Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis aims to reinvent Lara Croft's inaugural 1996 adventure. Developed by Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog using Unreal Engine 5, the remake has also incorporated "AI-assisted tools," a detail noted on the game's Steam page that has drawn controversy. An hour-long demo offered a glimpse into this reimagining, leaving a sense of cautious optimism tempered by concerns over design choices and the use of generative AI.
The preview begins with Lara emerging from a cave into a clearing dominated by a large waterfall. Lush rainforest soundscapes fill the audio environment as players explore the area. The immediate objective, lacking explicit narrative context, involves repairing a rope-and-pulley system to dam the falls by finding three missing gears scattered within ancient water temple ruins. While some light exploration is required to locate these components, their retrieval path is generally straightforward.
Ascending the temple ruins presents platforming challenges, primarily consisting of leaps across ledges above a swift water flume feeding the main waterfall. Falling into the current repeatedly forces Lara back to the start of the section, a roughly 30-second backtrack that becomes increasingly frustrating with multiple failures. While some falls were due to player error, many stemmed from a peculiar quirk in Lara's rope swing mechanic. Although the mechanic feels satisfying when successfully executed across large gaps, its activation is tied to a mid-air button press only recognized when the camera is precisely aimed at the grapple point. This requirement can lead to awkward camera angles that detract from the experience.
Upon reaching the temple's apex and solving the final puzzle, Lara manages to halt the water flow, leading into the demo's concluding sequence: an iconic chase. Entering a dense forest arena, Lara is cornered by velociraptors, prompting the use of her signature dual pistols. Combat feels impactful, enhanced by a new focus system that rewards acrobatic maneuvers. As Lara dodges and rolls, a focus bar fills, enabling a three-second bullet time window for precise aiming. Following an intense battle with the raptors, the formidable T. Rex appears, evoking childhood fears and underscoring the stakes of any misstep.
This final sequence tests the player's learned skills as the T. Rex pursues Lara down a muddy ravine. The aforementioned rope swing camera issue reappears, though developers theoretically have time to address it before release. Despite this, the chase remains thrilling. Lara's scramble across fallen trees and her final heroic leap to safety serve as a reminder of the Tomb Raider series' enduring appeal and the undeniable coolness of its protagonist.