Something to look forward to: Core Design’s original Tomb Raider games have undergone numerous remakes and sequels throughout the franchise’s 27-year history. The latest version, scheduled for next year, will allow customers to easily enjoy the first three entries on modern hardware with optionally improved graphics and controls.
Remastered versions The original Tomb Raider and its first two sequels are scheduled to release on February 24, 2024 for $29.99. These remasters will be available on Steam, GOG, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series consoles and Nintendo Switch. Owners of the original versions on Steam or GOG can look forward to a pre-order discount of 20 percent.
These expanded editions are being developed by Aspyr Media, a company known for re-releases of titles such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II and Indigo Prophecy (also known as Fahrenheit). Aspyr is also currently in the process of creating a remake of the first Knights of the Old Republic game.
Check out TechSpot’s special feature: 27 Years of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft
The visual updates to the Tomb Raider games primarily include increased model detail and texture resolution, while level design remains unchanged. These remasters also feature quality of life improvements, including a modernized control scheme with lock-on functionality. Players have the option to switch between the new and classic graphics and controls. Additionally, the collection includes all expansions and secret levels for all three titles.
The minimum system requirements for the PC are mostly undemanding, but the need for at least a GeForce GTX 970 may be surprising given the screenshots. For comparison: Both Baldur’s Gate III and Cyberpunk 2077 list the same GPU in their minimum specifications. However, the Tomb Raider Collection only requires 2GB of storage space and is compatible with Windows 7.
In addition to the new improvements, these remasters offer customers an easy and official way to play the first three games, eliminating the need for tools like DOSBox that limit players to lower resolutions and frame rates. Some tech-savvy users have had access to various source ports, and one recently even added path tracing to the first entry.
Core Design’s original 1996 Tomb Raider was a groundbreaking action-adventure game that set trends in the transition to full 3D graphics and gameplay. It introduced players to the legendary heroine Lara Croft. The game spawned several sequels before Crystal Dynamics rebooted the franchise in 2013 and reimagined Croft. This version led to two subsequent versions and the developer is currently working with Amazon on a new entry that uses Unreal Engine 5.