The gaming rumor mill is churning again with whispers that a remake of the original 1996 Tomb Raider might get announced at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025. The leak comes from Raiders Society, a Tomb Raider fan news account with a mixed track record of accurate and inaccurate reports. While nothing is confirmed, the timing has fans debating whether Lara Croft’s first adventure needs yet another makeover.
The Remake Question
Here’s where things get complicated. The 1996 Tomb Raider already received a full remake back in 2007 called Tomb Raider: Anniversary, developed by Crystal Dynamics using an enhanced version of the Tomb Raider: Legend engine. That game retold the same story with modernized graphics, physics, and gameplay mechanics appropriate for that generation. Then, just last year in February 2024, the original trilogy got the remaster treatment with Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, giving players a toggle between classic PS1 graphics and updated visuals.
So the question becomes: what would a 2025 remake actually offer? According to discussion on the leak, it would need to be drastically different to justify its existence. Think Resident Evil 2 Remake levels of reinvention, where developers kept the core narrative but rebuilt everything from the ground up. Some fans suggest it could adopt Uncharted’s cinematic style or transform into a semi-open-world experience like the 2013-2018 reboot trilogy while keeping the original storyline intact.
What Crystal Dynamics Is Actually Working On
Crystal Dynamics has confirmed they’re developing a massive new Tomb Raider game in partnership with Amazon Games, announced back in December 2022. The studio is using Unreal Engine 5 to create what they’re calling the biggest and most expansive Tomb Raider game to date. That project is currently in early development and has remained the official focus of the studio.
Recent leaks from industry insider V Scooper suggest this Amazon Games project will be set in India, featuring an open world with deserts, cliffs, jungles, and icy mountains. The story reportedly involves Lara hunting for Emperor Ashoka’s mythical weapons while racing against a “Society of Raiders” and other rivals. The game would portray Lara at her peak career stage, representing a more experienced version of the character. However, V Scooper specifically stated this India-set game is unlikely to be revealed at The Game Awards 2025.
The Anniversary Situation
Tomb Raider: Anniversary from 2007 sits in an interesting spot. While it technically remade the first game, many fans consider it more of a reimagining since the gameplay mechanics and level designs were significantly altered to fit the Legend timeline continuity. The game launched on PS2, Xbox 360, PC, PSP, Wii, and mobile, later arriving on PS3 in 2011 and OS X in 2008. It emphasized exploration and puzzle-solving over combat, staying true to the spirit of the original while modernizing the experience for that era.
But 2007 was 18 years ago. A generation of gamers has grown up since then who never experienced Anniversary or the original. Graphics technology has evolved massively with Unreal Engine 5 now capable of photorealistic environments and advanced physics systems. A proper 2025 remake could theoretically deliver something Anniversary couldn’t, especially if it adopted modern game design philosophies around accessibility, exploration systems, and player freedom.
Why Fans Are Skeptical
| Version | Release Year | What It Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider (Original) | 1996 | Revolutionary 3D action-adventure |
| Tomb Raider: Anniversary | 2007 | Full remake with Legend engine |
| TR I-III Remastered | 2024 | Visual upgrade with graphics toggle |
| Rumored 2025 Remake | 2025? | Unknown differentiation |
The skepticism is understandable. Players who own the original, Anniversary, the Underworld collection, and the 2024 remaster are wondering what a fifth version brings to the table. Crystal Dynamics also has limited resources after experiencing layoffs earlier in 2025, though the studio confirmed those cuts didn’t impact the main Tomb Raider project with Amazon Games. Splitting focus on a remake when a major new game is in development seems like an odd strategic move.
There’s also the Aspyr factor. Aspyr handled both the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered in February 2024 and the upcoming Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered launching February 14, 2025. If a remake were happening, Aspyr seems like the logical developer given their recent work on the franchise. However, Raiders Society didn’t mention any developer names or provide additional details beyond the Game Awards timing.
FAQs
Is the Tomb Raider 1996 remake confirmed?
No, the remake is only a rumor from Raiders Society, a fan news account with a mixed accuracy record. Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games have not made any official announcements about remaking the 1996 original. Until an official source confirms it, treat this as unverified speculation.
Didn’t Tomb Raider already get remade as Anniversary?
Yes, Tomb Raider: Anniversary launched in 2007 as a full remake using the Legend engine. It modernized the graphics, gameplay, and level design while keeping the core story intact. The rumored 2025 remake would presumably offer something different from Anniversary to justify its existence.
What’s the difference between a remake and a remaster?
A remaster updates the original game with improved graphics, resolution, and performance while keeping the core game unchanged. A remake rebuilds the game from scratch with modern technology, often changing gameplay mechanics, level design, and visual style. Tomb Raider I-III Remastered from 2024 is a remaster, while Anniversary was a remake.
When is The Game Awards 2025?
The Game Awards 2025 will stream live on December 11, 2025, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The event typically features major game announcements, world premiere trailers, and award presentations across multiple gaming categories.
What Tomb Raider game is Crystal Dynamics actually making?
Crystal Dynamics is developing a new mainline Tomb Raider game in partnership with Amazon Games, announced in December 2022. The game uses Unreal Engine 5 and is described as the biggest and most expansive Tomb Raider title to date. Recent leaks suggest it’s set in India with open-world elements, but nothing is officially confirmed beyond the partnership and engine choice.
When is Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered coming out?
Aspyr is releasing Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered on February 14, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and other platforms. This collection includes The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and Angel of Darkness with visual upgrades and both classic tank controls and modern control options.
Who is Raiders Society?
Raiders Society is a Tomb Raider fan news account that shares information from anonymous sources with insider knowledge. The account has been correct on some leaks and wrong on others in the past, so their information should be approached with healthy skepticism until official confirmation arrives.
Could the remake use Unreal Engine 5?
If a remake were real, Unreal Engine 5 would be the logical choice since Crystal Dynamics is already using it for their main Tomb Raider project with Amazon Games. UE5 offers cutting-edge graphics technology, advanced physics systems, and tools that could deliver a truly next-generation experience for Lara’s first adventure.
The Bigger Picture
Whether or not this remake rumor pans out, it highlights an interesting trend in gaming. Classic franchises are getting multiple remakes and remasters across generations as technology advances. Final Fantasy VII got a full remake trilogy. Resident Evil has remade 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Last of Us has been remastered and fully remade. Dead Space got rebuilt from the ground up. There’s clearly an audience for revisiting beloved games with modern design and technology.
For Tomb Raider specifically, the franchise has undergone multiple identity shifts. The original Core Design games from 1996-2003 had a distinct tone and gameplay style. Crystal Dynamics rebooted the series with Legend in 2006, creating a more action-oriented experience. Then came the 2013 reboot trilogy that took a grittier survival approach inspired by Uncharted. Each era attracted different fans with different preferences for what Tomb Raider should be.
A modern remake of the 1996 original could theoretically appeal to fans who want that classic adventure puzzle-solving focus with 2025 technology. But with Anniversary still playable on modern systems through backwards compatibility and the 2024 remaster available everywhere, the market case feels thin. We’ll know for sure when The Game Awards airs next week whether Raiders Society got this one right or wrong.