Tomb Raider Games in Order: story and timeline

If you are unfamiliar with the Tomb Raider series and are curious about what the hype is all about, it is important to understand the chronological order of the games and whether it is necessary to play them in sequence.

With 13 mainline games and several spin-offs, there is a wide range of Lara Croft games available, and knowing where to begin is crucial.

For new players, it can be a bit confusing as the games are divided into three separate timelines. To simplify things, we have provided a guide on how to play the Tomb Raider games in both release date order and story order.

You Might Also Like:

• Resident Evil Games in Order
• God of War Games in Order
• GTA Games in Order
• Call of Duty Games in Order

How Many Tomb Raider Games Are There?

As of 2024, a grand total of 19 Tomb Raider games have been launched. These games are categorized into 3 separate timelines, each offering unique storylines and a slightly different approach to the beloved character Lara Croft and her companions.

There have been a total of 14 Tomb Raider games that have been released for home consoles. Additionally, 6 of these games were also made available for handheld portable consoles, while another 6 were supported on mobile devices.

Tomb Raider games in release order

The series of Tomb Raider games started in 1996 with the first game, and the most recent release, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, came out in 2018. Alongside the main games, there have also been several spin-offs. Below is a list of all the titles in the series, including the year they were first released and the platforms they were available on.

Here is the complete list of Tomb Raider games in release date order:

• 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 (2000 | Game Boy Color)
• Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000 | PS1, PC, Dreamcast)
• Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword (2001 | Game Boy Color)
• Tomb Raider: The Prophecy (2002 | Game Boy Advance)
• Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003 | PS2, PC)
• Tomb Raider: Legend (2006 | PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PC)
• Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007 | PS2, PSP, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PC)
• Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008 | PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PC)
• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010 | PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Android, iOS)
• Tomb Raider (2013 | PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris (2014 | PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch)
• Lara Croft: Relic Run (2015 | Android, iOS, Windows Phone)
• Lara Croft GO (2015 | Android, iOS, Windows Phone, PS4, PC)
• Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015 | Xbox One, Xbox 360 (2016 on PC and PS4))
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018 | PS4, Xbox One, PC)
• Tomb Raider Reloaded (2023 | Android, iOS)

Tomb Raider Games in Chronological Order

If you have the intention of playing all the Tomb Raider games in a specific order, it is essential to be aware that there are three distinct timelines available for you to experience.

First Timeline – Original Saga

1. Tomb Raider (1996)

In the initial Tomb Raider game, the storyline revolves around Lara Croft accepting a job from a wealthy businesswoman named Jacquelin Natla. Her task is to locate a valuable and enigmatic artifact known as the Scion of Atlantis.

As Lara successfully collects all three fragments of the Scion, which are scattered across different parts of the world, she discovers that Natla has betrayed her. Consequently, Lara finds herself on a treacherous volcanic island infested with dangerous creatures,

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

In the chronological order of Tomb Raider games, there is a sequel exclusively designed for Game Boy Color. This thrilling adventure follows Lara as she embarks on a mission to find a mystical sword.

Her goal is to prevent the resurrection of Madame Paveau, who intends to utilize her dark magic to conquer the world from the underworld.

3. Tomb Raider II (1997)

In this installment, Lara Croft embarks on a quest to find the Dagger of Xian, a powerful weapon that was previously wielded by the Emperors of China.

She faces a formidable adversary named Marco Bartoli, a cult leader who is also in pursuit of the dagger. Bartoli is particularly interested in the dagger’s mystical power, as it has the ability to transform its owner into a fearsome dragon.

4. Tomb Raider III (1998)

In the third game of the original Tomb Raider series, Lara embarks on a mission to locate the Infada Stone, which is one of four crystal artifacts created from a meteorite long ago.

She discovers that the villainous Dr. Willard intends to utilize these statues to accelerate the evolutionary process. Determined to prevent the mutation of the entire planet, Lara sets out to find the remaining three artifacts.

5. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)

Lara inadvertently unleashes the Egyptian god of chaos, Set, while investigating an ancient tomb in Egypt, in the game “The Last Revelation.”

As Set and his minions cause chaos and destruction in Cairo, Lara receives help from Semerkhet and works towards summoning the god Horus, who is humanity’s last chance to stop this apocalyptic menace.

6. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)

Following the unclear conclusion of The Last Revelation, Lara’s loyal butler Winston and her other companions gather together to honor her by sharing stories of her remarkable adventures.

Uncovering the secrets hidden within the catacombs of Rome, battling enemies aboard a Russian naval submarine, and venturing into a mysterious island plagued by supernatural entities, the Chronicles solidify Lara’s reputation as a highly experienced and well-traveled adventurer.

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

In the storyline, Lara finds herself accused of killing her ex-mentor, Werner Von Croy. Determined to prove her innocence and uncover the truth behind the murder, she embarks on a journey through the captivating cities of Paris and Prague.

As she delves deeper into the investigation, Lara discovers that Kurtis Trent, the sole survivor of the Lux Veritatis Society, is shadowing her every move.

Second Timeline – Legend of Tomb Raider

1. Tomb Raider Anniversary (2007)

In this game, which is a remake of the 1996 original Tomb Raider, players join Lara on her quest to locate the Scion of Atlantis.

The game features updated puzzles and physics, with a departure from the emphasis on collecting items and operating switches that was prominent in the original version.

Instead, players will encounter physics-based puzzles and interact with various environmental elements throughout the game.

2. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)

In this installment of Tomb Raider games, the storyline takes a fresh approach by presenting a rebooted version of Lara Croft’s origins.

As she embarks on a global adventure, her main objective is to locate the legendary Excalibur sword.

Lara is particularly driven to find it before her former friend, Amanda Evert, can get her hands on it.

3. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)

In the third game of the Legend trilogy, titled Underworld, Lara embarks on a quest to find Mjolnir, an ancient artifact that serves as a key to Helheim, the underworld of the dead.

Throughout the game, Lara explores the remains of different civilizations and mythological underworlds, while also facing off against the antagonist Natla, who is also in pursuit of Mjolnir.

Third Timeline – Survivor Trilogy

1. Tomb Raider (2013)

In an innovative and more intense portrayal of Lara Croft, she embarks on her initial journey to uncover the hidden realm of Yamatai, but things go awfully wrong, leaving her stranded on a secluded and unfriendly island.

Confronted by the treacherous Solarii Brotherhood cult, Lara must thwart their plans to perform the Ascension ritual and ensure that no successor is chosen for the infamous and ruthless Sun Queen.

2. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)

In Rise of the Tomb Raider, the protagonist Lara embarks on a quest to find the ancient city of Kitezh in Siberia. Along the way, she encounters Trinity, a paramilitary group that often clashes with her.

As Lara competes with Trinity to uncover the secrets of Kitezh, she may discover that the fabled immortal guardians of the kingdom, known as the Deathless Ones, are more than just a mere legend.

3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)

In the concluding chapter of the Survivor Trilogy, Shadow of the Tomb Raider takes players on an exhilarating adventure as Lara Croft explores the vast landscapes of the Americas. Her mission is to locate the hidden city of Paititi before a catastrophic Mayan prophecy brings about the end of the world.

However, she faces formidable challenges in the form of the terrifying Yaaxii creatures and the relentless pursuit of the notorious Trinity organization.