Lara Croft Liberated As Crystal Dynamics Rescue Series From Square Enix

The future of Tomb Raider has been a little quiet so far. The rebooted series of games from Crystal Dynamics, overseen by Square Enix, was a big success, and a delightful return to form for Lara Croft, adapting to the adventure game structure defined by Uncharted to make a series of exhilarating series to - well - raid tombs in.

Though the trilogy itself petered out by the end critically, fans still loved it and looked back on the first game especially fondly. Lara Croft had been redefined, and as quickly as she reappeared, she vanished again.

We know there's a new Tomb Raider game in the pipeline from the same team - but now we've got some reassurance that interference won't be a problem for it.

Crystal Dynamics Have Taken Tomb Raider Back From Square Enix

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In a seemingly bold step for the upcoming Tomb Raider title, Crystal Dynamics has now taken control of several game series.

Recently announcing the news on the company's official website, Crystal Dynamics has revealed that the Tomb Raider series and Legacy of Kain are now in their total control.

"We are excited to inform you that Crystal Dynamics has taken control of several game franchises—including Tomb Raider and Legacy of Kain—from the games’ previous owner, Square Enix Limited," reveals the announcement. "As a result of this change, Crystal Dynamics (or its affiliate) is now the owner of these games and the controller of the gameplay and personal data related to them."

This could be big news for the upcoming game, as it means that Lara Croft's new adventure could be completely free of studio interference, meaning that it'll be a narrative adventure developed entirely in the way that its team wants it to be.

What Do We Know About The New Tomb Raider Game?

We don't know an awful lot about the upcoming Tomb Raider game, except what we can discern from leaks that have since been on the receiving end of a DMCA, indicating that they may well be true.

The leak comes from Sacred Symbols, and offers a description of the game.

"Lara Croft is now at the top of her game. Gone are the days of the young, inexperienced woman dealing with matters of legacy and familial reckoning. Lara has fully let go of her childhood and embraced a life of adventure and purpose."

They continued: "Lara has become lonely at the top. The beginning of this next chapter presents Lara with a quintessential adult problem; facing something too big to handle alone. On this new adventure, Lara will encounter a challenge she can only overcome with a team at her side."

It's an interesting way to open a Tomb Raider game, and now that Square Enix aren't involved, it means that it could be the best game in the series yet. Here's hoping, anyway.