Key Highlights:
- Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered launches 14 February 2025.
- Includes The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and Angel of Darkness.
- Features improved visuals and option to toggle between classic and modern graphics.
Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics are poised to unleash a remastered collection of Lara Croft’s most controversial adventures. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, slated for release on February 14th 2025, will bring three classic titles to modern consoles and PCs, including the infamous Angel of Darkness.
The collection comprises Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999), Tomb Raider: Chronicles (2000), and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003).
Fans familiar with these titles will likely appreciate the remaster’s focus on the evolution of Lara’s character, from her Egyptian escapades to the personal trials faced in the streets of Paris.
This trilogy marks a darker turn in Lara’s story, with The Last Revelation ending on a cliffhanger that left fans shocked, Chronicles exploring untold tales of Lara’s past, and Angel of Darkness pushing the series into new, divisive territory.
These narrative shifts were controversial at the time, as many players were unprepared for the sombre tones and more vulnerable side of Lara Croft portrayed, particularly in Angel of Darkness, which dealt with themes of betrayal, mystery, and redemption.
Aspyr has implemented several key features to enhance the gaming experience:
- Classic & Remastered Visuals: Players can switch between original and updated graphics.
- Global Adventures: The games span locations from Egyptian tombs to Parisian streets.
- Control Options: Choose between classic ‘tank’ controls or modern movement systems.
- Boss Health Bars: A new addition to aid strategic gameplay.
- Photo Mode: Capture and share remastered environments and iconic poses.
The remastered collection aims to balance nostalgia with modern gaming expectations.
While preserving the core gameplay and storylines, the visual upgrades and quality-of-life improvements seek to make these titles more accessible to both returning fans and newcomers.
Notably, The Angel of Darkness remains a point of interest. Despite being one of the worst-reviewed entries in the Tomb Raider series, its inclusion in this remaster has sparked curiosity among fans.
This remaster presents an opportunity for Angel of Darkness to be re-evaluated, potentially offering smoother controls and improved graphics that could address some of the original’s most criticised aspects, such as clunky movement and technical bugs.
Even the camera angle was weird at the time, and really stood out for how odd it was.
The game’s troubled development and mixed reception have made it a subject of retrospective analysis within the gaming community.
In recent years, some fans have begun to appreciate Angel of Darkness for its ambitious, albeit flawed, attempt to deepen the lore of the series and introduce more mature storytelling elements.
This release follows the success of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, continuing Aspyr’s efforts to preserve and modernise Lara Croft’s legacy.
The IV-V-VI collection will be available on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, Epic, and GOG. Pre-orders are available right now.
Coinciding with this announcement, Crystal Dynamics revealed that the Tomb Raider franchise has now surpassed 100 million copies sold since its 1996 debut, underlining the enduring popularity of Lara Croft’s adventures.
This achievement highlights the lasting impact of Lara Croft as a gaming icon. Earlier this year, the iconic gaming archaeologist was voted the greatest video game character of all-time in a BAFTA’s poll.
Even though this announcment was made just a few hours ago as of this writing, fans and critics alike are eager to see how these controversial chapters in Lara’s history will be received by modern audiences.
While younger players may be unfamiliar with the darker tones and slower pace of The Last Revelation and Chronicles, the remaster could help these titles find a new appreciation for their bold storytelling choices.