Tomb Raider Games: A Chronological Playthrough Guide

Tomb Raider boasts a rich history, with Lara Croft fearlessly exploring ruins and tombs across the globe. Overcoming every obstacle, Lara has earned her place among the most iconic video game protagonists. As Crystal Dynamics develops a new Tomb Raider game, fans can look forward to another thrilling adventure. To help newcomers or returning fans, we've compiled a chronological list of all Tomb Raider games, allowing you to start or restart your journey from the very beginning.

Jump to:

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

As of 2025, there are 20 Tomb Raider games, spread across three distinct timelines, each offering unique plotlines and perspectives on Lara Croft and her companions. Fourteen of these games were released for home consoles, six were available on handheld portable consoles, and six supported 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 the lists below.

Which Tomb Raider Should You Play First?

If you're new to the franchise in 2025, we recommend starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. This entry kicks off the "Survivor" trilogy and sets the stage for Lara Croft's latest series of expeditions, culminating in 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 different timelines:

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

First Timeline - Original Saga

### 1. Tomb Raider (1996)

In the inaugural Tomb Raider game, Lara is hired by Jacquelin Natla to locate the mysterious Scion of Atlantis. After collecting all three fragments scattered worldwide, Lara faces betrayal by Natla and battles her on a volcanic island teeming with monsters.

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 follows Lara as she seeks to destroy a mystical sword before the long-deceased Madame Paveau can use it to resurrect and unleash her dark magic on the world.

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

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

Lara embarks on a quest for the Dagger of Xian, a magical weapon capable of transforming its wielder into a dragon. Her adversary, Marco Bartoli, is a cult leader determined to harness its power.

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

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

Lara sets out to find the Infada Stone, one of four crystalline artefacts from a meteorite. She must thwart Dr. Willard's plan to use these stones to accelerate evolution and mutate the planet.

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

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

Lara inadvertently releases the Egyptian god of chaos, Set, while exploring an Egyptian tomb. With Cairo in peril, she teams up with Semerkhet to summon the god Horus to stop the impending doom.

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 recount her past adventures, cementing her legacy. From Roman catacombs to haunted islands, these stories showcase Lara's extensive travels and skills.

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 investigates in Paris and Prague to clear her name. She crosses paths with Kurtis Trent, the last survivor 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, this game follows Lara's quest for the Scion of Atlantis, with updated puzzles and physics shifting the focus from item collection to environmental 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 explores Lara's origins as she races to find the mythical sword Excalibur before her former friend Amanda Evert.

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)

In the final chapter of the Legend trilogy, Lara searches for Mjolnir, the key to Helheim. She confronts Natla once more in a quest that spans various mythological underworlds.

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 the lost kingdom of Yamatai goes awry, stranding her on a hostile island. She must stop the Solarii Brotherhood cult and the Ascension ritual to prevent the rise of the Sun Queen.

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 for the legendary city of Kitezh, clashing with Trinity, a paramilitary organization. As they race to uncover Kitezh, the legendary Deathless Ones may prove to be more than just a myth.

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 journeying through the Americas to find Paititi before a Mayan apocalypse. With the Yaaxii and Trinity hot on her trail, can she save the world in time?

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 currently developing a new Tomb Raider game, set to utilize Unreal Engine 5 and be published by Amazon Games. While details are sparse, Crystal Dynamics has hinted on Twitter that this new title will continue Lara Croft's saga, potentially extending the Survivor trilogy that ended with Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018.

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