The Game Awards 2025 was supposed to be Lara Croft’s big comeback moment. Instead, it turned into a leak disaster so complete that fans started making 9/11 jokes about it. First, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis leaked with full cover art and screenshots. Then, just hours before the show, a second game called Tomb Raider: Catalyst also leaked, prompting the Reddit post titled “Sir, a second Tomb Raider game has hit the leak cycle.” By the time Geoff Keighley took the stage to officially announce both games, the internet had already dissected every detail.
The First Leak: Legacy of Atlantis
The initial leak happened on December 11, just hours before The Game Awards broadcast. Cover artwork for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis appeared online alongside several blurry screenshots showing gameplay. The cover featured a redesigned Lara Croft striking a classic pose, her appearance blending elements from the original 1996 game with the more realistic design from the 2013 reboot trilogy. The title immediately suggested this would be a remake or reimagining of the very first Tomb Raider, which centered around Lara’s quest for the Scion of Atlantis.
Screenshots showed lush jungle environments, ancient ruins, and Lara performing acrobatic platforming moves that felt both nostalgic and modern. Fans quickly noticed that the cover art pose matched perfectly with an official teaser image Crystal Dynamics had posted days earlier, lending credibility to what initially seemed like it could be fake. Small details in the screenshots aligned precisely, from the hole in Lara’s necklace to the orientation of her backpack straps, convincing skeptics that this was the real deal.
The Second Strike: Catalyst Exposed
As if one major leak wasn’t enough, information about a completely separate Tomb Raider game also surfaced before the show. Tomb Raider: Catalyst, described as the true next entry in the franchise or “TR12” as fans had been calling it, leaked with its own set of details. According to the leaked information, Catalyst would be set in Northern India in the aftermath of a mythical cataclysm that unleashes ancient secrets and awakens mysterious guardian forces. The game was targeting a 2027 release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC.
This second leak prompted the now-famous Reddit post comparing the situation to the infamous phrase from September 11th. Gaming communities have a dark sense of humor, and the idea of a “second Tomb Raider leak hitting” became an instant meme. Comments flooded in with users expressing a mix of excitement about getting two games and frustration that both had been spoiled before the official reveal.
The Official Announcements
When The Game Awards finally aired, Amazon Games and Crystal Dynamics confirmed everything the leaks had revealed and then some. Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is indeed a full reimagining of the 1996 original, built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. It promises stunning graphics, modernized gameplay, and new surprises that honor the spirit of the original while making it accessible for contemporary audiences. The game is scheduled to launch in 2026, perfectly timed for the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst represents the continuation of the unified timeline that treats the 2013 reboot trilogy as canon backstory. This will be the most expansive Tomb Raider game to date, featuring a rich narrative that blends elements from both classic and modern interpretations of Lara. The trailer showcased a redesigned Lara Croft whose appearance merges her latest look with classic design elements, including hints of the iconic dual pistols. Set across Northern India, the game promises elaborate tombs filled with complex puzzles, ancient mysteries to solve, and cutting-edge exploration technology.
Why Two Games Makes Sense
The dual announcement strategy is actually quite clever from a business perspective. Legacy of Atlantis serves as an entry point for new players while giving nostalgic fans a modernized version of the adventure that started it all. Meanwhile, Catalyst continues the story for those invested in the ongoing narrative. It’s similar to how franchises like Resident Evil have balanced remakes of classic entries with brand new sequels.
Amazon Games’ involvement as publisher represents a major investment in the Tomb Raider IP across multiple platforms. Beyond these two games, Amazon is producing a live-action Tomb Raider series for Prime Video starring Sophie Turner from Game of Thrones, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge writing and producing. There’s also talk of a new film as part of a planned cinematic universe. Netflix already released an animated Tomb Raider series in 2024 that continued the Survivor trilogy’s storyline. Add in rumored remasters of the Legend trilogy, and you’re looking at the franchise’s biggest coordinated multimedia push in its 30-year history.
