11 Best Tomb Raider Games | Classics and Reboots in 2026
Which is the best Tomb Raider game depends on who you are as a player. I’ve played them all, and each stands out for different reasons – brutal challenge, slick cinematic moments, and pure exploration.
New to the series? You’ll want a clear starting point. Nostalgic for the PlayStation days? You’ll be curious how the classics compare. Loved the recent trilogy? You’re probably hunting for that same mix of survival, story, and puzzles.
This ranked list of essentials is my shortcut for helping you find the perfect fit without wasting time or missing the highlights, with top Tomb Raider games ranked by what they do best.
Jump to:
Our Top Picks for Tomb Raider Games
If you’re deciding which Tomb Raider title to play first (or next), these three are my top picks, each gives you a different flavor of what this legendary series can do best.
-
Buy nowTomb RaiderThis origin reboot hits with cinematic intensity, believable fear, and a storyline that hooks you from the first hour. Tombs are approachable, action is gripping, and you feel Lara grow through tension, breakthrough, and survival instincts.
-
Buy nowRise of the Tomb RaiderA perfectly balanced adventure combining stealth, puzzles, and combat. Hubs invite exploration without feeling empty, optional tombs reward curiosity, and every expedition feels earned.
-
Buy nowTomb Raider: LegendA nostalgic throwback with compact levels, sleek platforming, and clever puzzles. Focused on acrobatics and flow rather than sprawling hubs, it’s the perfect entry for fans of classic Lara gameplay.
Best Tomb Raider Game – 11 Must-Play Entries
Below you’ll find ranked picks spanning PS classics, Crystal Dynamics’ trilogies, and co-op spin-offs. Consider it the best Tomb Raider games ranked list in one place.
How many of these have you played?
1. Tomb Raider [Best Tomb Raider for Story-First Players]
| Our Score | Enebameter 10/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure, third-person survival |
| Platforms | PC, PS3/PS4, Xbox 360/One, macOS, Linux, Stadia, SHIELD |
| Year of release | 2013 (DE: 2014) |
| Creator/s | Crystal Dynamics · Publisher: Square Enix Europe |
| Average playtime | 12–20 hours |
| Best for | Story-first newcomers |
| Unique features | Bow upgrades, Survival Instinct, Challenge Tombs |
| What I liked | Cinematic set pieces + puzzle-tomb balance |
Tomb Raider is an incredible survival game that reset the franchise in a way that hooked me from the start. The shipwreck on Yamatai set immediate stakes, and the Hall of Ascension Challenge Tomb is still unforgettable. Balancing on beams while a storm raged and spikes closed in demanded precision and remains a community favorite.
Unlocking the bow early changed everything. I used it for both combat and traversal, creating ziplines to hidden ledges. Salvaging materials added real value, shaping my playstyle instead of just boosting stats. Collapsing caves and burning rockfalls made Lara’s growth feel tangible.
This reboot offers one of the strongest origin stories, balanced challenges, and cinematic moments that still make Lara’s growth feel real.
Combat can sometimes overshadow exploration, but progression and cinematic tension carried the experience.
Some say the tombs in this notable TPS game are easier than later entries, but I think that makes them perfect for newcomers. The blend of storms, desperate village fights, and quiet temple moments created an atmosphere that stuck with me.
My Verdict: If you want a high-energy, story-driven entry with approachable tombs and progression that feels rewarding, start here. For me, it remains the best Tomb Raider game to begin with before moving on to Rise and Shadow.
2. Rise of the Tomb Raider [Best All-Round Adventure Tomb Raider]
| Our Score | Enebameter 10/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure (third-person) |
| Platforms | Xbox 360/One; Windows; PS4; macOS & Linux (2018); Stadia (2019) |
| Year of release | 2015–2019 (platform staggered) |
| Creator/s | Crystal Dynamics · Square Enix/Microsoft |
| Average playtime | 15–20 hrs main; 30–40 hrs full |
| Best for | Balanced combat, puzzles, exploration |
| Unique features | Hub zones, Challenge Tombs, stealth/assault mix |
| What I liked | Smart tomb design, rewarding upgrade loops |
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a notable action RPG that feels like the sequel the reboot promised. The Ice Ship Challenge Tomb in the Glacial Cavern stands out: I balanced across masts above icy water, used the axe to release hooks, and scrambled past a swinging bucket that shattered ice walls. It tested my timing in a way few tombs do.
