What do we suspect the announcement entails? Well, it could just be some additional unlockables and knick-knacks across the enjoyable Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered or the solid but flawed Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered.

Or perhaps it’s something new and exciting altogether, like the remastered version of Tomb Raider: Underworld, which could mean that the Tomb Raider franchise is going to be quite busy in the near future, with Tomb Raider: Catalyst  in 2027. There’s also Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a remake of the first title in the series, launching later this year.

Crystal Dynamics worked with Aspyr on the remasters, so there’s a solid chance it might have something to do with the upcoming announcement, but that’s just speculation at this point. We won’t have to wait too long to find out, and you can keep replaying the teaser below and try to guess what’s coming later this week ahead of the announcement.

“Yes, it is still in development. That’s all I can say,” he revealed to IGN in a recent interview. So it seems the time still isn’t right.

There have been plenty of rumors about it in previous months, though, with Game File’s Stephen Totilo reporting that Mad Head Games of Scars Above fame is working “under/with” Saber on the remake. Neither studio confirmed whether this was true, but the former’s website revealed it’s working on an “unannounced AAA game” based on a “famous and beloved IP that fans will eagerly anticipate.”

Since its announcement in 2021, that too as a PS5 console exclusive, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake has been seemingly cursed. Under development at Aspyr, it was allegedly delayed indefinitely, with Saber Interactive taking over. When the latter split from the Embracer Group, it retained ownership of the remake with CEO Matthew Karch claiming it was “alive and well.” Sadly, there have been no substantial new details (not including leaked concept art of Kashyyyk) or even gameplay.

On the bright side, Arcanaut Studios, led by Casey Hudson, is working on Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a spiritual successor that he assures will launch before 2030. Head here for more details.

The screenshots indicate that the project was still quite early in development. The only one that would involve gameplay was essentially a whitebox prototype. This means that the environments were plain white boxes with none of the textures that you could identify from the game itself. Along with this, the main character is also wearing untextured armour, and the UI itself largely revolves around developmental needs, like getting graphs and curves for animations and performances, and being able to get debugging logs.

We also get a look at some concept art work for various assets, including Star Wars-styled terminals, industrial objects, a giant computer, and a blaster. Some melee weapons are also shown, specifically vibroblades, which tend to serve as early-game melee weapon options for players before the protagonist becomes a Jedi warrior capable of using a lightsaber.

The report indicates that the props from the screenshots were designed for an early-game level. There were also seemingly plans for a modular weapon system where different parts on a blaster, for instance, could be changed.

This is far from the first time that screenshots from Aspyr’s take on the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake have popped up online. We last saw some screenshots back in September, which gave us a look at the remake’s take on the planet Kashyyk – the homeworld of the Wookies. The game’s take on the planet would have matched up with its depiction from Star Wars: Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith, which showed the planet as being made up of dense jungles and settlements being built along tall trees.

The remake was first announced by Aspyr all the way back in 2021. However, the project was eventually cancelled before being transferred over to be developed at Saber Interactive. While this was initially just a rumour, the studio would later confirm that it was working on the remake. Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch spoke about the state of the remake, and how the studio wants to make sure that it “exceeds consumer expectations”.

“It’s clear and it’s obvious that we’re working on this,” Karch said. “It’s been in the press numerous times. What I will say is that the game is alive and well, and we’re dedicated to making sure we exceed consumer expectations.”

However, the studio hasn’t been keen on showing off development progress. Back in September 2024, CCO Tim Willits said that details about the remake will only be shown off when the studio is ready to do so. “Right now, we are focused on development,” he said. “We look forward to sharing more when the time is right.”

Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, Neverwinter Nights 2 launched in 2006 for PC and follows Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 ruleset. It features 12 classes and 16 races from the outset and takes place in Faerûn in the Forgotten Realms (the same setting as Baldur’s Gate 3). The biggest twist is that players can leverage the toolset to create their own campaigns and share them with others.

