Tomb Raider has a chartered historical past, with Lara Croft delving into ruins and tombs all around the world. Overcoming any and all obstacles set in her path, Lara has elevated herself into an unique and lauded pantheon of iconic online game protagonists.
With a brand new Tomb Raider presently in growth at Crystal Dynamics and subsequently a brand new Lara journey on the horizon, we’ve created a chronological checklist of each Tomb Raider recreation so these can begin (or restart) their spelunking adventures from the very starting.
There are a complete of 20 Tomb Raider games which were launched as of 2025. These video games are cut up over 3 totally different timelines, every distinct from each other, providing totally different plotlines and a barely totally different spin on Lara and her supporting forged.
14 of those video games have been launched for dwelling consoles, 6 additionally supported handheld transportable consoles, and 6 have been supported on cell gadgets. Tomb Raider: The Prophecy, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Lara Croft Go, Lara Croft: Relic Run, and Tomb Raider Reloaded are all stand-alone titles, and subsequently is not going to be included on these lists.
If you are coming to the franchise for the primary time in 2025, we suggest beginning with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. The first entry within the “Survivor” trilogy units the stage for Lara Croft’s most up-to-date sequence of expeditions that runs by way of the newest mainline recreation, 2018’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
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Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order
If you are hoping to take a chronological journey by way of all the Tomb Raider video games, it is vital to notice that there are literally 3 totally different timelines you’ll be able to play by way of.
First Timeline – Original Saga
1. Tomb Raider (1996)
The first ever Tomb Raider title centred round Lara being employed by businesswoman Jacquelin Natla to discover a mysterious artefact known as the Scion of Atlantis. After discovering all three fragments of the Scion scattered across the globe, Lara is betrayed by Natla and should face off in opposition to her on a volcanic island crammed with monsters.
2. Tomb Raider: The Curse of the Sword (2001)
A Game Boy Color unique sequel to the Game Boy Color model of the unique Tomb Raider, this journey sees Lara monitoring down a mystical sword and trying to destroy it earlier than the long-dead Madame Paveau can resurrect from the underworld and use her darkish magic to subjugate the world.
3. Tomb Raider II (1997)
This time Lara is on the hunt for the Dagger of Xian, a magical weapon as soon as utilized by the Emperors of China. A cult chief by the title of Marco Bartoli who can be in search of the dagger for it’s magical means to show the proprietor right into a dragon.
4. Tomb Raider III (1998)
In the third mainline installment of the unique saga, Lara units out to seek out the Infada Stone, considered one of 4 crystalline artefacts crafted hundreds of years in the past from the remnants of a meteorite. Realising the nefarious Dr. Willard is aiming to make use of the statues to hurry up the evolutionary course of; she units out to seek out the remaining three artefacts earlier than all the planet is mutated.
5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
In The Last Revelation, the Egyptian god of chaos Set is unknowingly launched by Lara as she explores a tomb in Egypt. With Set and his forces wreaking havoc on Cairo, Lara is assisted by Semerkhet and strives to summon the god Horus who’s the final hope of quelling this world-ending menace.
6. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)
After the ambiguous ending of The Last Revelation, Winston the butler and different pals of Lara recount tales of her historic adventures to commemorate her. Delving by way of the catacombs of Rome, combating by way of a Russian naval submarine, and exploring an island haunted by demonic forces, the titular Chronicles set in stone how properly travelled and expert Lara is, however is she actually gone?
7. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
Framed for the homicide of her former mentor, Werner Von Croy, Lara explores Paris and Prague in an try to clear her title and remedy the homicide. The final survivor of the Lux Veritatis Society, Kurtis Trent, is stalking Lara and is hiding a deep darkish secret about his true nature.
Second Timeline – Legend of Tomb Raider
1. Tomb Raider Anniversary (2007)
A remake of the unique Tomb Raider title from 1996, this recreation once more sees Lara questing to seek out the Scion of Atlantis. With redesigned puzzles and physics, there was a shift from merchandise assortment and pulling switches (each prevalent within the unique title), to physics-based puzzles and environmental set items.
2. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
This title acts as a reboot and reimagining of the origins of Lara, as she races internationally in the hunt for the legendary sword Excalibur, determined to seek out it earlier than her former pal Amanda Evert can beat her to the punch.
3. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
The third installment within the Legend trilogy, Underworld sees Lara trying to find Mjolnir, which acts as an historical key to Helheim, the realm of the useless. Exploring the ruins of assorted cultures and mythological underworlds, Lara as soon as once more confronts the villainous Natla who’s trying to find Mjolnir herself.
Third Timeline – Survivor Trilogy
1. Tomb Raider (2013)
In a brand new, grittier tackle Lara Croft, her first expedition to seek out the misplaced kingdom of Yamatai goes awry and she or he turns into stranded on an remoted and hostile island. Facing off in opposition to the Solarii Brotherhood cult, Lara should cease the Ascension ritual from continuing and likewise forestall a successor from being chosen for the bloodthirsty Sun Queen of legend.
2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
Rise of the Tomb Raider has Lara exploring Siberia for the legendary metropolis of Kitezh while battling Trinity, the paramilitary group that frequently crosses paths and butts heads with Lara. As they each dash to rediscover Kitezh, will the legendary immortal guardians of the dominion, the Deathless Ones, reveal themselves to be rather more than only a fable?
3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
The third and last installment within the Survivor Trilogy, Shadow of the Tomb Raider has Lara trekking by way of the Americas to seek out town of Paititi earlier than a Mayan apocalypse consumes all the planet. With the monstrous Yaaxii and the ever current Trinity on her again, will she succeed earlier than it’s too late?
How to Play ALL the Tomb Raider Games By Release Date
- Tomb Raider (1996)
- Tomb Raider II (1997)
- Tomb Raider III (1998)
- Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
- Tomb Raider (Game Boy Color, 2000)
- Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)
- Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (Game Boy Color, 2001)
- Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (GBA, 2002)
- Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
- Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
- Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
- Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010)
- Tomb Raider (2013)
- Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (2014)
- Lara Croft: Relic Run (2015)
- Lara Croft Go (2015)
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
- Tomb Raider Reloaded (2023)
What’s Next for Tomb Raider?
For these seeking to bask within the nostalgia of the unique Tomb Raider video games, Aspyr launched remastered collections for current-gen consoles. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered launched in early 2024 and was adopted by Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered this previous February.
Crystal Dynamics has additionally confirmed a model new Tomb Raider recreation is in growth. Whilst particulars are slim, it’s confirmed to be using Unreal Engine 5 and is ready to be printed by Amazon Games. Crystal Dynamics have additionally expressed on Twitter that this new journey “will proceed Lara Croft’s saga”, which can insinuate this new title is a continuation of the Survivor trilogy that concluded with Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018.
Outside of gaming, Netflix debuted its animated sequence Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft in October. It’s already been renewed for a second season. While Amazon had at one level deliberate a Tomb Raider sequence with Phoebe Waller-Bridge on board as author and govt producter, evidently one is not making it to the end line.
Samuel (Sam) Heaney is a contract guides author at IGN and Minecraft knowledgeable. He’s a typical Brit who loves cups of tea and gin and tonics. Oh, and he is additionally an enormous Marvel nerd. You can discover him on Twitter @SamHeaney.
