Summary
When discussing American video game developerCrystal Dynamics, one will find it difficult to not steer the conversation toward theTomb Raiderfranchise along with its gun-toting archeologist and heroine Lara Croft. Inheriting the series from original developers Core Design, Crystal Dynamics has overseen not one buttwo reboot trilogies.
Despite this admitted intertwining of the developer and the aforementioned franchise, Crystal Dynamics has been operating within the video game development sphere for over three decades and has created a plethora of games during this time. From mascot platformers and first-person shooters to kart racers and sprawling online experiences, this video game developer has been the brains behind many fan favorites over the years.
10Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko
For his third and final outing, wise-cracking and pop culture-spouting gecko Gex upped the ante by being tasked with returning to the Media Dimension to rescue his partner Agent Xtra who has been kidnapped by his arch-nemesis Rez. With Agent Xtra being portrayed live-action by Marliece Andrada from the TV showBaywatch,Gex 3: Deep Cover Geckokept hold of the absurdand risque atmospherethat made the previous installments so beloved by fans.
All in all,Gex 3: Deep Cover Geckowas received relatively positively by both fans and critics, with Gex’s third adventure (and as of 2023 his last) being an outrageous and tight platforming experience that retains everything that fans loved from the previous installments.
9Pandemonium 2
The platformerPandemonium 2is a sequel game revisiting court jester Fargus and sorceress Nikki in the fantasy land of Lyr as they race to be the first to find a fallen comet. On a 2.5D plane, players battle enemies, collect treasure, and solve puzzles with free rein to play as either protagonist.
This psychedelic romp through a fantasy world hit its stride as a top contender in the 2D platformer genre, which by the release ofPandemonium 2was being overshadowed by 3D counterparts. Described as unpredictable, the platformer’s impressive graphics, challengingly fun gameplay, and engaging stage design make it a cut above the rest.
8Tomb Raider: Anniversary
In what has come to be known as the “Legend” trilogy of theTomb Raiderfranchise,Tomb Raider: Anniversaryis the second entry, acting as a remake and pseudo-expansion of the original 1996 game. With the original game being considered royalty by the overarching video game zeitgeist, Crystal Dynamics had enormous shoes to fill.
In spite of the external pressure, the developerdelivered a remakeconsidered worthy of the original, with critics praising the balance between faithfulness to and expansion of the original game thatTomb Raider: Anniversaryhandled so exquisitely. With this, the gamble taken by Crystal Dynamics to remake such an iconic piece of video game history paid off.
7Project: Snowblind
The truth of the matter is that the 2000s were not short of first-person shooter video games, with examples of the genre bursting onto the scene in droves over the time period. So, whenCrystal Dynamic’s futuristic FPSProject: Snowblinddropped in 2005, suffice it to say that nobody truly expected much from it. The game, however, made much more of a splash than anticipated.
Casting players as Nathan Frost (a soldier in the peacekeeping Liberty Coalition), players are instantly thrown into firefights that are surprisingly engaging and entertaining despite being arguably simple from a design perspective. The excitement only ramps up when Frost is implanted with nanotechnology, allowing the player a whole host of other ways to combat enemies, including the splicing of hostile technology.
6Lara Croft And The Temple Of Osiris
TheLara Croftseries, which is a spin-off of theTomb Raiderfranchise, is a change in pace from the third-person action-adventure style of its parent series. Instead, games in theLara Croftseries employan isometric perspectivewith a fixed camera along with a twin-stick control scheme that gives them an arcade feel.
The second in the series,Lara Croft and the Temple of Osirissees the famous archeologist team up with both a rival treasure hunter and Egyptian gods to defeat the deity of violence and disorder, Set. Although not as warmly received as its predecessor,Lara Croft and the Temple of Osirisis a puzzle shooter that one can lose multiple hours in with friends.
5Soul Reaver 2
In the sequelSoul Reaver 2, players are given control of the ethereal vampire Raziel as he attempts to not only learn about his past mortal life but also exact revenge on his former master and he who killed him, Kain. Continuing the plot fromLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, players guide Raziel across time and between realms as he battles enemies in the forms of demons and vampire hunters.
Praised for its tight combat and smart puzzle design,Soul Reaver 2does more of the same for theLegacy of Kainseries gameplay-wise (which is far from a criticism), while also expanding on the overarching plot in exciting and mind-bending ways.
4Lara Croft And The Guardian Of Light
TheLara Croftseries ofTomb Raidergames has a penchant for leaning into the more supernatural elements of the franchise. In this regard,Lara Croft and the Guardian of Lightis no different, seeing Croft team up with an ancient Mayan warrior Totec to preventan evil deityfrom acquiring a powerful artifact.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Lightwas the first to move away from the traditional mainlineTomb Raiderexperience, putting a heavy emphasis on cooperative gameplay in an isometric, arcade-like framework. Indeed, the game managed this drastic shift in gameplay well, with critics and fans lauding its engaging gameplay and puzzles.
3Tomb Raider (2013)
The second and arguably more famous reboot of theTomb Raiderfranchise overseen by Crystal Dynamics came with the release ofTomb Raider (2013). Taking explorer and archeologist Lara Croft back to her early days, the game tasks players with guiding her as she explores the island of Yamatai and uncovers its secrets, all while finding her lost allies.
Borrowing and developing upon its third-person action-adventure game contemporaries,Tomb Raider (2013)was released to universal acclaim, specifically for its portrayal of an inexperienced yet bold and complex Lara Croft, along with impressive visuals and an engaging narrative. In framing Croft as a young graduate who only adapts to violence and killing to survive against a murderous cult on Yamatai, Crystal Dynamics created a superbly morally complex beginning to gaming’s favorite treasure hunter.
2Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver
The first game in the series to adopt the then subtitle as its main one,Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaveris the second game in theLegacy of Kainfranchise and gave fans the turnaround when it was released in 1999. The reason for this was the switch of character Kain who, after serving as the main protagonist of the previous game, is framed as the antagonist ofLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. The player character is instead Kain’sformer lieutenant Razielwho is murdered by Kain and is resurrected for vengeful purposes.
Praised across the board,Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaverset up the rest of a beloved series that ended in 2003 after five entries. The love for the franchise has remained, however, and it is hard to believe that remasters or indeed sequels are not on the horizon forLegacy of Kain.
1Rise Of The Tomb Raider
In the case of Crystal Dynamics' second reboot trilogy ofTomb Raider, the developer seemingly hit its stride with the second entryRise of the Tomb Raider. Seeing Croft explore the wilds of Siberia in search of a lost city that promises its founder immortality, the sequel maintains a perfect balance between staying true and innovation.
Rise of the Tomb Raideris a Lara Croft adventure that delights both newcomers and veterans of the series alike. From its expansive yet unbloated hub worlds to the mass of side content for players to enjoy,Rise of the Tomb Raideris a perfect example of why Crystal Dynamics is trusted with an IP that is so very important to the video game world as a whole.