Fans often praise these tombs for being creative without unfair difficulty. In hubs like the Siberian Wilderness and Kitezh ruins, exploration rewarded me with relics, upgrades, and secrets that shaped later encounters. The wide, snow-capped vistas and cinematic camera pans look especially stunning on a great gaming monitor.
Rise delivers a wonderful mix of puzzles, exploration, and action. Its challenge tombs and hubs reward curiosity and skill without becoming overwhelming.
Combat also felt sharper. I mixed stealth and firefights depending on mood, and the crafting system made each material useful rather than busy work. Side-quests occasionally disrupted pacing, but they also uncovered hidden murals and lore about Lara’s father that deepened the story.
Rise balances puzzles, combat, and exploration better than any entry, making it the most replayable in the series.
My Verdict: If you are looking for the best Tomb Raider game for variety and replayability, Rise of the Tomb Raider is where you get all sides of Lara’s world balanced well.
3. Tomb Raider: Legend [Best for Classic-Era Tomb Raider Fans]
| Our Score | Enebameter 9.5/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure, puzzle-platformer |
| Platforms | PC, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, GameCube, GBA, DS, mobile |
| Year of release | 2006 |
| Creator/s | Crystal Dynamics · Eidos Interactive |
| Average playtime | 8–12 hrs |
| Best for | Classic-era fans, traversal focus |
| Unique features | Magnetic grapple, Time Trials, Croft Manor |
| What I liked | Fast movement, compact replayable levels |
Legend hooked me with the Nepal Time Trial. After the icy mine section, I had to grapple across a chasm, shimmy along ledges, and swing to safety just before collapsing snow sealed the route. It was a perfect test of timing and precision.
Fans often highlight these Time Trials because they reward mastery of traversal over combat. In Peru and Bolivia, I enjoyed exploring side caves for artifacts that unlocked bonus skins. Some players even share tricks like a shortcut in Nepal that saves seconds during runs.
Play Time Trials after finishing the story, they showcase the tight design and make every acrobatic move matter.
Traversal in this incredible platformer game feels smooth and satisfying. Chaining jumps, wall-shimmies, and magnetic grapple swings flow naturally. Motorbike segments add speed, and compact levels keep replay value high. While some stages felt shorter than I expected, that brevity made me revisit them for collectibles and faster times.
My Verdict: In my experience, Legend is the most stylish, replayable classic-era entry, blending old puzzle-platforming with modern polish.
4. Shadow of the Tomb Raider [Best Tomb Raider for Puzzle & Stealth Lovers]
| Our Score | Enebameter 9/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure (stealth-leaning) |
| Platforms | PS4, Xbox One, Windows; macOS/Linux (2019); Stadia (2019) |
| Year of release | 2018 |
| Creator/s | Eidos-Montréal · Square Enix Europe |
| Average playtime | 12–15 hrs main; 30–40 hrs full |
| Best for | Puzzle-heavy tombs, stealth fans |
| Unique features | Paititi hub, difficulty sliders, underwater traversal |
| What I liked | Intricate tomb puzzles, dense hubs |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider begins with Lara Croft triggering a Mayan apocalypse, instantly setting a darker tone than earlier games. Traveling through Mexico and Peru, the hidden city of Paititi stood out to me as one of the most alive hubs in the series, packed with quests, secrets, and culture.
The tombs here are the trilogy’s most intricate. Solving them felt like true brain teasers, and I loved using the difficulty sliders to set puzzles to Hard while leaving combat lighter for balance. Stealth also impressed me. Covering myself in mud, hiding in foliage, and silently clearing camps scratches the itch for the best stealth games.
Use the difficulty sliders. Hard puzzles with easier combat create the perfect raiding flow.
The pacing sometimes dragged, and combat encounters could feel repetitive, but the puzzle density made up for it. For me, this is the entry where patience and observation mattered most.
My Verdict: Shadow is the best Tomb Raider game for players who crave intricate puzzle game elements and stealth-driven exploration, the trilogy’s most atmospheric and cerebral chapter.
