Tomb Raider Chronicles - ORIGINAL TOMB RAIDER MARKS 28 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Today marks 28 years since Tomb Raider released in the United Kingdom. Lara Croft's debut on the Sega Saturn was celebrated by a launch-day advertisement in the Daily Mirror, published on 24th of October, 1996, and archived by the British Newspaper Archive in partnership with the British Library.

Critically acclaimed as one of the most innovative and influential games of its genre, Tomb Raider follows the adventures of the British female archaeologist Lara Croft as she searches for the legendary Atlantean Scion.

Tomb Raider was supported by a captivating score composed by Nathan McCree. The unique blend of synth and strings would become the signature sound of Tomb Raider for a further two Lara Croft-helmed adventures. Nathan McCree would later remaster the original Tomb Raider soundtrack in Abbey Road, London, and the accompanying Tomb Raider Suite would be performed live by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Lara Croft, daughter of Lord Henshingly Croft, was raised to be an aristocrat from birth. After attending finishing school at the age of 21, Lara's marriage into wealth had seemed assured, but on her way home from a skiing trip her chartered plane had crashed deep in the heart of the Himalayas. The only survivor, Lara learned how to depend on her wits to stay alive in hostile conditions a world away from her sheltered upbringing.

Two weeks later when she walked into the village of Tokakeriby her experience had had a profound effect on her. Unable to stand the claustrophobic suffocating atmosphere of upper-class British society, she released that she was only truly alive when she was travelling alone. Over the eight following years she acquired intimate knowledge of ancient civilisations across the globe.

Her family soon disowned their prodigal daughter and she turned to writing to fund her trips. Famed for discovering several ancient sites of profound archaeological interest she made a name for herself by publishing travel books and detailed journals of her exploits.

Take a trip down memory lane with a plethora of assets showcasing Tomb Raider, bolstered by content released as part of Tomb Raider 25, a celebration of 25 years of Lara Croft and Tomb Raider.