Next Tomb Raider Breaking Tradition With Open-World Gameplay

Crystal Dynamics is making Lara Croft's return felt in a big way, as the next Tomb Raider will be the franchise's first full open-world game. The upcoming title is allegedly codenamed Project Jawbreaker and is built on Unreal Engine 5, which will allow players to take the adventure to India, featuring new traversal mechanics, new takes on Lara's character, and a race against time against the dangerous faction calling themselves The Raiders.

The development of the next Tomb Raider game began concurrently with Shadow of the Tomb Raider, although full production did not begin until the trilogy was completed. However, the project went silent for four years until it was completely redone in Unreal Engine 5. Crystal Dynamics stated at the State of Unreal 2022 that the next installment will be produced on the new engine, marking a significant transition for the brand.

According to insider reports, Lara Croft will be roughly 30 years old in this game, having evolved from a lone adventurer to a respected expert and mentor. The plot revolves around her quest to protect ancient relics, which is both a professional and personal hardship, as she encounters exterior threats and psychological challenges, including loneliness despite her celebrity.

The new Tomb Raider game will also feature partners, implying a possible Mass Effect-style system in which players can select comrades with special abilities to accompany them on missions. And for the first time in the series, Tomb Raider will have a completely open world. Previous titles have extensive explorable zones, but the upcoming game is claimed to erase any artificial limits, allowing for seamless exploration similar to Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Horizon Forbidden West.

The game is rumored to be set in India, with landscapes such as deep jungles, old ruins, mountainous terrain, and vanished cities. Lara will have new traversal options, such as motorcycles, parachutes, and vehicles, as well as previously unseen mobility mechanics. Players will be able to ride horses, travel by boat, and utilize a grappling hook to traverse quickly. The story opens with a huge natural disaster in Northern India, which reveals ancient ruins linked to Emperor Ashoka, a renowned emperor famed for his expansion and influence on Buddhism. This event ignites a furious competition for powerful artifacts that have the potential to change the fate of the world.

Lara is not the only one chasing them; the Raiders, a deadly opposing faction, are also after them. With huge stakes and a worldwide threat, Lara must collaborate with a team to avoid disaster, which challenges her to trust others in ways she has never done before. The upcoming Tomb Raider is honing its fundamental mechanics. The stealth mechanism has been extensively overhauled, providing greater variation in encounters. Melee combat is also being upgraded, including non-lethal takedowns, and parkour mechanics are slated to be enhanced.

Development has been ongoing for around three years since the game was restarted on Unreal Engine 5. Given the scale of the project, insiders predict a release date between 2026 and 2027. However, a formal announcement could come later this year. With its transition to open-world gameplay, new traversal mechanics, and a more experienced Lara Croft, the next Tomb Raider is shaping up to be the franchise's most ambitious entry to date. Fans may expect a new take on the famed adventurer, one that may redefine her legacy.