Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis—Remake Introduces RPG Mechanics, Infuriating Fans

A brand new gameplay video from Flying Wild Hog reveals ability timber and focus bars. Nevertheless, the novel adjustments to the traditional are going through fierce backlash.

Amazon Sport Studios and Crystal Dynamics have launched a brand new video for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. It’s already the sixth episode of the “Behind-the-Scenes” video collection. In it, the builders make clear the event of the upcoming remake, which Flying Wild Hog is at present fine-tuning. The newest video reveals us some beforehand unseen gameplay parts. And in some locations, these differ fairly considerably from the unique 1996 title.

New Focus Mechanics, RPG Talent Tree, and Neighborhood Criticism

The “fiery, fabulous, and match” incarnation of Lara in Legacy of Atlantis is supposed to really feel, above all, agile and harmful. She additionally comes with a brand new Focus bar. This bar fills up whenever you deal injury, take injury, or dodge assaults. If you use Focus, you decelerate time round you. This lets you carry out acrobatic maneuvers which can be designed to really feel actually clean on the controller. It is a large departure from the unique. In that recreation, you can merely pull Lara’s acrobatic strikes out of skinny air at any time, with none particular focus mechanic.

“After I performed the Survivor collection [starting with Tomb Raider 2013], I used to be instantly capable of instantly affect and improve Lara’s power within the recreation,” says Design Director Jason Epps. “That made me really feel far more concerned within the motion.” As a logical consequence, the sport now options an RPG-style ability tree. You’ll additionally acquire herbs, which you’ll mix to create helpful buffs. For instance, you may cut back the injury you’re taking or restore your well being. Not like within the Survivor collection, nevertheless, you don’t earn expertise factors by finishing numerous duties. To get upgrades, you could as a substitute acquire artifacts scattered all through the degrees.

The Tomb Raider Survivor Sequence

The so-called Survivor trilogy started in 2013 with the reboot “Tomb Raider” and led to 2018 with “Shadow of the Tomb Raider.” These video games featured a youthful, extra inexperienced Lara Croft and launched trendy role-playing mechanics resembling crafting, expertise factors, and ability timber for the primary time.

“No thanks, I don’t like that in any respect,” remarks a useron ResetEra. He’s referring to the new-fangled mechanics that are actually making their method into the traditional recreation. “I hate it,” one other consumer agrees. “It simply disgusts me, rattling it,”writes a consumer on X. “I used to be actually hoping we’d lastly be rid of all that RPG stuff after the Survivor trilogy.” My absolute favourite response, nevertheless, completely sums up the contradiction between gameplay and story: “Shouldn’t she already be a seasoned veteran of treasure searching on this recreation? Why the hell does she nonetheless need to study new expertise at her age?”

And that’s the tragedy.

I’m so disgusted, for crying out loud. I used to be actually hoping to be rid of all of the RPG parts after the Survivor trilogy. I hope it received’t be too overwhelming within the expertise… Legacy of Atlantis didn’t want this. pic.twitter.com/LznV3ZUV8L

— Matthieu Collin (@Matthiew_BC) August 17, 2026

Return of the Twin Pistols, AI Controversy, and 2027 Launch

Elsewhere within the video, Flying Wild Hog confirms an vital element: Lara’s iconic twin pistols are making a comeback and can function her main commonplace weapon. “We’re providing 4 weapons within the recreation,” explains Senior System Designer Marcin Steliga. “Every weapon is tailor-made to totally different playstyles and distances from enemies.” The builders then clarify in additional element how the shotgun, submachine weapons, and assault rifle optimally complement the dual pistols in all kinds of conditions.

All in all, these are fairly drastic adjustments. They usually’re apparently not going over nicely in any respect with the Tomb Raider group. By the way, this isn’t the primary time Amazon, Crystal Dynamics, and Flying Wild Hog have come beneath fireplace for this venture. Again in June, the studio sparked an enormous outcry for counting on AI instruments throughout the recreation’s improvement.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis was initially scheduled to be launched in 2026. Nevertheless, it’s going to now be launched subsequent yr—extra particularly, on February 12, 2027. The action-adventure recreation shall be obtainable for PlayStation 5, Xbox Sequence X/S, Change 2, and PC (by way of Steam).