Picking the best Tomb Raider game isn’t always simple because the series has changed a lot over the years.
Some games focus more on tombs and puzzles, while others lean more into action and story.
Today, I’m ranking the best Tomb Raider games based on what different players might enjoy most, like exploration, platforming, combat, and how well the game holds up today.
By the end, you’ll know which game to start with and which ones are worth playing next, if it’s a classic favourite you want or a fresh modern entry that feels easy to jump into.
What Are the Best Tomb Raider Games
In my opinion, the “best” Tomb Raider game depends on what you focus on as a player, because each era leans into different strengths.
When I call a game “the best,” I’m looking for rewarding tombs, a strong sense of exploration, smooth movement, and a story that keeps me invested without dragging.
If I want the most beginner-friendly, best overall starting experience, I’d pick Tomb Raider (2013) because it’s fast to get into and works as a clear origin story. If I want the best balance of exploration, tombs, and progression, I’d choose Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015).
It feels polished and consistently fun. If I’m mainly here for puzzles and tomb challenges, Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018) is my pick since it puts tombs more front and center.
What Games to Start the Tomb Raider Franchise With
In my opinion, the best place to start the Tomb Raider franchise is Tomb Raider (2013).
It’s basically Lara’s origin story, so I don’t need any background knowledge to understand who she is or why everything matters.
The controls and pacing also feel modern and easy to get into, and it does a good job of easing me into exploration, combat, and tomb-style puzzles without overwhelming me.
If I have to suggest someone to keep going in the same style, I’d suggest continuing like this:
- Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015) next (bigger areas, better tombs, more exploring)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018), after that (more puzzle-heavy, wraps up the trilogy)
If I’m specifically craving the old-school “classic Lara” experience instead, then I’d start with Tomb Raider I–III Remastered, but I still think 2013 is the smoothest starting point for most people.
Best Tomb Raider Games Ranked
Not every Tomb Raider game feels the same, so this list ranks the originals based on how fun they are to play today and what most fans praise most.
10. Tomb Raider III (1998)
I ranked this at #10 because, in my opinion, it’s a strong classic Tomb Raider game, but it’s also the one that can feel the most punishing if I’m not fully in the mood for trial-and-error gameplay.
I enjoy the harsher traps, tighter platforming, and enemies that force smarter positioning, especially in claustrophobic corridors and sudden ambush rooms.
Fans who like a challenge enjoy it more, but it’s usually not the first classic I’d recommend.
9. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999)
I ranked Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (1999) at #9 because I really enjoy its darker, more serious tone and its leaner, harder focus on tomb exploration than some earlier entries.
The Egyptian setting gives me a strong atmosphere, and I like how the puzzles often feel more layered and “temple-like,” not just quick obstacles.
It’s ranked lower mainly because it’s still from the older design style, which can make it feel less friendly and more confusing at times.
8. Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008)
I ranked this one at #8 because I like how it mixes classic-style tomb puzzles with a more modern, cinematic adventure feel.
The big set pieces and globe-trotting locations genuinely impress me, and I enjoy the moodier exploration where climbing, timing, and puzzle-solving work together.
It sits lower because the camera and controls can feel inconsistent, which makes some platforming sections more frustrating than fun.
For me, it’s a strong bridge between eras, just not as consistently smooth or memorable as Legend or Anniversary.
7. Tomb Raider (1996)
I ranked Tomb Raider (1996) at #7 because, to me, it’s the most iconic entry and the one that defines the series’ core moodclonely tombs, eerie silence, and that “one wrong move” tension.
I love how the puzzles feel purposeful and how each room rewards careful observation, not constant combat.
It sits at #7 mainly because the movement grid and older camera take real adjustment, and I can feel the age during precision jumps.
6. Tomb Raider II (1997)
I ranked Tomb Raider II (1997) at #6 because it hits that classic “danger around every corner” feeling in a way I still find exciting.
I love the variety of locations and how the levels keep surprising me with traps, enemy ambushes, and tense platforming runs. To me, it feels more iconic and better paced than TR III, without quite as many brutal difficulty spikes.
This is mostly at this position because the older movement and camera can be tough when I’m used to modern controls.
5. Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
I ranked Tomb Raider: Legend (2006) at #5 because it’s the game that makes me feel like the series clicked into a smoother, more modern style. I love the responsive movement, quick traversal, and the cinematic pacing that keeps momentum high.
It’s not the most puzzle-heavy entry, but I like how it balances light tomb challenges with set pieces and confident “classic Lara” energy. Lara feels stylish, capable, and fun to follow here.
It deserves this spot because it’s the one I recommend when I want something I can jump into instantly and enjoy without getting stuck or overwhelmed.
4. Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007)
I ranked Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) at #4 because it gives me the classic Tomb Raider feeling, with quiet tombs, careful platforming, and puzzle-first progression without the clunky controls of the 1996 original.
I like that it retells the first game with smoother movement and cleaner level flow, so the jumps and ledge grabs feel more reliable.
The puzzles also stand out for me here because they’re more readable and better staged, with rooms that clearly hint at what to interact with.
3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018)
I ranked Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018) at #3 because it gives me the most “raiding” feeling in the modern trilogy, more tombs, more traps, and more puzzle-heavy spaces that actually make me slow down and think.
I love how the jungle setting adds tension, especially when I’m squeezing through ruins, spotting climbable edges, and catching subtle environmental hints for hidden paths.
Visually, it’s one of the strongest in the series, and I’m always tempted to explore just a little more.
2. Tomb Raider (2013)
I ranked this at #2 because it’s the modern game I can start and instantly get pulled into, the pacing is so tight that I keep telling myself, “one more chapter.”
I like that it works as Lara’s origin story, so I don’t need any prior knowledge, and her growth feels clear through the gameplay: early scrappy survival, then gradually more confident decisions and fights.
The action is heavier than the tomb side of the series, but I still enjoy it here because it keeps the tension high and makes progress feel urgent.
1. Rise Of The Tomb Raider (2015)
I ranked Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015) at #1 because it’s the game that gives me the best overall Tomb Raider mix: satisfying combat, strong exploration, and tombs that feel like real rewards instead of quick side rooms.
I enjoy how movement and climbing feel smoother than in 2013, and the larger hubs make me want to roam, hunt for hidden entrances, and actually use my gear in smart ways.
On top of that, the story feels more focused and “adventure-first,” so it plays like a complete expedition, not just nonstop survival and gunfights.
Final Takeaway
For me, the fun of Tomb Raider is that I can match the game to my mood. Some days I want a tighter, story-driven ride; other days I just want to wander, test my timing, and earn that “finally solved it” moment in a tomb.
If I’m only choosing one game to represent the best Tomb Raider game, I stick with Rise of the Tomb Raider because it consistently keeps me engaged, whether I’m exploring, fighting, or chasing down optional challenges.
At the end of the day, I don’t think there’s a wrong entry to begin with. Once I find the version of Lara’s world that clicks for me, it’s easy to keep going from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Tomb Raider Game Has the Hardest Puzzles?
The Older Classic-Style Games Usually Feel Tougher Because They Give Fewer Hints and Expect More Trial and Error, Especially in Longer Tomb Sections.
Is It Okay to Play Out of Order?
Yes. Each Era Is Easy to Understand on Its Own, and Most Games Explain What You Need to Know without Requiring Every Previous Title.
Which Game Has the Strongest “survival” Feeling?
Tomb Raider (2013) gives the most intense early survival tone, with Lara struggling, adapting, and learning how to stay alive.