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Rise of the Tomb Raider is the best all-round Tomb Raider for most players: it combines the Survivor trilogy’s strongest character arc with substantial hubs, crafting and optional tombs. The 1996 Tomb Raider remains the series’ highest-rated mainline game (91 on Metacritic, as recorded by Guinness World Records in 2025) and the purest expression of its lonely, trap-filled formula. This ranking separates story, gameplay and replay value rather than pretending one era suits everyone. Classic-tomb enthusiasts may reasonably put The Last Revelation or Tomb Raider II first, while modern-control players often prefer Rise, Anniversary or Legend.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Rise of the Tomb Raider | Best overall modern package | Metacritic 86; 88 for 20 Year Celebration | Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Switch 2 | Oct 2026 |
| 2. Tomb Raider (1996) | Atmosphere and foundational exploration | Metacritic 91 | Saturn, PlayStation, PC; I–III Remastered platforms | Oct 2026 |
| 3. Tomb Raider II | Classic set pieces and secrets | Metacritic 85 | PlayStation, PC; I–III Remastered platforms | Oct 2026 |
| 4. Tomb Raider: Anniversary | 1996 story with modern controls | Metacritic 77 | PlayStation, Xbox, PC | Oct 2026 |
| 5. Tomb Raider (2013) | Best origin story and action | Metacritic 86; Definitive Edition 85 | PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch/Switch 2 | Oct 2026 |
| 6. Tomb Raider: Legend | Short, accessible globe-trotting adventure | Metacritic 80 | PlayStation, Xbox, PC | Oct 2026 |
| 7. The Last Revelation | Interconnected classic tombs | Standalone Metacritic score not listed | PlayStation, Dreamcast, PC; IV–VI Remastered platforms | Oct 2026 |
| 8. Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Densest modern tombs and stealth | Metacritic 75; Vandal 9 | PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch 2 | Oct 2026 |
| 9. Tomb Raider: Underworld | Legend-era exploration and swimming | Metacritic 76 | PlayStation, Xbox, PC | Oct 2026 |
| 10. Tomb Raider III | Non-linear, punishing challenge | Metacritic 76 | PlayStation, PC; I–III Remastered platforms | Oct 2026 |
| 11. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light | Isometric co-op puzzles | Vandal 8; Argentics #7 overall | Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Switch | Oct 2026 |
| 12. Tomb Raider: Chronicles | Completionists finishing the Core era | Standalone Metacritic score not listed | PlayStation, Dreamcast, PC; IV–VI Remastered platforms | Oct 2026 |
| 13. The Angel of Darkness | Curious players exploring the series’ failed experiment | Metacritic 52 | PlayStation 2, PC; IV–VI Remastered platforms | Oct 2026 |
The table ranks the mainline games plus Guardian of Light, the major spin-off most often included in broad editorial lists. Mobile, handheld and puzzle spin-offs are covered separately below.
Why is there no single “best Tomb Raider game”?
The series is three continuities, not one uninterrupted timeline. Core Design’s Classic run (1996–2003) uses deliberate grid-based movement and emphasizes traps, navigation and secrets. Crystal Dynamics’ Legend trilogy (2006–2008) modernizes movement, grappling and cinematic pacing. The Survivor trilogy (2013–2018) turns Lara’s origin into a character-driven action-adventure with crafting and larger hubs.
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How were these Tomb Raider games ranked?
The order synthesizes Metacritic aggregates, Vandal’s published scores and four 2026 editorial rankings. Each game is judged on three equal questions:
- Story: character arc, antagonist, ending and continuity payoff.
- Gameplay: tomb and puzzle density, combat, controls, exploration and linearity.
- Replay value: secrets, optional tombs, expansions, challenge modes and campaign length.
Accessibility in 2026, platform availability and the quality of current remasters break close ties. The result is a practical recommendation, not an objective score; Gameblog and Numerama would move the classic entries upward, while Argentics and other modern-focused lists favor Rise.
