Tomb Raider fans, rejoice! Crystal Dynamics has ignited excitement with a glimpse of their vision for a “unified” Lara Croft design, suggesting a future where the iconic adventurer’s past and present collide. This revelation coincides with the launch of the dedicated Tomb Raider website, shortly following the release of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft. This reveal is fueling anticipation for Tomb Raider Next, the forthcoming mainline entry in the franchise.
Unveiled on Lara’s fictional birthday, February 14, the artwork showcases a familiar sight: Lara clad in her classic blue tank top and brown shorts, pistols firmly in hand. This depiction closely resembles a Lara Croft model introduced in Call of Duty last year, solidifying the belief that it represents the “new, unified version of Tomb Raider.”
The decision to seamlessly blend the various timelines and portrayals of Lara over the years is a monumental task, but one that the new owners, Embracer Group, could very well pull off with the help of Amazon Games.
For generations of fans, the redesigned Lara Craft signals a potential return to the essence of the character, a blend of the audacious adventurer from the original games and a nuanced, experienced explorer seen in Shadow of the Tomb Raider – the final entry in Crystal Dynamics’ “Survivor” trilogy.
True to this, the artwork is a clever nod to both now-bygone eras. The classic attire instantly evokes previous adventures, while subtle details like the jade pendant, a memento from the recent games, hint at a continuity that acknowledges Lara’s growth and history over the past three decades. It’s an approach that resonates with fans yearning for a Lara who embodies the best elements of her various iterations, wielding dual 1911s and embarking on thrilling explorations reminiscent of her legacy.
Crystal Dynamics’ strategy extends beyond aesthetics. This “unified” Lara represents a huge commitment as it embraces the entirety of the character’s development, ensuring her rich past isn’t sidelined but forms the foundation for future adventures.
With an animated series on Netflix and a live-action project at Amazon in development, the Tomb Raider universe continues to expand, offering diverse avenues for fans to engage with the iconic adventurer. These endeavors, coupled with Tomb Raider Next, solidify Lara Croft’s cultural relevance and hint at the potential to captivate a new generation of fans.
In the meantime, Tomb Raider fans can keep themselves busy with the remastered trilogy, which is also drawing plenty of attention of the more malicious kind.
