"Tomb Raider Games: Chronological Play Order Guide"

Tomb Raider boasts a storied history, with Lara Croft exploring ruins and tombs across the globe. Overcoming every obstacle in her path, Lara has secured her place among the most iconic video game protagonists. With a new Tomb Raider game currently in development at Crystal Dynamics, a fresh adventure awaits. To help fans embark on or revisit their journey with Lara, we've compiled a chronological list of every Tomb Raider game.

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How to play in chronological orderHow to play in release orderHow Many Tomb Raider Games Are There?

As of 2025, there are 20 Tomb Raider games, divided into three distinct timelines, each offering unique plotlines and variations on Lara Croft and her companions. Fourteen of these games are available on home consoles, six on handheld devices, and six on mobile platforms. Stand-alone titles such as Tomb Raider: The Prophecy, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Lara Croft Go, Lara Croft: Relic Run, and Tomb Raider Reloaded are not included in these lists.

Which Tomb Raider Should You Play First?

If you're new to the franchise in 2025, starting with the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot is recommended. This game kicks off the "Survivor" trilogy, leading into Lara Croft's latest adventures, culminating with 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

### Tomb Raider

2See it at AmazonTomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

Embarking on a chronological journey through the Tomb Raider series involves navigating three separate timelines.

Original Saga TimelineLegend of Tomb Raider TimelineSurvivor Trilogy TimelineFirst Timeline - Original Saga

### 1. Tomb Raider (1996)

The inaugural Tomb Raider game follows Lara as she is commissioned by businesswoman Jacqueline Natla to retrieve the Scion of Atlantis. After gathering all three fragments worldwide, Lara faces betrayal and battles Natla on a volcanic island teeming with monsters.

Available on: PlayStation, iOS, Android, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider Review

2. Tomb Raider: The Curse of the Sword (2001)

Exclusive to the Game Boy Color, this sequel sees Lara on a mission to destroy a mystical sword before Madame Paveau can use it to resurrect and unleash her dark magic on the world.

Available on: Game Boy Color | IGN’s Curse of the Sword Review

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

Lara hunts for the Dagger of Xian, a mystical weapon capable of transforming its owner into a dragon, pursued by the cult leader Marco Bartoli.

Available on: PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider II Review

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

Lara's quest leads her to the Infada Stone, one of four ancient artifacts derived from a meteorite. She must prevent Dr. Willard from using these to accelerate evolution and mutate the planet.

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Mac OS | IGN’s Tomb Raider III Review

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

While exploring an Egyptian tomb, Lara unwittingly releases the god of chaos, Set. She must summon Horus to stop Set's havoc in Cairo.

Available on: PlayStation, Mac OS, PC, Dreamcast | IGN’s The Last Revelation Review

6. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)

Following the uncertain conclusion of The Last Revelation, Lara's friends reminisce about her past adventures, from Roman catacombs to haunted islands, cementing her legacy.

Available on: PlayStation, PC, Mac OS, Dreamcast | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Chronicles Review

7. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)

Framed for her mentor Werner Von Croy's murder, Lara investigates in Paris and Prague, encountering Kurtis Trent, the last of the Lux Veritatis Society, who harbors a dark secret.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, Mac OS X | IGN’s Angel of Darkness Review

Second Timeline - Legend of Tomb Raider

### 1. Tomb Raider Anniversary (2007)

A remake of the 1996 original, Lara again searches for the Scion of Atlantis with enhanced puzzles and physics-based challenges.

Available on: PC, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, Mobile, OS X, PS3 | IGN’s Tomb Raider Anniversary Review

2. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)

A reboot of Lara's origins, she races to find Excalibur before her former friend Amanda Evert does.

Available on: GBA, Gamecube, PC, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360 | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Legend Review

3. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

In the final part of the Legend trilogy, Lara seeks Mjolnir, the key to Helheim, battling Natla once more.

Available on: Nintendo DS, PS3, Wii, PC, Xbox 360, Mobile, PlayStation 2, OS X | IGN’s Tomb Raider: Underworld Review

Third Timeline - Survivor Trilogy

### 1. Tomb Raider (2013)

A darker take on Lara's story begins with her stranded on an island during her first expedition to Yamatai, confronting the Solarii Brotherhood and the Sun Queen's ritual.

Available on: PC, PS3, Xbox 360, OS X, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Linux | IGN’s Tomb Raider (2013) Review

2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)

Lara ventures into Siberia to find the legendary city of Kitezh, facing off against the paramilitary organization Trinity and the mythical Deathless Ones.

Available on: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PS4, macOS, Linux, Stadia | IGN’s Rise of the Tomb Raider Review

3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)

The concluding chapter of the Survivor Trilogy has Lara racing through the Americas to avert a Mayan apocalypse, battling the Yaaxil and Trinity.

Available on: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Linux, macOS, Stadia | IGN’s Shadow of the Tomb Raider Review

How to Play ALL the Tomb Raider Games By Release Date

Tomb Raider (1996)Tomb Raider II (1997)Tomb Raider III (1998)Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)Tomb Raider (Game Boy Color, 2000)Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (Game Boy Color, 2001)Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (GBA, 2002)Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010)Tomb Raider (2013)Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (2014)Lara Croft: Relic Run (2015)Lara Croft Go (2015)Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)Tomb Raider Reloaded (2023)What’s Next for Tomb Raider?

Crystal Dynamics is developing a new Tomb Raider game, confirmed to use Unreal Engine 5 and published by Amazon Games. While details are sparse, it's suggested to be a continuation of the Survivor trilogy, as hinted by Crystal Dynamics on Twitter.

Outside of gaming, Netflix's animated series, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, debuted in October and has been renewed for a second season. Meanwhile, Amazon's planned series with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as writer and executive producer appears to have been shelved.