There are very few game series that have actually lasted the test of time in this quickly changing world of video game creation. Tomb Raider is one of those select series, with more than 20 years of regular releases. Looking into all the tomb raider games in order is worth a shot.
It can be overwhelming to know where to begin, given that there are enormous generational leaps, multiple spin-offs, and a large number of volumes in the tomb raider game series. You should be aware that there are currently 17 primary Tomb Raider games available. Let’s learn all the 17 tomb raider games in order chronologically in this article.
Tomb Raider is a well-known gaming brand that has contributed to the development of the action–adventure subgenre. It also stands out as one of the first major franchises to include a female protagonist. Given that Tomb Raider has now been around for more than 20 years, it is only natural that the games have developed and altered over time. So, let’s see all those changes and installments by learning tomb raider games in order as a whole.
In This Article
All Tomb Raider Games In Order
To discuss the tomb raider games in order, we must go back over 25 years. It’s gonna be an interesting ride. Tomb Raider’s overall design hasn’t changed, and it’s one of those games that every gamer should play at least once. Let’s see all the highs and lows that this Tomb Raider game has experienced.
1. TOMB RAIDER
Release Date: Oct 25, 1996
Storyline:
This is the first Tomb Raider games in order release. In this game, Lara Croft is looking for three Scion artefacts that are dispersed throughout the world. Although it has certainly aged, this original edition still has a tonne of puzzles and a compelling plot.
Platforms Supported: Sony PlayStation, Classic Mac OS, N-Gage, iOS, Android & Sega Saturn.
2. TOMB RAIDER II
Release Date: Oct 31, 1997
Storyline:
In this game, Lara Croft looks for the fabled Dagger of Xian and runs into numerous difficulties. Players can once again explore an enhanced version of Croft Manor in this second release of Tomb Raider games in order list i.e, Tomb Raider II.
Platforms: Classic Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, Android & Sony PlayStation.
3. TOMB RAIDER III: ADVENTURES OF LARA CROFT
Release Date: Nov 20, 1998
Storyline:
The next in Tomb Raider games in order is Adventure of Lara Croft. Players weren’t treated with as many improvements in Tomb Raider III, but this game places more emphasis on exploring. The action from the second game has been slightly toned down, and the levels are bigger and more intricate than before.
Lara Croft has been employed in Tomb Raider III to locate four artefacts made from an old meteorite. These powerful treasures are stashed away all around the world. This game’s narrative is quite captivating, and it even has a cute little twist toward the end.
Platforms Supported: Sony PlayStation, Classic Mac OS and Microsoft Windows.
4. TOMB RAIDER: THE LAST REVELATION
Release Date: Nov 19, 1999
Storyline:
The final Tomb Raider game to be released in the 1990s does not significantly advance the series. There is a lot of tomb raiding action to be found here, but there aren’t many new elements, and the plot is familiar from the earlier games as we saw above while enlisting Tomb Raider games in order.
The graphics have now gradually improved to the point where they hardly resemble those from the original game. Because Lara Croft’s model is more fluid and less rigid, the platforming segments feel much more organic.
Platforms Supported: Microsoft Windows, Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation & Classic Mac OS.
5. TOMB RAIDER (GAME BOY COLOUR)
Release Date: Jun 8, 2000
Storyline:
This version in the list of Tomb Raider games in order wasn’t nearly as difficult or sophisticated as the first four games because it was launched for a different platform. Although it was based on a 2D platform, it provided the series with a much-needed change. For the portable consoles, it was the first Tomb Raider game ever created.
Platform Supported: Game Boy Colour
6. TOMB RAIDER: CHRONICLES
Release Date: Nov 17, 2000
Storyline:
It didn’t take the Tomb Raider franchise very long to follow as the millennium changed. In this game, Lara Croft is assumed to be dead, and three of her friends and colleagues reminisce about her early escapades as the action unfolds.
This story’s action takes us through the catacombs of Rome, a submarine belonging to the Russian Navy, and an island that is cursed by evil spirits. With a small update to the graphics, the gameplay mechanics in this game are substantially the same as those in the 4th release in Tomb Raider games in order list i.e, Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation.
Supported Platforms: Sony PlayStation, Classic Mac OS, Microsoft Windows and Sega Dreamcast.
