First-Look Tomb Raider redesign leaves fans stunned

Official images of a redesigned Lara Croft have been released, and Tomb Raider fans are thrilled.

No question, Tomb Raider is one of the most iconic video game series of all time, ever since making its debut in 1996, equipped with all of Lara Croft’s polygon assets.

Inspired by the Indiana Jones movies, Lara Croft travels the globe on the hunt for rare artefacts. However, much like Indy, those expeditions are never straightforward, and it’s not long until she’s involved with all sorts of world-ending shenanigans.

It’s a testament to all the developers over the years who have kept the series alive for decades, well, mostly. Not taking into account re-releases and remasters, the last new game in the series was Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018, and that’s a long time for fans to go without.

In 2022, Crystal Dynamics announced that it was working on a new Tomb Raider powered by Unreal Engine 5, with the following rumours claiming that it might be a remake of the original game.

Sadly, it’s all gone quiet when it comes to updates on the new Tomb Raider, which has many fans concerned that it’s ventured into limbo, otherwise known as developmental hell.

The Tomb Raider video game license is currently owned by Embracer Group after the company acquired the IP in 2022, along with other classic Square Enix series, Deus Ex and Legacy of Kain.

While we have no idea if or when a new Tomb Raider game is going to be released, at least it looks like Embracer Group hasn't forgotten about Lara Croft, even though it's not the release that most fans want.

In one of its most oddball collaborations yet, Lara Croft is coming to the popular asymmetrical multiplayer horror game, Dead by Daylight. Images of its version of our beloved globetrotter were shared on Reddit, and fans responded in kind.

Some of the images shown feature classic Lara Croft in her turquoise vest, backpack, cargo shorts, boots and gun holster. The other image has her in tactical gear, similar to an outfit in Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

“I will be really mad if the next main game Lara looks nothing like unified Lara. This design is just perfect,” said Redditor AntonioWilde.

“Shadow of the Tomb Raider has so many cool skins. I hope we get more down the line,” replied Belegurth062.

“Love the tactical gear outfit she’s getting. One of the coolest ones she had in Rise, and it’s nice seeing it get reused,” exclaimed G1Yang2001. “Hopefully, they’ll get Valiant Explorer, another great Rise outfit, too.”

Our fingers will be crossed that we’ll get an update on the new Tomb Raider game currently in development, and when that information drops, we’ll be sure to share that news.