When Lara Croft Conquered Fortnite's Island
Remember 2021, when gaming icons collided in spectacular fashion? As Tomb Raider celebrated its monumental 25th anniversary, the franchise's legendary heroine made her triumphant debut in Epic Games' battle royale phenomenon. Lara Croft dropped into Fortnite Chapter 2, Season 6, bringing decades of adventure experience to the island's chaotic battleground.
This wasn't just any ordinary character crossover. Fortnite players were treated to something special—the opportunity to play as Lara Croft across her evolutionary journey, with four distinct versions available through the Season's Battle Pass.
Four Faces of an Icon
The crossover paid homage to Lara's storied history by offering players a comprehensive collection of her most iconic looks:
-
Lara Croft (Classic) - The original polygon perfection that started it all, complete with the quintessential dual pistols and adventurer's outfit that defined gaming in the mid-90s.
-
Lara Croft (25th Anniversary) - A modern take on the classic, polished for the celebration while maintaining the nostalgic elements fans adore.
-
Lara Croft (Gold Anniversary) - The ultimate collector's variant, transforming our heroine into a gleaming golden trophy—a fitting tribute to her lasting legacy.
-
Lara Croft (Survivor) - Featuring the gritty, determined survivor from the reboot trilogy, showcasing Lara's evolution into a hardened adventurer.
Gearing Up Tomb Raider Style
Beyond just character skins, the Battle Pass delivered a treasure trove of Tomb Raider-themed accessories that players could unlock by progressing through various levels. The complete collection included:
- Survivor's Pack Back Bling - Essential gear for any expedition, straight from Lara's adventures
- Little Bird Emoticon - A nod to the wildlife encountered throughout Lara's journeys
- Both Eyes Open Spray - Showcasing Lara's focused determination
- Pry Axe Pickaxe - The perfect harvesting tool for resource gathering
- Spelunker's Special Contrail - Leave a trail worthy of cave exploration
- Evasive Maneuvers Emote - Dodge like the tomb raider herself
- Salvaged Chute Glider - Drop onto the island with improvised gear
- Banner Icon - Mark your territory with Tomb Raider insignia
Gaming Legacies Intersect
This collaboration represented more than just a marketing opportunity—it was a celebration of gaming history. Tomb Raider's influence on the action-adventure genre and female protagonists in gaming is immeasurable, while Fortnite has revolutionized the battle royale space and pop culture crossovers.
The partnership allowed younger gamers to experience Lara's evolution firsthand, while veterans could enjoy a dose of nostalgia amid Fortnite's frantic combat. Whether players preferred dual-wielding pistols as Classic Lara or wielding a bow as Survivor Lara, the crossover catered to fans of all eras.
A New Adventure in a New World
What made this collaboration particularly special was seeing how Lara's skillset translated to Fortnite's unique mechanics. The character who pioneered platforming, puzzle-solving, and archaeological adventure found herself building structures, riding vehicles, and battling in zero-gravity zones—a true fish-out-of-water scenario that somehow felt perfectly natural.
TLDR;
Tomb Raider celebrated its 25th anniversary in style back in 2021 by bringing Lara Croft to Fortnite Chapter 2, Season 6. Players could unlock four distinctive Lara skins (Classic, 25th Anniversary, Gold Anniversary, and Survivor) alongside eight themed accessories through the Battle Pass. This crossover bridged gaming generations, allowing players to experience different eras of the iconic character while battling for Victory Royale.