The Tomb Raider franchise has defined action-adventure gaming for nearly three decades, following archaeologist Lara Croft as she navigates ancient ruins, solves intricate puzzles, and outsmarts rival treasure hunters across the globe. From the pixelated origins on PlayStation to the cinematic reboots that reimagined her story, the series has evolved while maintaining its signature blend of exploration, combat, and environmental storytelling. Whether you're a longtime fan or curious about gaming's most iconic heroine, see how well you know the worlds she's explored and the mysteries she's uncovered.
▶ Play today's quizWhat is the full name of the heroine known simply as Lara?
Source: Lara Croft was reportedly nearly named 'Laura Cruz' before designers settled on the more British-sounding Croft.
What is Lara Croft's main profession in the games?
Source: Lara is framed as a globe-trotting archaeologist, though her field methods would horrify any real museum curator.
Which Hollywood star played Lara Croft in the 2001 film?
Source: Jolie's father, Jon Voight, played Lara's on-screen father, making the family bond unusually real.
Which weapons are Lara Croft most iconically associated with?
Source: Her twin akimbo pistols became so iconic they appear on much of the franchise's early box art.
The 2013 reboot follows a young Lara stranded on which type of place?
Source: The reboot's island of Yamatai was inspired by a real legendary Japanese kingdom ruled by a shaman queen.
What kind of environments does Lara most famously explore?
Source: The series' raiding of crypts and temples gave the franchise its name and its 'Indiana Jones with pistols' reputation.
What can players famously do to Lara's butler Winston in Croft Manor?
Source: Shooting or cornering Winston until he ends up trapped in the kitchen freezer became one of the earliest games' most beloved secret gags.
Which British studio originally created Tomb Raider in 1996?
Source: Tiny Derby-based Core Design built the original with a team of just six people.
Which company currently owns and publishes the Tomb Raider games?
Source: Crystal Dynamics took over development in 2006 and rebooted the whole series in 2013.
Which actress voiced and motion-captured Lara in the 2013 reboot?
Source: Luddington's emotional performance helped the reboot win acclaim, though earlier games had used voice actress Keeley Hawes.
Which actress played Lara Croft in the 2018 film reboot?
Source: Vikander, an Oscar-winning Swede, trained intensely to give her version a more grounded, athletic physique.
What is the name of Lara's ancestral family home in the games?
Source: Exploring Croft Manor became a fan tradition, often used as a hidden tutorial level full of secrets.
Which 2018 game concluded the rebooted origin trilogy?
Source: Shadow sent Lara to Latin America to stop a Maya apocalypse she herself accidentally triggers.
Which gymnastic move became Lara's signature acrobatic escape in early games?
Source: Her elegant backflips were modeled partly on real gymnastics to make her movement feel athletic, not robotic.
Which recurring rival organization repeatedly opposes Lara across the games?
Source: Trinity, a shadowy order chasing supernatural artifacts, drives the plot of the entire reboot trilogy.
Which mythical artifact does Lara seek in the original 1996 game?
Source: The Scion linked the original story to Atlantis, giving the supposed archaeology a sci-fi twist.
Which 1997 sequel sent Lara raiding through Venice and a sunken shipwreck?
Source: Tomb Raider II added the famous speedboat chase through Venice's canals, a series first.
In which year was Rise of the Tomb Raider, the sequel to the 2013 reboot, first released?
Source: Rise of the Tomb Raider launched on Xbox in late 2015 as a timed exclusive before reaching other platforms in 2016.
In the opening of the 2018 reboot finale, what catastrophe does Lara accidentally unleash by seizing a Maya dagger?
Source: By seizing a Maya dagger, Lara unleashes a tsunami that drowns a village, forcing her to confront her recklessness.
Which Tomb Raider game controversially killed off Lara, prompting fan outrage?
Source: Core seemingly buried Lara in an Egyptian tomb to end the series, but publisher demand resurrected her anyway.