Dungeons and Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition polishes the mechanics and camera while adding controller support, including a dedicated UI and “enhanced textures.” It also features Steam Workshop integration for PC mods. Aspyr has yet to detail all the improvements, so stay tuned for more updates.

Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition will include all of the expansions (Mask of the Betrayer, Storm of Zehir, and Mysteries of Westgate) that were originally released for the seminal RPG.

The title will also feature improved visuals and audio, as well as better compatibility with modern hardware. Along with all of this, Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition will also feature mod support with full integration with Steam Workshop in the Steam release of the game.

Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is coming to PC (via Steam and GOG), PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch. The PC release of the game also boasts of full support for the Steam Deck as well as any controller. The game will be out on July 15.

Featured publishers still include Ubisoft, Failbetter Games, Devolver Digital, and Astra Logical. However, you can also look forward to announcements from 11 bit studios, Ghost Ship Publishing and Gameswing, Krafton, People Can Fly, Dear Villagers, Blumhouse Games, and many more. Saber Interactive, Shiro Games, Aspyr, and Level Infinite have also been confirmed.

Based on the publishers, we can probably expect updates on The Alters, Frostpunk 2, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, Lost Rift, Delta Force, and much more. We may also see the next update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which goes live in June and adds a new story quest, immersion settings, and more.

The jury is still out, but host Sean “Day[9]” Plott confirmed that the offerings range “from indie to triple-A.” Stay tuned for more details and updates as the showcase draws nearer.

Before going through the additions and impressions of each title individually, let’s first explore the general quality of life enhancements across all three games. First, the returning features. The classic tank controls are joined by a modern control scheme option, which can be toggled in the menu like before. My favorite remaster feature remains the wonderful ability to toggle classic and modern graphics on-the-fly. Like the previous collection, the modern visuals of VI-VI are wrapped in 4K resolution at a smooth 60 frames per second, and that 60 FPS extends to the retro visuals as well. Complementing the fresh visuals is the Photo Mode, which comes with some new settings and outfits this time around. Depth of field, zoom settings, and camera angle changes are added in addition to new outfits for Lara to pose in. Thankfully, these outfits can be worn during gameplay and not just in Photo Mode, unlike the initial release of Tomb Raider I-III Remastered.

"Brand new to IV-VI Remastered are boss health bars, which can be toggled on or off."

My second favorite remaster feature is the ability to save anywhere with the press of a button. Brand new to IV-VI Remastered are boss health bars, which can be toggled on or off. And of course, putting a bow on the whole experience are the 168 achievements; a lower count than I-III Remaster, but still formidable to collect. Overall, this is a pretty good suite of enhancements and features. The new control scheme and improved framerates really ease a lot of the clunkiness inherent in titles like Tomb Raider VI.

Now on to the three games themselves. Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation opens with a flashback tutorial. A teenage Lara Croft joins her mentor Werner Von Croy through Angkor Wat in search of an artifact. After the tutorial, Lara spends a majority of her time exploring the tombs of Egypt. The plot of The Last Revelation is among the most significant in the classic series, tying together Tomb Raider V and VI with Lara and Von Croy’s uncertain fates. That said, the way the story is told is lacking in certain areas. Scene transitions aren’t properly explained and things just happen without exposition or on-screen guidance at times, but these are issues present through all of the games in this collection.

"Rather than hopping between distinct locales like some of the games do, The Last Revelation hones in on the mazelike intricacies of Egypt’s many tombs."

The focused Egyptian setting of The Last Revelation is perhaps my favorite in the series. Rather than hopping between distinct locales like some of the games do, The Last Revelation hones in on the mazelike intricacies of Egypt’s many tombs. Some of the environments in Tomb Raider IV feel like being stuck in the best Zelda dungeons at times. The modern visuals do a good job filling in the details of the numerous hieroglyphs adorning the crypt walls that the original game left hazy. Lara goes outdoors a bit too, and the vastly improved draw distance of the modern graphics impress during these moments as you see stretches of desert dunes in the distance.