Which Tomb Raider game is best? The ranking
1. Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015)
Story: Lara’s search for the Divine Source in Siberia gives her a more mature arc than the 2013 origin. Trinity, Jacob, Anna and Constantine create a clearer dramatic engine than the reboot’s island survival plot.
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Gameplay: It is the fullest Survivor toolkit: rope arrows, a rope ascender, weapon and outfit crafting, vendors, challenge tombs and the large Geothermal Valley hub. Optional tombs award abilities rather than feeling like detached sightseeing.
Replay: Byzantine coins, monoliths, side missions, expansions and the 20 Year Celebration content provide the strongest modern completion loop. The Celebration edition includes Baba Yaga and Cold Darkness; their Metacritic listings are 73 and 68 respectively. The trade-off is a familiar AAA structure that some critics find less distinctive than the classics.
2. Tomb Raider (1996)
Story: Lara’s hunt for the Scion travels from Peru and Greece through Egypt to Atlantis and Jacqueline Natla. The plot is spare, but the isolation and escalating strangeness established the franchise’s identity.
Gameplay: Grid-based tank controls, dual pistols, precision jumps and famously memorable spaces such as the Lost Valley T-Rex encounter make it the reference point for tomb design. Its atmosphere has never been fully duplicated.
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3. Tomb Raider II (1997)
Story: The Dagger of Xian quest moves through the Great Wall, Venice, the Maria Doria wreck and Tibet. It is thinner than Rise or Legend but gives Lara a larger globe-trotting adventure.
Gameplay: Boats and snowmobiles expand traversal, while denser human combat answers complaints that the first game was too lonely. Instant-death traps and trial-and-error jumps can be harsh.
Replay: Long levels hide abundant secrets, and the remaster preserves famous sequence breaks such as the Venice window route. Il Videogiocatore called it the most loved Tomb Raider, while its Metacritic score is 85.
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4. Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
Story: Anniversary retells the 1996 Scion hunt inside the Legend continuity, adding relationship beats and re-timed set pieces.
Gameplay: It is the best bridge between eras: the original’s rooms, including St. Francis’ Folly, are rebuilt around Legend’s responsive movement, grapple and cinematic “adrenaline” encounters. Purists may dislike some story and pacing changes.
Replay: Relics, artifacts and time-trial challenges encourage a second pass. It is the clearest recommendation for someone who wants the 1996 adventure without committing to tank controls before the 2027 remake.
5. Tomb Raider (2013)
Story: Yamatai, Himiko and the Solarii frame Lara’s first kill and the beginning of her transformation into an adventurer. The Endurance crew gives the reboot a strong emotional spine.
Gameplay: Bow combat, salvage upgrades, Survival Instincts and large set pieces make it the most action-forward entry. Tombs are smaller and more optional than in Rise or Shadow, and white-painted traversal cues keep the route readable.
Replay: Challenge tombs, collectibles and a streamlined upgrade loop offer a moderate second run, but there is less systemic depth than in Rise. Metacritic lists 86 for the Xbox 360 and PC versions, 85 for Definitive Edition, and Vandal scores the latter 8.5.
6. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
Story: Lara investigates her mother Amelia’s disappearance while pursuing Excalibur across Bolivia, Tokyo, Ghana, Kazakhstan and Nepal. Amanda Evert and the Arthurian thread establish the Legend continuity.
Gameplay: Grappling, motorcycle sections, Alister and Zip’s radio support and modern movement made it the series’ decisive control reset after Angel of Darkness. It is short, linear and highly approachable.
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Replay: Time trials and collectibles add reasons to return, but the compact campaign offers little grinding. Il Videogiocatore ranked it first for its clean break with tradition; other lists place it lower because of the reduced tomb complexity.
7. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
Story: A young-Lara Cambodia prologue leads into a continuous Egyptian campaign against Set, ending with Lara’s apparent burial. It delivers one of the strongest classic narrative payoffs, even though later games continue the story.
Gameplay: Interconnected Egypt hubs, inventory combinations, torch puzzles, combinable ammunition and backtracking with newly acquired tools create exceptional depth for the era. The same systems can feel like a slog when navigation becomes opaque.
