Tomb Raider Remastered Patch Accidentally Removes Iconic Lara Croft Posters

Key Highlights:

• Aspyr, the publisher of Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered, confirmed that the Lara Croft pinup posters were accidentally removed from Tomb Raider 3 in a recent patch.
• The posters will be restored in the next patch (Patch 3) after fans noticed their absence and raised concerns about potential censorship.
• The original graphics mode still displayed the posters, but they were missing from the HD remastered version after a graphical update.
• Aspyr clarified it was an unintentional mistake, not a deliberate act of censorship, and thanked fans for their feedback.
• The patched collection includes content warnings for racial and ethnic prejudices present in the original games.

Keeping Lara’s Iconic Look Alive

In early 2024, gamers were delighted when Aspyr released the highly anticipated Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered collection.

This bundle brought the classic adventures of the daring archaeologist Lara Croft to modern platforms, complete with enhanced graphics and quality-of-life improvements.

However, a recent patch inadvertently removed some iconic elements from the games, sparking concern among fans.

The Accidental Removal

After the release of Patch 2 in April, eagle-eyed players noticed that certain posters featuring Lara Croft in her signature provocative poses were missing from the HD remastered version of Tomb Raider 3.

These pinup-style posters had been a part of the original game’s environment, adding to the character’s daring and adventurous persona.

Fans were understandably perplexed by this change, as the posters were still visible in the original graphics mode.

Some speculated that it might be a deliberate act of censorship, given the increasing sensitivity around portraying women in certain ways in modern media. The first patch introduced native 4K resolution and 120 FPS on the PlayStation 5.

Aspyr Responds

Regarding the recently released Patch 2 for Tomb Raider I-III Remastered.

Read more: https://t.co/PdFlBo0TkA

— Aspyr (@AspyrMedia) April 26, 2024

Recognising the community’s concerns, Aspyr was quick to address the situation. In a post on their support page, the publisher acknowledged the issue and assured fans that the removal of the posters was completely unintentional.

“As part of these updates, the posters in Sleeping With The Fishes (The Lost Artifact) were inadvertently removed in the HD version of the game,” Aspyr explained. “This has been resolved, and these textures will be restored in Patch 3.”

Preserving the Classics

Aspyr’s response highlights their commitment to preserving the integrity of the original Tomb Raider titles.

While the collection includes content warnings for potentially offensive depictions of people and cultures, the publisher’s intention is to respectfully present the games as they were originally created.

The posters, though controversial by today’s standards, were an integral part of Lara Croft’s character and the games’ overall tone. Their removal, even if unintentional, would have been seen as a form of censorship by many fans.

Moving Forward

With Patch 3 on the horizon, players can look forward to once again seeing Lara Croft’s iconic pinup posters adorning the walls of Tomb Raider 3. This decision not only preserves its authenticity but also serves as a reminder of the character’s evolution over the years.

As the gaming industry continues to grapple with issues of representation and diversity, the Tomb Raider franchise stands as a testament to the changing attitudes and perspectives surrounding strong female protagonists.

While Lara Croft’s portrayal may have been controversial in the past, her enduring popularity speaks volumes about her significance as a trailblazer in the world of gaming.

This is especially relevant as she recently got voted as the greatest video game character of all time in a vote by Bafta.

With the upcoming next entry in the long-running series promising a fresh take on the iconic character, fans can look forward to seeing how Lara’s legacy will continue to evolve while maintaining her adventurous spirit and daring personality.