Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog are prioritizing Lara Croft’s signature acrobatic prowess in the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a reimagining of the 1996 debut adventure. This new take aims to bring back the high-flying movement and agile combat that defined early Lara Croft titles, contrasting with the more grounded approach of the recent reboot series.
Game director Raul Siqueira highlighted the importance of Lara's distinctive movement. "Lara Croft doesn’t step to the side; she cartwheels to the side, because she’s fast, because she’s agile, because she can do all of those things," he explained, emphasizing that her physicality is central to her character. Creative director Michal Kuk added that even a standard jump needed to feel distinctly like Lara Croft's, not just a generic jump.
The development team is committed to reintroducing classic Lara abilities, including handstands and swan dives. Principal technical game designer Grzegorz Grzywacz stated, "She's moving confidently, with all these acrobatics, climbing and jumping. That's what makes Lara, Lara."
To embody this physicality, voice actress Alix Wilton Regan engaged in extensive training. "I did a lot — I still do a lot — of weight training, running, yoga, rock-climbing," Regan shared. She expressed a particular fondness for rock climbing, describing it as "my jam." Regan's dedication extended to motion capture sessions, where she was seen solving puzzles and navigating treacherous environments. "She is very, very strong. She is very, very capable. …I really wanted to bring that confidence to Lara," she said.
Fans have reacted positively to the developers' focus on Lara's classic moves. "This is the NUMBER ONE thing for me — I’m so grateful the devs are focusing on Lara’s movement and advertising it as a major factor in defining her," one player commented on YouTube. Another added, "Her acrobatics are a part of her character. Literally no one else has or ever done it like her. Thank you for bringing it back to life!" The return of specific abilities like the handstand and swan dive has also been met with praise.
Regan recounted the intensity of her motion capture work, noting that sessions could last up to three weeks at a time, involving long hours in the mocap suit. IGN previewed the game at Summer Game Fest 2026, with reviewer Simon Cardy suggesting that the title "makes a 30-year-old adventure feel brand-new."
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is now scheduled for release on February 12, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.