Tomb Raider IV’s control scheme is largely unchanged from previous games and mostly revolves around jumping around solving puzzles and navigating platforms. Player’s won’t find it difficult to jump into IV from the previous collection as this game is easily the most traditional of the three included in this collection.

Tomb Raider V: Chronicles takes a rather novel approach to storytelling. The entire game functions as a flashback to some of Lara’s most adventurous exploits not covered in previous games. Why is it framed through flashbacks? Well, Lara is presumed dead after the events of the previous game. Players wanting a bit of variety in locations and gameplay get that here, with four distinct sections covering different parts of Lara’s life. It’s also cool how each of the four sections is told from the perspective of one of Lara’s close confidants.

"The environmental design of the game’s Rome segment is evocative."

I particularly enjoy the game’s opening Rome chapter, which forms the most traditional gameplay of the four locales. Controls are pretty much identical to previous games, but if you need a bit of practice, the optional backstage opera tutorial area does a great job easing you through the motions. The environmental design of the game’s Rome segment is evocative. Switching between classic and modern graphics is especially interesting within this level because the skybox is completely different between the two visual settings.

Some of the other locations, such as the underwater diving within the game’s second locale, are beset with some level guidance issues. Still, the variety of the four locales make up for the individual shortcomings. Searching for the Spear of Destiny through the ocean floor of a Russian naval submarine is tense and interesting, while the occult flavored Ireland adventure has Lara coming into contact with demonic forces. The final section through a NYC skyscraper involves some stealth-based gameplay and also sheds more light on Lara’s relationship with her mentor, Von Croy. There’s a lot of game packed into Chronicles, even if some of it is uneven in execution.

The next and final game in the collection is the black sheep of the Tomb Raider series. Having never touched Angel of Darkness before, I was pleasantly surprised with what I played of the remaster. First off though, something that may disappoint fans: the stamina meter is kept from the original. I fell off high scaffolding a number of times due to the stamina bar depleting mid-hang, and the remaster doesn’t attempt to remedy that. What it does remedy is the original’s terrible framerate and clunky controls as a result thereof. I personally like how walking near edges prevents you from falling, unlike previous entries. The streamlined directional climbing also feels smoother than other Tomb Raider games.

"The stamina meter is kept from the original Angel of Darkness release"

But yeah, everything else feels a tad bit slower and more rigid in Angel of Darkness. Opening drawers and picking up items has this slow animation tied to it making everything take longer. And then there’s the unskippable tutorial, with Lara narrating to herself how to play the game. Previous entries allowed players to move around during tutorials, but not this one; you must stay still while she talks. The ‘getting stronger’ gimmick is untouched from the original, and I kind of hate it. Lara can’t push heavy boxes or jump long distances if she doesn’t come across an unspecified requirement that makes her temporarily stronger. The requirement is typically just entering a side room or unlocking a door. It’s also just easy to miss the progression flag where Lara gets stronger, making her completely unable to progress in instances like the poison gas apartment near the beginning of the game.

But if there’s one thing Angel of Darkness was lauded for, it’s tone. The story is as dark and intriguing as it gets in the series. Lara is suspected of murdering her old mentor and must sneak her way through Paris to avoid getting caught. The music and art direction have a suspenseful feel to them that suits the story really well.  Speaking of art direction, this is where the difference between modern and classic visuals is blurred the most. At times I prefer the original graphics for the increased foliage, but there’s no denying the added detail to signage with the modern visuals. The remaster adds a couple of restored content omitted from the original game including new weapons for Kurtis and an item vendor by the name of Rennes’ Pawnshop too, making this the definitive version of the game by a longshot.

"Tomb Raider IV is the most welcoming game out of the trio here, but there’s still something to love with each of them."

As a package, IV-VI Remastered does what I-III achieves and then adds some little additions on top. I found various aspects of V and VI tedious, and the remaster doesn’t really erase those inherent flaws. Even with the modern control scheme, there’s some element of movement jank involved, especially with VI’s sluggish animations. There’s also instances of poor guidance and level flow in all three games; times when you’re left to solve puzzles with nary a clue or indication to help. Tomb Raider IV is the most welcoming game out of the trio here, but there’s still something to love with each of them. These are some of the most unique games in the franchise, featuring a wider variety of locales than before, so if you’re in the mood for something other than just tombs, this collection will satisfy. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered offers a ton of game for your buck, and at the attractive price point, comes highly recommended for fans and newcomers alike.