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Replay: Its large connected spaces and secrets reward methodical players. Gameblog called it the franchise’s peak for level construction and traps, while Il Videogiocatore placed it near the bottom; this is the most taste-dependent classic. Play it through Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered.
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8. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
Story: Lara’s race against Trinity through Mexico, Peru and Paititi triggers a Maya apocalypse and pushes her toward a more ruthless identity. The opening is powerful, but Paititi slows the middle and Dominguez and Rourke lack Rise’s villainous impact.
Gameplay: Rappel routes, long underwater passages, stealth predators and the trilogy’s densest tombs make it the best modern choice for puzzle-focused players. Combat, exploration and puzzle difficulty can be set separately; “Hard” puzzle settings remove highlights and spoken hints.
Replay: Optional tombs, DLC challenge vaults and flexible difficulty support repeat play. The Switch 2 Definitive Edition launched on 22 October 2026 at a reported stable 30 frames per second. Its 75 Metacritic score and Vandal’s 9 capture the story-versus-tombs split.
9. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
Story: Underworld closes the Amelia and Avalon thread and brings back Natla while Lara seeks Thor’s hammer. It pays off Legend’s setup, though the ending rushes some revelations.
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Replay: Secrets and expansive environments offer a medium-length second run, but there are fewer systems and optional activities than in the Survivor games. Metacritic lists 76; Vandal lists 8.
10. Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft (1998)
Story: Meteorite artifacts take Lara from India to London, Nevada and Antarctica. The regional structure provides variety but less emotional continuity than the other classics.
Gameplay: Non-linear hubs let players choose parts of the route, while harder platforming, traps and vehicle sections make it the most punishing mainline game. In the remaster, save-crystal behavior differs from some players’ memories: crystals no longer heal or function as the old save system.
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11. Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light (2010)
Story: The isometric spin-off is a lighter Lara-and-Totec adventure rather than a continuation of the mainline Lara arc.
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Gameplay: It excels at room-scale co-op puzzles: Totec’s spears and Lara’s grapple combine for switches, platforms and combat arenas. Solo play works, but the design is best with another player.
Replay: Score challenges, collectible gems and cooperative solutions make it unusually replayable. The Lara Croft Collection on Switch bundles it with Temple of Osiris.
12. Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000)
Story: Four flashback episodes are told at Croft Manor while Lara is believed dead after The Last Revelation. The anthology format offers variety but little forward momentum.
Gameplay: Rome, a submarine mission and a tower introduce stealth and sniper experiments, yet the episodes feel shorter and less cohesive than the preceding Egypt campaign.
Replay: Completionists may return for secrets, but its brief chapters and uneven ideas explain why most 2026 rankings put it near the bottom. It is best saved for players finishing the Core sequence.
13. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
Story: A Paris and Prague murder mystery introduces Kurtis Trent, Nephilim mythology, dialogue choices and strength upgrades. Planned sequels were cancelled, leaving major plot threads unresolved.
Gameplay: New stealth and RPG-lite systems sit on top of unreliable camera, movement and combat. Core Design shipped an unfinished project, reflected in its 52 Metacritic score.
Replay: The atmosphere, Peter Connelly’s score and curiosity about the abandoned design have cult appeal, but bugs and low systemic payoff make repeat play difficult. The IV–VI Remastered version adds modern controls, restored content and a graphics toggle, making it the least frustrating way to study this historical failure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Tomb Raider games should you play first?
Choose one continuity and play it in release order. Do not stitch the three Laras into a single plot.
Best newcomer route: Survivor trilogy
- Tomb Raider (2013) — Lara’s origin on Yamatai.
- Rise of the Tomb Raider — Siberia, Trinity and the Divine Source.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider — Mexico, Peru and Paititi.
The Definitive Survivor Trilogy bundles the 2013 GOTY edition, Rise 20 Year Celebration and Shadow Definitive Edition. A Steam promotion checked in October 2026 cut it 90 percent to $7.17 from $71.98; availability and regional pricing can change.
