Crystal Dynamics’ Geoff Adams, speaking with IGN, dashed the expectations of fans who were bracing themselves for a complete reboot. The remake of the classic 1996 adventure doesn’t reset Lara Croft’s story, but rather continues it—after the events of the Survivor trilogy.
Why is the decision to canonize important for the future of the series?
Crystal Dynamics made a surprising move: instead of rewriting everything from scratch, the studio integrated the remake into the existing timeline. According to Adams, the events of Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider remain official canon. In Legacy of Atlantis, we’ll meet the same Lara—only a more seasoned, mature adventurer.
This isn’t just a nostalgic shot at the franchise’s anniversary. It’s a strategic foundation. Crystal Dynamics explicitly calls Legacy of Atlantis “critically important for the future of the series.” The project is intended to lay the foundation for all subsequent Lara Croft games, as well as the second season of the Netflix anime series. At the same time, Amazon Game Studios is preparing a cross-media expansion—two projects in development and a series under one roof.
And yes, there’s one important nuance here. Lara’s voice has changed: Alix Wilton Regan has replaced Camilla Luddington, who bid farewell to the role on Instagram thanks to fans.
Nevertheless, the heroine herself has been transformed dramatically. In Legacy of Atlantis, we don’t see the vulnerable girl who survived on the island of Yamatai. As game director Raúl Siqueira emphasizes, this is Lara “at her peak”—a confident adventurer who consciously chooses risk over a quiet life. The cast confirms that the heroine’s character is built on a voluntary choice in favor of dangerous adventures.
What does this mean for the franchise as a whole? Crystal Dynamics appears to be planning a unified timeline, reimagining classic games for modern standards while remaining true to the Survivor trilogy. IGN has already noted that this could also affect other installments in the series, from The Last Revelation to Underworld.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is set to release on February 12, 2027, on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2. Given that the release is still more than six months away, other canonical announcements are possible.
