TOMB RAIDER YEAR IN REVIEW, A LANDMARK YEAR FOR THE ICONIC FRANCHISE

2025 has proven to be a significant year for the Tomb Raider franchise, marked by the remastering of classic titles, new game announcements, and continued expansion into comics, tabletop games, and television. Below is a detailed overview of the key events that defined Lara Croft's legacy this year, as covered by Tomb Raider Chronicles, which has published a total of 310 articles so far this year, as of the time of press.

The year began with the highly anticipated release of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered in February 2025. This collection brought Tomb Raider The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider Chronicles, and Tomb Raider The Angel of Darkness to modern platforms, including PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. The remastered collection offered updated graphics and enhanced gameplay mechanics, preserving the original games' essence while providing a fresh experience for both new players and long-time fans. The remasters were met with a positive reception, revitalising interest in these core Tomb Raider titles and introducing a new generation to the foundational entries in the series.

February 2025 also saw the release of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light on Android and iOS, bringing Crystal Dynamics' isometric tomb-raiding adventure to mobile, complete with refinements for gaming on the go. Featuring all fourteen levels of the original release, plus three DLC packs at no extra cost, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light for iOS and Android offers a wealth of replayability as players seek out hidden collectibles, beat score challenges for each level, and unlock extra weapons and stat-boosting artefacts.

April 2025 saw the release of Tomb Raider Collection 2 on Evercade, comprising Tomb Raider The Last Revelation and Tomb Raider Chronicles in their original 32-bit console form. Produced by Blaze Entertainment, Tomb Raider Collection 2 is compatible with all Evercade hardware (Handheld, Evercade VS, Evercade VS-R, Evercade EXP, Evercade EXP-R, Evercade Alpha) and Super Pocket consoles, and includes a full-colour manual.

In May 2025, Tomb Raider The Crypt of Chronos, a new tabletop role-playing game based on the Tomb Raider franchise, reached its Kickstarter funding goal in just 18 minutes. Developed by Iconiq Studios, the game aims to recreate the experience of a new Tomb Raider adventure in a tabletop format.

In September 2025, Tomb Raider Sacred Artifacts was revealed by Dark Horse Comics. This miniseries, which picks up after the events of Tomb Raider Underworld, continues Lara Croft's journey following the destruction of Croft Manor. In November 2025, Tomb Raider Colossal Collection Volume 2 was released. This collection, which compiled a selection of Tomb Raider comics, allowed fans to delve back into Lara Croft's adventures in print. Featuring stories from the Top Cow Tomb Raider series, Volume 2 gathered many classic issues from the late 1990s and early 2000s, ensuring that the comics remained a significant part of the Tomb Raider experience.

In December 2025, Tomb Raider made some of its most exciting announcements of the year. In mid-December, Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis was revealed as a reimagining of the original 1996 Tomb Raider game. The announcement, accompanied by a trailer, was met with widespread enthusiasm, amassing over 18 million views across several major YouTube channels by mid-December. Legacy of Atlantis promises to capture the magic of Lara Croft's first adventure while introducing new visuals, gameplay mechanics, and surprises. The game is slated for release in 2026.

Shortly after the announcement of Legacy of Atlantis, another major revelation was made regarding Tomb Raider Catalyst. Set for release in 2027, Catalyst will explore new territory for Lara Croft, with an adventure set in Northern India that will confront her with ancient secrets and mystical forces. Catalyst aims to push the boundaries of modern gaming, utilising Unreal Engine 5 to provide cutting-edge visuals and a deeper, more expansive narrative. This new entry is the next addition to the Tomb Raider mainline series.

Supporting the announcement of Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider Catalyst was the unveiling of British actress Alix Wilton Regan, who will voice Lara Croft across both games. Her involvement signals a deliberate return to a charismatic and assured interpretation of the character, one that aligns with the franchise's earlier portrayals while offering new emotional nuance.

Beyond the world of gaming, 2025 saw Tomb Raider continue to grow in other forms of media. Amazon MGM Studios confirmed in September that Sophie Turner will star as Lara Croft in the live-action Tomb Raider series, marking a new era for the character in television. Hollywood icons Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs are also reportedly attached, with production scheduled to begin in early 2026.

Additionally, the animated series Tomb Raider The Legend of Lara Croft returned with the release of its second and final season in December 2025. Starring Hayley Atwell as the voice of Lara Croft, the series chronicles the British adventurer as she confronts her traumatic past while unraveling an ancient mystery.

Mobile gaming also remained an important part of the Tomb Raider franchise in 2025. Tomb Raider Reloaded, the mobile action-adventure game, received several seasonal updates, keeping the player base engaged with new events and exclusive rewards. Furthermore, updates to Lara Croft GO and Lara Croft Relic Run ensured that the mobile presence of Tomb Raider continued to thrive, providing accessible gaming experiences for fans on the go.

As the year comes to a close, 2025 stands as a year of both reflection and anticipation for the Tomb Raider franchise. With the release of Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered marking a pivotal moment for the franchise, the announcements of Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst, along with continued content in television and comics, the future of Lara Croft is as bright as ever. The franchise has demonstrated a remarkable ability to evolve, keeping the spirit of adventure alive while introducing new generations to the world of Tomb Raider.

Tomb Raider Chronicles Remastered, Saber Interactive, Aspyr Media, Crystal Dynamics