Core Design’s Tomb Raider series has always been intriguing. The original trilogy was a critical smash hit, and thanks to Aspyr’s impressive remastered release last year, it’s seen a rebirth. Following this, Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation did decently, but then Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness brought the whole series—and the studio—down until Crystal Dynamics stepped in. Interestingly, Aspyr has always had a plan to revitalize them all, which they are now executing with the Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered edition.
We had a chat with Jordon Reese, Product Manager at Aspyr, to get some insights into how they’re tackling the challenge of remastering these more troublesome entries, and what their overarching goals are for these updates. So far, we’re pretty optimistic that this new set of remastered games will match the meticulous craftsmanship we saw in the first remaster release.
The conversation has been edited for fluidity and comprehensibility. Reese shared, “From the outset, our aim was to deliver the full classic Tomb Raider experience, covering all six of the original Core Design games. The fan base’s incredible reception of the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered solidified our dedication to this goal.” The unexpectedly high praise, per Embracer, of the first remastered collection likely sped up this next one, not to mention the buzz surrounding the Soul Reaver 1+2 remaster that launched last December.
Reese noted that the reception from fans was “a powerful reminder of how important these games are to the community,” providing a strong incentive for the team to create “a complete narrative.” Although it’s known that the fifth and sixth games aren’t as cherished, Aspyr saw a fitting chance to refine them, all while staying true to the original vision. “It wouldn’t have felt right to stop at Tomb Raider IV after remastering I-III,” as Reese pointed out.
As we await the announcement of the next Tomb Raider installment, there’s also considerable anticipation surrounding the new Amazon TV series and this collection of remasters. Fans are fervently protective of Lara Croft, and many are skeptical about returning to Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness. So, how does Aspyr plan to captivate both diehard fans and newcomers with these “darker adventures”?
Reese assured us, “The pressure we feel is self-imposed as we work to reintroduce these games to both longtime fans and modern players.” Aspyr is known for taking a traditional route with their remasters—a strategy observable in their recent work like Star Wars: Jedi Power Battles—and it seems they plan to continue that trend: “Our main goal is to preserve the original look and feel while introducing enhanced graphics and functionalities.”
Although Core Design is no longer around, does Crystal Dynamics play a part in maintaining consistency across all the Tomb Raider games? Aspyr acknowledges that the project has been “a collaborative effort throughout,” indicating continuous communication from beginning to end, which extends to the Tomb Raider I-III remasters.
“We coordinate closely with Crystal Dynamics to ensure we remain faithful to the game’s original vision, while integrating modern enhancements. It’s crucial that we maintain the visual tone and style of these beloved classics, and working closely with the IP holder aids us in meeting these expectations.” This effort also involves Embracer Group, the owner of the rights, while Crystal Dynamics continues to handle Lara Croft’s next fresh adventure.
Longtime fans might remember, even if they haven’t repeatedly played through these later titles like the first three, that things take quite a turn. The process of transforming these games into something both nostalgic and modern presents a unique challenge. The complexity impacts both level and character design, prompting Reese to reveal the secret to success: detailed iteration. “We put in countless hours adjusting colors, lighting, ambiance, and clarity to deliver an experience that mirrors the memories from all those years ago.” Of course, with today’s technology, those memories are updated to feel significantly less pixelated.
As far as gameplay goes for these revisits set for 2025, we’ll have to hold off for our firsthand experience. However, considering Aspyr’s track record of updating niche titles with a devoted following, we’re hopeful for a favorable reassessment of Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness in this nostalgic comeback with Lara Croft.
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is slated for release on February 14 across PC platforms (Steam, Epic Games, GOG), PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
