Tomb Raider Games: Chronological Play Guide

Tomb Raider boasts a storied history, with Lara Croft navigating ancient ruins and tombs worldwide. Overcoming every challenge in her path, Lara has cemented her status as one of the most iconic video game protagonists. With a new Tomb Raider game currently in development at Crystal Dynamics, fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in Lara's adventures. To help fans start or restart their journey, we've compiled a chronological list of every Tomb Raider game released up to 2025.

Jump to:

• How to play in chronological order
• How to play in release order

As of 2025, the Tomb Raider series encompasses 20 games, divided into three distinct timelines, each with unique plotlines and interpretations of Lara Croft and her companions. Out of these, 14 games were released for home consoles, with 6 also available on handheld consoles and another 6 on mobile devices. Stand-alone titles such as Tomb Raider: The Prophecy, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Lara Croft Go, Lara Croft: Relic Run, and Tomb Raider Reloaded are not included in our chronological and release order lists.

Which Tomb Raider Should You Play First?

For newcomers to the franchise in 2025, we highly recommend starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. This game kickstarts the "Survivor" trilogy, which chronicles Lara Croft's latest expeditions and culminates with 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

### Tomb Raider

2See it at AmazonTomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

Embarking on a chronological journey through the Tomb Raider series involves navigating three separate timelines:

• Original Saga Timeline
• Legend of Tomb Raider Timeline
• Survivor Trilogy Timeline

First Timeline - Original Saga

### 1. Tomb Raider (1996)

The inaugural Tomb Raider game follows Lara as she's commissioned by businesswoman Jacquelin Natla to retrieve the mysterious Scion of Atlantis. After gathering all three fragments from across the globe, Lara faces betrayal from Natla and must battle her on a monster-filled volcanic island.

Available on: PlayStation, iOS, Android, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider Review

2. Tomb Raider: The Curse of the Sword (2001)

Exclusive to the Game Boy Color, this sequel sees Lara on a mission to destroy a mystical sword before the undead Madame Paveau can wield it to dominate the world.

Available on: Game Boy Color | IGN’s Curse of the Sword Review

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

Lara's quest in Tomb Raider II is to secure the Dagger of Xian, a magical artifact sought after by cult leader Marco Bartoli for its power to transform its bearer into a dragon.

Available on: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider II Review

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

Lara's third adventure involves the search for the Infada Stone, one of four meteorite-crafted artifacts. She must thwart Dr. Willard's plan to use them to accelerate human evolution.

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider III Review

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

Exploring an Egyptian tomb, Lara inadvertently unleashes the god of chaos, Set. She then works with Semerkhet to summon Horus, hoping to stop Set's destructive forces.

Available on: PlayStation, Mac OS, PC, Dreamcast | IGN’s The Last Revelation Review

6. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)

Following the ambiguous ending of The Last Revelation, Lara's friends reminisce about her past exploits, which include navigating Roman catacombs, a Russian submarine, and a demon-haunted island.

Available on: PlayStation, PC, Mac OS, Dreamcast | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Chronicles Review

7. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)

Framed for the murder of her mentor Werner Von Croy, Lara journeys through Paris and Prague to clear her name and uncover the truth. She crosses paths with Kurtis Trent, the last of the Lux Veritatis Society, who harbors a dark secret.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, Mac OS X | IGN’s Angel of Darkness Review

Second Timeline - Legend of Tomb Raider

### 1. Tomb Raider Anniversary (2007)

A remake of the 1996 original, Anniversary revisits Lara's quest for the Scion of Atlantis, featuring revamped puzzles and physics-based challenges.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, Mobile, OS X, PS3 | IGN’s Tomb Raider Anniversary Review

2. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)

This reboot reimagines Lara's origins as she races to find Excalibur before her former friend Amanda Evert does.

Available on: GBA, Gamecube, PC, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360 | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Legend Review

3. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

The final chapter of the Legend trilogy, Underworld, has Lara seeking Mjolnir, the key to Helheim, while confronting the villainous Natla once more.

Available on: Nintendo DS, PS3, Wii, PC, Xbox 360, Mobile, PlayStation 2, OS X | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Underworld Review

Third Timeline - Survivor Trilogy

### 1. Tomb Raider (2013)

In this grittier reboot, Lara's expedition to find Yamatai goes awry, stranding her on a hostile island where she battles the Solarii Brotherhood and tries to thwart the Ascension ritual.

Available on: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, OS X, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Linux | IGN’s Tomb Raider (2013) Review

2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)

Lara explores Siberia in search of the legendary city of Kitezh, clashing with the paramilitary group Trinity and uncovering the truth about the Deathless Ones.

Available on: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PS4, macOS, Linux, Stadia | IGN’s Rise of the Tomb Raider Review

3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)

The concluding chapter of the Survivor trilogy sees Lara racing across the Americas to prevent a Mayan apocalypse by finding the city of Paititi, all while evading Trinity and the monstrous Yaaxii.

Available on: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Linux, macOS, Stadia | IGN’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider Review

How to Play ALL the Tomb Raider Games By Release Date

• Tomb Raider (1996)
• Tomb Raider II (1997)
• Tomb Raider III (1998)
• Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
• Tomb Raider (Game Boy Color, 2000)
• Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)
• Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (Game Boy Color, 2001)
• Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (GBA, 2002)
• Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
• Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
• Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
• Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010)
• Tomb Raider (2013)
• Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (2014)
• Lara Croft: Relic Run (2015)
• Lara Croft Go (2015)
• Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
• Tomb Raider Reloaded (2023)

What’s Next for Tomb Raider?

Crystal Dynamics is developing a new Tomb Raider game, set to be powered by Unreal Engine 5 and published by Amazon Games. While details are scarce, the game is expected to continue Lara Croft's saga, possibly extending the Survivor trilogy narrative from Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Beyond gaming, Netflix premiered the animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft in October, which has been renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, Amazon's planned series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as writer and executive producer appears to have been shelved.