Tomb Raider: Catalyst — Everything We Know

Better believe it, two Tomb Raider games are in the development pipeline, slated to launch within the next two years. Certainly terrific news for fans who’ve had their hands full with Tomb Raider I-III Remastered and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered. The first game, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, is making more rounds than the second, Tomb Raider: Catalyst. Perhaps because Atlantis is releasing earlier, within the next couple of months, while Catalyst’s launch slips sometime into 2027. 

Because of the distant time between releases, it’s unsurprising that Atlantis already has gameplay footage, while Catalyst’s information is still scarce. But there are still a few exciting announcements we’re privy to that I can’t wait to unpack in our Tomb Raider: Catalyst – Everything We Know article below.

What is Tomb Raider: Catalyst?

Tomb Raider: Catalyst is an upcoming all-new entry in the long-running Tomb Raider series. It’s been a wild ride so far, from 1996 through to 2025, when over 20 games have been released. That’s 12 mainline entries, several spin-offs, and remakes. 

It’s interesting that the franchise has so far been split across three timelines: the Original, Legend trilogy, and Survivor trilogy. And that Catalyst plans to pick up from 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld, merging the Legend and Survivor timelines into a single, coherent plot. 

Story

With the last mainline entry released in 2018, fans should be pretty excited to be embarking on a new Lara Croft adventure. Set in Northern India, you’ll be experiencing Croft’s world after a mythical cataclysm. Its aftermath comes loaded with ancient secrets and the resurrection of mysterious forces that guarded these secrets. 

It’s not just you seeking to bust these ancient secrets wide open. The most notorious treasure hunters from worldwide will be heading to Northern India. They will be your stumbling block as you race toward unraveling the truth hidden under the crevices. Your challenge will be to stop rivals from using the power you discover for their own personal gain. 

Some treasure hunters can be trusted. Others, however, will be your enemies in trying to stop a catastrophe and protect an ancient secret brought to the present from distorting the future. Overall, we’re looking at a story that weaves trust and betrayal into its arc, and that will take Lara Croft through trials, both physical and narrative-wound. Don’t worry if you’re a newcomer to the series. The developers assure you that veterans and newcomers alike you enjoy the thrilling story that’s to come.

Gameplay

The trailer has only given us tidbits of the story via cinematic cutscenes of Lara, treasure hunters, and the environment you’ll be exploring. It’s unclear whether you’ll be exploring an open world. Though with the addition of the grappling hook, it may very well be a grand possibility. 

Traversal will definitely be a sweet ride, with Lara Croft shown to use acrobatics and a grappling hook to navigate the environment. According to the official website, Tomb Raider: Catalyst will have the biggest world we’ve seen from the Lara Croft universe. This will be packed with secrets to uncover, lost tombs that have intricate puzzles to solve, and ancient mysteries you’ll need to use your wits and brains to unravel. It’ll have immense variety, from dense jungles to mysterious ruins and towering mountains.

Lara Croft is a brilliant protagonist of several games and media. And her skills will translate into Catalyst, placing you in her capable shoes. And another additional detail is that the new game will be a “richly customized adventure tech.” Not sure what that means, perhaps like the arm strap she wears in the trailer that shoots a grappling hook, but also laser blasts. I’m definitely stoked to find out more. 

Development

Crystal Dynamics is developing Tomb Raider: Catalyst, collaborating with Amazon Game Studios as its publisher. They plan to use Unreal Engine 5 to create the biggest Lara Croft world yet. Apparently, you’ll be exploring environments like an open world, with the traversal definitely on the next level, and vertically enhanced, too. 

Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Game Studios have plenty on their hands, with the concurrent development of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, scheduled to launch in 2027. Not sure yet whether taking on two games is the best way to go, but fans should definitely be hyped over what’s to come. 

Trailer

Legendary Lara Croft returns, shown in the Tomb Raider: Catalyst teaser trailer. This will be the next mainline entry in the series, thus much scrutinized for what’s new. So far, the biggest reveal is Lara Croft’s dashing look. Girl looks good, no lie, especially on the close-up mid-trailer. She exudes the confident and tough aura that she’s known for. And she sounds amazing as well, voice-acted by the renowned Alix Wilton Regan. 

Other than that, the world looks absolutely stunning, with such jaw-dropping vistas and detail. It’s very Legends, yet modern, and a definite next step in evolving Lara Croft’s world. Be advised, though, the trailer is not actual gameplay footage. But we sure can guarantee dual pistols, grappling hooks, and adrenaline-rush acrobatics in the final game.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

Tomb Raider: Catalyst will be launching in 2027. Still a while to go before we can have a full picture of what to expect, with hopefully more in-game story and gameplay footage released leading up to launch. You can be certain, though, that it’ll launch on next-gen PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms via Steam. 

Know how it’s still early stages? The Steam page isn’t up yet for Catalyst. Preorders or editions are still too early to be revealed. But you can certainly check out Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis’ page. It’s an upcoming action-adventure reimagining of the 1996 original Tomb Raider. So, modern combat and visuals, but with the classic appeal of the atmosphere and environments, for next-gen platforms.

For new updates, your best bet is checking in with the official website. Alternatively, follow the social handles on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Discord.