The iconic archaeologist-adventurer Lara Croft has returned with a Valentine's Day treat for fans as Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered launches today across all major gaming platforms. This collection brings three defining chapters of the Tomb Raider saga to modern hardware with significant enhancements while preserving the soul of these beloved classics.
Three Legendary Adventures Reborn
The collection features a trio of Lara's most challenging expeditions: Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999), Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000), and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003). Each title has been meticulously remastered with enhanced visuals that breathe new life into the environments, character models, and artifacts that defined these adventures.
One of the most impressive features is the ability to seamlessly toggle between the original graphics and the remastered visuals on the fly, allowing players to appreciate both the authentic experience and the modernized presentation.
Modern Gameplay Enhancements
Beyond the visual upgrades, the remaster introduces several gameplay improvements designed to make these classics more accessible to contemporary players while respecting their original design. Players can choose between the new modern control scheme—inspired by later Tomb Raider titles for smoother movement and camera handling—or the classic "tank-style" controls for those seeking the authentic experience.
Quality-of-life updates include the addition of boss health bars, a comprehensive Photo Mode for capturing Lara's adventures, and new achievements and trophies that celebrate iconic moments from the series. These enhancements maintain the challenging essence of the originals while addressing some of their more dated aspects.
Deep Dives into Tomb Raider History
For those interested in the development history behind these titles, the Tomb Raider team has published several fascinating interviews with the original creators:
- Andy Sandham and Richard Morton on Lara's characterization in TRIV & V
- Murti Schofield on writing The Angel of Darkness
- Richard Morton on the design of The Angel of Darkness
- Restoring cut content from The Angel of Darkness
These interviews offer valuable insight into Lara's character development during this pivotal era and reveal behind-the-scenes details about the games' creation, particularly the ambitious but troubled development of The Angel of Darkness.
Availability Across All Platforms
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is available now on all major gaming platforms:
TLDR;
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered launches today, bringing three classic adventures (The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and The Angel of Darkness) to modern platforms with enhanced graphics, optional modern controls, and new features like Photo Mode. Players can toggle between original and improved visuals on the fly, making this collection a must-have for both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Available now on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.