Tomb Raider is an iconic video game franchise created by Core Design and initially published by Eidos Interactive in 1996. It includes classic entries such as the original Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II, and Tomb Raider III, as well as the rebooted 2013 Tomb Raider and its 2015 sequel, Rise of the Tomb Raider.
Tomb Raider is one of the best-selling video game franchises, selling over 63 million copies worldwide. Moreover, the franchise has branched out into other forms of media, including comic books, novels, a live-action film, and an animated television series.
In the classic version of the game, players assume the role of intrepid archaeologist Lara Croft as she engages in exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. In the reboot, the shipwrecked Lara must survive a tormented island, where she discovers an ancient secret that sets her on an entirely new path.
The 2013 version of Tomb Raider was praised for its detailed visuals, revamped combat and puzzles, and improved environmental storytelling. Meanwhile, Rise of the Tomb Raider featured an improved hub world and more freedom in choosing how to progress through the game.
The Tomb Raider franchise was the first to feature a female protagonist in the character of Lara Croft. Over the years, the franchise has seen actress Angelina Jolie, then Alicia Vikander, bring the character of Lara to life in the two live-action films.
The franchise has generated a variety of merchandise over the years, from toys and clothing to a line of action figures produced by NECA in the early 2000s. Licensed products such as energy drinks, shaving brands, and a signature fragrance have also been released.
Many weapons can be found in Tomb Raider games, including a shotgun, assault rifles, grenade launchers, and the famous dual pistols. Other valuable items like the grappling hook, binoculars, and cameras were also introduced in later games.
Throughout the Tomb Raider games, the expedition of Lara Croft has taken her to a variety of exotic locations like Peru and the Andes Mountains, Siberia and the Arctic Sea, and the Great Wall of China.
Players are challenged to make their way through a variety of environments, ranging from vast tombs filled with ancient relics to high-tech research laboratories and forgotten arctic civilizations.
The game also features a variety of enemy characters, such as wolves, bears, raptors, and an assortment of monsters and mercenaries.
The tone of the rebooted game series is more realistic than its classic counterpart, with a deep focus on character development, destructive environments, and increased enemy variety.
