The next Tomb Raider game appears to have leaked ahead of The Game Awards, giving fans an early look at Lara Croft’s redesigned appearance, the new title, and several in-game screenshots. According to these reports, the project is called Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and it aims to blend classic series roots with the modern reboot tone that defined the most recent trilogy.
A New Tomb Raider After Years
The Tomb Raider franchise has been relatively quiet since 2018’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider concluded the reboot trilogy that began in 2013. Aside from remasters and re-releases, there has not been a truly new mainline entry, which is why any hint of a fresh game immediately draws attention from long-time fans. However, several TV series have been announced in the past few years. One of them is Prime Video’s Tomb Raider.
An official announcement had already confirmed that the “future of Tomb Raider” would be revealed at The Game Awards 2025, building hype around the brand’s comeback. The leak has simply pushed that excitement higher by offering a glimpse of what this future might look like before the show even begins.
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Title Reveal: Legacy of Atlantis
The most striking part of the leak is the game’s proposed title, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. The name strongly suggests a story centered around the legendary lost city, a theme that fits perfectly with the series’ obsession with ancient myths and forgotten civilizations.
Reports claim that Legacy of Atlantis is not just a new chapter, but a retelling of the very first 1996 Tomb Raider game, updated for modern audiences. This approach allows the developers to revisit iconic moments from Lara’s earliest adventure while reshaping them to match the character growth and gritty tone of the reboot era.
A Hybrid Lara: Classic Meets Reboot
Leaked images hint at a Lara Croft design that mixes elements from both the original and reboot versions of the character. Her silhouette, stance, and overall attitude feel closer to the confident, experienced Lara fans know from the classic era, but the model and facial style are clearly influenced by the more grounded reboot interpretation.
One of the most talked‑about details is the cover pose, which reportedly mirrors the official teaser image previously shared by The Game Awards. This visual overlap has convinced many fans that the leak is authentic, since it suggests coordination between the teaser marketing and the leaked artwork.
Visuals: Jungles, Ruins, And Acrobatics
The screenshots showcase the kind of environments and action that define Tomb Raider at its best. Fans can spot lush jungle backdrops, ancient ruins, and vertical spaces designed to highlight Lara’s athletic traversal abilities.
These scenes hint at gameplay built around climbing, leaping, and navigating elaborate structures, echoing the “classic Tomb Raider” feel that long‑time players often ask for. At the same time, the visual detail in foliage, lighting, and architecture shows how far the series has come in terms of graphical fidelity compared to its 1996 origins.
“Going Back To Its Roots”
The central promise behind Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis seems to be a return to the franchise’s roots. By retelling the first game’s core premise with a modern engine and the more nuanced version of Lara from the recent trilogy, the developers can appeal both to nostalgic fans and newcomers.
This “back to the beginning” philosophy suggests a heavier focus on tomb exploration, puzzle‑solving, and myth‑driven storytelling rather than purely cinematic action. If executed well, it could restore the balance between survival mechanics and intricate level design that many players associate with peak Tomb Raider.
Connection To The 1996 Original
The original Tomb Raider, released on November 14, 1996, laid the foundation for 3D action‑adventure games with its blend of exploration, platforming, and environmental puzzles. Developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive, it quickly turned Lara Croft into one of gaming’s most iconic protagonists.
Legacy of Atlantis appears to honor that heritage by revisiting the same basic concept—an elite archaeologist tackling deadly ruins and supernatural mysteries—while reshaping it through modern storytelling and technology. References to Atlantis in the title further echo the 1990s games’ fascination with ancient, otherworldly locations.
Engine And Technical Direction
Details in the article mention Crystal Engine as the underlying technology associated with the project. This would align with the series’ more recent entries, which used proprietary tech tuned for cinematic presentation, large hub areas, and detailed character models.
Using a battle‑tested engine could allow the team to focus on sophisticated level layouts, physics‑driven puzzles, and responsive traversal rather than building tools from scratch. For players, that potentially translates to smoother animation, richer environments, and more dynamic set pieces while still feeling like a true Tomb Raider experience.
The Game Awards 2025 Reveal
While the leak has revealed plenty of early information, fans will still need to watch The Game Awards 2025 for full confirmation. This year’s show is scheduled to begin on December 11, 2025, at 4:30 PM Pacific Time (7:30 PM Eastern), and is expected to stream across The Game Awards’ official YouTube and Twitch channels.
The event is marketed as the moment when the “future of Tomb Raider” will be unveiled, so Legacy of Atlantis will almost certainly play a central role if the leak is accurate. For content creators and fans alike, that makes the show a key opportunity to see gameplay, story details, and possibly a release window.
Other Major Announcements At The Show
Tomb Raider will not be the only big name at The Game Awards. The event will also feature a new look at Saros, a PlayStation‑exclusive title that has already generated curiosity thanks to earlier teasers.
In addition, a mysterious statue that has been used in marketing is widely believed to hint at a new Divinity game from Larian Studios. Although the organizers have not confirmed this outright, many fans expect the reveal to finally clarify what the statue has been teasing.
Why The Leak Matters For Fans
For long‑time Tomb Raider followers, this leak is significant because it promises a blend of nostalgia and evolution. Returning to the first game’s storyline acknowledges the series’ legacy, while the modernized Lara and upgraded visuals keep it aligned with current expectations for AAA adventures.
It also signals that the franchise is not stuck in remaster mode, but is actively moving forward with a new project that can redefine its identity for a new console generation. If Legacy of Atlantis delivers on the promise of deeper tomb design and a more confident Lara, it could become a new entry point for players who never experienced the 1996 original.
Final Thoughts On Legacy of Atlantis
Until The Game Awards officially confirms the details, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis remains an exciting but unverified leak. Still, the combination of the title, redesigned Lara, and familiar yet modernized environments neatly matches what many fans hoped to see from the franchise’s next step.
For now, the safest move for interested players is to treat the leak as a strong hint and tune in to the show to see how much of it turns out to be accurate. Whether as a straight reboot or a hybrid retelling, Legacy of Atlantis looks poised to bring Tomb Raider back to its roots while pushing Lara into a new era.