What Order to Play Tomb Raider Games: A Journey Through Time and Tombs

blog 2025-01-22 0Browse 0
What Order to Play Tomb Raider Games: A Journey Through Time and Tombs

The Tomb Raider series, featuring the iconic adventurer Lara Croft, has captivated gamers for decades. With multiple games, reboots, and spin-offs, deciding the best order to play them can be as challenging as one of Lara’s ancient puzzles. This article explores various perspectives on the ideal sequence to experience these games, considering narrative continuity, gameplay evolution, and personal preferences.

Chronological Order: Following Lara’s Timeline

Playing the Tomb Raider games in chronological order of their release dates allows players to experience the evolution of Lara Croft’s character and the series’ technological advancements.

  1. Tomb Raider (1996): The game that started it all. Experience Lara’s first adventure as she searches for the Scion artifact.
  2. Tomb Raider II (1997): Lara’s quest for the Dagger of Xian takes her across the globe.
  3. Tomb Raider III (1998): A meteorite artifact leads Lara through diverse and dangerous environments.
  4. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999): Lara faces her mentor, Werner Von Croy, in a battle over ancient Egyptian artifacts.
  5. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000): A series of flashbacks recounting Lara’s past adventures.
  6. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003): A darker, more mature story involving murder and betrayal.
  7. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006): A reboot that reimagines Lara’s origins and her search for Excalibur.
  8. Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007): A remake of the original Tomb Raider with updated graphics and gameplay.
  9. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008): Lara explores Norse mythology in her quest for Thor’s hammer.
  10. Tomb Raider (2013): A gritty reboot that explores Lara’s transformation into the adventurer we know.
  11. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015): Lara’s search for the lost city of Kitezh.
  12. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018): The final chapter in the reboot trilogy, focusing on Lara’s battle with the secret organization Trinity.

Narrative Continuity: Following the Story Arcs

For those interested in the narrative flow, playing the games in the order of their story arcs can provide a more cohesive experience.

  1. Tomb Raider (2013): The origin story of Lara Croft.
  2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015): The continuation of Lara’s journey.
  3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018): The conclusion of the reboot trilogy.
  4. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006): A standalone story that reimagines Lara’s origins.
  5. Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007): A remake of the original game, providing context for Lara’s early adventures.
  6. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008): A continuation of the story from Legend and Anniversary.
  7. Tomb Raider (1996): The original game that started it all.
  8. Tomb Raider II (1997): The sequel to the original game.
  9. Tomb Raider III (1998): The third installment in the original series.
  10. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999): The fourth game in the original series.
  11. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000): A collection of flashbacks from Lara’s past.
  12. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003): A darker, more mature story involving murder and betrayal.

Gameplay Evolution: Experiencing the Series’ Growth

For players interested in the evolution of gameplay mechanics and graphics, starting with the earliest games and moving forward can provide a unique perspective.

  1. Tomb Raider (1996): Experience the original gameplay mechanics and graphics.
  2. Tomb Raider II (1997): Improved graphics and more complex puzzles.
  3. Tomb Raider III (1998): Enhanced gameplay mechanics and more diverse environments.
  4. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999): Further improvements in graphics and storytelling.
  5. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000): A collection of flashbacks with varied gameplay styles.
  6. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003): A shift towards a darker, more mature tone.
  7. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006): A reboot with updated graphics and gameplay mechanics.
  8. Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007): A remake of the original game with modern graphics and gameplay.
  9. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008): Continued improvements in graphics and gameplay.
  10. Tomb Raider (2013): A complete reboot with a focus on survival and exploration.
  11. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015): Enhanced graphics and more complex gameplay mechanics.
  12. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018): The pinnacle of the series’ gameplay and graphics.

Personal Preferences: Tailoring the Experience

Ultimately, the best order to play the Tomb Raider games depends on personal preferences. Some players may prefer to start with the most recent games for their modern graphics and gameplay, while others may want to experience the series’ evolution from the beginning.

  1. Tomb Raider (2013): A great starting point for newcomers with modern graphics and gameplay.
  2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015): A continuation of the reboot trilogy with enhanced gameplay.
  3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018): The final chapter in the reboot trilogy.
  4. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006): A standalone story with updated graphics and gameplay.
  5. Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007): A remake of the original game with modern graphics.
  6. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008): A continuation of the story from Legend and Anniversary.
  7. Tomb Raider (1996): The original game that started it all.
  8. Tomb Raider II (1997): The sequel to the original game.
  9. Tomb Raider III (1998): The third installment in the original series.
  10. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999): The fourth game in the original series.
  11. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000): A collection of flashbacks from Lara’s past.
  12. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003): A darker, more mature story involving murder and betrayal.

Q: Should I play the Tomb Raider games in release order or chronological order? A: It depends on your preference. Release order allows you to experience the series’ evolution, while chronological order follows the narrative timeline.

Q: Are the newer Tomb Raider games better than the older ones? A: The newer games have modern graphics and gameplay mechanics, but the older games have a classic charm and unique gameplay that many fans still appreciate.

Q: Can I skip the older Tomb Raider games and start with the reboot trilogy? A: Yes, the reboot trilogy (2013, 2015, 2018) is designed to be accessible to new players and provides a fresh starting point for the series.

Q: What is the best Tomb Raider game to start with for a newcomer? A: Tomb Raider (2013) is often recommended as the best starting point for newcomers due to its modern graphics, gameplay, and origin story.

Q: Are there any spin-off Tomb Raider games worth playing? A: While the main series is the most popular, spin-offs like Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris offer unique co-op experiences and are worth trying.

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