10 Video Game Reboots That Saved Dying Franchises

7. Tomb Raider

tomb raider
Crystal Dynamics

By the end of the 2000s, the Tomb Raider franchise was in need of change. It's not that the games themselves had dipped in quality - in fact the final release of this era, Underworld, brought some much needed refinements to the formula - it's just that the world had moved on.

Lara's adventures represented an era of the medium that was no longer relevant. In 2008 everything was gritty and adult and mature, and Lara's good old-fashioned brand of action was no longer cool.

Fortunately, Crystal Dynamics had a vision of how to make the series relevant again - essentially by transforming it into a bloodier Uncharted. I don't mean that as a dig either; 2013's Tomb Raider embraced the developments in platforming action Sony's series had made, while still keeping its own unique identity thanks to the survivalist themes and grittier setting.

It was awesome, and it's a shame that the franchise couldn't maintain the momentum with the sequels.

Advertisement
Contributor

Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.