See how Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is reimagining Lara Croft in Unreal Engine 5

July 28, 2026 - 08:55

New behind-the-scenes footage has surfaced showing how the upcoming "Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis" is reimagining Lara Croft from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5. The remake, which draws from the original 1999 title "Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation," is taking a careful approach to updating the iconic archaeologist for modern hardware without losing her classic identity.

According to the developers, the character model has been rebuilt with a focus on realistic muscle definition and fabric physics. Lara's signature braid now moves dynamically with her head and body movements, reacting to water and wind in real time. The team also paid close attention to her facial expressions, using the engine's advanced lighting to capture subtle shifts in emotion during cutscenes and gameplay.

Movement has been another major area of rework. The developers showed off new climbing animations that feel smoother and more grounded, with Lara's hands and feet placing precisely on ledges and handholds. The classic acrobatic flips and rolls are still present, but they now blend into a more fluid locomotion system. Combat has also been updated: aiming and shooting feel more responsive, with the camera pulling back slightly to give players better spatial awareness during firefights.

The video also highlighted environmental storytelling. The team is using Unreal Engine 5's Lumen and Nanite technologies to create dense, destructible ruins that react to Lara's presence. Dust kicks up when she lands, water ripples as she wades through flooded chambers, and torchlight casts realistic shadows across hieroglyph-covered walls. The goal, the developers said, is to make the player feel like they are truly exploring a lost world, not just moving through a series of set pieces.

No release date has been announced yet, but the footage suggests the remake is well into development. Fans of the original will likely recognize the core level layouts and puzzles, but with a visual and mechanical overhaul that aims to bring the 25-year-old game into the current generation.