Tomb Raider: Catalyst is a new Lara Croft adventure, not a remake of the 1996 Tomb Raider. The game announced alongside it, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, is the one described as a reimagining of Lara’s original adventure.
What is Tomb Raider: Catalyst?
Tomb Raider: Catalyst is an upcoming action-adventure game developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Amazon Game Studios under license. Crystal Dynamics says it has been in development since the studio’s partnership with Amazon Games was announced in 2022. The official announcement introduced it as a new chapter in Lara Croft’s story, rather than a retelling of the 1996 game. Crystal Dynamics’ project page lists the game’s premise and features.
Where is Catalyst set, and what is its story?
The adventure takes Lara to Northern India, where a mythical cataclysm has unleashed ancient secrets and awakened mysterious guardian forces. Treasure hunters converge on the region as Lara searches for the truth and works out whom she can trust among allies and rivals. The reveal establishes this broad setup, but does not provide further plot details or name specific characters beyond Lara. The official reveal describes the premise.
What kind of game and world has been announced?
Crystal Dynamics says Catalyst is powered by Unreal Engine 5 and calls it “the largest Tomb Raider world yet.” That is the studio’s description, not an independently measured comparison. The announced design emphasizes vertical traversal across varied terrain and environments, including wilderness, mountains, deserts, jungles, ruins and lost tombs. Crystal Dynamics also highlights intricate puzzles, ancient mysteries and customizable adventure technology. No hands-on gameplay or independently observed performance is established in the announcement.
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#1 Best Overall
- See the Classic & Remastered Visuals: Play with the original polygonal models or swap to the remastered graphics at any time.
- Travel the Globe: Follow Lara Croft around iconic locales including Cairo, Rome, Paris, and many more!
- Experience Lara’s Darkest Adventures: Uncover the secrets of Lara Croft’s past and shed light on the mystery of her disappearance.
- Languages: Voice: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean; Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified).
How Catalyst differs from the 1996 reimagining
The two games announced together have different roles. Catalyst is a new Lara Croft adventure; Legacy of Atlantis is the title explicitly presented as a reimagining of the original 1996 game. The official announcement calls Legacy of Atlantis a “true reimagining” and says it is being built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 with refreshed environments, sound and gameplay. Crystal Dynamics is developing it with co-developer Flying Wild Hog. Those remake details apply to Legacy of Atlantis, not Catalyst.
| Game | Story role | Setting or premise | Development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider: Catalyst | New Lara Croft adventure | Northern India after a mythical cataclysm | Crystal Dynamics |
| Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis | Reimagining of the 1996 debut | Not stated in the cited official announcement beyond its connection to the original game | Crystal Dynamics with Flying Wild Hog |
Crystal Dynamics Studio Creative Director Noah Hughes said of the two releases: “Both games are designed to offer compelling experiences that longtime fans will love and new players can easily enjoy.”
Rank #2
- Live the critically acclaimed, cinematic action adventure, re built specifically for next gen consoles
- Survive high octane combat, customize Lara's weapons and gear, and overcome grueling environments to uncover the island's deadly secret
- See Lara Croft like never before, with every bead of sweat, strand of hair, and article of clothing delivered in obsessive detail
- Endure a stunningly re imagined island, fraught with new, unforgiving storms, and alive with motion
- Own the complete Tomb Raider experience with all of the DLC, including the Tomb of the Lost Adventurer, six outfits for Lara, a digital mini art book, and the digital comic " The Beginning
Platforms and release timing
Crystal Dynamics’ project page lists Catalyst for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam, with a 2027 launch window. Timing has since been left unsettled: in a July 24, 2026 report, Gematsu said Amazon Games had no new timing to share after an executive mentioned 2028, while stating development was progressing well. The official project page still lists 2027; 2028 has not been confirmed as a revised release date. Check the official project page for any later change. Gematsu’s July 24, 2026 report covers the publisher’s response.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Reveal the Mysteries of the Past: The classic story has been expanded with deeper connections that bridge Lara Croft’s defining adventure to her future.
- Discover Extraordinary and Dangerous Worlds Lost to Time: Explore treacherous landscapes filled with ancient artifacts and hidden secrets, from the jungles of Peru to the crumbling ruins of Greece, the deserts of Egypt, and a mysterious island shrouded in myth.
- Skillfully Traverse Deadly Environments: Use Lara’s strength, agility, and grappling hook to climb, leap, and swing across perilous terrain.
- Solve Ingenious Ancient Contraptions: Manipulate water flow, redirect light beams, activate pressure plates, and decipher symbols to unseal secrets locked away for centuries. Every solution combines knowledge you’ve uncovered and clever thinking.
- Face Lethal Predators: Armed with Lara’s iconic dual pistols and other unlockable weapons, master acrobatic abilities to unleash devastating attacks against savage wildlife, mercenaries, and mythological creatures.
Rank #4
- Full game with 7 bonus missions
- 5 co-op challenge tombs
- Digital copy of original soundtrack
- All previously released outfits and skills
- New “Croft Fitness” outfit for the Tomb Raider in training
Rank #3
- Reveal the Mysteries of the Past: The classic story has been expanded with deeper connections that bridge Lara Croft’s defining adventure to her future.
- Discover Extraordinary and Dangerous Worlds Lost to Time: Explore treacherous landscapes filled with ancient artifacts and hidden secrets, from the jungles of Peru to the crumbling ruins of Greece, the deserts of Egypt, and a mysterious island shrouded in myth.
- Skillfully Traverse Deadly Environments: Use Lara’s strength, agility, and grappling hook to climb, leap, and swing across perilous terrain.
- Solve Ingenious Ancient Contraptions: Manipulate water flow, redirect light beams, activate pressure plates, and decipher symbols to unseal secrets locked away for centuries. Every solution combines knowledge you’ve uncovered and clever thinking.
- Face Lethal Predators: Armed with Lara’s iconic dual pistols and other unlockable weapons, master acrobatic abilities to unleash devastating attacks against savage wildlife, mercenaries, and mythological creatures.
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