Tomb Raider Catalyst: Developers Confirm Official Timeline Placement
Crystal Dynamics finally connected the dots for the confusing Tomb Raider timeline. Following the reveal of Tomb Raider Catalyst and Legacy of Atlantis at The Game Awards 2025, the studio confirmed exactly where Lara’s new adventures fit.
We knew Crystal Dynamics wanted to unify the fractured timelines, merging the “Survivor” era with the classic games. Now, thanks to Game Director Will Kerslake, we have the official chronological order.
Learn more on the double reveal of the two Tomb Raider games at The Game Awards 2025!
A Unified Vision for Tomb Raider
The franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, and the lore has become messy. Between the Core Design era, the Legend trilogy, and the modern “Survivor” reboots, understanding the canon requires a map.
Tomb Raider Catalyst and Legacy of Atlantis (a total reimagining of the 1996 original) serve as the bridge. These titles aren’t just isolated entries; they weave the disparate eras into a single narrative thread.
Game Director Will Kerslake clarified the placement of Catalyst to GamesRadar shortly after the announcement. He confirmed that “Chronologically, Catalyst takes place years after the events of Underworld. The reboot trilogy serves as the origin story.”
Tomb Raider: Catalyst picks up “years after” 2008’s Underworld, finally continuing Lara Croft’s story from the Legend trilogy after almost two decades https://t.co/55EWDBpEqh
— GamesRadar+ (@GamesRadar) December 12, 2025
The Official Tomb Raider Chronology
Catalyst features a seasoned Lara Croft, far older and more experienced than the survivor we saw in the 2013 reboot. This veteran status directly impacts the narrative, pitting her against a mythological cataclysm in India.
According to the developers, this is the definitive order to play the main saga:
- Tomb Raider (2013)
- Rise of the Tomb Raider
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- TR: Legacy of Atlantis (Coming 2026)
- Tomb Raider: Legend
- TR: Underworld
- Tomb Raider Catalyst (Coming 2027)
Which Tomb Raider Games Got Cut?
Creating a cohesive timeline requires sacrifice. The new canon seemingly sidelines Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, effectively erasing the events of the sixth game.
Similarly, the original Tomb Raider 1 and Anniversary are being replaced by Legacy of Atlantis. The status of Tomb Raider II through Chronicles remains ambiguous, as they depict adventures that clash tonally with the grounded reboot origin.
Verdict: Is the Unified Timeline the Best Approach?
Crystal Dynamics is taking a bold risk by validating Legend and Underworld while keeping the modern origin story. This approach rewards long-time fans but might confuse newcomers who skipped the PS3/Xbox 360 era. With Catalyst launching in 2027, you have plenty of time to play through the “Survivor” trilogy and the “Legend” timeline.
Are you happy with Legend and Underworld returning to canon, or should they have started fresh?
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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