Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis Officially Reveals New Gameplay Mechanics
Tomb Raider: Legacy Of Atlantis Developers Showcase New Combat Mechanics, Crafting, And A Skill Tree
Ever since Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis was fully announced at the 2025 Game Awards, we've been eagerly awaiting more details about what the actual gameplay would be like when it releases. Although its developers have already put out several mini-documentaries detailing what fans can expect when Legacy of Atlantis fully drops on February 12, 2027, the latest update is all but helping solidify its place as one of the most anticipated releases of 2027.
While some of these new mechanics will put off players who are looking for a classic Tomb Raider without all the bells and whistles of its newer reboot series, the new crafting, focus, and skill-tree systems seem to be striking a unique balance between both sides of the fanbase.
All The Newly Teased Legacy Of Atlantis Features Explained
Starting with the Skill Tree showcased in the Tomb Raider mini-doc on YouTube and seen in the image above, the most interesting aspect of the mechanic is that your upgrades aren't simply delegated to XP or progression requirements, but from collecting artifacts hidden throughout the game world.
Although we only saw a brief glimpse of one of the first skills Lara can unlock, we do know several of them will offer passive enhancements to her abilities with firearm efficiency and cooking, which is another mechanic being brought over from the reboot series.
By scavenging for resources like herbs and other natural materials, you'll be able to cook and craft recipes like bandages to recover health, or others providing buffs with unique abilities like reducing damage taken during combat, or even increasing your own. While we'll likely have to wait until closer to release in order to see how in-depth these crafting mechanics will end up being, another exciting mechanic to look forward to comes from Lara's new in-game focus meter.
By filling up your focus in combat through just about everything from dealing damage, taking damage, or dodging attacks, you'll be able to use the mechanic to slow down time and gain access to some of Lara's more acrobatic abilities, like somersaulting backwards whilst still firing at approaching enemies.
Legacy Of Atlantis Uniquely Blends New And Old Mechanics
There aren't just brand-new mechanics being introduced in Legacy of Atlantis either, as the remake is also focusing heavily on enhancing the creatures, environments, and weapons of the original game while still keeping what made them so iconic in the first place.
Lara's dual pistols, for one, are still a core focus of the experience, with the developers allowing you to beat Legacy of Atlantis without even touching the SMG, Assault Rifle, or Shotguns, even if you'll be at a bit of a disadvantage.
Even with the official Tomb Raider: Underworld sequel on the way, everything we know about Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis so far from the previous developer diaries is shaping up to be one of the most exciting projects coming to the franchise, which you'll want to stay tuned in for as more details are unveiled closer to release.