5. Tomb Raider: Anniversary [Best Remake of the Original Tomb Raider]
| Our Score | Enebameter 8.5/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure, traversal remake |
| Platforms | PC, PS2/PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, OS X |
| Year of release | 2007 |
| Creator/s | Crystal Dynamics & Buzz Monkey · Eidos |
| Average playtime | 9–12 hrs |
| Best for | TR1 fans wanting modern controls |
| Unique features | Grapple traversal, trap-heavy tombs, Time Trials |
| What I liked | Classic maps with smoother pacing |
Tomb Raider: Anniversary was my chance to relive the original Tomb Raider game with modern controls. Built on the Legend engine, it reimagines Lara Croft’s hunt for the Scion of Atlantis across Peru, Greece, Egypt, and Atlantis itself.
Revisiting these iconic areas felt fresh, thanks to smoother movement and a more cinematic presentation. If you enjoy that darker, cinematic vibe that Anniversary leans into, I think you’ll appreciate good game movies on Netflix for a similar storytelling punch.
Traversal is where the remake shines. Chaining jumps, climbing ledges, and using the grappling hook to swing across gaps felt fluid. Returning to St. Francis’ Folly, once one of the toughest puzzles in the previous game. It was a highlight indeed! With updated mechanics, it became fun instead of frustrating.
A faithful modernization of TR1. Cleaner controls and polished layouts make classic tombs accessible while keeping their spirit intact.
What stood out to me was how Anniversary respects the spirit of the Tomb Raider franchise while cutting the rough edges. Combat is light, keeping the focus on puzzles and platforming. Levels are compact compared to the classic games, but that made replaying them in Time Trial mode addictive.
I did miss some of the moody isolation of the PlayStation original, yet smoother gameplay respected my time.
My Verdict: For me, Anniversary is the best Tomb Raider game to experience the series’ roots without the frustration of dated mechanics. It bridges nostalgia and modern design in a way that few remakes manage.
6. Tomb Raider: Underworld [Best Tomb Raider for Exploration Enthusiasts]
| Our Score | Enebameter 8/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure, exploration focus |
| Platforms | PC, PS2/3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, OS X |
| Year of release | 2008 |
| Creator/s | Crystal Dynamics · Eidos |
| Average playtime | 8–12 hrs main; 15–20 hrs full |
| Best for | Fans of large environmental puzzles |
| Unique features | Improved grapple, scuba dives, motorbike sections |
| What I liked | Multi-room puzzles that reward patience |
Tomb Raider: Underworld felt like a fitting conclusion to the Legend trilogy. Lara Croft’s hunt for Mjolnir takes her through the Mediterranean, Thailand, Mexico, Jan Mayen, and into Helheim, with a clear tilt toward exploration over firefights.
A standout moment for me was the Valhalla chamber on Jan Mayen. I had to rotate massive gears with the grapple to align moving bridges while dodging crushing spiked rollers.
It is a true multiroom chain where every lever and platform matters, and it rewards patience and careful observation. Many tombs follow this style, asking you to read vertical spaces, track clues across rooms, and connect solutions you started ten minutes earlier.
Slow down in underwater areas. Check side passages for relics and upgrades you can easily miss.
I also enjoyed the scuba sections. Searching for air pockets and side tunnels slows the pace in a good way and hides worthwhile secrets.
The upgraded grapple sells the traversal, since the rope wraps around pillars for neat physics solutions. The motorbike sequences are less refined, but they do break up the rhythm.
My Verdict: Choose the Underworld if you love big environmental puzzles and atmospheric ruins. It is a satisfying, exploration-led sendoff to the Legend era.
7. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light [Best Tomb Raider Co-op Adventure]
| Our Score | Enebameter 8/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Isometric action-adventure (co-op optional) |
| Platforms | PC, PS3, Xbox 360, iOS/Android, Stadia, Switch |
| Year of release | 2010 (later ports 2010-2023) |
| Creator/s | Crystal Dynamics · Square Enix |
| Average playtime | 8–10 hrs campaign; 6–8 hrs co-op |
| Best for | Co-op puzzle fans, score chasers |
| Unique features | Asymmetric co-op, bomb puzzles, leaderboards |
| What I liked | Tight, replayable levels best with a partner |
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light surprised me in the best way as one of the best co-op games I’ve ever played. This Tomb Raider spin-off swaps third-person for an isometric, arcade rhythm that clicks the moment co-op starts.
