Even though Lara Croft has access to a wide array of weapons in her backpack, she prefers to use her two pistols.
With the resurgence of the iconic character Lara Croft in the world of gaming, here are some intriguing facts to help get you in the archaeological mood.
Tomb Raider stands as one of the most successful gaming franchises in the world, combining action, adventure, and puzzles for hours of enjoyable entertainment.
The games are third-person shooters that feature one of the most recognizable icons of all time.
Who is Lara Croft?
Lara Croft is an English archaeologist who is depicted as highly athletic with great skills in climbing, gymnastics, and swimming, all of which play a significant role in the games.
Fluent in multiple languages, Lara typically wears a brown ponytail, a sleeveless tank top, brown shorts, boots, and socks, and carries a small backpack and her two favored pistols, despite her ability to use other weapons.
The Tomb Raider Games
Six games were developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive:
- Tomb Raider (1996)
- Tomb Raider II (1997)
- Tomb Raider III (1998)
- Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
- Tomb Raider Chronicles (2000)
- Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003)
This production line ran from 1996 until 2009, with Crystal Dynamics taking over the development of the four most recent games:
- Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
- Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
- Tomb Raider: Underworld (2009)
Tomb Raider Reboot
In 2012, Square Enix announced that they would be creating a reboot of the series entitled Tomb Raider, which tells a new story of how Lara became the feisty heroine she is today and honed her skills in the wilderness. The game was released in March 2013.
One of Her Many Stories
There have been numerous back-stories to Lara and her identity, but some facts remain consistent. Lara is the privileged daughter of the fictional Lord Richard Croft, who was orphaned in a plane crash that killed her parents. The spin-off comics claim that her partner was also killed in the crash, whereas some games suggest that Lara’s mother died in the crash and Lord Croft was killed later on.
In the Movies…
The films Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), which featured Angelina Jolie as the gun-toting, short-wearing heroine, indicate that Lara’s mother died when she was young and that her father was ultimately killed by the Illuminati.
In 2006, Lara Croft was inducted into the Walk of Game, and The Guinness Book of World Records dubbed her “The Most Successful Human Virtual Game Heroine.”
Interestingly, most people remember the cheats for the games that involved locking the butler in the freezer to complete a mission or having Lara run around completing missions in the nude.
FAQ
1. What was the inspiration behind the creation of Tomb Raider?
The idea for Tomb Raider came to creator Toby Gard while he was working as a graphic artist for the video game company, Core Design. He was inspired by strong female characters in movies and wanted to create a female protagonist for a video game. The character of Lara Croft was born and quickly became one of the most iconic characters in video game history.
2. How has the Tomb Raider franchise evolved over the years?
The Tomb Raider franchise has evolved significantly since its inception in 1996. The graphics have improved dramatically, the gameplay has become more complex, and the story has become more immersive. The character of Lara Croft has also evolved, from her original design as a busty, gun-toting adventurer to a more realistic, complex character with her own backstory and motivations.
3. How many Tomb Raider games are there?
As of 2021, there are a total of 12 mainline Tomb Raider games, including the original game released in 1996 and the most recent game, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, released in 2018. There are also several spin-off games and mobile games in the franchise.
4. Who has portrayed Lara Croft in movies and TV shows?
Lara Croft has been portrayed by several actresses over the years, including Angelina Jolie in two movies released in 2001 and 2003, and Alicia Vikander in a 2018 reboot. There have also been several animated TV shows featuring the character.
5. What is Lara Croft’s backstory?
Lara Croft was born into a wealthy British family and was educated at some of the best schools in the world. She became interested in archaeology at a young age and eventually became an adventurer and treasure hunter. Her backstory has been fleshed out over the years, with various games and media exploring her family history and personal motivations.
6. What kind of challenges does Lara Croft face in the games?
Lara Croft faces a wide variety of challenges in the Tomb Raider games, including puzzles, platforming sections, and combat encounters. She often has to use her wits and physical abilities to navigate treacherous environments and defeat dangerous enemies.
7. What is the future of the Tomb Raider franchise?
As of 2021, there has been no official announcement regarding the future of the Tomb Raider franchise. However, given the success of the recent reboot trilogy, it is likely that there will be more games in the future. There have also been rumors of a new movie adaptation in the works.
Zayn Anderson is a prolific writer with a passion for uncovering the world’s intriguing facts. Armed with an insatiable curiosity, he delves into various subjects, from history and science to nature and technology.