Unearthing the Past: The Definitive Guide to Playing Tomb Raider Games in Order
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So, you’re ready to delve into the world of Lara Croft, the iconic adventurer, but you’re bewildered by the sheer number of Tomb Raider games and wondering where to even begin? Fear not, intrepid explorer! This guide will lay out the definitive order to experience the series, ensuring you understand the story arcs and appreciate the evolution of this gaming legend.
Here’s the straightforward answer to the question: What order does the Tomb Raider games go in? It depends on which continuity you want to follow. There are primarily three timelines to consider: The Original/Classic Timeline, The Legend Trilogy Timeline, and The Survivor Trilogy Timeline.
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Original/Classic Timeline: This is the chronological order of the original games, presenting a more serialized narrative.
- Tomb Raider (1996)
- Tomb Raider II (1997)
- Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft (1998)
- Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
- Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)
- Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) (A remake of the original Tomb Raider)
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Legend Trilogy Timeline: This timeline offers a more modern take on Lara’s adventures, with interconnected stories.
- Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
- Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
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Survivor Trilogy Timeline: This reboot focuses on Lara’s origin story and transformation into a hardened survivor.
- Tomb Raider (2013)
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
Choose the timeline that appeals to you most, and play the games in the order listed for the best experience.
Diving Deeper: Understanding the Timelines
While playing in the order listed above is ideal for experiencing the full narrative arc of each timeline, it’s crucial to understand the nuances of each continuity.
The Original/Classic timeline features a Lara Croft who is already a seasoned adventurer from the get-go. These games are more episodic, although there are recurring themes and characters that develop over time. Tomb Raider: Anniversary acts as a bridge, retelling the events of the first game with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics, fitting seamlessly into the Legend timeline and loosely in the classic timeline.
The Legend trilogy rebooted the series in the mid-2000s with a focus on a more character-driven narrative. These games are tightly connected, building upon the events and relationships established in previous installments. The trilogy concludes with a cliffhanger ending in Underworld.
The Survivor trilogy offered another fresh start, exploring Lara’s origins and her evolution from a young archaeologist to a hardened survivor. These games are heavily story-driven, with a focus on survival mechanics and character development. The narrative is less episodic and more like an ongoing TV series.
Tomb Raider FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Here are fifteen frequently asked questions about the Tomb Raider series, aimed at providing further clarity and guidance for new and returning players.
1. Is it necessary to play the Tomb Raider games in order?
It depends on which series you’re playing. For the Legend trilogy and the Survivor trilogy, it’s highly recommended to play in order to fully understand the overarching story and character arcs. The Original/Classic series is more episodic, but playing in order will allow you to appreciate the evolution of the gameplay and the development of recurring characters.
2. Which Tomb Raider game should I start with if I’m new to the series?
Many suggest starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. It serves as a great entry point, offering a modern gameplay experience, a compelling origin story, and stunning visuals. It’s easily accessible and provides a solid foundation for understanding Lara Croft’s character.
3. Are the Tomb Raider movies connected to the games?
The Tomb Raider movies are loosely inspired by the games but are not considered canon. The movies take liberties with the plot and characters. There are two separate movie series: The Angelina Jolie films and the Alicia Vikander film.
4. Is Uncharted better than Tomb Raider?
This is a matter of personal preference! Both franchises offer excellent action-adventure gameplay. Tomb Raider tends to focus more on survival and exploration, while Uncharted emphasizes puzzles and set-piece moments. The improvements of the newer Tomb Raider’s make it much more interesting from a gameplay perspective.
5. Why is Shadow of the Tomb Raider often criticized?
While Shadow of the Tomb Raider has its merits, it’s often criticized for having the weakest story of the Survivor trilogy, with a slightly clunky combat system. Some players also find the stealth mechanics to be less refined than in previous installments.
6. What’s the longest Tomb Raider game to complete?
According to multiple sources, Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft tends to be the longest game in the series, closely followed by Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation.
7. Is Tomb Raider a AAA game?
Yes, Tomb Raider is undoubtedly a AAA game. The series has consistently delivered high-quality graphics, gameplay, and storytelling, backed by significant budgets and marketing campaigns.
8. Are all the 3 Tomb Raider games from the new trilogy connected?
Yes, the Survivor Trilogy (Tomb Raider 2013, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Shadow of the Tomb Raider) are connected and follow a single story arc.
9. Can I skip to Shadow of the Tomb Raider?
You can skip to Shadow of the Tomb Raider, but you’ll miss out on important context and character development from the previous games. It is highly recommended to play Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider first for the best experience.
10. What’s the chronological order of the original Tomb Raider saga?
The Original/Classic Saga order is: Tomb Raider (1996), Tomb Raider II (1997), Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft (1998), Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999), Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000), Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003), and Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007).
11. Is the Tomb Raider trilogy a prequel?
The Survivor Trilogy is indeed a prequel series, showing how Lara Croft becomes the skilled tomb raider that she is known as.
12. Are all Tomb Raider games connected?
No. The Original/Classic games are connected, but they are not connected to the Legend trilogy or the Survivor trilogy. Those are distinct continuities with different versions of Lara and different storylines.
13. Which Tomb Raider game is first in the trilogy?
The first game in the Survivor Trilogy is the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot.
14. Why was Tomb Raider 2 (movie sequel) cancelled?
The sequel to the 2018 film Tomb Raider with Alicia Vikander was cancelled due to MGM failing to give the project the green light in a timely manner, causing the studio to lose the rights to the film.
15. Is Tomb Raider 1 a horror game?
While not strictly a horror game, Tomb Raider can feature elements of horror. Dark and gritty tombs, horrifying monsters, and a sense of isolation can create a suspenseful and even terrifying atmosphere in certain levels.
Conclusion: Your Tomb Raider Adventure Awaits
Navigating the world of Tomb Raider can seem daunting, but by understanding the different timelines and considering your own preferences, you can embark on an unforgettable adventure. Whether you choose to witness Lara’s origins in the Survivor trilogy, relive the classic adventures of the original games, or explore the interconnected stories of the Legend trilogy, there’s a Tomb Raider experience waiting for you. So, grab your climbing axe, dust off your knowledge, and prepare to unearth the secrets of the past!
Interested in the educational aspects of gaming? Don’t forget to check out the resources at the Games Learning Society website! GamesLearningSociety.org offers valuable insights into how games can be used as powerful learning tools.