Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis' new combat is built to "showcase some of the things that Lara used to do" on the PS1

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is leaning into the franchise's roots by redesigning combat around Lara's signature mobility. The development team emphasizes acrobatic movement as central to encounters, positioning it as a callback to how the character fought in the original PlayStation era. Rather than straightforward combat mechanics, the new system integrates platforming and spatial awareness - allowing players to use Lara's movement capabilities as a core part of engaging enemies, echoing the series' classic design philosophy.

• Combat mechanics are deliberately designed to resurrect classic Tomb Raider DNA, particularly Lara's agility-based approach from early entries.
• Acrobatics aren't cosmetic flourishes but functional components of how players are expected to tackle encounters.
• The shift reflects a desire to differentiate Legacy of Atlantis by returning to what made the character distinctive rather than adopting contemporary action-game standards.