{{Short description|2027 video game}} {{Use British English|date=December 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox video game | title = Tomb Raider: Catalyst | image = Tomb Raider Catalyst logo.png | alt = | caption = | developer = [[Crystal Dynamics]] | publisher = [[Amazon Game Studios]] | series = ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' | director = Will Kerslake | producer = | designer = | programmer = | artist = | writer = | composer = | engine = [[Unreal Engine 5]] | platforms = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]}} | released = 2027 | genre = [[Action-adventure]] | modes = [[Single-player]] }}
'''''Tomb Raider: Catalyst''''' is an upcoming [[action-adventure game]] developed by [[Crystal Dynamics]] and published by [[Amazon Game Studios]]. It is the fourteenth main entry in the ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' series and the sequel to ''[[Tomb Raider: Underworld]]'' (2008). The story takes place in [[Northern India]] years after the events of ''Underworld'' and follows [[Lara Croft]] as she navigates the aftermath of a mythical cataclysm. The game is scheduled to release for [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox Series X/S]] in 2027.
== Premise == ''Tomb Raider: Catalyst'' is set in [[Northern India]], years after the events of [[Tomb Raider: Underworld|''Tomb Raider: Underworld'']] (2008).<ref name="Loveridge-2025">{{Cite web |last=Loveridge |first=Sam |date=12 December 2025 |title=Tomb Raider: Catalyst is the new Lara Croft game and it kicks off a fresh chapter of Tomb Raider in 2027 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/tomb-raider/tomb-raider-catalyst-is-the-new-lara-croft-game-and-it-kicks-off-a-fresh-chapter-of-tomb-raider-in-2027/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215214236/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/tomb-raider/tomb-raider-catalyst-is-the-new-lara-croft-game-and-it-kicks-off-a-fresh-chapter-of-tomb-raider-in-2027/ |archive-date=15 December 2025 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar+]]}}</ref> A mythical cataclysm has exposed ancient ruins and awakened the forces guarding them. The story follows [[Lara Croft]] as she explores the region, competing against rival treasure hunters seeking to exploit the site's power. She must determine who to trust to secure the ancient secret and prevent a catastrophe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=11 December 2025 |title=Tomb Raider surprise reveals 2 games with new Lara Croft actor: Catalyst and reimagining of 1996 original |url=https://ew.com/tomb-raider-catalyst-reimagining-1996-original-revealed-alix-wilton-regan-lara-croft-actress-11866421 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215214118/https://ew.com/tomb-raider-catalyst-reimagining-1996-original-revealed-alix-wilton-regan-lara-croft-actress-11866421 |archive-date=15 December 2025 |access-date=12 December 2025 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
== Development and release == In 2021, game director Will Kerslake stated that [[Crystal Dynamics]] envisioned the future of ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' as taking place after the previous instalments, with the goal of unifying the timelines of both [[Core Design]]'s and their own ''Tomb Raider'' games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sirani |first=Jordan |date=28 January 2021 |title=Next Tomb Raider Game Aims to Unify the Reboot Trilogy and Original Games |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/next-tomb-raider-game-aims-to-unify-the-reboot-trilogy-and-original-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321093118/https://www.ign.com/articles/next-tomb-raider-game-aims-to-unify-the-reboot-trilogy-and-original-games |archive-date=21 March 2025 |access-date=16 December 2025 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> The development of ''Catalyst'' began in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonifacic |first=Igor |date=5 April 2022 |title=A new Tomb Raider game is on the way, powered by Unreal Engine 5 |url=https://www.engadget.com/tomb-raider-unreal-engine-5-annoucement-174930410.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617232309/https://www.engadget.com/tomb-raider-unreal-engine-5-annoucement-174930410.html |archive-date=17 June 2024 |access-date=16 December 2025 |website=[[Engadget]]}}</ref> Crystal Dynamics have divided into two teams: one working on ''Catalyst'' and the other co-developing ''[[Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis]]'' (2026), a [[remake]] of the [[Tomb Raider (1996 video game)|original 1996 game]], with [[Flying Wild Hog]]. A single leadership team oversees both projects to manage shared resources and ensure narrative consistency.