The Tomb Raider series has been a staple of the gaming world for over two decades, with a complex and intricate narrative that spans multiple games, reboots, and spin-offs. With the release of the latest games in the series, many fans are left wondering: what order do the Tomb Raider games go in? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of the series, explore the different timelines, and provide a comprehensive guide to playing the games in the correct order.
A Brief History Of Tomb Raider
The first Tomb Raider game was released in 1996 by Core Design and Eidos Interactive. The game introduced players to Lara Croft, a young and ambitious archaeologist who embarks on a perilous journey to uncover ancient secrets. The game was a massive success, praised for its innovative 3D gameplay, engaging storyline, and strong protagonist.
Over the years, the series has undergone several reboots, spin-offs, and changes in gameplay mechanics. In 2006, Crystal Dynamics took over the development of the series, releasing Tomb Raider: Legend, which marked a significant departure from the original games. The series continued to evolve, with the release of Tomb Raider (2013), which rebooted the franchise and introduced a new, more vulnerable Lara Croft.
The Classic Timeline (1996-2003)
The classic timeline includes the first six games in the series, developed by Core Design. These games follow the original Lara Croft as she embarks on various adventures, uncovering ancient secrets and battling rival treasure hunters.
The Original Trilogy (1996-1998)
The original trilogy consists of:
- Tomb Raider (1996)
- Tomb Raider II (1997)
- Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft (1998)
These games introduce players to Lara Croft and her early adventures, as she explores ancient ruins, fights against rival treasure hunters, and uncovers hidden secrets.
The Next Generation (1999-2003)
The next generation of games includes:
- Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
- Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)
- Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (2000) (a spin-off game for the Game Boy Color)
These games continue the story of Lara Croft, as she faces new challenges, explores new locations, and battles against powerful enemies.
The Legend Timeline (2006-2008)
The Legend timeline includes two games developed by Crystal Dynamics:
- Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) (a remake of the original game)
- Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
These games reboot the franchise, introducing a new, more agile Lara Croft, and a new storyline that explores her past and her relationships.
The Survival Timeline (2013-2018)
The Survival timeline includes three games developed by Crystal Dynamics:
- Tomb Raider (2013)
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
These games reboot the franchise again, introducing a new, more vulnerable Lara Croft, and a new storyline that explores her early adventures, her relationships, and her growth as a character.
Playing The Games In The Correct Order
If you’re new to the series, or if you’re looking to replay the games in the correct order, here’s a suggested order:
- Tomb Raider (1996)
- Tomb Raider II (1997)
- Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft (1998)
- Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
- Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)
- Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
- Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
- Tomb Raider (2013)
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
Note that this order follows the release order of the games, but also takes into account the different timelines and storylines.
Conclusion
The Tomb Raider series is a complex and intricate narrative that spans multiple games, reboots, and spin-offs. By understanding the different timelines and storylines, players can appreciate the evolution of the series, and enjoy the games in the correct order. Whether you’re a new fan or a seasoned veteran, the Tomb Raider series has something to offer, and this guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to exploring the world of Lara Croft.
What Is The Tomb Raider Series And Why Is Its Timeline Important?
The Tomb Raider series is a popular action-adventure game franchise that follows the exploits of Lara Croft, a British archaeologist and explorer. The series has been around since 1996 and has undergone several reboots and revisions over the years. The timeline is important because it helps to clarify the events and storylines of the various games, which can be confusing due to the reboots and revisions.
Understanding the timeline is also crucial for fans who want to follow the narrative of the series. It provides context and helps to explain the character development and relationships between characters. Additionally, the timeline is important for new players who want to jump into the series, as it provides a clear understanding of the story and characters.
What Are The Different Eras Of The Tomb Raider Series?
The Tomb Raider series can be divided into several eras, each with its own distinct storyline and gameplay mechanics. The original era, also known as the “Classic Era,” includes the first six games in the series, from Tomb Raider (1996) to Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003). The next era, known as the “Legend Era,” includes Tomb Raider: Legend (2006), Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007), and Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008).
The “Survivor Era” includes the 2013 reboot, Tomb Raider, and its sequels, Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015) and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). Each era has its own unique storyline and gameplay mechanics, and understanding the different eras is essential to grasping the overall narrative of the series.
How Does The 2013 Reboot Fit Into The Overall Timeline?
The 2013 reboot, simply titled Tomb Raider, is a retelling of Lara Croft’s origin story. The game takes place on a mysterious island, where Lara and her friends are stranded after a shipwreck. The game’s storyline is a self-contained narrative that explores Lara’s transformation from a young and inexperienced archaeologist to a confident and capable adventurer.
The reboot is a significant departure from the previous games in the series, and its storyline does not directly connect to the previous games. However, the game’s events do lay the foundation for the subsequent games in the Survivor Era, including Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
What Is The Relationship Between The Different Games In The Survivor Era?
The Survivor Era includes three games: Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). The games are directly connected, with each game building on the events of the previous one. The storyline follows Lara Croft as she searches for a powerful artifact, faces off against a secret organization, and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the world.
The games in the Survivor Era are designed to be played in sequence, with each game’s storyline and gameplay mechanics building on the previous one. Players who play the games in order will get the most out of the narrative and character development, as the games are designed to be a cohesive and connected storyline.
How Does The Legend Era Fit Into The Overall Timeline?
The Legend Era includes three games: Tomb Raider: Legend (2006), Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007), and Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008). The games are directly connected, with each game building on the events of the previous one. The storyline follows Lara Croft as she searches for a powerful artifact, faces off against a rival treasure hunter, and uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the world.
The Legend Era is a distinct storyline that takes place outside of the Classic Era and Survivor Era. The games in this era are designed to be played in sequence, with each game’s storyline and gameplay mechanics building on the previous one. However, the Legend Era is not directly connected to the other eras, and players can play these games as a standalone storyline.
What Is The Significance Of The Classic Era In The Overall Timeline?
The Classic Era includes the first six games in the series, from Tomb Raider (1996) to Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003). The games in this era are significant because they established the character of Lara Croft and the gameplay mechanics that would become a hallmark of the series. The Classic Era also introduced many of the characters and locations that would become central to the series.
However, the Classic Era is not directly connected to the other eras, and the games in this era are not designed to be played in sequence. The storyline and gameplay mechanics of the Classic Era are distinct from the other eras, and players can play these games as a standalone storyline.
How Can I Keep Track Of The Tomb Raider Timeline?
Keeping track of the Tomb Raider timeline can be challenging, but there are several resources available to help. Fans can use online wikis and timelines to keep track of the events and storylines of the various games. Additionally, the games themselves often include nods and references to previous games in the series, which can help to clarify the timeline.
Players can also use the games’ in-game journals and diaries to keep track of the storyline and characters. These journals and diaries often include notes and references to previous games, which can help to clarify the timeline. By using these resources, fans can keep track of the Tomb Raider timeline and enjoy the series to its fullest.