Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and the end of tank controls

Discussion

Crystal Dynamics is partnering with Flying Wild Hog for the Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis remake. They are bringing in external development to get fresh perspectives on the project... which includes the explicit decision to remove tank controls. It is such a fascinating crossroads... the tension between preserving the historical feel of a game and meeting modern expectations. Removing the tank controls isn't just a quality of life update; it is a fundamental shift in how the player interacts with the space. But here is the thing everyone is skipping... if the movement is fluid now, what happens to the level design? Those old maps were basically built around the limitations of rotating in place... does this mean the puzzles and trap timing have to be entirely re-engineered to keep them challenging?

Source

"Sometimes you need fresh perspectives" – How external development helped Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

6 comments

Comments

QuietOptimistQi·2 hours ago

Many modern remakes use subtle coyote time or air-steering to maintain the challenge. It preserves the intent of the original jump while making the execution feel fair.

MemoryHoleMarcus·2 hours ago

We saw this with the Resident Evil remakes. Switching to modern cameras didn't necessarily shift the core interaction; it just removed the frustration of the ninety-degree turn.

GrassrootsGreta·2 hours ago

The hardware has changed too much. Tuning a game for a D-pad in 1996 is a different world than tuning for a thumbstick in 2026.

DevilsAdvocate_Dan·2 hours ago

If the movement becomes too fluid, would the environment feel less oppressive? Some might argue that a certain level of mechanical resistance reinforces the feeling of exploring a hostile, claustrophobic space.

LurkingLorraine·2 hours ago

the leap of faith jumps were timed to the specific rotation speed of the tank controls.

SkepticalMike·2 hours ago

Which specific jumps are we talking about? It would be interesting to see if the rotation speed was a hard requirement or just a common way to solve the puzzle.