The video game industry expanding day by day because of the new gaming technology and game series. The Tomb Rider is one of the games that have more than 17 series of games.
Moreover, the Title of Tomb Raider games is different from each other most gamers if hard to find out what is the correct order to play the Tomb Raider game series.
Here in this short, I have explained the correct Tomb Raider Games in order with some information about each game.
Tomb Raider
The first Tomb Raider game is released on October 25, 1996, for a few select platforms Sega Saturn, Sony PlayStation and MS-DOS and after it was released for Classic Mac OS, N-Gage, iOS, and Android.
Tomb Raider become one of the most selling video games on PlayStation. Because this game has 3D levels and it was hard to see something like that in 1996. Moreover, the game also has combat action, puzzle levels, exploration and more.
If you talk about the gameplay the plot of this game is based on Lara Croft will explore Peru, Greece, Egypt, and the lost city of Atlantis in order to find the Scion, a forgotten artifact in the game that also includes the combat using her dual pistols.
Tomb Raider II
After a year in 1997, the second version of the game is released the Tomb Raider II. This game is a Sequal of the Tomb Raider and its has improved features, mobility and controller for gamers.
In terms of the difference, we can say that there is not much difference between Tomb Raider II compare to Tomb Raider. The sequel also has combat action, puzzle levels, and exploration of different locations.
But the Tomb Raider II has better graphics, and gamer controllers along with new gameplay mechanics that allow the player to get a better gameplay experience.
Tomb Raider III
The Tomb Raider III was introduced on November 20, 1998, this game is also based on similar gameplay as Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider II.
There are some new locations of cities for exploration, puzzle games along with combat action. However, there are some differences such and more advanced graphics, and features but many differences in players’ controls.
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation
This is the fourth Tomb Raider game that was released on November 19, 1999, and the game titled Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation.
Well, this fourth game also has the same storyline, Lara Croft, has to explore cities and resolve the puzzles along with combat action in order to search for artifacts.
Moreover, this game has some technical improvements. Such as more advanced graphics, smoother gameplay mechanics along with new player controls.
At that time most gamers think this is the end of the Tomb Raider game series as we can know from the Title of the fourth game. However, that is not true and more Tomb Raider games had to be developed due to the popularity of Tomb Raider among gamers.
Tomb Raider – Game Boy Color
Later year in 2000 the new Tomb Raider game was related to Tomb Raider Game Boy Color this game is not similar to the previously released game. Because all Tomb Raider games that release before Tomb Raider GBC are in the 3D format and this game is in 2D Format.
More importantly, the controls, graphics and gameplay mechanics it lots different from previous games. Because this game was basically developed for a portable gaming console called Game Boy Color.
Tomb Raider Chronicles
After the release of Tomb Raider Game Boy Color, the new Tomb Raider game was released Tomb Raider Chronicles on the same November 17, 2000.
This game continues the story of the Tomb Raider Last Revelation however the gameplay of this game is similar to the previously released game. But in this game, Lara Croft gets both a stat tracker along with the grappling gun.
Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword
The Tomb Raider Curse of the Sword is basically the second version game of the first Tomb Raider Game Boy Color. This game also featured 2D graphics along with smoother animation. But this game has more story that is more unified and extensive.
Tomb Raider: The Prophecy
Tomb Raider The Prophecy is basically the third game that was released for the Game Boy Advance. More important this is not like the Tomb Raider Game Color Boy and Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword.
This game has new features such as the top-down isometric view but this game received some critical reviews because of the lack of control movements and gameplay. All the previous Tomb Raider game has the same Exploration and finding of the artifacts while in this game.
Lara Croft has to find the 3 mythical stones in order to stop the Great Grey One from coming back to life.
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
The Angel of Darkness is the first Tomb Raider game that was released for multiple gaming consoles such as Windows, PlayStation, and macOS on June 17, 2003. Moreover, this was developed by the Core Design.
