Summary (tl;dr)

"Tomb Raider" is trending due to the announcement of two new video games, "Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis" and "Tomb Raider: Catalyst," at The Game Awards 2025, alongside news of a related Amazon TV series.

Essential Background

The Tomb Raider franchise, known for its adventurous archaeologist Lara Croft, has been a cornerstone of video gaming for decades, with its last main installment, "Shadow of the Tomb Raider," released in 2018. Crystal Dynamics, a long-standing developer for the series, partnered with Amazon Game Studios in 2022 to publish future titles.

The Full Story

At The Game Awards 2025, Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Game Studios unveiled two highly anticipated Tomb Raider games. "Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis" is a modern reimagining of the original 1996 game, featuring updated graphics with Unreal Engine 5 and redesigned puzzles, and is set to launch in 2026. Following in 2027 will be "Tomb Raider: Catalyst," an all-new adventure taking Lara Croft to Northern India in the wake of a mythical cataclysm to uncover ancient secrets. Both games will feature Alix Wilton Regan as the voice of Lara Croft and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This gaming news comes amid ongoing development of an Amazon TV series adaptation of Tomb Raider, with Sophie Turner cast as Lara Croft.

Why It Matters

This dual announcement marks a significant revitalization for the beloved Tomb Raider franchise, offering both a nostalgic return to Lara Croft's origins and an exciting new chapter for the character. The release of two major titles and a linked television series underscores a substantial investment from Amazon and Crystal Dynamics to expand Lara Croft's universe, aiming to captivate both long-time fans and a new generation of players and viewers. This integrated approach to storytelling across different media signals a bold future for one of gaming's most iconic heroines.

Geographic Location

• Los Angeles, California, United States (The Game Awards 2025 announcement)
• Northern India (primary setting for the new game Tomb Raider: Catalyst)
• Poland (location of Flying Wild Hog, co-developer of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis)
• California, United States (location of Crystal Dynamics, developer of Tomb Raider: Catalyst and co-developer of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis)