Lara Croft games in order: where to start with Tomb Raider
Choose a first Tomb Raider game and separate release order, story order, remasters and Lara Croft spin-offs.
Scope: Main console/PC releases and named Lara Croft spin-offs · checked October 13, 2026
Quick answer
For a modern origin story, play Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. For the original design and levels, start with Tomb Raider I–III Remastered. The Legend continuity is Anniversary, Legend and Underworld. Guardian of Light, Temple of Osiris and Lara Croft GO are spin-offs and are not required between main games.
Choose a starting point
There is no single compulsory first game because Tomb Raider has been restarted more than once. Pick the route that matches what you want to play:
| You want | Start with | Continue with |
|---|---|---|
| A modern origin story | Tomb Raider (2013) | Rise, then Shadow |
| The original adventures on current hardware | Tomb Raider I–III Remastered | IV–VI Remastered |
| The Legend continuity | Anniversary for story chronology | Legend, then Underworld |
| Shorter puzzle-focused play | Lara Croft GO | No required sequel |
| Co-op action and puzzles | Guardian of Light | Temple of Osiris |
Release order and story order are different
The Classic games began in 1996 and continued through The Angel of Darkness. Crystal Dynamics then released Legend before making Anniversary, a retelling of the first adventure within that era. The Survivor continuity started over again in 2013. A chronological list that places every title on one line therefore creates a false shared biography.
If you want the complete release history, use the official catalog. If you want a coherent first playthrough, stay within one of the three routes above before changing continuity.
Where the Lara Croft spin-offs fit
Guardian of Light, Temple of Osiris and Lara Croft GO use the Lara Croft name rather than the numbered Tomb Raider line. They are accessible without finishing a trilogy. Guardian and Temple form the clearest pair: Temple is the official sequel to Guardian. GO is a separate turn-based puzzle interpretation.
Next, use the three-era timeline if you want the biography behind each route, or the classic versus remastered guide if you are choosing a version.
Sources
Official Tomb Raider pages anchor current facts. Historical and continuity details are cross-checked against cited references, and different versions of Lara are kept separate.