To help newcomers swan dive into the Tomb Raider franchise, we've put together a list of 10 key things to know about each era of the series, starting with the classic Tomb Raider era developed by Core Design. For more insights, check out our blog: ‘10 Things You Need to Know Before Playing Classic Era Tomb Raider.’ 

The second era of Tomb Raider features: Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and Tomb Raider: Underworld, developed by Crystal Dynamics. These games introduced fresh changes to the franchise while preserving the core elements that made Tomb Raider a household name. 

1. Let’s Get Moving

Tomb Raider: Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld prioritize fluidity and fast-paced action with a modern control system that’s easy to master. A major change from the classic platforming style is the addition of the auto-aimed platforming, which means players don’t have to worry about being too precise when platforming. A returning feature from Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, the automatic grab, activates when Lara accidentally steps off a ledge, saving her from a nasty fall. Lara’s wide range of acrobatic moves not only help her dodge traps but also let her show off in style - because sometimes, it's not just about survival, it's about doing it with flair. 

2. Checkpoints and Level Select

All three games use a checkpoint system, so players don’t need to worry about saving their progress manually. However, players still have the option to save manually if they want to. 

Legend and Anniversary offer a ‘Replay Level’ option that can be selected from the main menu. 

In Underworld, the ‘Treasure Hunt’ mode unlocks after players finish the game. This mode allows players to revisit any level they've already completed to find treasures and relics they may have missed. Most of the enemies are gone, so players can explore levels without worrying about combat. Treasure Hunt can be accessed from the main menu, and once in this mode, Lara can use her PDA to travel between different locations  

3. Croft Manor is Back… aaand it’s on Fire

Going back to the roots, players can practice Lara’s abilities in Croft Manor before starting the main game. In Legend and Anniversary, Croft Manor is a self-contained level where players can not only explore the premises, but also find and collect secrets while learning the controls. To learn more about where to practice Lara’s moves, check out our blog: ‘Tomb Raider: Legend and Anniversary Gyms.’ 

Underworld opens with Croft Manor on fire, and Lara must escape through the burning rubble. While it serves as a tutorial of sorts, it's not as focused on practicing skills as in Legend and Anniversary. Instead, it introduces players to the game’s mechanics in a more urgent, action-oriented way. Players don’t get the chance to explore the Manor as they did in Legend and Anniversary because, narratively, it wouldn’t make sense since the Manor was destroyed by Lara’s Doppelgänger. 

4. Quick Time Events

Legend introduces a new gameplay feature, also used in Anniversary, called Quick Time Events (QTEs). During QTEs, players see on-screen prompts that tell them which buttons to press. The goal is to react quickly to these prompts so Lara can escape dangerous situations. Underworld doesn’t use this mechanic. Instead, it introduces adrenaline moments where time slows down during gameplay, prompting the player to quickly help Lara escape from dangerous situations. 

5. Lara’s Gear

Lara's grapple tool, first introduced as a grappling gun in Tomb Raider: Chronicles, has evolved into a key part of her gear in all three games, but in slightly different forms. In Legend, she uses a magnetic grapple; in Anniversary, it's a grapple hook; and in Underworld, it's a grapple gun. The Underworld version is the most advanced, as it can hook onto objects and move them with the grapple line. 

Legend and Underworld also feature a Personal Light Source (PLS) for lighting up dark areas. In Legend, the PLS runs for a limited time before needing to recharge, while in Underworld, the light has no time limit and can be used continuously.  

Lara's Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) appears in Legend and Underworld, allowing players to access useful information like Lara’s personal thoughts and game statistics. In Anniversary, instead of a PDA, Lara keeps a journal for her thoughts, while statistics can be accessed through the menu.  

Binoculars return in Legend with R.A.D. technology that helps players detect interactive objects. In Underworld, the binoculars are replaced by a field camera.  

