When Amazon Games and Crystal Dynamics simultaneously announced two projects set in the Lara Croft universe last December, the industry held its breath in anticipation. On one hand, there was Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis—a remake of the cult classic 1996 game that promised a return to the series’ roots. On the other, Tomb Raider: Catalyst—an entirely new story picking up after the events of Underworld and set in Northern India. It seemed the publishers had clearly staggered the releases: the remake was slated for 2026, while the new title was set for 2027. However, fresh information has upended the situation: Legacy of Atlantis has unexpectedly been pushed back to February 12, 2027. This means two major Lara Croft games could launch almost simultaneously, forcing fans to choose where to invest their time and money. But let’s take things one step at a time, because this delay hides a clue far more intriguing than a simple shift in the calendar.
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Legacy of Atlantis: The 1996 Remake Arrives February 12, 2027
Remake Story and Gameplay
Let’s start with Legacy of Atlantis. This isn’t merely a remaster; the developers at Crystal Dynamics, alongside the Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, have chosen to reimagine the original. The plot remains familiar: Lara Croft sets out to locate the scattered pieces of the ancient Scion artifact across the globe—traveling from the Peruvian jungle to Greece, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. However, judging by the trailers, the gameplay promises to be far more expansive than that of the 1996 classic. The levels have been expanded and the puzzles made more complex, while the combat system—according to the developers—now relies on fluid dodges and counterattacks; the clash with the dinosaurs shown during the recent State of Play looks both brutal and spectacular.
Reasons for the Delay
However, the main point of intrigue is the release date. The game’s official website still displays “arrives in 2026,” whereas the trailer shown at the June PlayStation showcase clearly stated February 12, 2027. After digging through official press releases, I discovered that the developers had indeed confirmed the delay during a private press briefing—but the general public was only informed via the video itself, which is what caused the confusion. It seems the studio needed extra time for polishing and made the decision at the last minute; the schedule changes were clearly spontaneous. Yet, there is an upside: both games are now slated for release in the same year, meaning fans hungry for full-fledged adventures won’t have to wait a whole year between projects.
Tomb Raider Catalyst: A New Open-World Sequel to Underworld
Now, about Catalyst. This game is not a remake but a direct sequel to Tomb Raider: Underworld. It is set in Northern India, where a sudden cataclysm awakens ancient forces. Lara is not the only treasure hunter on the scene; she must compete with others, introducing elements of rivalry and choice to the series. The plot centers on exploring ruined temples and underground cities, while the gameplay—judging by the description—will be more open-ended, featuring a branching mission structure and non-linear progression. New features include a dynamic weather system and destructible environments, both of which directly impact tactical decisions. Importantly, Catalyst is being developed solely by Crystal Dynamics without co-developers—unlike Legacy of Atlantis, which involves assistance from Flying Wild Hog. This suggests that internal teams worked in parallel but with different approaches: one project serves as a nostalgic tribute to the original, while the other represents a bold step forward. Timed to coincide with the series’ 30th anniversary (the first game launched in 1996), Catalyst clearly aims to be the headline release, though the remake might ultimately generate higher sales thanks to its familiar branding.
Who voices Lara in both games: Alix Wilton Regan
There is, however, a unifying element: Lara’s voice. In both games, the heroine is voiced by Alix Wilton Regan, known for her role in Dragon Age: Inquisition. In interviews, the actress revealed that she adopted a distinct vocal style for each project: in Legacy of Atlantis, her Lara is young and inexperienced yet spirited, whereas in Catalyst, she is a mature, battle-hardened fighter with a touch of cynicism. It is a meticulous approach that, incidentally, runs counter to the habit many voice actors have of relying on a single template. “I wanted players to sense the difference even without the visuals,” she said. “In one instance, I’m essentially playing a young woman just starting out on her journey; in the other, a woman who has already lost a great deal.” And that, you must admit, adds an extra layer of immersion.
System Requirements and Unreal Engine 5 for Legacy of Atlantis
Now, regarding the technical side: both games run on Unreal Engine 5—and this isn’t just a marketing ploy. It is already known that Legacy of Atlantis harnesses the full power of Lumen and Nanite, resulting in rock textures and vegetation that look startlingly realistic. However, there is a downside: the system requirements listed on the Steam page are higher than average. The minimum specs call for an Intel i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 16 GB of RAM, a GTX 1070 or RTX 2060 Super-class graphics card, and 80 GB of free disk space. Furthermore, the developers warn that achieving a stable 60 frames per second at 4K resolution will require an RTX 4080 or equivalent hardware.
