In particular this was useful for traversal, where she could jump from a climbable surface, twist, and catch a ledge behind her. Flip: A small but meaningful addition, this flip allowed Lara to change her orientation mid-jump.The Full Roster: Walk, Run, Side Step, Roll, Jump, Vault, Climb (Blocks), Shimmy, Handstand, Push, Pull, Swan Dive, Swim, Shoot.Handstand: Another move that was more style than substance, The Handstand actually took several seconds to perform, showcasing the strength and control Lara had harnessed.In Tomb Raider II, Lara could somersault mid-dive if performed from a high enough platform. Performing the move on dry land from standstill was also great for avoiding traps – in particular darts.
Swan Dive: The Swan Dive is all style, which is part of the charm.While still very physically capable, she was designed to feel more like an underdog, making her successes that much more impressive.Ĭheck out some of Lara’s most iconic moves below. The Tomb Raider reboot in 2013 saw Lara’s moves streamlined to compliment the more grounded storyline. Much of the believability in Lara’s Underworld performance came from the use of motion capture, in which Olympic gymnast Heidi Moneymaker stepped into Lara’s boots. The player could string together multiple moves in flashy combos. Lara’s impressive athletic abilities were then taken to the next level in the Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld trilogy.
In the early Core Design games, walking, running, jumping, and shimmying were all staples of traversal, while Lara’s flips, handstands, and swan dives added stylistic flourish. Over time Lara’s skills waxed and waned, changing as new mechanics diversified her abilities, and, conversely, when the reboot traded showmanship for scrappy combat & grounded traversal. From conception, Lara Croft was created with athleticism in mind, outfitted in a leotard, long braid, and utilitarian boots. With Croft Manor’s extensive facilities at her disposal, it’s no wonder that Lara has honed her gymnastic skills to Olympian levels. “It’s just like going up a set of stairs, only far less boring…” – Lara Croft, Tomb Raider: Legend