All Tomb Raider Games in Order: Chronological & Release Order (2026)

Tomb Raider is one of the most iconic franchises in gaming history. It has spanned over decades and expanded far beyond games (into movies, TV shows, and spin-offs). With so many games released across different eras and timelines, it can be difficult to follow the story or even know where to begin.

That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide to help you understand both the chronological story order and the release order of the Tomb Raider games.

Note: Spin-offs, mobile titles, and remasters have been excluded to keep this guide focused only on the mainline Tomb Raider games.

How to Play Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order?

The Tomb Raider story doesn’t follow a single straight timeline. Instead, it’s split into three distinct eras: the Survivor timeline (modern origin story), the Legend timeline (a soft reboot of the original), and the Original timeline (classic adventures).

If you want to experience Lara Croft’s journey as a single long-running narrative, playing in chronological order across these timelines is the best approach.

Survivor Timeline:

Game TitleRelease YearPlatforms

Tomb Raider (2013)	2013	PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Rise of the Tomb Raider	2015	Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PS4
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	2018	PS4, Xbox One, PC

Legend Timeline:

Game TitleRelease YearPlatforms

Tomb Raider: Legend	2006	PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, PC
Tomb Raider: Underworld	2008	PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC

Original Timeline:

Game TitleRelease YearPlatforms

Tomb Raider	1996	PS1, PC, Sega Saturn
Tomb Raider II	1997	PS1, PC
Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft	1998	PS1, PC
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation	1999	PS1, PC, Dreamcast
Tomb Raider Chronicles	2000	PS1, PC, Dreamcast
Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness	2003	PS2, PC

How to Play Tomb Raider Games in Release Order?

If you want to experience how the series evolved over time, playing the mainline games in release order is the best approach.

1. Tomb Raider

Back in 1996, this game introduced us to the now iconic character, Lara Croft, as a daring archaeologist searching for the Scion artifact. It combines platforming, exploration, and puzzles, setting the foundation for the entire franchise.

While its controls may feel dated today, it remains a landmark title in gaming history and a must-play if you want to experience and understand how the series found its roots.

2. Tomb Raider II

This entry builds directly on the first game, expanding the scale and shifting slightly toward more action-focused gameplay. In this, Lara travels across locations like China and Venice in search of the Dagger of Xian. It refines the formula while pushing the series forward with more combat and cinematic moments.

3. Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft

This entry decided to take us back to its roots and focus more heavily on puzzles and exploration, with Lara searching for powerful artifacts scattered around the world. Featuring nonlinear level design and increased difficulty, it challenges players more than its predecessors and expands the meaning of what it means to be on an adventure.

4. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation

Release Year	1999
Developer	Core Design
Metacritic Score (As of April 26, 2026)	–

Set mainly in Egypt, this game deepens the narrative as Lara accidentally unleashes the god Set and must correct her mistake. It introduces more interconnected levels and a darker tone, marking a shift toward more story-driven gameplay while still retaining the original’s gameplay mechanics.

5. Tomb Raider: Chronicles

This continues where the last game ended, the dramatic ending where we presume that Lara is dead. Chronicles presents a series of flashback adventures told by her friends, offering insight into her past exploits. While it doesn’t move the main story forward significantly, it adds depth to her character.

6. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness

This was a much darker and more experimental entry that introduces the series’ RPG elements and a heavier narrative focus. Lara is accused of murder and must uncover a conspiracy to clear her name. Despite its ambition, the game struggled with technical issues, making it one of the more divisive titles in the series.

7. Tomb Raider: Legend

Release Year	2006
Developer	Crystal Dynamics
Metacritic Score (As of April 26, 2026)	~80

This is a soft reboot for the franchise. Legend reintroduces us to the character of Lara Croft with modernized gameplay and smoother controls. The story follows her quest for Excalibur while exploring her past. It successfully revitalized the series and set the stage for a new continuity.

While Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) is also part of Legends Timeline (as the 2nd title), it is a remake of the 1996 original, so it has been excluded from the main chronological list for simplicity.

8. Tomb Raider: Underworld

Release Year	2008
Developer	Crystal Dynamics
Metacritic Score (As of April 26, 2026)	~76

This title continues where Legends left us. Underworld sees Lara exploring Norse mythology in search of Thor’s hammer. It further expands on exploration mechanics and offers larger, more open environments. It also brings the Legend timeline to a conclusion.

9. Tomb Raider (2013)

Release Year	2013
Developer	Crystal Dynamics
Metacritic Score (As of April 26, 2026)	~86

This is yet another full reboot that reimagines Lara’s origin story in a different timeline. In this, we focus on her first expedition and transformation into a survivor. The darker tone and modern gameplay systems make it a major turning point for the franchise, introducing a more grounded and cinematic experience.

10. Rise of the Tomb Raider

Release Year	2015
Developer	Crystal Dynamics
Metacritic Score (As of April 26, 2026)	~86

This is a direct sequel to the 2013 reboot. And it builds on its predecessor’s highlighted points by further improving exploration, combat, and storytelling. In this, Lara searches for the lost city of Kitezh while dealing with the psychological aftermath of her earlier adventure. It’s widely regarded as one of the best entries.

11. Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Release Year	2018
Developer	Eidos-Montréal
Metacritic Score (As of April 26, 2026)	~75

This is the final chapter in the Survivor trilogy. It essentially concludes Lara’s origin story. After triggering a Mayan apocalypse, she must stop it while embracing her role as the Tomb Raider. The game leans more heavily into exploration and puzzles, bringing the modern trilogy to a close.

In addition to these titles, Amazon Game Studios and Crystal Dynamics unveiled two new Tomb Raider games at The Game Awards: Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (2026) and Tomb Raider: Catalyst (2027).

New to Tomb Raider? Where to Start

If you’re new to the Tomb Raider franchise and wants to know what is the best place to begin. The answer is simple: start with Tomb Raider (2013). It offers modern gameplay, a strong origin story, and is widely available on current platforms.

After that, try to complete the Survivor timeline with Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (essentially to complete the trilogy). After that, you can explore older titles if you want to experience Lara Croft’s classic adventures.

If you want to experience the original games, there are also remastered collections available, bundling the classic titles into modern versions. These include Tomb Raider I-III Remastered and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.

Will you experience Lara’s journey in chronological order, or play the Tomb Raider games as they were released? Comment below to let us know.