The upcoming remake of the original Tomb Raider, titled Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, is facing criticism for incorporating skill trees and crafting systems, features absent in the source material. Developers revealed these additions in a recent "Combat & Progression Reimagined" video detailing aspects of the game, which is slated for a February 2027 release on consoles and PC. The remake aims to evolve Lara Croft's progression, a departure from the original's action-adventure focus.
The newly introduced crafting system allows players to collect in-game items, such as herbs, to create consumables like "foods that give you buffs" or healing bandages. The game also features a skill tree, with initial examples including a 10 percent boost to Lara's weapon fire rate. Jason Epps, design director at Crystal Dynamics, stated in the video that the ability to increase Lara's power through in-game progression made him feel more engaged during the Survivor series.
However, this direction has drawn ire from many fans who preferred a return to the classic Tomb Raider formula. Discussions on the Tomb Raider subreddit reveal a sentiment that Lara Croft should already be a skilled protagonist, and the addition of skill trees undermines this established characterization. Phrases like "I don’t need her to improve over time in the game" and "Lara is already at her peak" reflect a desire for a game that does not require the player character to gradually gain abilities. Concerns have also been raised that these RPG mechanics detract from the core action and platforming elements that defined the original games.
Comparisons have been made to other remakes, such as Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which reportedly retained more of the original game's feel by avoiding the addition of extensive RPG skill trees found in newer entries in the series. The inclusion of crafting and skill progression in Legacy of Atlantis, alongside potential AI-generated assets, has significantly dampened excitement for the remake among a segment of the fanbase. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is scheduled to launch on February 12, 2027, with early access available two days prior for purchasers of premium editions.