Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is one of the most anticipated games coming in 2027. The remake of the iconic 1996 original promises expanded environments and storytelling and modernised gameplay, and a new-look Lara Croft that most fans seem to actually approve of.
Developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have been sharing a series of behind-the-scenes videos revealing their priorities and the challenges faced in designing the game, and that includes making the intrepid archaeologist more agile than ever. The latest focuses on Lara's enhanced traversal movement and the decision to include iconic athletic acrobatic movements like cartwheels, handstands swan dives.
While the video doesn't include new footage, the BTS reveals the importance developers are giving to the fluidity and physicality of Lara's movements, including moves introduced in later titles in the Survivor trilogy. That includes ensuring that the jumping and climbing feel quintessentially Lara.
For creative director Michał Kuk, there are "multiple subtle things that make it Lara Croft climbing, not someone else. It's through animations, it's through the dynamics of the animation – how fast she's jumping from one ledge to another, how far will be her leap of faith. All of that was the biggest issue for us".
Principal technical game designer Grzegorz Grzywacz mentions the importance of subtle details like how Lara will turn her head if she pauses while climbing to indicate when she's being pursued.
Meanwhile, Alix Wilton Regan, the leading voice, face, and performance capture actor for Lara Croft, says she underwent a regime of weight training, running and rock climbing to prepare her to step into Lara's boots, just like an actor would do for a movie role..
Another behind-the-scenes video in the series show more footage from motion capture sessions, while others focus on the design of the game's environment and creatures (see below).
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will be released on 12 February 2027.