My favorite scene had my partner pinning spears into a wall so I could climb, while I anchored a grapple line for a tightrope over a spike pit. We then tossed a bomb to trigger a hidden switch. That single room sold the design: quick, clever, and coordinated.
Abilities complement each other. Totec’s spears become platforms. Lara Croft’s grapple yanks levers and creates crossings. Solo works too since you can swap roles, but the co-op puzzles are the star. Short stages invite replays, and score challenges kept me chasing better times.
Play with a partner. Asymmetric mechanics open alternate routes and secrets you will not see alone.
If you love teamwork driven design, check our. As a PC gamer, I liked the snappy controls and instant retries. Compared to the previous game, it is more puzzle-first and faster paced.
My Verdict: A refreshing Tomb Raider video game that stands out within the Tomb Raider series. If you want brisk puzzles, energetic combat, and co-op chemistry, this is the one.
8. Tomb Raider II [Best for Retro Tomb Raider Fans]
| Our Score | Enebameter 7.5/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure, classic puzzle-platformer |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation, Mac; later iOS/Android, TR I–III Remastered (2024) |
| Year of release | 1997 |
| Creator/s | Core Design · Eidos |
| Average playtime | 12–15 hrs (skill dependent) |
| Best for | Retro fans, iconic Venice/Great Wall levels |
| Unique features | Speedboat, snowmobile, dragon collectibles |
| What I liked | Sprawling PS1 tombs with vehicle set pieces |
Tomb Raider II, from Core Design, was the first Tomb Raider that truly felt globe-spanning. As Lara Croft races the Fiamma Nera for the Dagger of Xian, the original PlayStation prologue on the Great Wall sets the tone with collapsing traps and hungry tigers.
Akin to the best video game movies, this title delivers moments that stick with me are pure spectacle and skill: slaloming a speedboat through Venice under low bridges, navigating the upside-down corridors of the Maria Doria shipwreck, and carving across Tibetan peaks on a snowmobile.
A PlayStation-era highlight with iconic locations and unforgettable vehicle set pieces that defined the adventurous spirit of the Tomb Raider series.
The gameplay is classic grid-based platforming. Precise jumps, switches, and trap rooms demand patience, and hunting the dragon’s secrets became a personal obsession. Controls feel rigid today, but once the rhythm clicks, the challenge is rewarding. The main story keeps momentum while secrets lure you into riskier routes, which is why this video game still resonates decades later.
My Verdict: Tomb Raider II is the best Tomb Raider pick for retro fans who want tough puzzles and classic platforming wrapped in memorable, cinematic levels.
9. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation [Best Tomb Raider for Puzzle Purists]
| Our Score | Enebameter 7.5/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure, hub-based |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation, Dreamcast, Mac |
| Year of release | 1999 |
| Creator/s | Core Design · Eidos |
| Average playtime | 15–20+ hrs |
| Best for | Puzzle purists, backtracking fans |
| Unique features | Rope swings, vehicles, laser-sight puzzles |
| What I liked | Egypt-only epic with intricate multi-stage puzzles |
The Last Revelation is the Tomb Raider entry that tested my patience and paid it back.
Set entirely in Egypt, Lara Croft moves through Karnak, Alexandria, Cairo, and Giza in interconnected hubs that feel like real places rather than levels. One sequence I still remember is the Alexandria library puzzle.
I had to line up mirrors across two chambers, rope swing to a balcony, then use the laser-sighted revolver for a precision shot to trigger the mechanism. It was the moment the game’s layered gameplay truly clicked.
Keep light notes as you play. Backtracking is intentional, and laser-sight weapons help with precise puzzle shots.
Designed by Core Design, this video game rewards note-taking and observation. Keys and artifacts found an hour ago often unlock a door you marked earlier. Vehicles like the jeep add pace, but the focus stays on puzzles and careful exploration.
Rope swinging feels demanding at first, then becomes second nature. It makes sense to keep a simple map of locked gates and unsolved contraptions.
My Verdict: The Last Revelation is the best Tomb Raider pick for puzzle purists who want a cohesive Egypt adventure with intricate, multi-stage challenges that still hold up today.
