GameTimeline

Release & story order

Tomb Raider timeline

Tomb Raider from Core Design's 1996 original through Crystal Dynamics' Survivor reboot and the upcoming Legacy of Atlantis—US release dates, three saga continuities (Classic, Legend, Survivor), studio reboots explained in the questions below, and why newcomers start with the 2013 game.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Core Design and Crystal Dynamics shipped each mainline chapter—Classic Core (1996–2003), the Legend-era trilogy (2006–2008), the Survivor reboot (2013–2018), plus Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis planned for February 2027.

  • Newcomers → Tomb Raider (2013) → Rise of the Tomb Raider → Shadow of the Tomb Raider
  • Classic fans → Release order from 1996 through Angel of Darkness, then skip to Legend if you want modern controls
  • Legend path → Legend → Anniversary → Underworld—Anniversary replaces playing TR1 (1996) for that continuity
  • Full release history → Every mainline row below; mobile and Lara Croft spin-offs stay in the questions below
Story order tips

Three separate continuities on the Story tab—Survivor (recommended), Classic Core, and Legend—plus upcoming unified chapters. Pick one colored section and play top to bottom; do not mix them into one plot.

  • Survivor block: Yamatai (2013 game) → Siberia (Rise) → Mexico/Peru (Shadow)—play back-to-back
  • Classic Core (alternate continuity): TR1 → TR2 → TR3 → Last Revelation → Chronicles → Angel of Darkness
  • Legend era (alternate continuity): Legend → Anniversary → Underworld
  • Crystal's unified canon places Survivor before future Legacy of Atlantis / Catalyst chapters—dates still settling

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Tomb Raider

    Tomb Raider

    PlayStationPCSega SaturnActionMainlineClassic

    Lara's first expedition—Peru, Greece, Egypt, and the Lost Valley.

    Overview
    Core Design (Derby, UK) defined PS1 3D action-adventure—grid-based movement, dual pistols, and cinematic tombs; published by Eidos Interactive.
    In-game setting
    Classic continuity opener—Natla, the Scion, and Croft Manor. Remade as Anniversary (2007) in the Legend timeline.
    Should you play it?
    Start of Classic Core saga—separate from Legend and Survivor continuities.
    Release date
    US launch October 25, 1996 (PlayStation, Sega Saturn); PC followed. Later on Steam and mobile.
  2. Tomb Raider II

    Tomb Raider II

    PlayStationPCActionMainlineClassic

    The Dagger of Xian—Great Wall to a sunken Maria Doria.

    Overview
    Vehicle levels, outside locations, and higher vertical tombs—Lara on a global chase for a powerful artifact.
    In-game setting
    Classic continuity—follows directly after the first game; Marco Bartoli and the Tibetan monastery climax.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Tomb Raider (1996) on the Classic path only.
    Release date
    US launch October 31, 1997.
  3. Tomb Raider III

    Tomb Raider III

    PlayStationPCActionMainlineClassic

    Adventures of Lara Croft—meteorite artifacts across India, London, Nevada, and Antarctica.

    Overview
    Non-linear hub structure within regions—stealth sections, quad bike, and harder difficulty curve.
    In-game setting
    Classic continuity—Lara races Dr. Willard to control meteorite-derived powers.
    Should you play it?
    Third in Classic Core release and story order.
    Release date
    US launch November 20, 1998 (subtitle Adventures of Lara Croft on packaging).
  4. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation

    Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation

    PlayStationPCDreamcastActionMainlineClassic

    Young Lara in Cambodia and Egypt—Set's tomb and a supposed finale.

    Overview
    Flashback structure, torch mechanics, and a darker Egypt arc—marketed as Lara's last adventure.
    In-game setting
    Classic continuity—prequel chapters in Cambodia; present-day Egypt hunt for Set's armor.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Tomb Raider III on Classic path; leads into Chronicles framing.
    Release date
    US launch November 22, 1999.
  5. Tomb Raider Chronicles

    Tomb Raider Chronicles

    PlayStationPCDreamcastActionMainlineClassic

    Memorial episodes—four flashback adventures framed at Croft Manor.