This game was reviewed on the PC.

After all, Tomb Raider 4: The Last Revelation is where the development team finally had enough of Lara Croft and decided to kill her off, making it the last title in the series. That didn’t last long, though, as Eidos Interactive mandated more Tomb Raider titles, resulting in two new games. The first was Tomb Raider: Chronicles, an anthology of standalone tales meant to honor Croft’s legacy by milking it for more money.

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness is the other – a sequel/soft reboot that saw the return of Lara in a way that so many fans demanded: A stealth action-adventure title with another playable character. Alongside Chronicles, it’s considered the absolute lowest point of the series. While critics and fans mercilessly panned it, at least it catalyzed Crystal Dynamics to take over and reboot everything with Tomb Raider: Legend.

A remaster of either title, let alone both together, just doesn’t seem ideal, and yet, the developer is going through with Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered. Launching on February 14th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, the compilation includes several new features like a fly-by camera, an option to skip cutscenes, and an ammo counter. There’s even some restored content in The Angel of Darkness, which provides “more context” for the story.

Above all else, the biggest appeal of these remasters is the visuals, and the developer, thankfully, continues killing it in that regard. Let’s dive into each title and compare their visuals to the original games to outline all the improvements.

Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation – Original vs. Remastered

Even with the development team at Core Design feeling absolutely burned out on the franchise, Tomb Raider 4 upped the visual quality in numerous ways. Character models felt more natural thanks to additional facial features; levels sported improved lighting and 3D architecture – the PC version even had bump mapping.

Its presentation felt more fluid and seamless, especially with how players communicated with each other in cutscenes. Of course, as endearing as the character animations and environmental design, the lighting was also commendable, especially with light shafts through windows at specific points.

The remaster improves on all that in some truly incredible ways. First off, the character models are much more detailed, right down to better faces and more natural reactions. The prologue is also the perfect showcase for the revamped lighting and shadows, with more pronounced beams that more naturally illuminate Lara’s surroundings.

Of course, the environmental textures are completely overhauled and brimming with new details, including new foliage, sharper tree textures, and more. That skeleton on the ground in the beginning? It’s now much more detailed, with the colors more fitting the environmental tones. Even the leaves dangling from above are individually outlined and rendered to look natural and less like clumps of green.

Perhaps the only downside is that some sections can look a little washed out compared to the original’s vibrancy. It’s fine when wandering through darker sections, especially with the muzzle flash from Croft’s weapons naturally lighting up the surroundings. But some places definitely feel more subdued in color tones than the original.

Tomb Raider: Chronicles – Original vs. Remastered

Since it was built for the PlayStation One and meant to call back to the previous titles’ gameplay, Chronicles didn’t sport much of a graphical leap for the series. It still sported some interesting lighting and texture work, though the former didn’t exactly feel like the most realistic. The environmental textures also felt a bit uneven and less seamless in places, which isn’t the case in the remaster. Once again, they’re completely overhauled, from the gorgeous pavement with more discernible cobblestones to proper door arches and window sills.

The hanging foliage is also presented yet again with individual leaves, looking less messy than the original. Such is the clarity of the environmental textures that the signs are more imminently readable and less fuzzy. It’s also worth noting the lighting improvements, which can transform a room where Lara might tight-rope walk into a sequence where environmental features are more easily discernible. Overall, everything inherent in Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation’s remaster is just as pronounced here, even if the locations aren’t necessarily as detailed.

Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness – Original vs. Remastered

As awful as the game was, you have to give credit where it’s due to Core Design for the original visuals, even if the art direction and overall fidelity were far from top-notch at the time. This being the first Tomb Raider developed from the ground up for PlayStation 2, it sports noticeable upgrades to the lighting and shadows, including starker tones to match the overall edgier atmosphere. The environmental textures and assets sport higher polygon counts and details, while atmospherics like smoke and fog further add to the mood. Lara’s model is also a step up in almost every way.

