Lara Croft's Latest Expedition: 2013's Tomb Raider Reboots... onto Your Phone?!
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
The 2013 *Tomb Raider* reboot is defying expectations and landing on iOS and Android devices next year, complete with all DLC, prompting Jeff to muse about the motivations behind bringing a premium, single-player experience to the mobile ecosystem and its connection to upcoming franchise titles.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're rummaging through your old spellbook, looking for a forgotten charm, and you accidentally summon a critically acclaimed classic onto a device it was never meant to inhabit? Well, that's kind of the vibe I'm getting with this latest bit of news from the digital ether. Apparently, 2013's *Tomb Raider* reboot – yep, the one that famously gave Lara Croft a brutal survival tutorial – is ditching the dusty console shelves and making a grand, if slightly bewildering, leap onto mobile devices.
I've been tinkering with this story all morning, like trying to get a particularly stubborn glyph to glow, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than it first appeared. Just hot off its Switch debut (a platform where it felt surprisingly at home, I might add), this foundational entry in the 'Survivor Trilogy' is gearing up for iOS and Android next year, specifically on **February 12th**. Mark your digital calendars, mates, because Lara's about to be in your pocket, probably getting into all sorts of trouble while you're queuing for a coffee.
Now, let's dig into the details, shall we? This isn't just the base game making a barebones appearance. Oh no, Feral Interactive – the wizards behind this particular porting enchantment – are bundling in all 12 of the original DLC packs. That means extra upgrades, snazzy outfits (important for surviving Yamatai in style, obviously), and a bonus Challenge Tomb. So, if you're keen to relive Lara's nascent adventuring days, or perhaps experience them for the first time, you're getting the whole shebang. It’s like finding a treasure chest and it actually *has* all the jewels inside, not just some ancient receipts.
The official blurb paints a familiar picture: "When a young Lara Croft is shipwrecked on a forgotten island during her first archaeological expedition, her intense fight for survival soon becomes a perilous journey to unravel the island's mysteries." Sounds about right, doesn't it? Initially armed with nothing but her instincts, she's gotta learn to navigate those "devious traps and murderous inhabitants." Pretty standard Tuesday for our favourite archaeologist, even if it was her origin story for a new generation.
But here’s where my gentle skepticism starts to hum like a faulty portal gun. Feral Interactive assures us it’s been "expertly optimised" for mobile devices and features a "fully customisable touchscreen interface." Now, I've seen some impressive mobile ports in my time, but making a fast-paced, action-adventure game like *Tomb Raider* feel natural with touch controls is like trying to cast a precision spell with oven mitts on. 'Expertly optimised' usually means 'we tried our best not to melt your phone.' Kudos for the fully customisable bit, though – that shows they're at least trying to give players some control over the inevitable digital gymnastics.
However, a glimmer of optimistic chaos emerges from the shadows: it’ll also support gamepad and, get this, mouse and keyboard. Fair dinkum! That's a game-changer for those who prefer their precision controls for headshots and climbing sequences. It suggests they know touch isn't everyone's cup of tea, and they're offering proper alternatives. That's a good sign, like finding a secret passage that actually leads somewhere useful.
Now, let's talk brass tacks: the price. It's set at £12.99 here in the UK, or $19.99/€15.99 elsewhere. For a mobile game, that's definitely on the premium end, eschewing the free-to-play gacha shenanigans that dominate the app stores. But for a full, acclaimed AAA experience with all its DLC, it might just be a wizard's bargain. It makes you wonder: is this a calculated risk to bring high-quality, non-monetised experiences to mobile, or just an attempt to tap into a new revenue stream for an older title?
Which brings me to the bigger picture, the kind of industry connections I like to spot like patterns in digital tea leaves. Why *Tomb Raider 2013* now? Well, it's worth noting that at a recent industry shindig, two *new* series entries were announced: *Tomb Raider Catalyst* (a fresh adventure from Crystal Dynamics and Amazon) and *Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis* (a remake of the original game). Releasing the 2013 reboot on mobile feels a bit like a strategic magic trick. Is it a way to introduce a whole new generation of mobile-first players to Lara's more grounded, gritty origins before the shiny new titles drop? Or perhaps a nostalgia trip for veterans to get them hyped? It could be both – a clever way to build a broader audience for the franchise and remind everyone why Lara Croft is still a legend.
Ultimately, for gaming enthusiasts and curious gamers, this is an interesting development. It’s not just a quick cash grab; it’s a full premium title making a calculated jump to a new platform. If Feral Interactive truly has woven some porting magic, then we could be looking at a genuinely good way to experience a classic on the go. As always, I’m cautiously optimistic, ready to see if this spell works perfectly, or if it just turns Lara into a pixelated chicken. Here's hoping it's the former, eh?
If you fancy diving in, iOS players can preorder via the App Store, and Android users can pre-register on the Google Play Store. Go on, give it a whirl. What's the worst that can happen? Besides your phone running out of battery just as you're about to escape Yamatai, of course.
Tags: Tomb Raider, Mobile Gaming, Feral Interactive, Game Port, Lara Croft
Original article: Eurogamer