    Overview
    Anthology format—shorter standalone missions including Rome, a submarine, and a tower stealth chapter.
    In-game setting
    Classic continuity—stories set before The Last Revelation; frame story sets up Angel of Darkness.
    Should you play it?
    Optional on Classic path—mostly side episodes; play before Angel of Darkness for full Classic arc.
    Release date
    US launch November 24, 2000.
  6. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness

    Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness

    PlayStation 2PCActionMainlineClassic

    Paris murder mystery—Lara framed, Kurtis Trent introduced.

    Overview
    Stealth and conversation systems attempted—buggy launch ended Core Design's run; Eidos handed the franchise to Crystal Dynamics (US).
    In-game setting
    Classic continuity finale—Lara cleared of Von Croy's murder; Nephilim plot left unresolved in-game.
    Should you play it?
    End of Classic Core saga—Crystal Dynamics rebooted with Legend (2006), a new continuity, not an Angel of Darkness sequel.
    Release date
    US launch June 20, 2003 (PlayStation 2). Last mainline from Core Design.
  7. Tomb Raider: Legend

    Tomb Raider: Legend

    PlayStation 2XboxXbox 360PCActionMainlineLegend

    Soft reboot—Bolivia, Peru, Ghana, Kazakhstan, and King Arthur's tomb.

    Overview
    Crystal Dynamics (US) soft reboot after Angel of Darkness—modern controls, grappling hook, and a personal quest for Amelia Croft; not a sequel to AoD's plot.
    In-game setting
    Legend continuity opener—not a sequel to Angel of Darkness story-wise.
    Should you play it?
    Start Legend path here; skip Classic Core unless you want the 1996–2003 saga first.
    Release date
    US launch April 11, 2006.
  8. Tomb Raider: Anniversary

    Tomb Raider: Anniversary

    PlayStation 2PlayStation PortableXbox 360PCActionMainlineLegendRemake

    Remake of Tomb Raider (1996)—Natla and the Scion in Legend-era engine.

    Overview
    Rebuilt Peru–Greece–Egypt arc with Legend controls—same broad plot as 1996, new layouts.
    In-game setting
    Legend continuity—play after Legend; replaces playing TR1 (1996) on the Legend path.
    Should you play it?
    Not a new chapter after Underworld—retells game one for Legend timeline players.
    Release date
    US launch June 5, 2007.
  9. Tomb Raider: Underworld

    Tomb Raider: Underworld

    PlayStation 3Xbox 360PlayStation 2PCActionMainlineLegend

    Thor's hammer, Avalon, and Amelia—direct sequel to Legend.

    Overview
    Seamless tombs, underwater exploration, and larger hubs—closes Legend-era trilogy.
    In-game setting
    Legend continuity finale—picks up after Anniversary; Natla and Amelia plot threads converge.
    Should you play it?
    End Legend path; Crystal's future Catalyst is stated to follow years after Underworld in unified plans.
    Release date
    US launch November 18, 2008.
  10. Tomb Raider

    Tomb Raider

    PlayStation 3Xbox 360PCActionMainlineSurvivor

    Full reboot—shipwreck on Yamatai, young Lara's first kill.

    Overview
    Crystal Dynamics' third continuity—survival crafting, bow focus, and cinematic set-pieces; Square Enix published after acquiring Eidos.
    In-game setting
    Survivor continuity opener—Himiko's storm and the Solarii cult; Definitive Edition on PS4/Xbox One in 2014.
    Should you play it?
    Default modern starting point—same title as 1996 game, different continuity.
    Release date
    US launch March 5, 2013. Definitive Edition January 28, 2014 (PS4/Xbox One).
  11. Rise of the Tomb Raider

    Rise of the Tomb Raider

    Xbox OneXbox 360PCPlayStation 4ActionMainlineSurvivor

    Siberia and the lost city of Kitezh—Trinity conspiracy.

    Overview
    Expanded hubs, tombs, and crafting—timed exclusivity on Xbox before PS4/PC ports.
    In-game setting
    Survivor continuity—roughly one year after Yamatai; Lara hunts Prophet's legacy in Siberia.
    Should you play it?
    Play immediately after Tomb Raider (2013) on Survivor path.
    Release date
    US launch November 10, 2015 (Xbox One/Xbox 360). PC January 28, 2016; PlayStation 4 October 11, 2016.
  12. Shadow of the Tomb Raider

    Shadow of the Tomb Raider

    PlayStation 4Xbox OnePCActionMainlineSurvivor

    Mexico, Peru, and Paititi—Lara becomes the tomb raider.

