Alongside icons like Mario, Link, Samus Aran, and Sonic the Hedgehog, Lara Croft is a poster child for the original PlayStation generation. Tomb Raider's revolutionary approach to controls, camera angles, and gameplay allowed for more titles to follow suit. There were growing pains, yet the series continued to advance and evolve the 3D formula, becoming one of the most beloved action-adventure franchises in gaming. With recent news that Crystal Dynamics is developing another stop on Lara Croft's journey, the angles it can explore around are seemingly limitless.
The Tomb Raider series is no stranger to change. Making appearances on a host of home consoles as both a seasoned explorer and a desperate survivor, Lara Croft has been subject to new ideas, inspiration, and perspectives by different creative talent. With the recent trilogy proving to be a success, fans were given a strong origin story for the character. Players now know more than ever about Lara, and though a new game with the hero in her prime would be a great time, exploring her later years could bring something truly unique to the familiar character.
The Evolution of Lara Croft
Since 2013, Crystal Dynamics has evolved Lara Croft into a protagonist who lives up to her lofty name, as her journeys through the island of Yamatai, mountains of Siberia, and the jungles of Peru are long and perilous. The developer showed a detailed origin story that made the veteran treasure hunter feel fresh, and though many haven't experienced it for a while, there are a litany of games that show her prime years. From 2006's Tomb Raider: Legend to the mobile spin-off Lara Croft GO, players know what the character becomes, but most releases don't give insight about how she navigates an older age.
Croft's adventures render her wise beyond her years, and putting her into an appropriately older body could allow for different gameplay, an entirely new narrative, or even a genre switch to a more story-focused Tomb Raider. Presenting an older Croft who is firmly past her prime could explore a side of her that rarely gets developed, placing emphasis on her impressive intellect over her superhuman agility. Crystal Dynamics' underwhelming Avengers project likely had a hand in its decision to return to the Tomb Raider series, so it may be the perfect time to alter the formula that has become so beloved.
Greatness From Small Beginnings
Though ancient relics and historic tombs are the prize for Lara Croft, the Tomb Raider series has been hunting for another feat. As Naughty Dog's crowning Uncharted series found a place in the industry that was previously dominated by Lara Croft, the competition to create the most memorable experience boiled down to two major franchises. Nathan Drake became a fan-favorite on the PlayStation 3, and when Uncharted 4 presented the character a few years after the events of Uncharted 3, it became clear through the game's opening scenes that he'd lost a step as he adjusted to modern adulthood.
Narratively, it allowed Naughty Dog to bring new flavor to a character who relied on upper-body strength and witty quips through his prime, as the more serious side of Uncharted 4 made for the most dramatic moments in the series. Lara Croft's success is far less reliant on her personality, as it seems to alter significantly with each new release, but her tenacity in 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider proved that she has a darker side. Like Nathan Drake, binging Lara Croft into her middle ages would allow Crystal Dynamics the freedom to take her personality in a number of new directions. The events in Peru changed her, and showing just how the character's future was impacted could be special.
Tomb Raider's long-standing legacy is proof that Lara Croft has more to give, yet few would deny that the series needs to present something new if it wants to stay atop the food chain. The Survivor Trilogy achieved this feat, but using this origin story to revert Croft back to something fans are already familiar with would make the recent games feel like they didn't truly advance her character. Exploring her later years would not only bring something new to the franchise, but also follow in the footsteps of Uncharted. Like her proficiency in tomb raiding, Lara Croft's future could very well be found by following in the footsteps of her predecessors.
A new Tomb Raider game is in development.