10. Tomb Raider [Most Immersive World Tomb Raider]
| Our Score | Enebameter 7/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure, grid-based traversal |
| Platforms | Sega Saturn, PC, PlayStation; later Mac, N-Gage, mobile, TR I–III Remastered (2024) |
| Year of release | 1996 |
| Creator/s | Core Design · Eidos |
| Average playtime | 12–20 hrs |
| Best for | Fans of pure exploration & old-school platforming |
| Unique features | Save Crystals, Croft Manor training |
| What I liked | Moody, lonely atmosphere that defined 3D raiding |
The original Tomb Raider is the first game that defined 3D raiding for me. As Lara Croft hunts the Scion of Atlantis across Peru, Greece, Egypt, and Atlantis, the mood is unforgettable. Sparse music and heavy ambience make every corridor feel ancient and dangerous.
One scene I still picture is St. Francis’ Folly in Greece. I worked my way up and down the tower, timing jumps to moving ledges, unlocking the four animal doors, and treating every step as puzzle-solving rather than pure platforming. That is where the game clicked.
It’s the blueprint of Tomb Raider. Atmosphere, exploration, and puzzle-solving blend into a pure raiding experience that still holds up.
Controls are grid-based and take practice, but once I settled in, each jump felt deliberate. Save Crystals on console added tension, and Croft Manor doubled as a safe space to learn the rules before heading back underground.
My Verdict: Tomb Raider (1996) is the best starting point if you want the series’ fundamentals. It remains a defining Tomb Raider entry for players who love precision and mood.
11. Tomb Raider: Chronicles [Best Tomb Raider for Bite-Sized Variety]
| Our Score | Enebameter 7/10
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
☆
★
|
| Type of game | Action-adventure, short-story anthology |
| Platforms | PS1, PC, Dreamcast, Mac |
| Year of release | 2000 |
| Creator/s | Core Design · Eidos |
| Average playtime | 7–12 hrs |
| Best for | Fans who want variety (stealth, young-Lara, corporate heist) |
| Unique features | Tightrope, pole swings, grapple gun, PC Level Editor |
| What I liked | Bite-sized adventures with experimental mechanics & fan-made PC levels |
Tomb Raider: Chronicles plays like four short tales about Lara Croft, and the format works. The chapter that stuck with me is Ireland. Young Lara Croft explores the Black Isle without weapons, creeping through a churchyard, lighting braziers for clues, and ringing a bell to open a hidden path. That tension-first approach gives the anthology its personality.
Each story leans into a different toolset. Rome hides switches behind classic platforming. Russia adds underwater routes inside a submarine.
New York becomes a stealth heist with vents, lasers, and a grapple gun that turns offices into traversal puzzles. Levels are shorter than earlier entries, yet that brevity makes replays for secrets and gold rewards feel snappy.
If you are on PC, install the Level Editor and sort community levels by rating. In game, practice tightrope and pole swings before the New York stealth sections.
On PC the official Level Editor extends the life of this video game. I lost hours trying fan missions that push the mechanics in smart ways.
My Verdict: Pick Chronicles if you want variety in compact stories. It mixes puzzles, stealth, and experimental ideas while giving the classic era a neat epilogue.
FAQs
Tomb Raider (2013) is the best starting point and a standout entry overall. This reboot redefined the series with cinematic storytelling, intense survival moments, and approachable tombs that balance puzzles with action.
Tomb Raider is an action-adventure at its core. You’ll explore ruins, solve puzzles, and master traversal challenges while mixing in combat or stealth. What makes it special is how these pieces come together into one seamless raiding experience.
There are 12 mainline Tomb Raider games released between 1996 and 2018. On top of that, you’ll find spin-offs and the Remastered collections released in 2024 and 2025, which bring the classics back to modern platforms.
As of 2025, the most recent release is Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered (February 2025). The last mainline game remains Shadow of the Tomb Raider from 2018, though a brand-new entry is in development with Amazon Games.
Tomb Raider (2013) holds the crown with over 14.5 million copies sold. It is not just the reboot that revived Lara Croft, but also the series’ most commercially successful game to date.
For completionists, Rise and Shadow can stretch to 30 to 40 hours with side content. Among the classics, Tomb Raider III and The Last Revelation are often remembered as the longest because of their sprawling, complex level design.
