Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is set to release on October 10th, 2024. For newcomers to the franchise, or those who played the Survivor Trilogy some time ago, we’ve put together a concise story outline covering Lara Croft's first big adventure leading up to the animated series. Let’s get started! 

Fresh out of college, Lara embarks on her first major expedition as an adult, pursuing the myth of the Sun Queen Himiko and the lost island empire of Yamatai. She joins her mentor Conrad Roth aboard the exploration ship Endurance, alongside a small crew including Samantha Nishimura, her best friend and the journey’s videographer, and Jonah Maiava, the ship’s cook and future close friend. Lara, somewhat of a realist, doesn't believe in the supernatural and intends to discover the truth behind the myth of the Sun Queen. 

Lara suggests taking the Endurance into the Dragon’s Triangle, believing there's no point in following in the footsteps of previous expeditions that failed to locate Yamatai. Roth sides with Lara, trusting her instincts.  

A massive storm strikes, wrecking the Endurance on Yamatai. Separated from the crew, Lara Croft is captured by mysterious island inhabitants but soon escapes to a high vantage point, where she discovers countless shipwrecks scattered across the island, dating from various historical periods. Meanwhile, Sam is taken by Mathias, a mysterious figure with his own agenda. Lara sets out to rescue Sam and realizes that an "invisible force" traps people on the island. The island's inhabitants, the Solarii Cult, are searching for a human vessel for the soul of Himiko, the Sun Queen, and believe Sam is the chosen one. 

Throughout the adventure, several crew members die, including Roth, who sacrifices himself to protect Lara. Stricken with grief, one of the other survivors briefly blames Lara for Roth’s death and pushes to escape the island by boat. However, Lara argues that no one can leave unless they stop the storms. She sets off to discover the truth. 

Lara fights her way to the center of the island, confronts Mathias, and defeats the spirit of Himiko, ultimately rescuing Sam. Lara, Jonah, and Sam are among the few who survive the island.

After witnessing the supernatural forces at play, Lara begins to rethink her understanding of the past, realizing that the truth is far more complex than she once imagined, driving her to uncover more mysteries. 

Prepare for the animated series by catching up on Lara Croft’s adventures in the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy!

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Tomb Raider (2013)