Tomb Raider Games With The Best Stories, Ranked

As a seasoned adventurer myself, I simply cannot help but be captivated by the tales of Lara Croft’s escapades through ancient ruins and hidden treasures. From her early days as an apprentice to the fateful events that shaped her into the iconic heroine we know today, each Tomb Raider game offers a unique blend of action, puzzle-solving, and historical intrigue.

Since I first laid eyes on Lara Croft’s thrilling escapades back in the 90s, graced across those old CRT screens, she’s been embarking on dangerous expeditions in pursuit of ancient treasures. From crumbling relics hidden deep within jungles to valleys teeming with prehistoric creatures, and even the winding canals of Venice, this fearless British adventurer has lived through a series of epic journeys, often armed only with a modest backpack and her reliable pistols.

Absolutely, just as every franchise experiences its ups and downs, the Tomb Raider series is no exception. The initial PlayStation 1 releases have generally aged well, but certain subsequent installments saw a drop in quality, followed by a resurgence with the 2013 reboot. Here are some standout stories from the Tomb Raider game series.

6 Tomb Raider 2

Fight The Venetian Mafia To Claim An Ancient Dagger

Tomb Raider Games With The Best Stories, Ranked

In the sequel of Lara Croft’s adventure for treasure hunting, she predominantly abandons the conventional tombs and explores some contemporary locations instead. Although this shift might seem surprising to fans of the first game who were anticipating more traditional ancient settings, the narrative that unfolds is a typical adventure.

Lara embarks on a quest to discover the legendary Dagger of Xian, hidden somewhere along the Great Wall of China. This enigmatic artifact is said to grant immense power to anyone who dares to wield it by embedding it within their heart. However, Lara remains unaware that Don Marco Bartoli, an Italian mob boss, also pursues the same elusive weapon. This thrilling chase unfolds as Lara traverses various locations such as dilapidated sections of the Great Wall, labyrinthine ruins, the romantic cityscape of Venice, and even a bustling oil refinery. This international adventure culminates in a climactic final act, offering a conclusive and well-rounded narrative journey for the audience.

5 Tomb Raider

Discover the Truth of Atlantis in Lara’s First Outing

Tomb Raider Games With The Best Stories, Ranked

The original Tomb Raider game is tough to surpass, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. It delivers on its promise in every level, immersing players in various ancient civilizations and their crumbling ruins that brim with treasures and hazards. You take on the role of Lara Croft, a skilled adventurer known for her magazine covers, as she embarks on a fresh mission assigned by tech mogul Jacqueline Natla.

The player journeys through various locations next: the obscured City of Vilcabamba nestled within the Peruvian Mountains, then to Saint Francis’ Folly located in Greece. Afterward, they travel to Egypt for some daring pyramid escapades, and lastly delve into the intricate labyrinths of Natla’s mines. All this is done in pursuit of the Atlantean Scion, which Natla intends to use to revive her crumbled kingdom since she is actually an ancient queen of Atlantis (spoiler: she’s a millennia-old!). This exhilarating journey showcases its affection for Indiana Jones and became legendary, paving the way for a digital empire that swept across the globe.

4 Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation

Romp Through Ancient Egyptian Ruins To Stop A God’s Resurrection

In Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, we get a glimpse into the early adventures of Lara Croft, our franchise’s fearless heroine. The story begins in 1984 when Lara, still a teenager, embarks on her maiden voyage under the guidance of renowned explorer Werner Von Croy. They explore the ancient ruins of Angkor Watt together, only for Von Croy to mysteriously become trapped within the ruins along with the artifact he was chasing.

1999 finds Lara Croft, now seasoned, embarking solo through the Tomb of Set in Egypt. Upon retrieving the fabled Amulet of Horus, she unwittingly summons the ancient deity of disorder, casting the world into shadows. The ensuing narrative is a gripping battle against time to rectify the chaos. Throughout this ordeal, Lara is persistently chased by none other than Werner Von Croy, seemingly resurrected and infused with the spirit of Set. This timeless adventure concludes with an exhilarating finale, making it an ideal choice for a modern remake.

3 Tomb Raider: Underworld

Lara Follows In Her Father’s Footsteps To Search For The Truth Of Avalon

After the popular remake of the Tomb Raider series on advanced gaming systems, the game Tomb Raider: Underworld was launched in 2008 to widespread acclaim from both critics and fans. In this installment, Lara Croft embarks on a quest to find Avalon with the aim of solving the mystery surrounding her father’s vanishment. The journey commences at the depths of the Mediterranean Sea where she uncovers Niflheim and an array of artifacts connected to Thor, the Norse god of thunder.

Hot on her trail, however, is fellow anthropologist Amanda Evert, who’s seeking the artifacts for her own ends — aided by none other than Jacqueline Natla herself. This blast from the past, coupled with a few startling familial revelations, makes it a stand-out story filled with as many twists and turns as the tombs themselves. The love, loss and betrayal in the story is poignant, and further fleshes out Lara’s motivations.

2 Tomb Raider: Legend

Uncover The Mystery Behind King Arthur

In the mid 2000s, as innovative technology was introduced, Crystal Dynamics seized the chance to revive Lara Croft’s prominence among gamers. This led to the release of Tomb Raider: Legend, the pioneering title in the series’ reboot. This game offers a fresh retelling of Lara’s origins, enriching her backstory. The narrative unfolds with the mysterious disappearance of Lara’s mother after a plane crash in Bolivia. Driven by the desire to find answers and unravel the truth, Lara embarks on a quest to locate a stone pedestal reminiscent of the one that took her mother away.

What she finds is a trail of clues that point to the mythical King Arthur, his magical sword Excalibur, and a world-spanning mystery that has seemingly touched every ancient culture on Earth. It’s then up to the player to travel the globe and retrieve the shattered shards of Excalibur hidden in various ruins by the Knights of the Round Table. It’s an epic retelling of the Arthurian legend that deftly combines the series’ strengths with a defining real-world fable.

1 Tomb Raider (2013)

Survive A Cult To Discover the Secrets Of The Sun Queen of Yamatai

In another ten years, there’s yet another opportunity to revitalize the Tomb Raider series for new fans. Unlike a mere money-making scheme, the 2013 version of Tomb Raider is a remarkable game that offers an engaging survival story set against incredible odds. This game lays the groundwork for Lara Croft’s future transformation into the iconic heroine we know today. Fresh from university, Lara embarks on a research voyage aboard the Endurance, heading towards the mysterious island of Yamatai in the ominous Dragon’s Triangle region. Calamity strikes swiftly as an unusually fierce and seemingly supernatural storm causes the shipwreck.

In the heart of adversity, as a green gamer taking on the role of young Lara Croft, I’m compelled to adapt swiftly to this unforgiving island’s harsh conditions. My mission? Find my lost crew and escape this place by whatever means necessary. Delving deeper into the unknown, I stumble upon a secretive cult worshipping Himiko, the legendary Sun Queen said to command the weather itself. Equipped with a trusty bow and climbing pick, it’s up to me to traverse this treacherous island, unravel the mystery of Himiko’s return, and survive the relentless wilderness. This is the gritty adventure that shaped Lara Croft into the icon she is today, and it leaves no doubt about her strength and determination.

2024-08-09 01:34