Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will put Lara’s classic acrobatics at the center of combat
Its Focus meter will charge when Lara deals or takes damage or dodges, then let her slow time to pull off acrobatic attacks.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will bring Lara Croft’s classic flips, dodges, and dual-pistol action into a new combat system when the reimagining arrives in 2026. Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog are building the game to preserve the spirit of the 1996 original while giving Lara’s acrobatics a more deliberate role in battle.
The project was presented as a full reimagining of the original Tomb Raider, and one of its main combat additions is a mechanic called Focus. Game director Raul Siqueira explained that the meter increases when Lara deals damage, takes damage, or dodges an incoming attack.
Once Focus is available, Lara can slow the action around her and perform the kind of acrobatic maneuvers associated with her PlayStation-era adventures. Siqueira said the system is meant to “showcase some of the things that Lara used to do” in 1996, giving players a way to turn those famously awkward jumps and somersaults into a combat advantage.
That means Lara’s movement will not only be about avoiding attacks. With Focus active, she can launch into an exaggerated jump while firing her pistols, bringing the frantic rhythm of the original games into a more controlled form. The design still leaves room for the chaotic approach longtime players may remember: jumping sideways, firing constantly, and hoping the wildlife goes down before Lara’s life bar does.
Getting the weapons right is just as important to the team. Siqueira said the dual pistols had to feel authentic because they are such a central part of Lara’s identity. Players will also be able to use only two pistols throughout the entire game if they want an extra challenge.
Creative director Michal Kuk confirmed that sticking with the dual pistols will be possible, though it will be harder and may take more time. Other weapons will be available, but the choice gives players a way to keep the loadout focused on Lara’s oldest signature.
Legacy of Atlantis will also include systems associated with the newer Tomb Raider games, including crafting and skill trees. The result is a game that connects Lara’s classic adventures with later design ideas without forcing players to abandon the dual-pistol style that helped define her.
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Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Developed by Crystal Dynamics, Flying Wild Hog
