Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Delayed to 2027, But New Gameplay Trailer Rekindles Excitement

Editor’s note: This article is a speculative preview written prior to the game’s official reveal. All release dates, trailer details, and announcements are based on industry reporting and placeholder information.

Lara Croft will have to wait a full year longer than expected for her next great adventure. Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog have officially delayed Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis from its original 2026 release window to February 12, 2027 (February 13 in Japan, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand). The news stings especially because it means missing the franchise’s 30th anniversary, which the team had hoped to celebrate with a new game. But before you sigh and close the tab, consider this: a stunning new gameplay trailer debuted during the PlayStation State of Play in mid-2026, and it’s the first real look at how this Unreal Engine 5 reimagining of the 1996 classic actually plays. Combine that with a surprise Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, a new voice for Lara, and a second Tomb Raider game also targeting 2027, and this routine delay story suddenly becomes one of the most exciting moments for the franchise in years.

The Delay, A Bitter but Expected Pill to Swallow

The delay was first leaked via an Amazon listing that showed a February 10, 2027 date, but the official reveal at State of Play corrected it to February 12, 2027 (or February 13 in some regions). While the year-long slip is disappointing, it’s hardly surprising. This is the first mainline Tomb Raider game since Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018), making an eight-plus year gap. Crystal Dynamics cited the sheer ambition of a ground-up Unreal Engine 5 reimagining as the underlying reason. “We want to honour the legacy of the original while delivering a modern experience that meets player expectations,” said studio head Scott Amos in a recent interview. “That takes time.”

The timing is also complicated by the franchise’s recent ownership changes. Legacy of Atlantis is the first Tomb Raider published by Amazon Game Studios since the IP was acquired by Embracer Group from Square Enix in 2022. And in a curious twist, the IP is scheduled to transfer to Embracer spin-off Fellowstorm Entertainment in calendar year 2027, the same year both Legacy of Atlantis and the upcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst are due to launch. That makes 2027 a landmark year for Lara Croft, even if the anniversary year is missed.

First Real Look, What the Gameplay Trailer Reveals

The gameplay trailer, which debuted at State of Play, offers the first extended look at the reimagined adventure. It opens with Lara rappelling down a snow-covered cliff in Peru, her breath fogging in the cold air. Within seconds, she’s in combat with mercenaries, using a series of well-timed pistol shots and a new grappling hook to swing across chasms. Then a bear charges, forcing a frantic scramble up a rock face. And then the T-Rex appears, a nod to the original’s iconic Lost Valley sequence, only this time Lara escapes not by running through a simple door but by grappling onto a collapsing bridge and swinging to safety as the dinosaur roars behind her.

The environments shown span Peru (the Lost Valley), Greece, Egypt, and a mysterious island. The trailer highlights specific gameplay moments: the reimagined cog puzzle now requires rotating interlocking gears to raise a platform, all while Unreal Engine 5’s dynamic weather system casts shifting shadows across the chamber. The classic room-to-room structure is replaced by expanded, semi-connected spaces that reward vertical exploration and backtracking. What the trailer shows is a game that respects the original’s spirit while embracing modern design principles.

[Gameplay Trailer, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, Check the official Crystal Dynamics channel for the latest version.]

Reimagining the Classic, How Legacy of Atlantis Updates the 1996 Original

This is not a simple remake. Crystal Dynamics has stressed that Legacy of Atlantis is a “complete reimagining,” built from scratch in Unreal Engine 5 by the co-development team at Flying Wild Hog. That distinction matters: it’s different from 2007’s Tomb Raider: Anniversary, which more closely followed the original’s level-by-level structure. Here, self-contained rooms become semi-connected environments that encourage exploration over linear progression. You might find a secret chamber by climbing a wall that was flat in 1996, or discover a new catacomb entrance by solving a puzzle hidden behind an ice wall.

One of the most talked-about changes is the new voice of Lara Croft. Alix Wilton Regan, known for roles in Cyberpunk 2077, Mass Effect 3, and Dragon Age: Inquisition, takes over from Camilla Luddington, who voiced Lara throughout the Survivor trilogy. In a statement, Regan said she aimed to “honour the character’s heritage while bringing a fresh energy to her journey.” She will also voice Lara in the upcoming Tomb Raider: Catalyst, meaning this reimagining serves as an introduction to a new narrative arc.

The Franchise Road Ahead, Catalyst, Switch 2, and a Landmark 2027

If Legacy of Atlantis were the only new Tomb Raider on the horizon, the delay would be easier to digest. But the franchise has a second game arriving in 2027: Tomb Raider: Catalyst, set in Northern India and announced at The Game Awards in December 2025. According to Crystal Dynamics, Legacy of Atlantis serves as a “primer” for Catalyst’s story, introducing new characters and lore that will carry into the next chapter.

Adding to the momentum is the surprise announcement that Legacy of Atlantis will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 day-and-date with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). The Switch 2 version was newly revealed at State of Play, and while performance details remain scarce, the promise of portable Lara Croft is sure to appeal to a broad audience. However, Crystal Dynamics has not yet confirmed whether the Switch 2 version will maintain Unreal Engine 5’s full visual fidelity, so portable performance remains a key question.

All of this means 2027 is shaping up to be a landmark year: two new games, a new voice actor, a publisher change, and the IP transfer to Fellowstorm Entertainment. For fans who have waited since 2018 for a true new mainline entry, the wait is almost over, even if it’s a year longer than planned.

Pricing, Editions, and Pre-Order Bonuses

Pre-orders are open now across all platforms. The Standard Edition costs $59.99, while the Deluxe Edition ($69.99) includes 48-hour early access (effectively a February 10 start), a Parisian Fugitive Outfit, and a post-launch DLC story pack. For collectors, the $199.99 Collector’s Edition features a detailed Lara vs. T-Rex statue, premium art prints, and a steelbook case. The Deluxe Edition’s early access is an interesting twist: it lets players jump in before the official launch date, softening the sting of the delay for those who pre-order.

A Future Worth Waiting For

The delay of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis to February 2027 may feel like a missed anniversary party, but the new gameplay trailer proves that Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog are building something genuinely ambitious. By modernizing the 1996 classic with expanded, semi-connected levels, breathtaking Unreal Engine 5 visuals, and a fresh voice for Lara, they are setting the stage for both a faithful reimagining and a bold new chapter. With Tomb Raider: Catalyst also on the horizon, 2027 is the most exciting time for the franchise in nearly a decade, even if Lara’s next great journey is a year later than planned.