The Tomb Raider Project Remains a Mystery

The new Tomb Raider game has been in development for a long time, but things are still quiet. Fans are waiting for Lara Croft’s return, yet there’s barely any official information to hold onto.

Still No Sign of Lara’s Comeback

Crystal Dynamics announced in 2022 that the next Tomb Raider would be built on Unreal Engine 5. Since then, we’ve mostly had leaks and indirect confirmations. Early details suggested a more experienced Lara—moving past the “Survivor” trilogy’s rookie era. Even so, the studio hasn’t shown a trailer, gameplay footage, or anything concrete.

Uncertainty Around the Project

In early 2024, some concept art surfaced showing a Lara design closer to her classic look. Fans took this as a hint that the series might be returning to its roots. Later that year, a rumor claimed the story would take place in India and involve vehicle exploration, like riding a motorcycle. None of this has been confirmed.

On top of that, Crystal Dynamics has gone through three rounds of layoffs this year. The cuts reportedly followed the cancellation of the studio’s co-development work on Perfect Dark. These internal changes have raised concerns about the pace of the new Tomb Raider project. Amazon is still onboard as publisher, which gives some hope, but people close to the studio say the game may still be in early development.

Analysts believe the game likely entered production around 2021 or 2022, which could put its release somewhere in late 2026 or early 2027. Unfortunately, that window is crowded with giants like GTA 6, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Marvel’s Wolverine. Because of that, Crystal Dynamics might be waiting for a better moment to reveal the game.

For now, fans are looking toward big shows like The Game Awards 2025 or Summer Game Fest 2026 for a possible announcement. The only thing we know for sure is that Lara Croft is coming back—just not when, or in what kind of adventure.