Best classic route
- Tomb Raider I
- Tomb Raider II
- Tomb Raider III
- The Last Revelation
- Chronicles
- Angel of Darkness
Buy I–III Remastered first, then IV–VI Remastered. Both collections support original or modern controls and an instant graphics toggle; I–III includes Unfinished Business, The Golden Mask and The Lost Artifact. The collections carry a warning about offensive racial and ethnic stereotypes and present that material unaltered, so players should approach those sections critically.
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Best Legend route
- Legend
- Anniversary
- Underworld
Anniversary is a remake of the first game inside this continuity, so it belongs after Legend rather than before it. The older 2011 PS3 Tomb Raider Trilogy collects all three, while current digital stores also sell them separately.
What are the best Tomb Raider purchases in 2026?
For modern systems, the Survivor Trilogy is the simplest value when discounted. On a Steam Colombia check dated October 2026, individual prices were 6,760 COP for the 2013 game, 10,140 COP for Rise and 13,520 COP for Shadow; the same check listed each remastered classic collection at 14,000 COP. A PlayStation Colombia listing showed the Survivor bundle at $49.99, while an Xbox Colombia promotion listed it at 21,051 COP and was expected to end around 4 November 2026. Storefront offers are temporary, so verify the live listing before buying.
Nintendo support expanded in 2026: I–III Remastered is available on Switch and Switch 2, the 2013 Definitive Edition arrived on Switch and Switch 2 in November 2025, Rise on Switch 2 in June 2026 and Shadow Definitive Edition on Switch 2 in October 2026. Game Pass availability was not confirmed in the October 2026 catalog check.
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What is coming next in Tomb Raider?
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis launches worldwide on 12 February 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC and Switch 2. It is a full Unreal Engine 5 remake of the 1996 adventure, not a sequel that requires the Survivor trilogy. Deluxe and Collector’s editions receive 48-hour early access on 10 February. Xbox pricing checked in October 2026 was $59.99 standard and $69.99 Deluxe; a Steam Colombia listing showed 189,000 COP compared with 240,900 COP on Xbox.
The remake adds modern combat and traversal to familiar beats such as boulder channels, bar swings, leopards and cat mummies. Narrative director John Stafford described it as “synthesizing thirty years of Lara into something new,” rather than simply repeating Anniversary’s approach.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst is a separate new mainline chapter, not a remake. Current timelines place it in 2028, although some 2026 roundups still say 2027; its month and final platform list are not locked. Argentics describes a Northern India setting and the series’ largest game to date.
What other Tomb Raider games are worth knowing?
Spin-offs are optional for the three story routes. Temple of Osiris follows Guardian of Light as a four-player isometric sequel. Lara Croft GO is a turn-based puzzle game with a Vandal score of 9, while Relic Run is an endless runner scored 7.5 by Vandal. Reloaded, a 2023 mobile roguelike, has a 65 Metacritic score. The Game Boy Color titles, GBA’s The Prophecy and the iOS card game Reflections are historical curiosities rather than essential story chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play the Survivor trilogy before Legacy of Atlantis?
No. Legacy of Atlantis is a remake of the 1996 adventure and is designed as a fresh entry point. Earlier games can add context, but no previous campaign is required.
Are the original Tomb Raider games good for someone used to modern controls?
They are rewarding if you enjoy deliberate navigation, spatial puzzles and repeated attempts at jumps. Start with I–III Remastered’s modern camera-relative option, then switch to classic controls if you want the original timing and challenge.
Which Tomb Raider has the most tombs?
Shadow of the Tomb Raider has the densest concentration of modern optional tombs, including DLC vaults. Among the classics, The Last Revelation is the strongest choice for interconnected tomb spaces and multi-step puzzles.
Is Angel of Darkness worth playing today?
Only if you are interested in the series’ unfinished transition between Core Design and Crystal Dynamics, its Paris atmosphere or its soundtrack. The remaster improves controls and restores content, but it cannot remove the unresolved story and uneven systems.
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