The Original Tomb Raider: Unearthing a Legend
The original Tomb Raider was, of course, Lara Croft. But the game itself, titled simply Tomb Raider, was a groundbreaking action-adventure title released in 1996 for MS-DOS, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn. It wasn’t just a game; it was a cultural phenomenon that introduced the world to a new kind of heroine, forever changing the landscape of video games and pop culture.
The Genesis of a Gaming Icon
Before Lara Croft, female characters in video games often fell into stereotypical roles: damsels in distress, supporting characters, or hyper-sexualized eye candy. Toby Gard, a designer at Core Design, sought to break these molds. He aimed to create a strong, independent, and intelligent female protagonist who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Indiana Jones.
Gard initially experimented with various designs, drawing inspiration from sources as diverse as Swedish pop artist Neneh Cherry and the riot grrrl comic book character Tank Girl. He even considered a male character at one point. The final result was Lara Croft, a British archaeologist with a thirst for adventure and a knack for uncovering ancient secrets. The name “Croft” was chosen from a telephone directory, deemed fittingly upper-class, giving the character a sense of aristocratic background that distinguished her further. Initially the character name was ‘Laura Cruz’, but after concerns about appeal to American audiences, Laura was changed to Lara, and Cruz to Croft.
The original Tomb Raider distinguished itself with its then-innovative gameplay mechanics. Players navigated Lara through treacherous environments, solved intricate puzzles, battled dangerous wildlife (and even more dangerous humans), and uncovered relics of forgotten civilizations. The game’s use of 3D environments was particularly impressive for its time, allowing for a level of exploration and immersion rarely seen in video games. While blocky by today’s standards, the visuals were revolutionary, perfectly complementing the atmosphere of mystery and danger.
The game was a massive commercial success, selling millions of copies worldwide and catapulting Lara Croft to superstardom. Suddenly, the video game industry had a strong female lead, proving that gamers were eager for diverse and compelling characters.
The Enduring Legacy
Tomb Raider’s impact extended far beyond the realm of video games. Lara Croft became a cultural icon, appearing on magazine covers, in commercials, and even inspiring academic studies. She was seen as a symbol of female empowerment, although some criticized her early representation as being overly sexualized. Regardless of the debate, Lara Croft undeniably challenged the prevailing gender norms in gaming and paved the way for more complex and well-developed female characters in the industry.
The success of the original Tomb Raider spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and reboots, each attempting to capture the magic of the original while introducing new gameplay mechanics and storylines. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a notable example, being a modern remake of the original game that stayed true to the spirit of the 1996 classic while improving the graphics and controls.
Lara Croft has remained an relevant character to this day. Her legacy demonstrates the importance of character design and the role video games have as a pop culture phenomenon. The Games Learning Society further researches how games can be used to promote learning, which shows the impact a video game can have on culture. To learn more about the role of video games in promoting learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Tomb Raider FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Tomb Raider franchise:
1. Which Tomb Raider is a remake of the original?
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a complete remake of the original 1996 Tomb Raider game. It was released in 2007.
2. When did they remake Tomb Raider 1?
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary came out in 2007, serving as a remake of the original 1996 title. It was the eighth overall entry in the series, and the second in the Legend trilogy.
3. How many Tomb Raider movies did Angelina Jolie star in?
Angelina Jolie portrayed Lara Croft in two films: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003).
4. What is Lara Croft’s ethnicity?
Lara Croft is British Caucasian. She has a refined British accent and an aristocratic background.
5. What is Lara Croft’s full name?
Lara Amelia Croft is her full name. She was born on Valentine’s Day in 1968.
6. Why was Tomb Raider 2 (the movie sequel to Jolie’s first outing) cancelled?
Conflicting opinions among the creatives, an increased budget, and time running out on MGM’s rights all contributed to Tomb Raider 2 not moving forward, according to some reports.
7. Why didn’t Angelina Jolie make another Tomb Raider film after the second one?
Jolie stated that she felt the second film, The Cradle of Life, provided a satisfying conclusion to her portrayal of the character.
8. Is Lara Croft a billionaire?
Yes, in the Tomb Raider universe, Lara Croft is a billionaire. She inherited a large fortune and added to it through her archaeological discoveries. It’s estimated to be around $1.3 billion.
9. Who is Lara Croft’s best friend?
Samantha “Sam” Nishimura is Lara Croft’s best friend. She is a filmmaker who documents Lara’s adventures.
10. How did Lara Croft accumulate her wealth?
Lara Croft inherited a large fortune from her wealthy family. Her successful archaeological endeavors have only contributed more to her wealth.
11. What languages does Lara Croft speak?
Lara Croft is a polyglot. She speaks a number of modern and ancient languages. These include: English, Japanese, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Italian, Spanish, German, Arabic, Greek, Mongolian, Mam, Quechua, Yucatec, Latin, and Maori.
12. Who owns the Tomb Raider franchise now?
The Tomb Raider franchise is currently owned by CDE Entertainment. It was formerly owned by Eidos Interactive, and then by Square Enix Europe before being acquired by Embracer Group in 2022.
13. Who was Lara Croft modeled after?
Lara Croft was inspired by pop artist Neneh Cherry and comic book character Tank Girl.
14. Is Lara Croft and Uncharted Connected?
Uncharted and Tomb Raider are two distinct series with two different character universes. They have not released any crossover games or stories, but there are similarities that can be drawn between Nathan Drake and Lara Croft.
15. Is Lara Croft based on a real person?
Lara Croft is not based on one single real person. She was inspired by a combination of fictional characters and real-world archetypes.