Every Version of Lara Croft Seen from the Beginning
Tomb Raider is still one of the most popular video game franchises in the world, even when the last game came out almost a decade ago. Lara Croft is an icon that went beyond the barriers of gaming and hypnotized the entire society with her charisma, her moves, and her graphics.
Girls wanted to be Lara Croft, boys wanted to be with Lara Croft, and video game magazines would often make jokes about dating her or even create contests to win a dinner with the adventurer. Lara Croft was featured in hundreds of magazine covers, had a couple of movie adaptations, and is constantly relevant, no matter how long ago she released her latest game.
However, she has changed her appearance quite a bit since her first adventure. Different hairstyles, different clothes, different moods. Lara Croft's been through a lot, so here we are, taking a look at every version of Lara Croft seen from the beginning.
Laura Cruz
Lara Croft was originally thought of as a Latina adventurer named Laura Cruz. It was later changed to Lara Cruz, and then to the more European Lara Croft.
Mind-boggling Graphics
At the time, and for a kid, there was no difference between watching an Indiana Jones movie or playing Tomb Raider. They literally looked the same.
Lara's side
Lara Croft is one of the most popular characters from a video game, and a lot of crafty cosplays look to recreate this iconic look with angles and everything.
Tomb Raider I - III
Lara's hair changed a lot from the first to the second game. However, it seems like the rest of her features were all set from the beginning.
Nell McAndrew as Lara Croft
Tomb Raider used to pick a model or actress to be THE official Lara Croft for a couple of years. They'd do lots of photo shoots and appear in every release event for the games.
Tomb Raider IV - VI
The second Tomb Raider Trilogy featured upgraded graphics and subtitles instead of numbers. It was a whole new world.
Bigger than Pammy, Wiser than Yoda
Lara Croft featured in more than 1400 magazine covers and still holds the record for any fictional character.
Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness
Tomb Raider tried the whole Matrix aesthetic with this game.
Game Covers
Video game covers and magazines would feature Lara with way better graphics than the games could at the time.
Tomb Raider I - IV
This is what Lara Croft looks like in the remastered versions of the classic games.
Tomb Raider IV - VI
The second Tomb Raider Trilogy featured upgraded graphics and subtitles instead of numbers. It was a whole new world.
Alternate Art
There was a lot of alternate art seen in magazines, manuals, and such. There, Lara would have tattoos or piercings just to see how fans would react. She never got any of that in the games.
Tomb Raider: Legend
This game came out in 2006, after three years without a new Tomb Raider. From 1995 to 2003, there was always a new Tomb Raider game on the shelves.
Karima Adebibe
Karima Adebibe was Lara Croft's model in the Legends era.
Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Tomb Raider was constantly trying to go back to its essence after a couple of flops that nobody liked.
Tomb Raider: Underworld
The game that everyone thought would end the franchise for good.
Alison Carroll
Alison Carroll was the last official Lara Croft model.
Tomb Raider (2001)
There was no better choice for the role of Lara Croft at the time.
Tomb Raider (2013)
In 2013, Tomb Raider was rebooted and featured a younger Lara Croft in an origin story that would end up being a new trilogy.
Tomb Raider (2018)
Alicia Vikander starred in the adaptation of the 2013 game.
Tomb Raider (2013)
Lara's look was raw and dirty, like all reboots and origin stories were at the time.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
This is what Lara looks like through Photo Mode.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (2024)
Hayley Atwell voiced Lara Croft in Netflix's animated TV adaptation.
Lara Croft in Fortnite
The explorer was also featured in the popular game Fortnite, sporting a cuter look.
Lara Croft - Tomb Raider
Ten faces, one hell of a character.
