Exploring the Tomb Raider Universe: Movies, Games And Beyond

An Iconic Gaming Institution

The Tomb Raider franchise may not be as iconic as others like Star Wars or The Godfather. Still, it is one that has managed to achieve global appeal and recognition as one of the most popular and successful to have ever been released.

Most will instantly associate the series with Angelina Jolie and her portrayal of the Lara Croft character in the movies, while others may immediately think of the classic video game that was released in the 1990s and first brought this particular universe into our homes and start its journey as a cult hit for so many…

The video games started everything

Although the Tomb Raider universe may be expansive today, it all began its humble beginnings with the release of the video game. Developers Core Design and publishers Eidos Studios launched the first title in 1996 and found that they had received a very positive reaction to it. Many had stated that the game had innovative 3D graphics, controls, and gameplay, which led it to win numerous industry awards.

A year later saw one of the most iconic games in the franchise be released in Tomb Raider 2, as players would be able to trap the butler in the freezer and stop him from following Lara Croft as they played. It became an iconic moment in gaming and one that is still remembered by players today. Since then, there have been several games to have been released over the last few decades, with figures suggesting that more than 95 million copies have been sold as of 2022 across the world.

Slot Game Spin-offs

With gaming being a hugely popular pastime, it was not just developers in the video game niche that decided to get involved in the making of a Tomb Raider-themed game. Microgaming are one of the biggest in the iGaming industry, and they brought the action to life in slot form when they launched a title in 2004.

The game has become a huge hit with players as they know what to expect with the theme because of the iconic status that has been achieved. If you want to play it, you can try it on the 32red casino site. If you do, don’t forget to get the 32red welcome bonus to get more spins and potentially enhance any experience that you might be able to obtain from it, as these can help prolong the game session further.

It is possible to try two different versions of the game, with a classic “Tomb Raider” gameplay experience on offer, as well as the “Tomb Raider Jackpot” game that provides players with the potential to win some enhanced prizes!

Tomb Raider received the Hollywood treatment, too

Let’s not forget the Tomb Raider franchise was not just limited to games. As mentioned, there are many who will immediately associate the series with being a box office hit throughout its run on the big screen.

The first instalment of the series was in 2001, which saw Angelina Jolie make her debut as the main protagonist. It was a flop in regard to how it was received by movie critics, as many provided negative reviews (praising Jolie in the process), but that did not stop the film from being the highest-grossing film on its opening weekend.

Its poor reaction from critics did not stop a sequel from being produced, with Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life being released in 2003. It did not achieve the same financial success as the first, but critics were happier with what they saw, with action sequences being praised as being better than the first film.

A film in 2018 was released based on the Tomb Raider series, with Alicia Vikander taking over the role of Lara Croft from Jolie. Again, it received mixed reviews and reception from viewers. A sequel to this version was expected to be released before being cancelled as Vikander stepped down and the rights expired. However, another reboot film that is expected to be part of a shared universe with a television series and a video game is in development with Amazon Studios.

The Tomb Raider legacy

It is clear to see that the legacy that the Tomb Raider franchise has created and left is one that has been indelible in the world and will never be forgotten. The series is known to be continuing with reboots on the way, thus suggesting that it will continue for years to come, but there might be some wondering if this particular universe might need to stop expanding, especially if it continues to receive mixed reviews and potentially damage its overall positive reputation.