Denuvo Protection and Optimization
One more detail: Legacy of Atlantis will feature Denuvo protection—a fact confirmed in the official FAQ, even though many fans had hoped the studio would abandon this practice. As for Catalyst, the situation remains unknown, but given current trends, it is by no means certain that it will launch without DRM.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Platforms and Pricing: PS5, Xbox, Switch 2
The most interesting part, however, concerns platforms and pricing. Legacy of Atlantis will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and—unexpectedly—the Nintendo Switch 2; it is one of the first major titles slated for Nintendo’s new console. Catalyst, on the other hand, will not receive a Switch 2 port—or at least, the platform is not listed in the official announcement. Regarding pricing: the standard edition of Legacy of Atlantis will cost $59.99, while the Deluxe edition will be $69.99. Pre-orders are already open and include a bonus outfit from the classic game along with a digital artbook. Catalyst is expected to carry similar price points, though exact figures are not yet available. Notably, some online retailers listed the standard version at $69.99, but this is likely an error; Flying Wild Hog’s official website lists the price as $59.99.
Comparison Table: Tomb Raider: Catalyst vs. Legacy of Atlantis
To clearly illustrate the differences, I have compiled a comparison table—something you won’t find elsewhere, as no one else has yet consolidated all these specifications in one place.
As you can see, the difference lies not only in the setting but also in the price point and target audience. Legacy of Atlantis clearly targets nostalgic veterans, whereas Catalyst attempts to attract a new wave of players tired of classic formulas. But here’s an interesting twist: the remake’s release date has shifted, meaning both projects could now launch just a couple of months—or even weeks—apart. This opens up a wealth of possibilities for those who enjoy comparison and analysis. For instance, we might see the same studio mastering two distinct approaches to the same character—a rarity in the gaming industry. Usually, remakes and sequels are released far apart, but here we have parallel production.
Remake or New Title: Which Game Suits You Best?
However, there are some potential pitfalls. The delay of Legacy of Atlantis caused some dissatisfaction among those who had already planned their vacations for late 2026. However, judging by the fact that the developers continue to release trailers and concept art, the project is in its final stages—it simply requires some animation polish and optimization for the Switch 2. Incidentally, this port is rumored to be the main reason for the delay: the team didn’t get up to speed with Nintendo’s new hardware as quickly as planned. But there is no official confirmation of this, so for now, we’ll treat it as speculation.
As for Catalyst, the situation is murkier. We only know the general plot, a couple of screenshots, and a promise of an “epic adventure.” Actress Regan has hinted in interviews that Catalyst will feature scenes surpassing the scale of anything seen previously in the series. “I can’t go into details, but there are moments that will take your breath away,” she said. And that is, damn it, intriguing. Ultimately, we have two games that are essentially competing with each other, despite sharing the same brand. It will be interesting to see which one wins the hearts of fans. The answer might come once the reviews are out, but one thing is already clear: 2027 will be the year of Lara Croft, and it’s worth preparing for it in advance.
Should you pre-order Tomb Raider? Tips on making the choice
If you haven’t pre-ordered yet, it might be worth waiting—who knows, the developers might treat us to discounts or bonuses for pre-ordering both games. For now, we know that on PS5 and Xbox, the games will support 60 FPS in performance mode and 30 FPS with ray tracing in quality mode. On PC, you’ll have full freedom regarding settings, but don’t forget to check your hardware: the requirements for Legacy of Atlantis have already been published, and those for Catalyst will likely be just as demanding. It is also worth noting that both games will feature Russian subtitles, but the voice acting will most likely be in English only—such is the publisher’s policy.
2027 is set to be the year of Lara Croft: what to expect next.
So, let’s sum things up. Instead of a single major release, we’re getting two—and both are shaping up to be blockbusters. Postponing Legacy of Atlantis to February 2027 isn’t a disaster; rather, it’s an opportunity to regroup and secure the necessary resources for both projects. The main thing is to keep track of the dates and not miss any new trailers, which—by all indications—will be dropping with impressive regularity. In the meantime, we’ll keep our finger on the pulse and stay tuned to the official channels. After all, every new update this season—whether it’s a gameplay clip or an interview with the developers—deserves our undivided attention. As the saying goes, the devil is in the details, and right now, we have a wealth of them.
