Pixel Sundays: Tomb Raider – From Pixel Heroine to Icon

This week in our Pixel Sundays article, we’re talking about a franchise that has captivated many generations. We’re diving into the world of the Tomb Raider franchise, starring Lara Croft as a strong female protagonist. When it launched in 1996, having a female lead in a video game was something truly special.

Summary

Lara is a kind of female Indiana Jones. She’s an aristocratic archaeologist who explores dangerous ruins and collects ancient artifacts. In the beginning, Lara was highly sexualized, wearing skimpy outfits and having exaggerated proportions. But over time, she evolved into an iconic heroine.

The Beginnings of Tomb Raider – The Birth of a Legend

Development of the first Tomb Raider game began in 1993 at the British studio Core Design. It was a small team of just six people, led by Toby Gard. Toby wanted to create an alternative to the dominant first-person shooters of the time. The game was meant to combine adventure, exploration, and puzzles in a 3D world. The first game launched on October 25, 1996 for the Sega Saturn and later became available on PlayStation and MS-DOS.

The developers drew inspiration from various sources. Toby Gard cited Prince of Persia as a model for realistic animations and platforming. The Indiana Jones movies were another influence on the game’s sense of adventure.

It was one of the best games to be fully realized in 3D. You control Lara Croft from a third-person perspective, navigating complex environments. The camera follows Lara automatically and shifts perspectives in certain moments to create a cinematic effect. The level design is grid-based, allowing for precise jumps and movements.

Lara Croft quickly became one of the most recognizable characters in gaming history—largely thanks to marketing. While the game itself was strong, the developers heavily marketed Lara Croft as a promotional figure. She graced the covers of numerous magazines and was often portrayed in a hypersexualized way. Outside of the games, Lara was represented by models at events. Even though the in-game Lara was designed as a strong, independent adventurer, marketing often reduced her to her looks. This upset Toby Gard, who ended up leaving the studio before the second game was released.

Classic Tomb Raider Titles (1996–2003) – Action, Puzzles, Archaeology

The first five games in the franchise, released between 1996 and 2000, established it as a series of action-packed archaeological adventures. You play as Lara Croft, who travels the world as an archaeologist to exotic places like Peru, Egypt, Greece, and Atlantis. The gameplay blends third-person platforming with complex puzzles and deadly traps. The levels are often labyrinthine, and the jump-and-run mechanics require great precision. You’ll also need to solve switch puzzles.

These games focused primarily on exploration and puzzle-solving, with storytelling taking a backseat. Lara was portrayed as a strong, independent adventurer, but her character saw little development. Still, the games offered a good mix of action and brainteasers. The controls and camera were often seen as challenging, but many considered these quirks to be part of the game’s charm.

With Tomb Raider VI: The Angel of Darkness (2003), Core Design attempted a fresh start. It was the first game in the series to feature a darker story, where Lara is suspected of murder. It introduced new gameplay mechanics like stealth elements and a skill system. Unfortunately, the game suffered from numerous technical issues, resulting in negative reviews and poor sales. After that, the series development was handed over to Crystal Dynamics.

The classic Tomb Raider titles were re-released as remastered bundles in 2024 and 2025. On February 14, 2024, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered launched, followed by Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered on February 14, 2025. These editions let you enjoy the games on modern PCs, with the option to play in classic graphics or a newly enhanced style.

The Rebranding by Crystal Dynamics (2006–2010)

After *Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness* (2003) turned out to be a major failure both with fans and commercially, publisher Eidos Interactive decided to hand over the development of the series from Core Design. The following games were developed by the US-based studio Crystal Dynamics. This decision marked one of the major turning points in the history of the franchise and opened up new possibilities for the series. As a result, the entire franchise underwent a transformation.

Between 2006 and 2008, Crystal Dynamics released three titles in total. These became known as the “LAU Trilogy”. The games include: Tomb Raider: Legend (2006), Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007), and Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008). These games placed a much stronger focus on narrative elements and also introduced a significantly modernized control scheme, making the gameplay feel much smoother. Platforming mechanics were enhanced with automatic grabbing and quick-time events, which made the action sequences noticeably more dynamic.

In the LAU Trilogy, Crystal Dynamics aimed to make Lara Croft a more emotionally complex character. She was given a deeper backstory, including family conflicts like the disappearance of her mother. But even though more attention was now paid to Lara’s character, the main focus of the games remained on action-packed adventures. As a result, character development still took somewhat of a back seat.

The three Tomb Raider games of the LAU Trilogy also had a significantly stronger technical foundation. The environments were more detailed and the animations more realistic. However, the principle of linear level structure was retained, which meant exploration freedom remained limited—something not every player enjoyed.

The Major Reboot: Tomb Raider (2013–2022)

In 2013, the Tomb Raider franchise received another reboot. This game was developed by Crystal Dynamics and introduced us to a completely new Lara Croft. Instead of being an unshakable adventurer, she is now a young, inexperienced woman who must fight for her life on the island of Yamatai. Lara is portrayed as vulnerable, and we witness her growth into a true survivor. The three games are: Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018).