Its remaster is perhaps the most surprising upgrade yet in terms of sheer quality. The rain in the opening level is much more pronounced, right down to its hitting the floor, and the multitudes of different lighting feel much more natural, especially in the shadows created. The textures are more detailed by leaps and bounds, better fulfilling the dingy and dark tones that Core Design doubtless sought.

Conclusion

Though it maintains much of the animation work and cutscene direction of the originals, Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered does more than just radically transform the environments, lighting, and shadows for modern platforms. It also ensures a uniform design for Lara Croft’s model throughout, ensuring she looks the same in The Angel of Darkness as she does in The Last Revelation and Chronicles while still presenting immaculate details.

Environmental objects which you acquire even sport more detailed 3D models, fitting in with the rest of the revamps. And, of course, it all runs at a silky smooth 60 frames per second throughout, with nary a frame drop in sight on PS5.

So, you could debate the necessity of bringing Tomb Raider 5 and 6 back in remastered form, even if the developer said it just didn’t feel right to only remaster the fourth game in. However, there’s no denying that Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered is the best way to experience these games. Maybe it’s in the sheer amount of features and quality of life changes, or finally learning what the heck is going on in The Angel of Darkness. Either way, they’re an essential part of history and complete Croft’s original journey stunningly.

Much like Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered, the collection delivers overhauled visuals while retaining the signature look of the original games. All three titles run at 4K/60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X, but there are also numerous quality-of-life improvements, including an ammo counter, boss health bars, a flyby camera maker, and more.

Fans can also experience the Times Exclusive level in The Last Revelation, previously exclusive to the PC version. For more details, check out our feature here. You can also read our interview with the development team to learn more about its approach to the remastered compilation.

Enhanced and Classic Graphics Unite

The most obvious upgrade with these kinds of remasters tend to be visual, and just like Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, this collection is no different. Aspyr has continued working closely with Crystal Dynamics to use a modified version of the original games’ engine with the benefit of upscaled textures and improved lighting. As seen from trailers and new images, there’s a host of new new environmental assets for IV-VI to boot. The team also carries over the option to freely toggle between original and enhanced graphic modes at any time while playing Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.

Modern and Tank Control Schemes

One of the most notorious things about classic Tomb Raider titles are the tank controls; these too can be toggled on or off in IV-VI Remastered, though only in the menu. The modern control scheme allows full camera control and direction-dependent character movement. Dashing and ducking can also be held down or simply pressed as a toggle option.

Boss Health Bar Toggles

Classic Tomb Raider titles were known for their difficulty, and tough bosses were a big part of that. Tomb Raider IV was especially known for its memorable boss encounters inspired by Egyptian mythology. This remaster allows you to toggle health bars for every boss in Tomb Raider IV-VI, which should make those encounters with Giza’s guardians that much more manageable.

New Photo Mode Settings

Photo Mode gets a bit of an upgrade coming from the I-III Remaster. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remaster finally adds the option to adjust depth of field, zoom in and out, and change the angle of the camera.

Additional Poses and Outfits

These added camera controls will be great for all the newly added poses and outfits that Lara Croft is receiving in IV-VI Remaster. While the additional poses only apply within Photo Mode, the different outfits can most likely be selected from a menu and worn during gameplay. Wearing different outfits was only added with a later patch for I-III, but the devs have confirmed that IV-VI will “include additional poses and outfits for Lara Croft”. We’ll have to wait and see if those outfits are exclusive to Photo Mode or not.

4K Resolution at 60 Frames Per Second

One thing we do know for sure is Aspyr’s commitment to target 4K resolution and 60FPS for PS5 and Xbox Series X. There was a patch for I-III Remastered that added a 120FPS option for PS5 and Series X users, and we assume this will be patched for IV-VI some point down the line as well.  Xbox Series S users can expect a bit of a downgrade with a targetted 1440p at 60 FPS, while Switch and PS4 users get 1080P at 60FPS. While we don’t know for sure if Aspyr has improved performance for the classic graphics, so we can only assume IV-VI will run at a capped 30FPS while playing with Classic mode graphics like in I-III.