6. Weapons

Lara’s dual pistols return in all three games with their signature infinite ammo. But her arsenal extends beyond the iconic guns. Here’s how the weapon system works in each game:  

In Tomb Raider: Legend, Lara can carry one extra weapon along with her pistols. To switch weapons, she has to drop the one she’s currently using and pick up the new one. Lara gathers ammo for her current weapon by picking up other weapons of the same type that she finds on the ground.  

In Tomb Raider: Anniversary: Lara's weapon choices are the same as in the original Tomb Raider. Once she picks up a weapon, it remains in her arsenal for the rest of the game, regardless of the ammo count.  

In Tomb Raider: Underworld: Before starting each level, players can choose from the same set of weapons. During gameplay, they can switch weapons using Lara’s PDA. Each weapon has a limited amount of ammo, and there are no ammo pickups, so once the ammo runs out, it’s gone.  

Lara also uses regular grenades in Legend and sticky grenades in Underworld.

7. Adrenaline

Each game features its own version of similar mechanics, but the core idea remains the same: executing efficient shots in style.  

While not exactly using the name ‘Adrenaline’, Tomb Raider: Legend introduced the first iteration of this mechanic in which Lara can enter slow-motion while shooting by jumping on enemies to kick off them. She also has various combat moves like kicking and grappling enemies, slide-tackling and jump-kicking. 

In Tomb Raider: Anniversary, the mechanic is called "Adrenaline Dodge." Lara can make enemies enraged by shooting at them, causing them to charge at her. If players time their dodges and shots correctly, Lara can defeat these enemies with a single shot. Bosses have their own rage meters so players can calculate and time their shots. 

In Tomb Raider: Underworld, "Adrenaline Dodge" got replaced with "Adrenaline Headshot." Lara has her own adrenaline meter that, when full, lets her perform either the "Adrenaline Headshot" or slow down time for more accurate shots. Once the meter is empty, she needs to refill it to use these abilities again. While she can still kick off enemies by jumping on them like in Legend, she won’t enter slow-motion.  

8. Outfits

A welcomed addition to the franchise is outfit selection, where players can choose between stylish outfits Lara Croft wears on her adventures. In Legend and Anniversary, players can unlock outfits as rewards for completing time trials, finding rewards/secrets and relics.  

In Tomb Raider: Underworld, players are given a couple of outfit options to choose from before starting a level. 

In all three games, once an outfit is equipped, it can't be changed during gameplay, except when Lara is in Croft Manor, where she can access her wardrobe. Tomb Raider: Legend features the most extensive outfit collection. 

9. The Story

Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and Tomb Raider: Underworld make up a trilogy with an interconnected story. In the narrative chronology, Anniversary comes first, followed by Legend, and then Underworld. This order is different from their release sequence because Anniversary is a celebratory remake of the original Tomb Raider game, which is why it has the most self-contained story. The main story from Legend carries over into Underworld, where Lara Croft continues her search to find out what happened to her mother, Amelia Croft, who went missing in the Himalayas.

10. Where to start?

We recommend starting with Tomb Raider: Legend not only because it is the first entry of the second era of Tomb Raider games, but also because it is the most beginner friendly and accessible game of the franchise. 

As stated, Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a remake of the original Tomb Raider game, developed by Core Design. Anniversary builds upon Legend’s design and ramps up the difficulty while still preserving the same gameplay style and fluidity. 

Tomb Raider: Underworld showcases Lara Croft at her most athletic, featuring an impressively versatile moveset that highlights her peak abilities. The game introduces various platforming options thanks to Lara's diverse range of actions. It’s also the second title in the franchise to use motion capture - following Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, which used it for cutscenes only. This time, Olympic gymnast Heidi Moneymaker and stuntwoman Helena Barrett brought Lara's movements to life. As a result of these changes, Lara feels different to control in Underworld compared to Legend and Anniversary. 

In terms of atmosphere, Underworld departs from the brighter, more vibrant setting of Legend, adopting a darker tone similar to that of The Angel of Darkness.  

Tomb Raider: Legend, originally released for the PlayStation 2, is available on the PlayStation Store.

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Video Games

Tomb Raider: Legend

Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Tomb Raider: Underworld