[GAMESCOM 2026] Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Preview – Expands the Original Without Losing Its Identity

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Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is clearly interested in bringing Lara Croft back to her roots, but based on what was shown at Gamescom 2026, this is not simply the original Tomb Raider rebuilt with modern graphics. Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog are taking familiar locations, puzzles and ideas from the 1996 game and expanding them with much larger environments, more elaborate traversal and plenty of modern mechanics.

The Gamescom presentation focused heavily on Greece and St. Francis’ Folly, including a redesigned version of the famous Sword of Damocles room. It was a good choice for demonstrating what Legacy of Atlantis is trying to achieve because much of the environment remains immediately recognizable, while the actual process of navigating it has changed considerably.

Platforming appears to be one of the biggest priorities. The developers have described platforming, puzzles and combat as the game’s three main pillars, and that philosophy was apparent throughout the demonstration.

Platforming and puzzles return to the spotlight

Lara is considerably more agile than she was almost 30 years ago, with flips, handstands, precision jumps and other acrobatic movements forming an important part of exploration. There is still some invisible assistance helping Lara connect with platforms, although the developers insist jumps can be missed and traversal will not simply play itself.

That distinction will probably be important for longtime Tomb Raider fans. Modern Tomb Raider games gradually moved toward heavily guided traversal where climbable surfaces were usually obvious and Lara would reliably attach herself to them. Legacy of Atlantis appears to be trying to find a middle ground, keeping modern controls while asking players to pay more attention to positioning and the environment.

The Damocles room also demonstrated how dramatically the puzzles are being reworked. Rather than simply recreating the original puzzle, falling swords become part of the solution. Lara has to trigger certain traps deliberately and then use the swords themselves as platforms to reach other parts of the room. Similar changes appear throughout St. Francis’ Folly, where familiar objectives have been expanded into considerably larger environmental puzzles.

This is probably where the remake makes the strongest argument for its existence. Instead of replacing old Tomb Raider with something entirely different, Legacy of Atlantis appears to take ideas that were limited by technology in 1996 and imagine what those locations could have become with fewer restrictions.

More acrobatic combat, deeper exploration

Combat has received an equally dramatic overhaul. Lara’s dual pistols return, but encounters are far more acrobatic than simply jumping around while holding the fire button. One of the major additions is Focus, which slows time and allows Lara to continue firing during jumps and dodges.

Enemies are also being designed around the expanded environments. Some larger animals behave almost like mini-boss encounters, for example, we were showcased the famous panther and bats, using the environment and attacking from different positions rather than simply running directly toward Lara.

Levels are larger, more vertical and filled with optional areas containing relics and secrets. Relics provide historical information while also rewarding exploration with unlockables, including outfits inspired by previous Tomb Raider games. One of the more interesting additions is Lara’s archaeological scanner. It can be used to examine objects, provide historical context and potentially offer clues when players become stuck.

That feature could be useful, but it is also one of the mechanics I am most curious about. Tomb Raider has traditionally been at its best when the environment itself makes you stop, observe and understand where to go next. If scanning every room becomes the easiest solution, it could undermine some of that exploration. Thankfully, puzzle assistance appears to be optional.

Modern systems meet classic Tomb Raider

There are a few other modern systems that feel slightly less necessary. Lara can gather resources and craft supplies, while a skill tree accessed through her phone allows various upgrades. Neither appears particularly intrusive from what has been shown so far, and essential abilities will not be locked behind skill progression, but they do raise the question of how many modern action-adventure systems Tomb Raider actually needs.

Legacy of Atlantis looks most convincing when it concentrates on Lara herself: exploring enormous tombs, solving environmental puzzles, making dangerous jumps and fighting wildlife with dual pistols.

Visually, the transformation is also substantial. Unreal Engine 5 allows locations such as Greece to feel much larger and more atmospheric while still retaining the exaggerated adventure-fantasy identity of classic Tomb Raider. Detailed vegetation, enormous ruins and strong lighting make the environments feel considerably more alive without pushing everything toward complete realism.

Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog are also taking inspiration from both the original Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider: Anniversary rather than treating either version as untouchable. That seems like the right approach.

Fans have huge expectations

Legacy of Atlantis does not need to reproduce every room exactly as players remember it. What matters more is preserving the feeling of entering somewhere ancient, dangerous, and mysterious, then figuring out how to survive it. Based on what was shown at Gamescom, the developers seem to understand that.

The biggest question is whether all of the additional systems surrounding that foundation such as crafting, upgrades, scanners and accessibility features will strengthen the experience or simply make classic Tomb Raider busier than it needs to be.

For now, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis looks like a much more ambitious remake than I initially expected, and its expanded platforming and puzzle design may ultimately prove considerably more important than its impressive visual overhaul.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is launching across Windows PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 on February 12th, 2027.