Alongside a ton of exciting announcements from The Game Awards 2025, Tomb Raider: Catalyst was just announced. That’s right, folks, after waiting around seven years for a new Tomb Raider game, which is neither a remake nor a remaster, we finally have a new adventure for Lara Croft.
Tomb Raider Catalyst is the second of two new games released by Crystal Dynamics in 2026 and 2027. The first is a “reimagining” of the beginnings of our favorite adventure hunter, with Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. However, Tomb Raider: Catalyst is expected to release shortly after and will mark the start of a new chapter in the series. As huge fans of all the best Tomb Raider games, we’re very excited for Lara’s return and have gathered all the information you need before the launch of the next title.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst Release Date Speculation
Tomb Raider: Catalyst release date is fast approaching somewhere in 2027. This release window was revealed during The Game Awards 2025, and was also accompanied by a slick teaser and the news that we would also be getting Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will be released first, as it is expected to release in 2026. The game is a reimagining of Lara Croft’s debut, so it will be the perfect experience to have if you want to prepare for Lara’s new adventure in 2027. We don’t have a firm date for Tomb Raider: Catalyst yet. We expect to have news soon, probably after the release of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. We’ll keep you posted as new news comes in, so keep an eye on this page!
Tomb Raider: Catalyst Platforms
Tomb Raider: Catalyst has been confirmed to land on PC (via Steam), PS5 and Xbox Series X/S when it releases in 2027. Currently, no Switch 2 version has been announced; but don’t worry, Nintendo fans, there’s still hope.
The Switch 2 supports some games developed on Unreal Engine 5, just like Tomb Raider: Catalyst. Games such as Cronos: The New Dawn, Fortnite, and Split Fiction all work on the new hybrid console. So there’s always a chance that Tomb Raider: Catalyst will be added to our list of upcoming Switch 2 games in the future. Stay tuned for updates.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst trailer
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Tomb Raider: Catalyst story and setting
Tomb Raider: Catalyst will follow Lara Croft on a new adventure as she heads to northern India after a mystical cataclysm unleashes ancient secrets and the forces that guard them. It’s up to the badass treasure hunter to uncover the truth behind the event and also work to stop those who seek to use this mysterious power for their own benefit. The stakes are also quite high in the story, as it will be up to you to avoid a real catastrophe that could very well shape the future. Exciting times!
While we don’t know many specific story details, we do know that the upcoming game is a new chapter in the Tomb Raider franchise. While it technically takes place after the events of the Legend trilogy, you also don’t need to play those titles or the reboot trilogy to get up to speed. This chronological information was confirmed to us by Will Kerslake, the game director of Crystal Dynamics, during a discussion on the future title.
“From a chronological perspective, Tomb Raider: Catalyst takes place years after the events of Tomb Raider: Underworld, with the reboot trilogy serving as its origin story, so we see a more experienced Lara Croft. But what’s important to know is that this is a new chapter in Tomb Raider,” he explained.
“So whether you’ve followed Lara from the beginning or this is your first Tomb Raider game, Tomb Raider: Catalyst is designed to be a full-fledged adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone.”
Tomb Raider: Catalyst gameplay
Like previous Tomb Raider games, Tomb Raider: Catalyst is a single-player action-adventure game that will put you in the shoes of Lara Croft. It will be a story-driven game, with Alix Wilton Regan (of Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect 3, and Cyberpunk 2077) voicing Lara Croft. So expect to see cinematic moments and prepare to embark on a more linear adventure.
In a press release for the game, it was also confirmed that players will be able to explore the largest Tomb Raider map we’ve ever had. Alongside exploration that seems to be gaining momentum, players can also expect to delve into tombs filled with complex puzzles to solve. So far, it looks like everything you’d expect from a Tomb Raider game, but just kicked it up a notch. However, we’re still waiting for further gameplay reveals to show us more information about what kind of new mechanics and environmental puzzles will be on offer.
Combat details and enemy encounters are also being kept under lock and key for now, so hopefully we’ll have more news on that soon. While we wait for more details, you can check out our list of the best action games to play today to keep you busy.
Tomb Raider: catalyst development
Crystal Dynamics has been developing Tomb Raider: Catalyst since 2022, when its partnership with Amazon Game Studios was first announced. If you need a Tomb Raider refresher, Crystal Dynamics has been making games for the series since Tomb Raider: Legend in 2006. The studio is also known for the Legacy of Kain and Gex series, so in terms of action-adventure releases, the studio is as experienced as it gets.
Tomb Raider Catalyst is being developed on Unreal Engine 5, and according to a press release following the upcoming game’s official reveal at The Game Awards, Scot Amos, studio head at Crystal Dynamics, said the team was looking to push boundaries and innovate in the series, thanks to the support of Amazon Game Studios.
“Our collaboration with Amazon Game Studios has been truly transformative for these ambitious projects,” he writes. “Amazon’s partnership provided the resources, expertise and creative freedom to realize our vision for both games without compromise. With Tomb Raider: Catalyst, we are creating our largest and most innovative Tomb Raider adventure to date.”
It’s worth noting that in 2025, Crystal Dynamics experienced three rounds of layoffs that affected various projects and departments within the studio. But it appears that Tomb Raider is safe from any potential cancellation for now, thanks to a reassuring LinkedIn post shared by the developer in November 2025.
The post says: “As the realities of the industry continue to evolve, we have made these painful choices in order to optimize the continued development of our flagship game Tomb Raider, as well as to shape the rest of the studio to create new games for the future.”
We’ll keep you posted on any further news that comes to us, but things seem to be on track at the moment, which is a good sign.
For more future releases, check out our lists of all next PS5 games And upcoming Xbox Series on the way.
