Tomb Raider Games in Order: Release Order and Story Timeline

Lara Croft has been exploring tombs, solving ancient puzzles, and getting herself into trouble since 1996. But if you're planning to play the Tomb Raider series today, knowing where to start isn't as simple as picking the oldest game and working forward.

The franchise has gone through several changes over the years. Some games continue earlier stories, others revisit familiar adventures, and the 2013 reboot takes Lara back to the beginning of her journey. Each era has its own style, so the best order depends on what you want to experience.

This guide covers the major Tomb Raider games in release order, explains how the different storylines fit together, and helps you choose a starting point without feeling that you have to play every game first.

Tomb Raider Games in Release Order

The easiest way to see how Tomb Raider has changed is to start where Lara Croft started: 1996. The early games focused heavily on exploration, careful platforming, and puzzles that often required patience. Later releases put more emphasis on cinematic action and Lara's personal story.

The list below focuses on major PC and console adventures. It isn't a complete catalogue of every spin-off, portable release, or re-release.

The table gives you a useful overview, but the release dates alone don't tell the whole story. The games belong to different versions of Lara's history, which is why the next step is to choose the storyline you want to follow.

The Three Main Tomb Raider Storylines

The Tomb Raider franchise doesn't follow one continuous storyline from 1996 onward. Its major eras have different interpretations of Lara Croft, and understanding that distinction makes choosing your next game much easier.

1. The original-era games

The early Tomb Raider games can be surprisingly demanding. They don't always tell you where to go next, and a room that looks empty may still contain a switch, a hidden passage, or a route you haven't noticed. That slower pace is a big part of their appeal.

Start with the 1996 game if you want to understand the series from its beginnings. From there, the first six releases take you through a range of adventures, ending with The Angel of Darkness. The controls and level design can feel dated today, so a remastered edition may be a more comfortable option if you're new to the older games.

Recommended release order:

1. Tomb Raider (1996)
2. Tomb Raider II (1997)
3. Tomb Raider III (1998)
4. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
5. Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)
6. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)

Playing in release order lets you see how the series developed, although you don't need to finish every entry to appreciate what made the original games distinctive.

2. The Legend trilogy

The Legend era gave Tomb Raider a fresh direction in the mid-2000s. These games tell a connected story and offer a more modern experience than the original releases.

The trilogy consists of:

• Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
• Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
• Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

Start with Legend. It introduces this version of Lara and establishes the story that continues in the following games.

Anniversary revisits the original adventure, but it belongs to this era's interpretation of Lara rather than simply continuing the 1996 game's storyline. Underworld then carries the Legend story forward, developing the mystery surrounding Lara's mother.

For that reason, the recommended order is Legend, Anniversary, then Underworld. Playing Anniversary first is possible, but Legend is the better starting point if you want to follow this trilogy as it was released.

This era is worth considering if you want a middle ground between the classic games and the more cinematic Survivor trilogy.

3. The Survivor trilogy

If you jump from one of the older games into the 2013 reboot, the difference is obvious. This Lara isn't yet the experienced adventurer familiar from the classic games. She's trying to survive a disastrous expedition, and much of the first game follows her as she discovers what she's capable of under pressure.

The next two games build on that starting point, but they don't feel identical. Rise of the Tomb Raider expands the adventure and sends Lara after another historical mystery. Shadow of the Tomb Raider places greater emphasis on exploration, tombs, and the consequences of her actions.

Play them in this order:

1. Tomb Raider (2013)
2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)

This is a straightforward choice for someone who wants a connected three-game story without learning the history of the entire franchise first. You can begin with the 2013 game and understand Lara's development without playing the original-era titles.

Remakes, Remasters, and Collections

Searching for Tomb Raider games can get confusing when several releases cover the same adventure. Before buying a game, it's worth checking whether you're looking at a remake, a remaster, or a collection.

A remake reworks an older game, potentially changing its presentation, controls, and level design. Tomb Raider: Anniversary, for example, reimagines the original 1996 adventure.

