Lara Croft: A Complete History Of The Legendary Adventurer

The Timelines of Tomb Raider

1. Classic Era (1996–2003)

The original Lara Croft bursts onto the scene as the daughter of Lord Henshingly Croft. Born in Wimbledon and raised in high society, her life changed forever after surviving a plane crash in the Himalayas. That moment sparks her love for danger, discovery, and the secrets of ancient worlds. Over the next several games, she faces everything from dinosaurs to gods, becoming the definitive action-adventurer of her time.

2. Legend Trilogy (2006–2008)

With Tomb Raider: Legend, Lara returns with a new backstory. Now the daughter of Amelia and Richard Croft, this version of Lara is driven by personal loss and unanswered questions, especially about her missing mother. These games dig deeper into her emotional world, showing not just what she does, but why she does it.

3. Survivor Era (2013–2018)

The rebooted trilogy reintroduces Lara as a young, inexperienced explorer. In Tomb Raider (2013), she’s thrust into a fight for survival after a shipwreck. Across three gritty, emotional games, she transforms into the battle-tested Tomb Raider we know—scarred but stronger, determined, and deeply human.

After the success of the recent trilogy, everyone is eager to see Lara’s next step. The developers have announced plans to reintroduce the character, though details remain unclear. What we know is they aim to combine the classic Lara with the humanity we saw in the recent trilogy.

A Cinematic Appearance

Lara leapt from consoles to the big screen with Angelina Jolie’s bold and charismatic take in the early 2000s, then returned in 2018 with Alicia Vikander’s more grounded, emotionally driven portrayal. Each actress captured different shades of Lara—one legendary, the other raw and real.

The Netflix Series

Coming soon, The Legend of Lara Croft stars Hayley Atwell as Lara’s voice, picking up after the reboot trilogy. It promises to explore how she bridges the gap between rookie and legend—a fitting tribute to her evolution.

 The Tomb Raider Playlist

Want to walk in her boots? Here’s the recommended order for the full Lara experience:

1. Tomb Raider (1996)
2. Tomb Raider II
3. Tomb Raider III
4. The Last Revelation
5. Chronicles
6. The Angel of Darkness
7. Legend
8. Anniversary
9. Underworld
10. Tomb Raider (2013)
11. Rise of the Tomb Raider
12. Shadow of the Tomb Raider   

Since her debut, Lara Croft has transcended gaming, becoming a cultural icon symbolizing strength, intelligence, and independence. Her character has sparked discussions on female representation in media, evolving from a symbol of 90s gaming culture to a more nuanced and empowered figure in recent portrayals.

Final Thoughts

From manor halls to jungle temples, from cold tombs to burning cities, Lara Croft has grown with us, reflecting not just gaming’s evolution, but our changing view of heroes. She’s more than a name. She’s a survivor, a seeker, and a symbol of persistence. For more gaming gear recommendations, check out Total Apex Gaming!