Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis brings back everything that made Lara Croft an icon

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is shaping up to be a true return to form for Lara Croft’s iconic action game series in all the best ways.

Lara is making a big comeback in February 2027 with another remake of the first game in the Tomb Raider series. 

It’s been nearly 20 years since her quest for the Scion of Atlantis hit consoles in 1996, and after getting my hands on a short demo of this latest game at Summer Game Fest, it’s clear that Legacy of Atlantis is shaping up to be the definitive take on Lara’s debut adventure.

Legacy of Atlantis promises to be a breathtakingly beautiful adventure

During my time with the demo, I got to traverse the jungles of Peru with Lara, solving puzzles, traversing ancient ruins, and of course, picking up the odd artifact here and there.

The first thing I noticed was the brilliant sound design; with every muddy step, each rush of birdsong, and every tumbling waterfall, it truly felt like Lara was stamping through the underbrush of a humid, isolated jungle.

Crystal Dynamics, Amazon Game Studios

Legacy of Atlantis offers a visually stunning adventure into locales far and wide.

Visually, Legacy of Atlantis is a massive step up for Tom Raider. Crisp, high-definition graphics, combined with nice details like lens splashes when Lara swims, make exploration a true feast for the eyes. It’s nothing short of breathtaking, and left me hungry to see the other environments the game has to offer down the line.

Lara goes back to her campy action roots

Unlike the reboot trilogy, Legacy of Atlantis brings the franchise back to its (admittedly, somewhat campy) action roots, allowing Lara to use her gymnastic skills to leap across massive chasms, spin on treacherously-placed spikes, and flip into the air during combat.

Her trusty crowbar and grappling hook also make a return, allowing her to swing from ledge to ledge with ease. This makes movement fun and surprisingly refreshing when compared to the reboot trilogy’s more realistic take on exploration.

Crystal Dynamics, Amazon Game Studios

Combat in Legacy of Atlantis is approachable and satisfying.

I also got the pleasure of fighting a few overly-curious raptors during my demo; taking on enemies with Lara’s dual pistols felt extremely satisfying, especially with the PlayStation 5 controller’s adaptive triggers.

Lara also makes use of a ‘bullet time’ ability to slow down time and get in more shots for free. To do this, you’ll need to dodge during battle to fill up a meter, and use a specific button press to pull it off. It’s more approachable than a ‘perfect dodge’ mechanic would be, but you’ll have to use it sparingly, as there’s a set limit you can use before needing to refill your meter, and this can be hard to manage during crowded fights.

We can’t wait to play more Tomb Raider

Legacy of Atlantis notably makes use of cinematic set pieces, as seen in our run-in with a massive T-Rex consistent with the original game. Players will have to flee from the beast while using their quick wits to avoid environmental hazards (or worse, getting chomped to pieces). It’s no cakewalk, and you’ll need to watch out for cues as to where to climb and swing before it’s too late.

Crystal Dynamics, Amazon Game Studios

From what we’ve seen, Tomb Raider’s set pieces are no cakewalk. Be aware, lest a T-Rex chomp you up!

This Legacy of Atlantis demo was an absolute thrill. While short, Crystal Dynamics is right on track to deliver a new, improved vision of the original game that offers a refreshing change from Lara’s previous gritty, realism-focused adventures.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis releases on February 12, 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.