A remaster generally preserves more of the original experience while updating its presentation for newer platforms. Tomb Raider I–III Remastered brings together the first three games, while Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered covers The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and The Angel of Darkness.

A collection packages multiple games together. It may contain remastered versions, but the exact contents depend on the release.

These differences matter because updated graphics don't necessarily mean updated gameplay. If you enjoy older puzzle and platforming design, a remastered release can be a convenient way to revisit the classics. If you're mainly interested in modern action-adventure gameplay, the Survivor trilogy may be a better fit.

Upcoming Tomb Raider Games

The series is continuing with two announced projects: Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst. Both are worth keeping an eye on, although their release information differs.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Legacy of Atlantis is a new reimagining of the original Tomb Raider. It revisits Lara's early adventure for modern platforms rather than simply re-releasing the 1996 game unchanged.

The announced release date is February 12, 2027. Planned platforms include PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2.

You can check the official announcement for the latest release details on the Tomb Raider website.

Tomb Raider: Catalyst

Tomb Raider: Catalyst is another announced entry, planned for 2027. Its setting is Northern India, and its announced platforms include PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

A specific release date has not been announced in the official information referenced for this guide, so it's best to check for updates rather than assume when it will arrive.

The official Tomb Raider games catalogue is a useful place to check announcements and product details.

Which Tomb Raider Game Should You Play First?

There's no need to start with the oldest game simply because it came first. Choose according to the kind of experience you enjoy.

If you're new to the series: Start with Tomb Raider (2013). It begins a connected trilogy and uses a more modern style of gameplay. You can follow Lara's development without needing background knowledge from the older games.

If you enjoy classic puzzles and exploration: Try Tomb Raider I–III Remastered. These games put more emphasis on finding routes, working out mechanisms, and exploring environments. Be prepared for older design choices, even in remastered versions.

If you want a connected story from the 2000s: Play Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld in that order. This gives you a distinct version of Lara's story without requiring you to work through all the original games.

If you want to follow the original release history: Start with Tomb Raider (1996) and work forward. You'll see how the series changed from its puzzle-heavy beginnings to the more experimental releases that followed.

My practical suggestion is to choose one era first. If you enjoy it, you can explore the others later. Tomb Raider has enough different styles that a game which doesn't suit you may simply belong to an era you don't particularly enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all Tomb Raider games follow the same story?

No. The franchise has several continuities, including the original-era games, the Legend trilogy, and the Survivor trilogy. Some releases also revisit earlier adventures instead of continuing the same timeline.

Is Tomb Raider (2013) a remake of the original?

No. The 2013 game is a reboot that tells a new origin story for Lara Croft. Tomb Raider: Anniversary is the release that reimagines the original 1996 adventure.

Should I play Tomb Raider games in release order?

Release order is a good option if you want to see how the franchise evolved. If you care more about following a connected storyline, play the games within one era in the recommended order.

How many main Tomb Raider games are there?

The answer depends on what counts as a main entry. This guide lists 12 major PC and console releases through Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). It doesn't count every spin-off, portable game, remake, remaster, or later release.

Which Tomb Raider game is best for beginners?

Tomb Raider (2013) is a practical starting point for many newcomers because it begins a connected trilogy and has a more modern style of gameplay. Players who prefer classic puzzles and platforming may want to start with the remastered original games instead.

Do I need to play the older games before the newer ones?

No. The Survivor trilogy was designed as a reboot, so you can begin with the 2013 game without having played the earlier titles. The Legend trilogy also provides its own starting point.

Final Thoughts

Tomb Raider has changed considerably since Lara Croft first appeared in 1996. The earliest games reward patience and careful exploration, the Legend era gives Lara a different connected storyline, and the Survivor trilogy follows her development from an inexperienced explorer into a more capable adventurer.

You can experience the series in release order, follow one of its major storylines, or simply choose the game that best suits your taste. There's no requirement to play every entry before moving on to another era.

With Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst planned for 2027, the franchise has more adventures ahead. If you're just getting started, now is a good time to choose an era and see which version of Lara Croft you enjoy most.