Tomb Raider (1996 video game)
Lara Croft's debut adventure through ancient tombs and ruins.
Tomb Raider, released in 1996, is an action-adventure game that launched the Tomb Raider franchise. It was created by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive. The game first appeared on the Sega Saturn, with subsequent releases for MS-DOS and the PlayStation, and later for Mac OS, Pocket PC, N-Gage, iOS, and Android. Players control archaeologist-adventurer Lara Croft, who is hired by businesswoman Jacqueline Natla to retrieve an artifact known as the Scion of Atlantis. Gameplay involves exploring levels divided into multiple areas and room complexes, fighting enemies, and solving puzzles to advance.
The concept originated with Toby Gard, who served as lead artist and is credited as Lara's creator. Production started in 1994 and lasted 18 months on a budget of £440,000. Lara's character drew inspiration from Tank Girl, Indiana Jones, and Hard Boiled. The 3D grid-based level design, considered innovative at the time, was influenced by the structure of Egyptian tombs. Nathan McCree composed the music, drawing from English classical music. Announced in 1995, the game received extensive press coverage and heavy promotion from Eidos. An expansion pack, *Unfinished Business*, featuring new standalone levels, was released in 1998.
The game earned praise for its groundbreaking 3D graphics, controls, and gameplay, winning several industry awards and being regarded as one of the greatest video games ever made. It sold seven million units worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling PlayStation titles and the top seller in the *Tomb Raider* series until the 2013 reboot. Lara Croft rose to prominence as a cultural icon and one of gaming's most recognizable characters. The success led to numerous sequels, starting with *Tomb Raider II* in 1997. Two remakes have been developed: *Tomb Raider: Anniversary* (2007) and the upcoming *Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis* (2027). A remastered version of the original game, along with *Unfinished Business*, was included in *Tomb Raider I–III Remastered* in 2024.
**Gameplay**
As an action-adventure title, the player takes on the role of Lara Croft, navigating ancient ruins and tombs in search of an artifact. The game is divided into four zones: Peru, Greece, Egypt, and the lost island of Atlantis, with a training level set at Croft Manor accessible from the start menu.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Tomb Raider
- Developer
- Core DesignMac OS port developed by Aspyr, N-Gage and Pocket PC ports by Ideaworks3D, and mobile ports by Square Enix.
- Publisher
- Eidos InteractiveJapanese Saturn and PlayStation versions published by Victor Interactive Software, Pocket PC version by Handango, and mobile ports by Square Enix.
- Platforms
- Sega Saturn / MS-DOS / PlayStation / N-Gage / Pocket PC / iOS / Android
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Modes
- Single-player
- Programmer
- Paul Douglas
- Artist
- Toby Gard
- Writer
- Vicky Arnold
- Composer
- Nathan McCree
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The initial concept for Tomb Raider was created by Toby Gard during a 1994 brainstorming session at Core Design for the then-upcoming PlayStation console. Gard worked with Paul Douglas on pre-production for six months before the team expanded to six people. The team wanted to mix the adventuring style of Ultima Underworld with the 3D characters of Virtua Fighter. The 3D grid-based level design was inspired by the structure of Egyptian tombs. The music was composed by Nathan McCree, who took inspiration from English classical music. The game was originally announced in 1995 and received extensive press attention and heavy promotion from Eidos Interactive.
Reader's Guide
Tomb Raider was praised for its innovative 3D graphics, controls, and gameplay, winning several industry awards. It is considered one of the greatest video games ever made and became one of the best-selling games for the PlayStation, with seven million units sold worldwide. It remained the best-selling title in the Tomb Raider franchise until the 2013 reboot. Lara Croft rose to prominence as one of gaming's most recognisable characters. The game's success led to numerous sequels, beginning with Tomb Raider II in 1997. Two remakes have been developed: Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) and the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (2027). A remastered version was released as part of Tomb Raider I–III Remastered in 2024.
Did You Know?
- The game was first released on the Sega Saturn, followed by versions for MS-DOS and the PlayStation.
- Lara Croft was based on influences including Tank Girl, Indiana Jones, and Hard Boiled.
- An expansion pack titled Unfinished Business was released in 1998.
- The development budget was approximately £440,000.
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