The Unified Lara Timeline
Both games are part of what Crystal Dynamics has been calling the “Unified Lara” timeline. This concept treats the 2013 through 2018 Survivor trilogy as backstory for a more experienced version of Lara Croft who now operates more like her classic counterpart. The idea is to bridge the gap between the vulnerable, inexperienced archaeologist from the reboots and the confident, capable tomb raider fans grew up with in the original games.
This approach allows Crystal Dynamics to have their cake and eat it too. They can maintain the character development and emotional depth from the reboot trilogy while reintroducing classic elements like the dual pistols, iconic outfit variations, and globe-trotting treasure hunting adventures. Catalyst appears to be the game where this unified vision fully comes together, while Legacy of Atlantis offers a fresh take on where it all began.
Development and Voice Acting
Both games are being developed using Unreal Engine 5, the cutting-edge technology powering many next-generation titles. This should allow for photorealistic environments, advanced lighting systems, and more detailed character models than ever before in the franchise. Alix Wilton Regan will voice Lara Croft in both games, providing continuity across the two projects despite their different focuses.
Crystal Dynamics has been working on these projects for years, though development hasn’t been without challenges. The studio faced multiple rounds of layoffs during the lengthy development cycle, and fans worried the games might never materialize. The fact that we now have concrete release windows for both titles, 2026 for Legacy of Atlantis and 2027 for Catalyst, suggests development is well along and both games are past the point of potential cancellation.
FAQs
What are the two new Tomb Raider games announced?
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a remake of the original 1996 game coming in 2026. Tomb Raider: Catalyst is a brand new entry in the series set in Northern India, releasing in 2027. Both are being published by Amazon Games.
Did both Tomb Raider games leak before the official announcement?
Yes, Legacy of Atlantis leaked with cover art and screenshots hours before The Game Awards, followed shortly by information about Catalyst also leaking. This prompted humorous Reddit posts about a “second Tomb Raider leak” hitting the franchise.
Is Legacy of Atlantis a remake or a remaster?
Legacy of Atlantis is described as a full reimagining rather than a simple remaster. It’s being built from scratch in Unreal Engine 5 with modern graphics, updated gameplay mechanics, and new surprises while honoring the original 1996 game’s spirit.
What platforms will the new Tomb Raider games be on?
Both Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. No last-gen console versions or Nintendo Switch releases have been announced.
Who is voicing Lara Croft in these games?
Alix Wilton Regan will voice Lara Croft in both Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst, providing continuity across the two projects. She’s voiced Lara in previous games as well.
What is the Unified Lara timeline?
The Unified Lara timeline is Crystal Dynamics’ concept that treats the 2013-2018 Survivor trilogy as backstory for a more experienced version of Lara who operates more like her classic counterpart, bridging the gap between the vulnerable reboot Lara and the confident original character.
Will there be more Tomb Raider media beyond games?
Yes, Amazon is producing a live-action Tomb Raider series for Prime Video starring Sophie Turner with Phoebe Waller-Bridge as writer and producer. There’s also talk of films, and Netflix released an animated series in 2024. Rumored remasters of older games may also be coming.
Conclusion
The double Tomb Raider leak before The Game Awards 2025 became an instant meme in gaming circles, but it couldn’t diminish the genuine excitement fans feel about Lara Croft’s return. Getting two games instead of one was an unexpected gift, even if the surprise was spoiled by premature leaks. Legacy of Atlantis gives longtime fans a chance to revisit where it all began with modern technology and design sensibilities, while Catalyst promises to push the franchise forward into new territory. The 2026 and 2027 release windows mean we won’t have to wait too long, and Amazon’s massive investment in the IP across games, television, and film suggests Tomb Raider is being positioned for a major cultural comeback. The leaks may have robbed Crystal Dynamics of their perfect reveal moment, but they also confirmed what fans desperately wanted to hear: Lara Croft is back in a big way, and she’s bringing friends.