7. TOMB RAIDER: CURSE OF THE SWORD
Release Date: Jun 25, 2001
Storyline:
The first Tomb Raider game we saw earlier as the first release in Tomb Raider games in order list was recreated in this Curse of the Sword. With the exception of the fact that it was created for the Game Boy Colour and was played on a 2D platform, it shared many similarities with the original game in the franchise.
The game never really caught on, and no other gaming platforms ever received a copy of it. As a result, rather than being a crucial component of the franchise’s expansion, it is viewed as more of a footnote.
Platforms Supported: Game Boy Colour
8. TOMB RAIDER: THE PROPHECY
Release Date: Nov 12, 2002
Storyline:
The third handheld game in the series was titled The Prophecy. For the Game Boy Advance, just one edition was made available. A top-down isometric view was one of the advantages of this new addition that set trends.
The game was better suited for the newer, more sophisticated Game Boy Advanced platform because of the graphics, which were considerably better, more intricate, and more complicated. The storylines, features, and gameplay, however, remained the same as we have seen so far in this Tomb Raider games in order list.
Platform Supported: Game Boy Advance
9. TOMB RAIDER: THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS
Release Date: Jun 17, 2003
Storyline:
The next in the ride of Tomb Raider games in order list is the Angle of Darkness. Tomb Raider received a tonne of visual upgrades and optimizations when it finally made the switch to the PlayStation 2. In this game, there are fewer puzzles to solve, and the plot is told in a somewhat different way.
Lara Croft travels around Europe in The Angel of Darkness in an effort to clear her name after her mentor was discovered dead. This game’s gameplay wasn’t extremely innovative, and it received some negative reviews once it was released. The main gameplay principles, with a few extra movement techniques sprinkled in, were very monotonous.
Platforms Supported: Sony PlayStation 2, Mac OS and Microsoft Windows.
10. TOMB RAIDER: LEGEND
Release Date: Apr 7, 2006
Storyline:
When Tomb Raider: Legend transitioned to a new console generation, it set out to revamp the series and win back the players who had grown bored of playing uninspired sequels. Lara Croft’s origins were reinvented in this reboot, which also followed her on her quest to find the legendary sword Excalibur.
The surroundings were far superior to anything we had ever seen before in Tomb Raider games in order list, and the campaign’s constant switch between action and puzzles kept gameplay interesting.
Platforms Supported: Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 3, PSP, Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and Xbox.
11. TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY
Release Date: Jun 1, 2007
Storyline:
Just over a year later, the sequel to this Tomb Raider reboot was released, and it was basically just a rehash of the 1996 original plot. The game’s new gameplay concepts are used to enhance the action while largely maintaining the same plot as before as we saw above in Tomb Raider games in order list.
This is fantastic news for Tomb Raider: Anniversary fans who enjoyed the first game. The franchise needed to get back to its roots in order to revive some of that lost fire, and thrilling combat and challenging puzzles provided just that.
Platforms Supported: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 3, PSP, Sony PlayStation 2, Wii, MacOS and Xbox 360.
12. TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD
Release Date: Nov 18, 2008
Storyline:
The next in the list of Tomb Raider games in order is Underworld. It was immediately clear that Tomb Raider: Underworld would have a darker plot than its predecessors when Lara Croft’s home burst into flames. Following the events of Tomb Raider: Legend, Lara Croft keeps searching for Avalon’s entrance while running into the usual assortment of challenges and excitement.
The gameplay developed into something much more simplified as the aesthetics kept getting better. Players had to take caution when navigating the terrain, the dynamic combat was faster than ever, and some of the puzzles required quite a bit of thought.
Platforms Supported: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Sony PlayStation 2, Nokia N-Gage 2.0 and macOS.
13. LARA CROFT AND THE GUARDIAN OF LIGHT
Release Date: Aug 18, 2010
Storyline:
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light was an intriguing sequel with a focus on cooperative play, dropping the Tomb Raider title from the game for the first time. The gameplay’s unique dynamic was enhanced by the fixed-perspective isometric view, and enthusiasts will appreciate the game’s strong focus on puzzles.
Another significant first for the series was the inclusion of multiplayer. Totec was a legendary Mayan warrior that can be controlled by players. Every character has unique skills and abilities that are appropriate for specific tasks.
