Tomb Raider: Catalyst is a new Lara Croft adventure, not a remake of the 1996 Tomb Raider. The separate game announced alongside it, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, is the one described as a reimagining of Lara’s debut. Catalyst is set in Northern India and is currently listed for 2027 on Crystal Dynamics’ project page, though its timing has not been firmly reconfirmed.
What is Tomb Raider: Catalyst?
Tomb Raider: Catalyst is a forthcoming action-adventure game developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Amazon Game Studios under license. Crystal Dynamics says development began after its partnership with Amazon Games was announced in 2022. The official reveal presents Catalyst as a new story for Lara Croft, rather than a retelling of an existing game.
The studio describes Catalyst as powered by Unreal Engine 5 and calls it “the largest Tomb Raider world yet.” That is the studio’s promotional description, not an independently measured comparison. No hands-on gameplay findings or performance measurements are established in the available announcements.
Where is Catalyst set, and what is the story?
The game takes Lara to Northern India after a mythical cataclysm exposes ancient secrets and awakens mysterious guardian forces. Treasure hunters converge on the region. Lara searches for the truth while deciding which rivals and potential allies she can trust.
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- See the Classic & Remastered Visuals: Play with the original polygonal models or swap to the remastered graphics at any time.
- Travel the Globe: Follow Lara Croft around iconic locales including Cairo, Rome, Paris, and many more!
- Experience Lara’s Darkest Adventures: Uncover the secrets of Lara Croft’s past and shed light on the mystery of her disappearance.
- Languages: Voice: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean; Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified).
The announced environments include wilderness, mountains, deserts, jungles, ruins and lost tombs. Crystal Dynamics also points to vertically rich traversal, intricate puzzles, ancient mysteries and customizable adventure technology. These are reveal-level descriptions; the announcement does not provide detailed gameplay demonstrations or specifications for those systems.
Is Catalyst the reimagining of the 1996 Tomb Raider?
No. The two games announced together have different roles:
Rank #2
- Live the critically acclaimed, cinematic action adventure, re built specifically for next gen consoles
- Survive high octane combat, customize Lara's weapons and gear, and overcome grueling environments to uncover the island's deadly secret
- See Lara Croft like never before, with every bead of sweat, strand of hair, and article of clothing delivered in obsessive detail
- Endure a stunningly re imagined island, fraught with new, unforgiving storms, and alive with motion
- Own the complete Tomb Raider experience with all of the DLC, including the Tomb of the Lost Adventurer, six outfits for Lara, a digital mini art book, and the digital comic " The Beginning
| Title | What it is | Development and technology | Setting or premise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider: Catalyst | A new Lara Croft adventure | Developed by Crystal Dynamics; powered by Unreal Engine 5 | Northern India after a mythical cataclysm |
| Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis | A “true reimagining” of Lara Croft’s 1996 original | Developed by Crystal Dynamics with co-developer Flying Wild Hog; built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 | A reimagining of the original game; the announcement highlights refreshed environments, sound and gameplay |
The distinction matters: Legacy of Atlantis is the announced reimagining of the 1996 debut, while Catalyst is a separate, new adventure. Crystal Dynamics Studio Creative Director Noah Hughes said of the two projects: “Both games are designed to offer compelling experiences that longtime fans will love and new players can easily enjoy.”
Which platforms will get Catalyst?
Crystal Dynamics lists PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam for Catalyst on its official project page. The announcement does not establish other platforms.
Rank #3
- Reveal the Mysteries of the Past: The classic story has been expanded with deeper connections that bridge Lara Croft’s defining adventure to her future.
- Discover Extraordinary and Dangerous Worlds Lost to Time: Explore treacherous landscapes filled with ancient artifacts and hidden secrets, from the jungles of Peru to the crumbling ruins of Greece, the deserts of Egypt, and a mysterious island shrouded in myth.
- Skillfully Traverse Deadly Environments: Use Lara’s strength, agility, and grappling hook to climb, leap, and swing across perilous terrain.
- Solve Ingenious Ancient Contraptions: Manipulate water flow, redirect light beams, activate pressure plates, and decipher symbols to unseal secrets locked away for centuries. Every solution combines knowledge you’ve uncovered and clever thinking.
- Face Lethal Predators: Armed with Lara’s iconic dual pistols and other unlockable weapons, master acrobatic abilities to unleash devastating attacks against savage wildlife, mercenaries, and mythological creatures.
When does Tomb Raider: Catalyst come out?
Crystal Dynamics’ project page lists a 2027 launch window. That window remains the official listing, but updated timing is unsettled: in a July 24, 2026 report, Gematsu said Amazon Games had no new timing to share after an executive mentioned 2028, while saying development was progressing well. The 2028 date should therefore not be treated as a confirmed delay. Check the official project page for any change to the listed window.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What has not been announced?
The official reveal and project page do not provide named quantitative figures for Catalyst’s sales, budget, audience or measured game performance. The phrase “largest Tomb Raider world yet” is a studio claim, not a published numerical statistic. The announcements also do not establish a detailed launch date or additional platform list.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Reveal the Mysteries of the Past: The classic story has been expanded with deeper connections that bridge Lara Croft’s defining adventure to her future.
- Discover Extraordinary and Dangerous Worlds Lost to Time: Explore treacherous landscapes filled with ancient artifacts and hidden secrets, from the jungles of Peru to the crumbling ruins of Greece, the deserts of Egypt, and a mysterious island shrouded in myth.
- Skillfully Traverse Deadly Environments: Use Lara’s strength, agility, and grappling hook to climb, leap, and swing across perilous terrain.
- Solve Ingenious Ancient Contraptions: Manipulate water flow, redirect light beams, activate pressure plates, and decipher symbols to unseal secrets locked away for centuries. Every solution combines knowledge you’ve uncovered and clever thinking.
- Face Lethal Predators: Armed with Lara’s iconic dual pistols and other unlockable weapons, master acrobatic abilities to unleash devastating attacks against savage wildlife, mercenaries, and mythological creatures.
Rank #4
- Full game with 7 bonus missions
- 5 co-op challenge tombs
- Digital copy of original soundtrack
- All previously released outfits and skills
- New “Croft Fitness” outfit for the Tomb Raider in training
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
