Discussing this new "unified" Lara Croft

Source: Netflix

About 2 years ago, in 2021, Crystal Dynamics came out and spoke of the future of the Tomb Raider series. As many have speculated at the time (which we get our first look at now) they could have been teasing Lara's role as an adaptation. Since then, Lara has seen a decent amount of screen time in other games including Fortnite and now Warzone. However, everything was really banking on what this supposed Netflix adaptation would entail.

On the 27th of September, we got our first teaser trailer that showed us our first glimpse into what this new "unified" timeline could mean. It would seem that most of the fanbase (if not all) are extremely pleased to see this series animated. Also, people are pleased to see Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter actress) voice the character of Lara Croft. The new unified Lara also brought us closer to her more stoic look of the original trilogy with defining/recognizable facial features. Before we get to the Netflix adaptation, it's important to discuss one thing.

Source: Activision

This is not (our) Lara Croft

Ever since the reveal of a new Lara Croft skin in Warzone, people have theorized that this could be our new unified Lara that we keep hearing about. This may seem, slightly, possible. However, this is still a crossover and shouldn't really represent how she will look for the new trilogy. Even if Crystal Dynamics had a say in this particular design, it's in a COD engine. Tomb Raider games have their own way of designing characters for both functionality and style. I doubt this will look anything like Lara in the (actual) new game that is said to still be in development.

Netflix Adaptation was on the verge of greatness (we were this close)

I know we only got a teaser and we must reserve our judgment for when we actually watch the show. However, the teaser shows us one thing in particular that represents everything wrong with the Survivor Trilogy (Tomb Raider 2013-ROTTR). That is, the picture of the group of Lara's "friends" that play are a pivotal role in the reboot trilogy. Although, there is nothing really wrong with any of those people in the photo in terms of character (I myself like Jonah's personality the most). The problem comes with their relationship with Lara and their influence on her as a character.

If you haven't played the original trilogy or even the Legend Trilogy, I understand if you've never really experienced this kind of Lara. That is, the original games had Lara more stoic and professional with both her work and collogues. Yes, there was drama and friendship but it was never more than that, those aspects rarely ever touched the narrative of the game. For example, in Tomb Raider Underworld, Lara is accompanied by the likes of two other scientist friends who knew Lara's father. They help her travel around and research his unfished project of uncovering the secretes of Mjolnir (NOT MCU Thor, mythology Thor). Even so, she is the one to get her hands dirty and rummage around in tombs. The collogues just provide assistance from the sidelines. At the end of the day, there's nothing wrong with that as they stayed that way throughout the game. We are all here to play a TOMB RAIDER game after all, not a dating simulator.

Even though her style, voice (presumably), and general shtick seems to be more attune to a classic Lara, it's a shame they are still trying to force in this particular narrative.

The problem with their "unification"

The biggest problem with this Netflix adaptation is the implication is has for the future of the franchise. From the looks of the teaser, this adaptation is a continuation of the Survivor trilogy. This is bad news as, with previous entries, when they transitioned from one trilogy to another, it's pretty clear that it was an entirely new Lara Croft. One that could build and flesh out it's own unique narrative throughout the course of a trilogy of games. Like I've said, the picture of Lara's BFFs seems to establish that this series takes place either after or in the middle of the Survivor Trilogy. The middle wouldn't really make sense as, how could you unify an already existing character that has to end up transitioning into the Survivor Trilogy? Even if this takes place after the show, it would still be disappointing as we've already played as this Lara. Especially since I did not enjoy her company in 2 out of the 3 games, why continue to use her in your quest for a "unified" Lara. This should have been an entirely different Lara with her own unique story that could tie into the next set of games. Not some rehash of Lara and Friends the videogame (Survivor Trilogy), we've been playing that for 10 years now.

At the end of the day, it's only a teaser and (again) we should reserve our full judgement for when it comes out. Even so, what they have shown us so far doesn't look all that promising, even if it's just a teaser.

p.s.

If we hear one more time that she is going to "become the tomb raider" in this Netflix series, I will have officially lost all hope for this franchise. They have been saying that for the past 10 years in the Survivor Trilogy. She has always been a tomb raider dammit!