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The anime series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft will premiere on October 10 on the Netflix platform. For most players, Lara feels like a heroine from a distant era. The latest game in the series arrived six years ago and slipped from memory. Yet in the 1990s Miss Croft stood as the gaming world’s brightest symbol of allure. This article traces the distinctive arc of the tomb raider from a celebrated virtual icon to the everyday heroine next door.
Alongside anime, Lara Croft headlines more Tomb Raider projects expected soon. A new installment is planned for 2025, promising a cinematic action experience powered by Unreal Engine 5 and crafted to high genre standards. Fans are also noticing a shift in Lara’s image as she enters her forties, a departure from what many players hoped to see in the character they adore.
Wasp waist and big breasts. Lara Croft in classic Tomb Raider entries (1996-2000)
During the mid-1990s Core Design did not publish a string of standout titles, but Tomb Raider 1996 quickly made a bold statement in the third-person action genre and gained global recognition. The character design drew attention not only to gameplay but also to Lara Croft’s appearance. A devoted fan base formed, and a Nude Raider modification that removed clothing emerged, a surprising concept at the time. In the early releases Lara wore modest gear like shorts and a top, with more revealing outfits appearing in later years.
Publishers and developers leaned into Lara’s image as a key marketing asset. Promotional campaigns featured confident models who presented the games at exhibitions, while official artwork sometimes emphasized her sex appeal, adding spice to the character’s presentation.
The first five Tomb Raider titles retained the core mechanics of the original release, arriving annually and often resembling one another. This lack of progression influenced sales patterns. The second game performed better than the first, but each subsequent release earned progressively less, culminating in Tomb Raider: Chronicles selling around 1.5 million copies in 2000 and signaling the need for change.
What’s your favorite Tomb Raider entry?
Lara Croft looks like a young Angelina Jolie. The early film adaptations
The character’s popularity surged again in 2001 with the release of Lara Croft on screen. The film became a moderate success and diverged from the game’s established canon, sharing only the name and the profession. Angelina Jolie, portraying Lara at age 25, embodied the character’s allure and became closely linked to the role for many viewers. While the first film did fairly well, its sequel did not match the same level of reception.
Busty Lara, which didn’t win fans. Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
Three years after a mixed reception to Tomb Raider Chronicles, the series returned in a refreshed form. The heroine’s silhouette grew more pronounced with larger proportions, while graphics improved. The game leaned into a moody, thriller vibe with stealth elements, but unusual mechanics and numerous bugs hindered playability. The result was disappointing sales and the cancellation of a planned sequel.
Lara gets wet and dirty in the mud. Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider trilogy (2006-2008)
A new era began when Crystal Dynamics took over with Tomb Raider: Legend in 2006, blending classic adventure DNA with acrobatics reminiscent of Prince of Persia and rapid Quick Time Events. Its reception was positive but not extraordinary. A year later came a remake of the original game and 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld, which struggled to innovate, a contrast to the rising success of competitors. The original title appeared on newer platforms, signaling a shift in the genre as a whole.
The visual portrayal of Lara evolved across this trilogy. She appeared with a more natural physique and a refined face, while environmental effects showed rain, water, and mud in compelling detail. Subtle costume variations included hidden outfits, some of which allowed players to explore different looks within the game world.
Note also that many secret costumes included beachwear options accessible through a series of challenges. Players could even complete the adventure wearing a swimsuit if they wished.
Lara Croft looks like a girl next door. The latest Tomb Raider installments (2013-2018)
In 2009 Square Enix acquired the rights to the character, marking the third major reboot of the series. The 2013 Tomb Raider reimagining presented a darker, grittier Lara and introduced evolving mechanics while keeping the core sense of exploration. The promotional emphasis shifted away from sheer sexuality toward a grounded, athletic portrayal of the character. The studio’s approach kept evolving through subsequent releases, though none eclipsed the impact of Nathan Drake’s adventures in a closely related franchise.
Throughout the era under Square Enix, Lara’s image often reflected broader trends. Official campaigns limited overt sexuality in promotion, a move that valued authenticity and storytelling over spectacle. A 2018 film starred Alicia Vikander, portraying Lara as a focused archer and investigator, emphasizing familial mystery rather than the overt seduction seen in earlier eras.
Lara Croft as an adult woman. The future of the Tomb Raider series
A new Tomb Raider project is planned for the coming year under Amazon Games. The goal is to expand Miss Croft’s adventures into a comprehensive media universe with games, TV series, and cartoons sharing the same mythos. The character is expected to be older and more mature, with the studio signaling a shift away from the former, more playful sexuality toward a narrative-driven, mature interpretation.
Despite changing directions, fan culture remains deeply engaged with the classic Lara of the 90s and 00s. Online communities frequently celebrate vintage art, and cosplayers often revisit the iconic Tomb Raider look. The enduring appeal of Lara Croft suggests a persistent curiosity about how the character will evolve while honoring the legacy that captivated millions of players around the world.
Cosplay highlights feature creators like Valeria Chimera and Anna Shakhovskaya, showcasing the community’s ongoing enthusiasm for the character. Fans are invited to share their thoughts on Lara Croft’s renewed look versus the classic image, inviting discussion in the comments.
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Source: VG Times