Inclusion of the “Times Exclusive” Level from The Last Revelation

This collection includes a neat little easter egg of a level for Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation. The bonus “Times Exclusive” level was only available as a PC download back in the day and was created to join The Times newspaper in their 75^th anniversary celebration of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. In this stand-alone level, a Times’ employee asks Lara to investigate, you guessed it, King Tut’s tomb.

168 Trophies/Achievements

Despite the eye-watering 269 Trophies included in Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, trophy hunters were upset at the omission of any Platinum trophy to top it all off. Well, there’s still no Platinum trophy available for Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, though the leaner 168 trophy/achievements included here ensure less of a headache to keep track of than the previous game.

Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation Story and Setting

Lara investigates Egypt this time around and even gets to raid the most famous of all tombs, the Giza Pyramids. The story really gets going when Lara finds the Amulet of Horus within the Tomb of Set.

Tomb Raider IV Returns to The Series’ Roots

The setting of ancient Egypt and its crypts and tombs called for a particularly nostalgic gameplay approach. As such, The Last Revelation emphasizes more logic puzzles and compact room platforming as opposed to the open zone key-finding design common within Tomb Raider II and III.

Tomb Raider V: Chronicles Story and Setting

Tomb Raider V: Chronicles has perhaps the most unconventional narrative out of all the Tomb Raider games. The story framing is done not from the perspective of Lara herself, but a group of her closest friends and allies. You play as Lara through a set of four-story vignettes. The reason for this somber reminiscence of Lara Croft is due to her being presumed dead following the events of The Last Revelation.

Gameplay Variety in Chronicles

Recalling the past escapades of Lara Croft dovetails naturally into distinctly varied level themes. The first story is set in Rome and focuses on platform-based gameplay, emulating Tomb Raider I’s design. The following stories emphasize stealth, action, and puzzle-solving. Tomb Raider V was the final game in this collection to be developed by the original Core Design team. Interestingly, the team wanted to kill off Lara for good in Tomb Raider IV due to burnout and fatigue, leading to what many would consider the worst game in the series, Tomb Raider VI.

Tomb Raider VI – The Black Sheep of the Series

The Angel of Darkness was the first game in the series to use a new iteration of the Core Design in-house engine for its PS2 debut. Despite the generational leap, Angel of Darkness was critically panned for its buggy gameplay and poorly implemented design. A part of the frustrating controls was the new stamina meter which made climbing a laborious chore. While it’s not yet confirmed whether Aspyr removed the stamina meter, at least the modern controls allow for more fluid movement as well as mid-air shooting and consecutive jumps.

Restored Content for Tomb Raider VI

This remaster restores a lot of cut content for Tomb Raider VI: Angel of Darkness. The other playable character, one Kurtis Trent, receives a new Chirugai disc blade weapon to use. Kurtis also gets a new psychic shield ability to defend against enemies and bosses. Other restored content includes purchasable goods from Rennes’ Pawnshop such as the Silencer and Lasersight, a new Parisian Backstreet training area, unused voice lines, new inventory items such as Von Croy’s cane, and updated notebook entries.

PC Requirements for Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered

It doesn’t take the newest Nvidia RTX graphics card to enjoy the latest Tomb Raider collection. Just like the previous remaster, Tomb Raider IV-VI can run on old laptops and still be enjoyed. As per the Steam page, the minimum PC requirements are an Intel i3 / AMD FX-4100 processor and GeForce GT 620 1gb / Radeon HD 8670D graphics card, both 10-year-old hardware. Recommended specs include an Intel i7 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800 processor and NVIDA RTX 2080 / Radeon RX 6750 graphics card. With a global release for older consoles like the PS4, Xbox One, and Switch and some very attainable minimum PC requirements, just about anybody could enjoy Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered.