Tomb Raider is a franchise that needs no introduction: it is one of the longest-running franchises that has helped define a type of action-adventure.
It stands out as one of the first major franchises to feature a female character.
Tomb Raider has been around for more than two decades at this point, so naturally, games changed and became more prevalent over the years.
We will be going through Tomb Raider Video Games In Order ever released, giving a brief overview of each one in this list.
Let’s get started!
1. Tomb Raider
Platforms: SEGA Saturn, Sony PlayStation, MS-DOS, Classic Mac OS, N-Gage, iOS, Android
The first game in the franchise is the one that sets the tone for everything in sequence and the restart that will follow over the years.
Known as Tomb Raider, the game hit the shelves in 1996 and was re-released by Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation consoles, as well as MS-DOS. Tomb Raider introduces the character to the lead actor of the series, Lara Croft, with his two-gun signature.
The game has 3D levels, which was something back in 1996. While fighting, paradox, acrobatics, and experimentation.
2. Tomb Raider II
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation, Classic Mac OS, iOS, Android
The second game of Tomb Raider came out a year later. It does what it usually does: it builds on the foundation that was first established and expands on it by introducing new additions that help improve and make it easier to understand.
Basically, Tomb Raider II is not very different from the original, as it still focuses on multi-site exploration and involves a lot of puzzle-solving, albeit very focused on action.
There have been many improvements, such as improved graphics and new game tools that have helped to make them sound exciting and attractive, not to mention the new weapons.
3. Tomb Raider III
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation, Classic Mac OS
Tomb Raider III, also known as Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft, has kept the formula unchanged, for better or for worse.
The game involves various locations around the world. It takes a step back from the fun movement of the second game to focus more on exploration and complexity, like the original Tomb Raider.
Naturally, the engine was updated again. The game featured the best graphics, but as mentioned above, it did not deliver the significant changes to the tried and true formula already seen in the last two games.
4. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast, Classic Mac OS
The fourth game in the series of Tomb Raider Video Games In Order, Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, is the fourth game in the franchise and the first game in which franchise fatigue began to creep in.
As you might have guessed, The Last Revelation has added a bit beyond the usual technological advances – enhanced graphics, smooth gaming consoles, and new gear.
It’s one of the weakest links in the franchise and has really failed to stand out. And, as you might guess in the title, it originally had to be Tomb Raider’s last game.
However, due to the full popularity of the franchise, many games had to be upgraded, and several intermediate sequences would follow before the series would get its first soft start.
5. Tomb Raider (Game Boy Color)
Platforms: Game Boy Color
Next on the list of Tomb Raider Video Games In Order is the GBC game titled Tomb Raider was released in 2000.
Although it was not as well developed and complex as the first four games, this 2D arena has been a welcome change of pace for the series, and it was Tomb Raider’s first game. They were designed for a portable console.
6. Tomb Raider Chronicles
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast, Classic Mac OS
Next on the list of Tomb Raider Video Games In Order, As we have already mentioned, despite the fact that the devs planned to take Lara out of The Last Revelation, there was still a great need for Tomb Raider games, which means there should be more sequences.
This has led to the development of what may be the weakest link in the franchise – Tomb Raider Chronicles.
The game incorporates more than the same gameplay already seen in previous games, and with the release of the records, there was no denying that Tomb Raider needed to change if it wanted to survive.
7. Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword
Platforms: Game Boy Color
Curse of the Sword follows the first Tomb Raider game made for Game Boy Color, and it was also a 2D platform sensation that incorporates all the trademark features in the series.
But naturally, being an obscure GBC title that has never been moved on in any of the other forums is more than just a footnote in the history of the series.
8. Tomb Raider: The Prophecy
Platforms: Game Boy Advance
Next on our list of Tomb Raider Video Games In Order, is Tomb Raider: The Prophecy was the third hand-held Tomb Raider game and was explicitly released for Game Boy Advance.
Unlike the previous two games, which were side-scrolling, Prophecy showed an isometric view going up and down.
Yes, it had the best graphics and was the most sophisticated, as it deserved a new stadium at the time, very advanced.
9. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 2, macOS
Angel of Darkness was the last Tomb Raider game to be developed by Core Design’s original studio.
As you might guess, the game has been met with mixed reviews, though not for the reasons you can expect. The graphics are significantly improved compared to previous titles (courtesy of PlayStation 2), and the story is well received.
However, the game’s mechanics, The Angel of Darkness, were a low point for many instead of just being like. The controls felt awkward and inappropriate for the 2003 PS2 theme, the bugs bothered us, and the new hardware felt misused and over-the-top.
With all the mixed and negative reviews received by the Angel of Darkness and Chronicles, it was time for Tomb Raider to change – and certainly, it did.