    Overview
    Stealth emphasis, jungle hubs, and difficulty modes—trilogy finale on current engine.
    In-game setting
    Survivor continuity finale—about one year after Rise; stops a Mayan apocalypse Lara accidentally armed.
    Should you play it?
    End Survivor trilogy for now—Definitive Edition bundles all DLC on modern stores.
    Release date
    US launch September 14, 2018.
  13. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

    Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

    PCPlayStation 5Xbox Series X/SNintendo Switch 2ActionMainlineUpcoming

    Reimagining of the classic Natla/Scion story—announced at The Game Awards 2025.

    Overview
    Crystal Dynamics with Flying Wild Hog—Unreal Engine 5 reimagining of the Natla/Scion story; Amazon Game Studios publishes; part of the unified timeline with Survivor as Lara's origin.
    In-game setting
    Not a direct port of 1996—new take on the first adventure's beats; Alix Wilton Regan voices Lara (replacing Survivor-era Camilla Luddington).
    Should you play it?
    Not released yet—play Survivor trilogy first unless you treat it as a fresh entry point after launch.
    Release date
    Planned February 12, 2027 (US). Also on Nintendo Switch 2. Deluxe pre-orders include early access from February 10—verify on store pages before buying.

FAQ

Three timelines, studio handoffs and reboots, Survivor vs Classic vs Legend paths, Anniversary placement, and spin-offs.

Release order

Release order lists every mainline game by US launch date across all three continuities. Story order groups the same chapters into four sections—Survivor trilogy, Classic Core, Legend era, and upcoming unified entries—because each section is a separate plot you play top to bottom. Pick one colored section on the Story tab; do not chain Classic → Legend → Survivor as one story. Anniversary is a Legend-era remake of Tomb Raider (1996), not a Classic sequel.

Most newcomers: Tomb Raider (2013) → Rise of the Tomb Raider → Shadow of the Tomb Raider—one continuity, modern controls, complete arc. Classic fans: play Tomb Raider (1996) through Angel of Darkness in release order. Legend fans: Legend → Anniversary → Underworld (skip 1996 TR1). Buy Definitive / remastered store listings when available; see the remakes question below.

Story & timelines

Classic Core (1996–2003): Tomb Raider → II → III → The Last Revelation → Chronicles → The Angel of Darkness—Core Design (UK). Legend era (2006–2008): Legend → Anniversary (remake of TR1) → Underworld—Crystal Dynamics soft reboot, not an Angel of Darkness sequel. Survivor trilogy (2013–2018): 2013 Tomb Raider → Rise → Shadow—Crystal's third continuity. They were separate; Crystal is merging them into a unified timeline with Survivor as Lara's origin—Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst are part of that plan. See why the series rebooted for the studio handoffs.

Three main continuities match three creative resets—not just sequels. Classic Core (1996–2003): Core Design in the UK, Eidos publisher—grid-based PS1/PC tombs through Angel of Darkness; AoD's troubled launch ended Core's mainline run. Legend era (2006–2008): Crystal Dynamics (US) took over and soft-rebooted with Legend—new story, not a follow-up to AoD. Survivor trilogy (2013–2018): Crystal rebooted again with a younger Lara, survival action, and Trinity—Square Enix published after buying Eidos. Upcoming Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst: Crystal leads development (Flying Wild Hog co-develops Legacy), Amazon Game Studios publishes—aiming to unify Survivor as Lara's origin with later adventures. You do not need to play all three continuities; pick one path from the start question.

Play Tomb Raider (2013) first (Yamatai), then Rise of the Tomb Raider (Siberia, about a year later), then Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Americas, about a year after Rise). Release order matches story order for these three. DLC episodes (Blood Ties, Baba Yaga, The Nightmare, etc.) expand hubs—optional, after each game's main campaign.

Remakes & editions

Optional & spin-offs

Announced at The Game Awards 2025 for February 12, 2027 (US)—Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog's Unreal Engine 5 reimagining of the classic Peru/Natla adventure, published by Amazon Game Studios. Tied into the unified timeline where the Survivor trilogy is Lara's origin. Also planned for Nintendo Switch 2. Not a 1:1 copy of the 1996 game. Tomb Raider: Catalyst is a separate upcoming title stated to take place years after Underworld—no firm release date here; check official Crystal Dynamics news.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.