake of the original 1996 Tomb Raider game, this game offers Lara’s first adventure with modern graphics and improved game mechanics. The game preserves the original story and puzzles while providing a fresh experience for a new generation of players.
In What Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?
Tomb Raider: Underworld: This game continues the story of Legend and Anniversary. While confronting old enemies and mythological creatures, Lara tries to solve the mystery of her missing mother. Underworld is known for its underwater exploration and vast open world areas.
In What Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?
Reboot Series
Tomb Raider (2013): This reboot of the series chronicles the first adventure of young Lara Croft and how she became a survival expert and legendary treasure hunter. The game is distinguished by a darker tone and intense storytelling.
In What Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?
Rise of the Tomb Raider: This sequel continues the story of the 2013 Tomb Raider. Lara embarks on a dangerous journey to complete her father’s missing investigation and find a legendary city.
In What Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: In this latest installment of the reboot series, Lara races to save the world from a Mayan apocalypse. The game features jungle exploration, improved combat mechanics, and a story that dives into Lara’s character development.
In What Order Are Tomb Raider Games Played?
Summary of Plays and Character Analysis
Lara Croft: Evolution and Character Analysis
Lara Croft is one of the most recognizable characters in video game history. She was initially introduced as an independent archaeologist from an aristocratic family, but over time she stood out for her determination, intelligence, and physical abilities. Throughout the series, Lara’s character is explored in depth and her evolution takes place before the eyes of the players.
Main Story Flow and Game Dynamics
Each Tomb Raider game offers a unique story as Lara traces ancient civilizations, fights dangerous enemies, and solves complex puzzles. Game mechanics have evolved throughout the evolution of the series; platform interactions, combat dynamics, and storytelling have become more sophisticated with each new game. In this section, we will take an in-depth look at the basic story flow and gameplay dynamics in each game of the series.
How to Play Games?
Although each of the games offers different stories, quests, and mechanics, the overall gaming experience in the Tomb Raider series is based on exploration, puzzle solving, and combat. Here are some suggestions for every new player to fully experience the series:
In Which Order Should I Start?
Original Series: If you’re new to Tomb Raider games, it’s best to start with the original series. This will help you understand the history of the character and the series.
Restart Series: If you are sensitive about graphics and modern game mechanics, you can choose this series. It presents the stories of the original games with a modern twist.
Reboot Series: This series tells about Lara’s youth and the beginning of her story. With a darker tone and intense storytelling, it’s the perfect starting point for new fans of the series.
Game Modes and Level Challenges
Tomb Raider games usually have various game modes and difficulty levels. In the beginning, it’s best to choose normal or easy difficulty levels, especially if you’re new to the series. More experienced players can opt for the hard mode, where they will encounter more challenging puzzles and enemies. In-game tips and tutorials will help players learn mechanics and strategies. As you progress through the game and improve your skills, you can increase the difficulty level.
The Impact and Cultural Legacy of the Tomb Raider Games
The Tomb Raider series has had a huge impact not only on the gaming world, but also on general pop culture. The character of Lara Croft has become an icon beyond her time.
The Revolution It Created in the Gaming World
Tomb Raider marked the beginning of a new era in 3D game design and character-driven storytelling. The first game to introduce Lara Croft redefined the action-adventure genre with its complex 3D puzzles, expansive exploration areas, and dynamic action scenes.
This revolution attracted the attention of other developers in the gaming world and caused many games to follow in the footsteps of Tomb Raider. Lara’s strong female character inspired the creation of other female characters in the gaming industry.
Tomb Raider in Pop Culture
Lara Croft is not limited to just games. The character has gained popularity in movies, comics, toys, and more. The movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, played by Angelina Jolie, played a big role in making the character a global phenomenon.
Additionally, Lara’s influence was felt in the fashion and art worlds. Her iconic image has become a source of inspiration for many fashion designers and artists. Especially in the late 90s and early 2000s, Lara had a positive impact on young girls and women in particular. She inspired many people with her independence, intelligence and courage.
As a result, the Tomb Raider series and especially the Lara Croft character are among the elements that deeply influence the gaming world and pop culture. This effect proves that the game can be not only entertainment, but also a cultural phenomenon.
All Tomb Raider Games in Release Order
- Tomb Raider (1996 – Saturn, PS1, Windows, MS-DOS, Mac OS, N-Gage, iOS, Android)
- Tomb Raider II (1997 – PS1, Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android)
- Tomb Raider III (1998 – PS1, Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android)
- Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999 – PS1, Dreamcast, Windows, Mac OS)
- Tomb Raider (2000 – GBC)
- Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000 – PS1, Dreamcast, Windows, Mac OS)
- Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (2001 – GBC)
- Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (2002 – GBA)
- Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003 – PS2, Windows, Mac OS X)
- Tomb Raider: Legend (2006 – PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Windows, GBA, PSP, DS, Java ME)
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007 – PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Windows, Mac OS X, PSP)
- Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008 – PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Windows, Mac OS X, PSP)
- Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010 – PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Windows, Mac OS X, DS, Java ME)
- Tomb Raider (2013 – PS3, Xbox 360, Stadia, Windows, iOS)
- Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (2014 – PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android (Nvidia Shield TV))
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015 – PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Windows)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018 – PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Stadia, Windows, Mac OS X, Linux)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many games in total are there in the Tomb Raider series?
There are 12 main games in the Tomb Raider series in total. In addition, several side games and expansion packs are also available.
Which is the best Tomb Raider game?
The adjective “best” is subjective and may vary from person to person. However, overall the game “Tomb Raider (2013)” received high marks from both critics and gamers.
What is the story of Tomb Raider based on?
Tomb Raider follows the adventures of archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft around the world as she searches for ancient ruins and legendary treasure. In the stories, there are mythological elements, enemies and places full of secrets.
What information should I have before playing the games?
Tomb Raider games generally do not require any prior knowledge as they have standalone stories. However, playing the entire series provides a deeper understanding of character development and story evolution.
How are the graphics and gameplay of the games?
The games have evolved greatly since the series’ inception. While the early games featured simple 3D graphics, recent games feature high-quality, realistic graphics. Gameplay is based around platforming puzzle solving, combat and exploration.
Which of the Tomb Raider games is the most challenging?
This is also a subjective question, but many players have stated that “Tomb Raider III” is one of the most difficult games in the series.
How did the Lara Croft character evolve?
Lara was first introduced in the late ’90s as a clever and brave archaeologist. Over time, the character gained deeper personality, emotional richness and complexity.
What are the differences between the reboot series and the reboot series?
While the reboot series retells the stories of the original games with a modern twist, the reboot series focuses on Lara’s youth and beginnings of adventurousness.
Which Tomb Raider game has the longest gameplay?
Gameplay time may vary depending on the player’s style and game mode, but in general, “Rise of the Tomb Raider” is known as the game with the longest gameplay for many players.