"Tomb Raider Games: Chronological Play Guide"

Lara Croft, the iconic protagonist of the Tomb Raider series, has been captivating gamers since her debut in 1996. With a rich history of exploring ancient ruins and overcoming perilous obstacles, Lara has cemented her place as one of the most beloved characters in video game history. As excitement builds for the new Tomb Raider game currently in development at Crystal Dynamics, we've put together a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the series' extensive catalog, whether you're starting fresh or revisiting these classic adventures.

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How Many Tomb Raider Games Are There?

As of 2025, there are a total of 20 Tomb Raider games, spanning three distinct timelines: the Original Saga, the Legend of Tomb Raider, and the Survivor Trilogy. Each timeline offers unique plotlines and variations on Lara Croft and her companions. Out of these, 14 games are available on home consoles, with 6 also playable on handheld devices and 6 on mobile platforms. Stand-alone titles such as Tomb Raider: The Prophecy, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Lara Croft Go, Lara Croft: Relic Run, and Tomb Raider Reloaded are not included in our chronological lists.

Which Tomb Raider Should You Play First?

If you're new to the franchise in 2025, we highly recommend starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. This game kicks off the "Survivor" trilogy, which follows Lara Croft's latest series of adventures culminating in 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

Embarking on a chronological journey through the Tomb Raider series involves navigating three separate timelines:

• Original Saga Timeline
• Legend of Tomb Raider Timeline
• Survivor Trilogy Timeline

First Timeline - Original Saga

1. Tomb Raider (1996)

In the inaugural Tomb Raider game, Lara is commissioned by Jacquelin Natla to recover the Scion of Atlantis. After collecting all three fragments scattered worldwide, she faces betrayal and battles Natla on a monster-filled volcanic island.

Available on: PlayStation, iOS, Android, Mac OS | IGN's Tomb Raider Review

2. Tomb Raider: The Curse of the Sword (2001)

Exclusive to the Game Boy Color, this sequel follows Lara as she seeks to destroy a mystical sword before it can be used by the resurrected Madame Paveau to unleash dark magic on the world.

Available on: Game Boy Color | IGN's Curse of the Sword Review

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

Lara embarks on a quest for the Dagger of Xian, a magical weapon that can transform its wielder into a dragon. Her adversary, cult leader Marco Bartoli, also seeks the dagger for its transformative powers.

Available on: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN's Tomb Raider II Review

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

Lara's mission is to find the Infada Stone, one of four artefacts crafted from a meteorite. She must thwart Dr. Willard's plans to use these stones to mutate the planet.

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN's Tomb Raider III Review

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

While exploring an Egyptian tomb, Lara unwittingly releases the god of chaos, Set. She teams up with Semerkhet to summon Horus, the only hope to stop Set's destruction of Cairo.

Available on: PlayStation, Mac OS, PC, Dreamcast | IGN's The Last Revelation Review

6. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)

Following the uncertain ending of The Last Revelation, Lara's friends recount her past adventures, from Roman catacombs to haunted islands, solidifying her legacy.

Available on: PlayStation, PC, Mac OS, Dreamcast | IGN's Tomb Raider: Chronicles Review

7. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)

Framed for the murder of her mentor Werner Von Croy, Lara travels through Paris and Prague to clear her name, encountering Kurtis Trent, the last of the Lux Veritatis Society.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, Mac OS X | IGN's Angel of Darkness Review

Second Timeline - Legend of Tomb Raider

1. Tomb Raider Anniversary (2007)

A remake of the 1996 original, this game revisits Lara's quest for the Scion of Atlantis with enhanced puzzles and physics-based gameplay.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, Mobile, OS X, PS3 | IGN's Tomb Raider Anniversary Review

2. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)

A reboot and reimagining of Lara's origins, she races to find the mythical sword Excalibur before her former friend Amanda Evert.

Available on: GBA, Gamecube, PC, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360 | IGN's Tomb Raider: Legend Review

3. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

The final installment of the Legend trilogy, Lara searches for Mjolnir, the key to Helheim, confronting the villainous Natla once more.

Available on: Nintendo DS, PS3, Wii, PC, Xbox 360, Mobile, PlayStation 2, OS X | IGN's Tomb Raider: Underworld Review

Third Timeline - Survivor Trilogy

1. Tomb Raider (2013)

In this grittier reboot, Lara's expedition to find Yamatai goes awry, stranding her on an island where she must stop the Solarii Brotherhood and the ritual of Ascension.

Available on: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, OS X, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Linux | IGN's Tomb Raider (2013) Review

2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)

Lara journeys to Siberia in search of Kitezh, battling the paramilitary group Trinity and the legendary Deathless Ones.

Available on: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PS4, macOS, Linux, Stadia | IGN's Rise of the Tomb Raider Review

3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)

The concluding chapter of the Survivor Trilogy, Lara races through the Americas to prevent a Mayan apocalypse, facing the monstrous Yaaxii and Trinity.

Available on: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Linux, macOS, Stadia | IGN's Shadow of the Tomb Raider Review

How to Play ALL the Tomb Raider Games By Release Date

• Tomb Raider (1996)
• Tomb Raider II (1997)
• Tomb Raider III (1998)
• Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
• Tomb Raider (Game Boy Color, 2000)
• Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)
• Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (Game Boy Color, 2001)
• Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (GBA, 2002)
• Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
• Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
• Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
• Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010)
• Tomb Raider (2013)
• Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (2014)
• Lara Croft: Relic Run (2015)
• Lara Croft Go (2015)
• Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
• Tomb Raider Reloaded (2023)

What's Next for Tomb Raider?

For fans eager to relive the original adventures, Aspyr has released remastered collections for current-gen consoles. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered launched in early 2024, followed by Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered in February.

Crystal Dynamics is actively developing a new Tomb Raider game, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and set to be published by Amazon Games. While details remain scarce, Crystal Dynamics has hinted on Twitter that this new title will continue Lara Croft's saga, suggesting it may extend the Survivor trilogy that concluded with Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018.

Beyond gaming, Netflix's animated series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, premiered in October and has already been renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, Amazon's planned series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as writer and executive producer appears to have been shelved.