Crystal Dynamics handled the development of the first two entries in the reboot trilogy. For the final game, Eidos-Montréal took over lead development, allowing Crystal Dynamics to focus on other projects. Despite the change in developers, good communication between the studios ensured continuity in both gameplay mechanics and character development.

The gameplay combines traditional action-adventure elements with modern survival mechanics. You must collect resources to craft equipment like ammunition and upgrade your abilities. Lara doesn’t just use pistols and rifles—her primary weapon is the bow, which allows you to silently take down enemies. The game features linear story-driven segments with a strong narrative focus.

These new games are defined by a particularly serious and dark tone. Throughout her journey, Lara frequently experiences physical pain and the loss of friends. This leads to numerous psychological challenges. Such intense depictions give the game a very different atmosphere compared to earlier titles. The game also feels much more realistic and features high-end graphics.

The second entry, *Rise of the Tomb Raider*, takes Lara to Siberia, where she investigates the mystery of immortality. This game offers larger semi-open areas that allow for free exploration. There are also more complex puzzles and side quests. In the third entry, *Shadow of the Tomb Raider*, the focus shifts to South American mythology—especially that of the Maya and Aztecs. The game world is even more intricately designed, featuring diverse environments and cultural influences.

The game was praised for its technical execution and high-quality presentation, though some criticized it for having too much action. Many fans missed the quieter puzzle-focused sections of the classic games. Still, the reboot series was overall positively received.

Lara’s Evolution Over Time – From Male Fantasy to Iconic Symbol

In the late 1990s, Lara Croft became famous not for her adventures, but for her strikingly sexy design. With exaggerated physical features and skimpy outfits, Lara was often seen as a male fantasy figure. Naturally, this portrayal faced significant criticism due to the sexualization of female characters in video games, especially since there weren’t many games featuring female protagonists at the time. Toby Gard, Lara’s original designer, expressed concerns about this and eventually left the project. However, the marketing strategy worked—men loved the game, and especially Lara Croft.

With the reboot of the series in 2013, Lara Croft was reimagined as a realistic and vulnerable character. She was no longer over-sexualized but portrayed as someone who had to survive in a hostile environment. This new direction was seen as a positive step toward a more feminist portrayal. Still, some stereotypes persisted and drew criticism.

The Tomb Raider Adaptations – Hollywood Meets Gaming

Over time, Lara Croft also became established outside of video games. The first film adaptation of the Tomb Raider series was released in 2001, starring Angelina Jolie in the lead role and directed by Simon West. This film blended action-packed scenes with a stylized portrayal of Lara Croft and was commercially successful, though it received mixed reviews from critics.

The sequel, *Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life*, followed in 2003, again with Jolie as Lara Croft. While there were some improvements over the original, the commercial success unfortunately did not follow.

In 2018, there was another attempt with a reboot film starring Alicia Vikander. This version was more closely based on the 2013 video game, directed by Roar Uthaug. The film portrayed a younger, more vulnerable Lara Croft, with a focus on her evolution into an adventurer. Reviews were mixed, but Vikander’s performance and the action scenes received praise.

Additionally, since October 2024, there has been a Netflix animated series titled *Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft*. Developed by Tasha Huo and animated by Powerhouse Animation Studios, the series continues the story after *Shadow of the Tomb Raider*. It has been praised for its deep character development and feminist reinterpretation of Lara.

The Future of Tomb Raider – What’s Next?

In April 2022, Crystal Dynamics officially announced a new Tomb Raider game. The title is in development using the Unreal Engine 5, aiming for even more realistic and immersive experiences. However, it is still in the early stages of development. The project is being created in collaboration with Amazon Games, who will handle publishing.

The game is set to merge the classic Tomb Raider style with the character development from the reboot trilogy. Lara Croft will again be portrayed as an experienced adventurer, combining traits from the original games with the emotional depth of the newer titles.

According to insiders, the next Tomb Raider game will feature—for the first time—a fully open world. The setting is rumored to be India, with motorcycles and parachutes available for exploration. These vehicles will help players navigate the expansive environment.

Conclusion – A Timeless Adventure with a Modern Soul

Tomb Raider has continually reinvented itself over the years. From its pixelated 90s origins to its action-packed rebranding and the emotionally rich reboot trilogy, Lara Croft has evolved—and with her, the image of female protagonists in gaming. Lara, who once started as a visually provocative mascot, is now a layered character with depth, vulnerability, and inner strength. Whether in films or the new Netflix series, Lara remains relevant. The future, powered by cutting-edge technology, promises fresh innovations for the franchise. With its open-world design and narrative ambition, the next game will open a new chapter for a series that has never stopped evolving. A timeless adventure that keeps up with the times—without forgetting its roots.

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