Not counting the recent remasters, it’s been a while since we’ve had a full-fledged Tomb Raider game, one that brings Lara back into the spotlight in a way that the Reboot Trilogy did. Courtesy of Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog, we’re getting just that in the form of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a reimagining of Lara’s 1998 debut title.

During Summer Game Fest 2026, we spent nearly an hour hands-on with the game and walked away pretty impressed with what we saw. This new vision blends cinematic spectacle, modern traversal, and grounded combat with a clear respect for the original adventure. While the demo showcases a strong foundation, there are still areas that could use more polish before launch, given that this is a pre-alpha build and still a work in progress.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Hands-on Preview

Our session took place in The Lost Valley, an early-game level set in Peru, where Lara hunts for the first fragment of the Scion inside the tomb of Qualopec. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is positioned as a ground‑up reimagining complete with expanded narrative, new cinematics, and new explorable areas woven throughout the classic storyline.

The demo surely delivered, showing a stunningly lush environment that’s layered with verticality. The foliage is dense, with sunlight cutting through, and waterfalls and ruins scattered throughout the area. Lara is equipped with a scanner that can help her identify historical details from objects and architecture. It’s a small touch, but very welcome as it directly enforces her character.

Our objective was to find a couple of cogs for a switch to work, granting deeper access to the area. Immediately, it is evident that Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis leans heavily on puzzle-solving rather than combat, at least from what we played. Searching for the cogs required climbing platforms, jumping across ravines, and more, and it felt like a great return to form. Of course, there are also multiple collectibles along the way, such as historical artifacts and objects representative of the area.

In Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, Lara can pull certain interactable objects toward her using a grappling hook, which can also be used to swing across farther gaps. These objects have indicators, so it’s easy to tell when to use the tools you have. On the other hand, the “yellow paint” is gone, replaced by a more natural-looking white paint, which fits the scenario well and looks like the marks that naturally form when something is used too much. That said, it requires a closer look and is easy to miss, since nothing stands out like how the color yellow would.

Traversal in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis felt a bit floaty, which could be understandable because the original titles were quite like that. It could be said that there’s a certain level of faithfulness the developers are aiming for, and while it isn’t too hard to get used to, it just felt a tad bit too unnatural. It’s quite possible that the developers could still tighten this up to match the responsiveness of modern titles, especially since traversal is integral to a Tomb Raider game.

What felt good in this Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis session was combat. Lara is nimble and acrobatic as we faced multiple velociraptors, firing her twin pistols proved responsive and satisfying, moving while aiming and rolling out of the way to dodge incoming attacks.

Lara can indeed hold her own, and that is only enhanced by the Focus System, which slows time while dodging at the press of a button so players can line up precise shots. This consumable resource can be reused once you connect enough shots, encouraging Lara to stand toe-to-toe with threats. Combat feels modern and responsive, arguably one of the demo’s strongest aspects.

Ending the demo was an encounter with a familiar foe – the T-Rex. This is an iconic encounter in more ways than one, and in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, it has been rebuilt as a cinematic encounter, with players facing a chase sequence. While no direct combat with the T-Rex happened in this session, we’re guessing players will have to face it later.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is shaping up to be a bold, modern reimagining of a beloved classic. The atmosphere, puzzle design, and combat systems already feel strong, while aspects like traversal need further refinement. Even then, we can’t wait to play and uncover more of Lara’s latest adventure.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is coming to PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC on February 12, 2027.