Gamescom 2026 has concluded, and new details are emerging about the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. Hands-off previews have offered a glimpse into the game's reimagined Greece section, specifically showcasing the Sword of Damocles puzzle room within the larger St. Francis Folly level. This area requires Lara Croft to navigate a vertical cavern and solve mythology-themed puzzles to unlock a door.
Legacy of Atlantis is a remake of the original 1996 Tomb Raider, distinct from the 2007 reboot, Tomb Raider: Anniversary. While Anniversary introduced mechanics like a grappling hook and a combat focus meter that slowed time for precise shots, Legacy of Atlantis will also feature a focus meter. However, the prominent "shoot here" reticle from Anniversary is reportedly absent.
A significant point of discussion among previews is the inclusion of a scanning mechanic, which some players have already expressed displeasure with. This feature, which highlights interactive puzzle elements, is described as similar to Batman: Arkham Asylum's detective mode. While the scanning is said to be optional and can also be used for gathering lore, its inclusion has drawn criticism for potentially breaking immersion. Previews also confirm the return of a crafting system, inherited from the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot, allowing Lara to create items like food and potions for stat boosts and healing, a feature intended to address perceived anachronisms like finding med kits in ancient ruins.
Crystal Dynamics has also focused on improving enemy behaviors. In the St. Francis Folly level, bats will now swarm Lara rather than attacking individually, necessitating the use of her ice pick—a nod to the 2013 reboot—in addition to her firearms. Encounters with predators like leopards are also being updated; these enemies will use the environment to flank Lara and attack from unexpected angles. These enhancements are expected to make combat encounters, including those with centaur creatures, more dynamic.
The game will incorporate an RPG-like skill tree, allowing players to upgrade Lara's abilities. Previews suggest these skills can influence puzzle progression. For instance, a skill that increases Lara's shot range could allow players to disarm the falling swords in the Sword of Damocles puzzle before they become a hazard, offering an alternative traversal method. The extent to which skills can bypass puzzles remains to be seen, as this was the only example provided.
Exploration and discovery will also yield rewards beyond progression. Hidden artifacts, such as the Athenian Owl mentioned in previews, will unlock cosmetic changes, including outfits from previous Tomb Raider titles. Finding the Athenian Owl, for example, granted Lara her attire from Tomb Raider: Legend.