Platforms Supported: Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 3, iOS, Android and Xbox.
14. TOMB RAIDER 2013
Release Date: Mar 5, 2013
Storyline:
In this game series, some of Lara’s death animations were so graphic that you might recoil in terror. The gameplay felt really grounded and realistic as a result of the fantastic graphics.
This game’s scenario takes place on a long-lost Japanese island and has some of the most flexible stages in the series. Lara, who is recovering from a shipwreck, needs to find other survivors and have to figure out what’s going on on the island.
Platforms Supported: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, macOS, Nvidia Shield, Xbox One and Google Stadia.
15. LARA CROFT AND THE TEMPLE OF OSIRIS
Release Date: Dec 9, 2014
Storyline:
The next in the list of Tomb Raider games in order is Lara croft & the Temple of Osiris it functions somewhat as a sequel to Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. The same camera setup is present, and cooperative gaming is given a lot of attention here.
In order to destroy the wicked god Set, Lara Croft teams up with Carter Bell, the goddesses Isis and Horus, and other characters in the plot. Even though the plot diverges, it’s an intriguing change.
Since Guardian of Light, the sole significant change is that players now have a choice of four characters, each with a unique set of skills. The visuals and gameplay mechanics are basically unchanged.
Platforms Supported: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows
16. RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER
Release Date: Nov 10, 2015
Storyline:
In Rise of the Tomb Raider, which serves as a prequel to the 2013 remake, Lara Croft continues the narrative by exploring Siberia in quest of the fabled city of Kitezh. Little has changed since the previous game; the open-ended levels are fun to explore and the graphics are still breathtaking.
Although there have been some minor adjustments made to the battle, it still has a gritty feel to it. For those who would want to stay out of the action, there is a wide selection of weapons available as well as some excellent stealth mechanics. Lara has the capacity to learn new languages, which enables her to find artefacts and gain new combat abilities in this Tomb Raider games in order release.
Platforms Supported: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Google Stadia, Linux and Xbox 360.
17. SHADOW OF THE TOMB RAIDER
Release Date: Sep 14, 2018
Storyline:
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the last game in the Tomb Raider games in order series (so far!). This is the third game from the most recent relaunch, and it still has wonderful scenery and a compelling plot.
Following the Rise of the Tomb Raider, Lara Croft and her companion Jonah Maiava attempt to dismantle the Trinity organisation in the tale. On your quest, you’ll investigate deep jungles, secret cities, and even oil fields.
Platforms Supported: Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Google Stadia.
Watch The Evolution Of Tomb Raider Games In Order
The correct Tomb Raider games in order are; Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II, Tomb Raider III: Adventures Of Lara Croft, Tomb Raider: The Lst Revelation, Tomb Raider (Game Boy Colour), Tomb Raider: Chronicles, Tomb Raider: Curse Of The Sword, Tomb Raider: The Prophecy, Tomb Raider: The Angle Of Darkness, Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light, Tomb Raider 2013, Lara Croft And The Temple Of Osiris, Rise Of The Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
Wrapping Up
Wasn’t that a very remarkable list of all the tomb raider games in order? We are eager to find out what Lara Croft’s future adventures will entail in future. I hope everything was clear and crisp.
We’re hoping Lara will emerge on next-generation consoles this year or next, but until then, tell us which Tomb Raider game is your all-time favorite in the comments below. With so many options, we anticipate receiving a wide range of responses. Visit Path of EX if you wanna stay upfront or want to read other games in order articles.
Happy Gaming!
FAQs
1. How To Play Tomb Raider Games In Order?
The correct Tomb Raider Games in order is Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II, Tomb Raider III: Adventures Of Lara Croft, Tomb Raider: The Lst Revelation, Tomb Raider (Game Boy Colour), Tomb Raider: Chronicles, Tomb Raider: Curse Of The Sword, Tomb Raider: The Prophecy, Tomb Raider: The Angle Of Darkness, Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light, Tomb Raider 2013, Lara Croft And The Temple Of Osiris, Rise Of The Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
2. From Where Should I Start To Play The Tomb Raider Trilogy?
Rise Of The Tomb Raider is the 2nd survival trilogy part, but you can play it first as you wish.
3. Are All Tomb Raider Games Connected To One Another?
Yes