10. Tomb Raider: Legend
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube
After the hostile reception of The Angel of Darkness, Tomb Raider IP was given to a new developer, Crystal Dynamics.
As expected, the new team had a unique perspective and introduced a game that successfully breathed new life into the franchise. We are talking about Tomb Raider: Legend.
Legend was a soft relaunch of the genre that started a new story and brought Lara Croft to the latest 7th generation of consoles.
Well, it was still released for the 6th generation consoles, but it was only on the new hardware that the new engine and images could really shine.
Aside from the beautiful scenery, Legend has shown the right balance of action and complexity. However, the puzzles have not been as severe as in the previous games, and fighting may expire and begin to feel much easier after a while.
In any case, Legend was a solid Tomb Raider game that was met with some positive reviews, and it was a sure step up for the next one.
11. Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, macOS
A year later, Legend, Tomb Raider, made a slight return to its roots by re-enacting in 2007 for the first game. Tomb Raider: Monument was rebuilt from scratch using the new engine introduced in Tomb Raider: Legend.
But while it ended up resembling a Legend, Anniversary took a step back from the light and bomb blast that defined Myth. It provided the Tomb Raider experience in an old school, and we did it artistically.
Sadly, despite being a high-profile re-enactment that received much praise from critics, it remained the best-selling Tomb Raider game to date, which may in part be due to challenging challenges and how different it was from Legend.
12. Tomb Raider: Underworld
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, Nokia N-Gage 2.0, macOS
Tomb Raider: Underworld came out in 2008, and with it, Crystal Dynamics ended the story started in Tomb Raider: Legend. However, Underworld was a mixed bag.
Although it has shown significant improvements in graphics, and in addition to the fact that the game feels smooth and very simple compared to Legend, it also sounds straightforward at times. It has shown some very negative levels that stand in stark contrast to the others.
In the end, the Underworld was not as well-received as the other Tomb Raider games, but it was still a talented addition that won the Legend a few points.
The battle was fast and intense, and the levels were thin, open to the test, and filled with good pitfalls.
13. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, iOS, Android
Released in 2010, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light noted an exciting change of pace in the series.
Remarkably, it did not manage the Tomb Raider type in the title, and it was a down-to-earth game that put an accent in a 2-player collaboration, although it is still entirely possible for one player.
This new take on Tomb Raider is very well done, which has led to some positive reviews from critics, at least about the actual game.
But while the plot and action are both excellent, the plot was not the focus of the game, which was probably unintentional.
14. Tomb Raider
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, macOS, Nvidia Shield, Google Stadia
In 2013, Tomb Raider saw an actual relaunch in the form of another game known as Tomb Raider.
The relaunch included many features that became common to third-person shooters and action-adventure games at the time. It also showcased the design process’s cover system and emphasized the facts, among other things, all of which took place at slightly open levels on the lost Japanese island.
Although it was hotter and bloody than any of the previous Tomb Raider games, calling the 2013 Tomb Raider a “real” game would extend the meaning. It has a beautiful view, is very focused on action, and the shooting is amazingly watery, fun, and engaging.
However, there are far fewer puzzles than in previous installments, and almost all the puzzling puzzles are optional.
15. Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris follow in the footsteps of Lara Croft and the Caretaker of Light, so it plays very similarly – an isometric camera with a consistent view and a collaborative mode, this time with a total of four playable characters.
As you can imagine, the Temple of Osiris did not add any significant new features and was not as large as the Guardian of Light, but it is still an excellent and must-have game for fans of its predecessors.
16. Rise of the Tomb Raider
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Google Stadia
This was followed by the relaunch of 2013, entitled Rise of the Tomb Raider. There is not much you can say about the Height, a capable series that adds several new improvements while “playing safely” by not making significant changes or trying any new ones.
Having said that, Rise of the Tomb Raider incorporates several open levels that can be explored, a sequence of glossy action, all this time which is a significant step forward from a technical point of view. It also has beautiful pictures that make its landscapes genuinely bright.
So, while many feel that conspiracy was not a strong point in the game, it has done so in some departments.
17. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Google Stadia
Finally, we have the latest main game in the series – Rise of the Tomb Raider, better known as Tomb Raider. And no, that naming convention will probably not go away anytime soon.
The game was developed by Eidos Montreal, though you would not guess, as the game remains the same in the previous two titles. It incorporates an exciting combination of action and exploration and emphasizes even the mysteries.
All in all, Shadow of the Tomb Raider received a good review. However, it may sound like a lot of water because of all the “test marks” engineers want to incorporate into modern action games, such as trading systems, secret instruments, and so on.
And that is our look at all the Tomb Raider games released so far!
If you are a fan of Tomb Raider games, make sure you come back from time to time, as we keep this list up to date by adding new titles.