<ref name="Harte-2025">{{Cite web |last=Harte |first=Charles |date=15 December 2025 |title=Tomb Raider Devs Explain Series Timeline, Lara Croft's New Voice, And Links Between Catalyst And Legacy Of Atlantis |url=https://gameinformer.com/2025/12/15/tomb-raider-devs-explain-series-timeline-lara-crofts-new-voice-and-links-between |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215160805/https://gameinformer.com/2025/12/15/tomb-raider-devs-explain-series-timeline-lara-crofts-new-voice-and-links-between |archive-date=15 December 2025 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref> Crystal Dynamics are also collaborating with creative staff from [[Amazon Game Studios]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shepard |first=Kenneth |date=15 December 2025 |title=Tomb Raider Dev Explain Why It's Making Two Games At Once |url=https://kotaku.com/tomb-raider-catalyst-legacy-atlantis-remake-amazon-show-2000653453 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215214153/https://kotaku.com/tomb-raider-catalyst-legacy-atlantis-remake-amazon-show-2000653453 |archive-date=15 December 2025 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> which the studio partnered with as publisher in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=12 December 2025 |title=Crystal Dynamics reveal two new Tomb Raider games -"the largest Tomb Raider world yet" and yet another classic TR revamp |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/crystal-dynamics-reveal-two-new-tomb-raider-games-the-largest-tomb-raider-world-yet-and-yet-another-classic-tr-revamp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215214141/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/crystal-dynamics-reveal-two-new-tomb-raider-games-the-largest-tomb-raider-world-yet-and-yet-another-classic-tr-revamp |archive-date=15 December 2025 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]}}</ref>
The developers seek to design the game to be accessible to players without prior knowledge of the series, while remaining appealing to long-time fans. Set in India, which the studio described as a "fan-favorite location", Crystal Dynamics head Scot Amos stated that ''Catalyst'' is "the largest ''Tomb Raider'' that we've made to date".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Claire |date=15 December 2025 |title=Tomb Raider: Catalyst promises to be noob-friendly |url=https://www.polygon.com/tomb-raider-catalyst-developer-interview-crystal-dynamics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215162720/https://www.polygon.com/tomb-raider-catalyst-developer-interview-crystal-dynamics/ |archive-date=15 December 2025 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> Although a sequel to ''[[Tomb Raider: Underworld]]'' (2008), the narrative incorporates the [[List of Tomb Raider media#Main series|second reboot trilogy]] (2013–2018) as [[Lara Croft]]'s [[origin story]].<ref name="Loveridge-2025" /> [[Alix Wilton Regan]] was cast as Lara in both ''Catalyst'' and ''Legacy of Atlantis'', succeeding [[Camilla Luddington]], who portrayed the character in the second reboot trilogy. Amos said that Regan possessed "that wit and that charm and charisma that is a natural essence and core for Lara", as well as confidence and emotional depth.<ref name="Harte-2025" /> The game is being developed using [[Unreal Engine 5]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurwin |first=Gabe |last2=Campbell |first2=Evan |date=11 December 2025 |title=Tomb Raider: Catalyst Revealed Alongside Original Tomb Raider Remake |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tomb-raider-catalyst-revealed-alongside-original-tomb-raider-remake/1100-6536853/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213175310/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tomb-raider-catalyst-revealed-alongside-original-tomb-raider-remake/1100-6536853/ |archive-date=13 December 2025 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
''Catalyst'' was announced alongside ''Legacy of Atlantis'' at [[The Game Awards 2025|the Game Awards]] in December 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCaffrey |first=Ryan |date=12 December 2025 |title=Tomb Raider: Catalyst Announced for 2027 and Tomb Raider 1 'Reimagining' Announced for 2026 {{!}} The Game Awards 2025 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/tomb-raider-catalyst-announced-for-2027-and-tomb-raider-1-reimagining-announced-for-2026-the-game-awards-2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215174639/https://www.ign.com/articles/tomb-raider-catalyst-announced-for-2027-and-tomb-raider-1-reimagining-announced-for-2026-the-game-awards-2025 |archive-date=15 December 2025 |access-date=12 December 2025 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> It is scheduled to release in 2027 for [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox Series X/S]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=12 December 2025 |title=Amazon Unveils 'Tomb Raider: Catalyst' Video Game First Look and 2027 Release; Sets Remake of Original Lara Croft Game for 2026 |url=https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/amazon-tomb-raider-game-first-look-lara-croft-remake-2026-1236607140/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215214317/https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/amazon-tomb-raider-game-first-look-lara-croft-remake-2026-1236607140/ |archive-date=15 December 2025 |access-date=15 December 2025 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.tombraider.com/products/games/tomb-raider-catalyst}}
{{Tomb Raider}} {{Crystal Dynamics}}
[[Category:Amazon Game Studios games]] [[Category:Action-adventure games]] [[Category:Crystal Dynamics games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Sequel video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Tomb Raider games|Catalyst]] [[Category:Unreal Engine 5 games]] [[Category:Upcoming video games scheduled for 2027]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]] [[Category:Video games set in India]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]