Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have shared a closer look at Lara Croft's design in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. Their October 22 PlayStation Blog feature explains how the team is building on her 1996 appearance.
The details behind a familiar face
Crystal Dynamics' Brendon Bengston describes layered hair cards, more responsive skin materials and custom facial blend shapes. These refine how her hair, expressions and skin respond.
For clothing, the team scanned real garments on a full-size mannequin based on Lara's body. A tailor made one outfit specifically for scanning, giving the digital version real folds to reference.
Aleksandra Skiba, Senior Character Concept Artist at Flying Wild Hog, frames the task around believability and recognition. The added detail still has to read as Lara.
A look that survives the changes
The supplied classic promotional render makes that recognition easy to see: the pale turquoise top, brown shorts, dark holsters and twin pistols create clear blocks of colour. The angular figure and spiral backdrop belong to a very different visual era from the foliage and textured clothing of the newer portrait.
Archival Tomb Raider promotional render, catalogued with the 1996 game's imagery. Historical context, not new Legacy of Atlantis artwork.
Project: Tomb Raider (1996)
Production: Core Design
Lara Croft and Tomb Raider belong to their respective rights holders.
Viewed beside each other, the images show how much can change around a recognisable outfit. In the new portrait, the backpack straps, pendant and weathered fabric reward a closer look.
A wide view of Vilcabamba from the official reveal gallery. Previously released promotional screenshot.
Project: Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Production: Crystal Dynamics / Flying Wild Hog
Lara Croft and Tomb Raider imagery and trademarks belong to their respective rights holders.
Thirty years in the frame
The anniversary artwork brings several versions of Lara into one composition. Their poses, outfits and weapons make the changes visible without needing a timeline. In Xbox Wire's October 21 anniversary feature, Crystal Dynamics' Meagan Marie reflects on the character's origins at Core Design and the generations of players who have followed her since.
Meagan Marie reflects on thirty years of Lara Croft, Xbox Wire
Tomb Raider 30th-anniversary promotional artwork brings different incarnations of Lara into one image.
Project: Tomb Raider 30th Anniversary
Production: Crystal Dynamics
Tomb Raider and Lara Croft imagery and trademarks belong to their respective rights holders.
Back to the first adventure
Legacy of Atlantis reimagines the original Tomb Raider with Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog. Crystal Dynamics lists Peru, Greece, Egypt and a Mediterranean island among its settings. The current official release date is February 12, 2027.
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