However, this is the first failure of the Tomb Raider game series. This game has clunky controls along with the bug for PS2, issues with the game in focus and exploration and more. But the graphics of this game is more advanced and enhanced compared to all previous game.
Tomb Raider: Legend
After the failure of the Tomb Raider The Angel of Darkness the development of the game was transferred from Core Design to Crystal Dynamics.
Just after that on April 7, 2006, the Tomb Raider: Legend is released for almost all gaming consoles. Such as Microsoft Windows, PS2, PS 3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube.
This game is focused on more combat action and easily solves puzzles along with exploration. The graphics of the game are also enhanced along with the controls and gameplay machines. That why this game become one of the hits in the Tomb Raider game series.
Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Just after the release of Tomb Raider Legends and its success the developer Crystal Dynamics released Tomb Raider: Anniversary on June 1, 2007, a reboot version of the first Tomb Raider game.
This game was developed with new gameplay machines that were used in Tomb Raider Legends. The Anniversary game is focused on school-based puzzles. However, the story of the game is the same as the first Tomb Raider, in which Lara Croft explores the cities in order to find the artifacts.
Tomb Raider: Underworld
The Tomb Raider Underworld is the third game developed by Crystal Dynamics and it was released on November 18, 2008, for almost all gaming consoles.
The gameplay of Tomb Raider Underworld game is on the next level in terms of graphics, controls and gameplay machines. The game has an enhanced interactive environment along with some unexpected levels that are hard to complete.
This game is more advanced and has dynamic combat and the exploration is too short or linear along with the puzzles. But the Tomb Raider Underworld is not hit as the Tomb Raider Legends.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is released on August 18, 2010, and made and larger impact or change in the Tomb Raider game series.
This game has not had Tomb Raider in its Title and it was the first game that has multiple player feature a 2-player cooperative play. But you can also play this game solo if you want.
This game received great positive reviews because of the advanced graphics, controls and smoother gameplay along with multiple player feature.
Tomb Raider (2013)
This is the third reboot of the original Tomb Raider and it was released in 2013. This game has lots of new features along with advanced gameplay controls compare to all two Tomb Raider reboots.
The has new features like Lara Croft can be third-person shooters and action-adventure games at the same time. In this game, Lara has to rescue his friends from the Yamatai island and this game has fewer puzzles than the old tomb raider games.
This game is the first to adapt RPG-esque progression. In which players can get new weapons and upgrade their combat skills and more the Tomb Raider (2013) game sold 11 million copies and its become a hit in the Tomb Raider series.
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris
After the release of the Tomb Raider (2013) reboot of Tomb Rider. The developer Crystal Dynamics released Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris on December 9, 2014, a reboot of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.
As a reboot, the game has advanced graphics, and an isometric camera view along with the multiple-player option with 4 players option. This is more focused on 4 playable characters with different weapons and skills.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
The Rise of the Tomb Raider is the sequel to Tomb Raider (2013) and it was released on November 10, 2015. Mainly Rise of the Tomb Raider is concentrated on the progenitor with some new skills that Lara can learn throughout the game. This game has more advanced graphics, and controls compared to the Tomb Raider (2013).
Rise of the Tomb Raider is the first game that focused on an open world that allows Lara to explore the wildlife and collect stuff to craft new items.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
This is most recent game of the Tomb Rider game series is Shadow of the Tomb Raider which was released on September 14th, 2018. Basically, Shadow of The Tomb Raider is the sequel to Rise of the Tomb Raider.
The gameplay of this game is a lot similar to the Raise of the Tomb Raider there are only a few changes such as the new bartering system that allows Lara Croft to collect items and sell or trade the resources. This game ends when Lara is planning for their next adventure which means there will be the next game in the Tomb Raider series in future.
Final Words
These are all the games of the Tomb Raider series released until now. Hopefully this list is helpful for you and please share what is your favorite game in Tomb Raider series.
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