You don’t need to know the series to play Tomb Raider: Catalyst
The announcements at The Game Awards 2025 were quite exciting for Tomb Raider fans. Both the remake of the first game in the series and Tomb Raider: Catalyst, offering an entirely new adventure, attracted significant attention. This game, which takes Lara Croft to a different location, aims to appeal not only to long-time fans but also to players new to the series.
How Tomb Raider: Catalyst Approaches New Players
Crystal Dynamics studio head Scot Amos clearly emphasized in his statements about Tomb Raider: Catalyst that the game is designed to be accessible to everyone. According to Amos, Catalyst takes place at the most advanced point in Lara Croft’s career, placing the game at the peak of the timeline. However, this doesn’t necessitate playing previous games.
Amos specifically mentions that new players can start the game without needing any prior knowledge. The storytelling, characters, and events are designed to offer a complete and integrated experience from beginning to end. This allows players unfamiliar with the series to easily step into Lara Croft’s world.
According to the development team, Tomb Raider: Catalyst also holds the title of being the largest game in the series to date. The extensive and diverse maps further emphasize exploration-focused gameplay, aiming to create a structure where players can freely roam different regions.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst aims to bring together both long-time fans and players who want to try the series for the first time. This approach shows that the new game is not only a sequel but also a strong starting point.
