Tomb Raider I (1996) similar games & best alternatives

Tomb Raider I (1996) - tomb-raider-i-1996_1.avif
Tomb Raider I (1996) - tomb-raider-i-1996_2.avif
Tomb Raider I (1996) - tomb-raider-i-1996_3.avif
Tomb Raider I (1996) - tomb-raider-i-1996_4.avif
Tomb Raider I (1996) - tomb-raider-i-1996_5.avif
Tomb Raider I (1996) - tomb-raider-i-1996_6.avif

Tomb Raider I (1996)

2012

Should you play it?

Adventurer Lara Croft has been hired to recover the pieces of an ancient artifact known as the Scion. With her fearless acrobatic style she runs, jumps, swims and climbs her way towards the truth of its origin and powers - leaving only a trail of empty tombs and gun-cartridges in her wake.

What works

  • Classic and nostalgic gameplay
  • Challenging puzzles and platforming
  • Varied and well-designed levels
  • Atmospheric music and sound design
  • Strong sense of exploration and adventure

Things to keep in mind

  • Clunky and outdated controls
  • Dated graphics and visuals
  • Lack of modern conveniences like hints or maps
  • No multiplayer or social features
  • Some frustrating difficulty spikes

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • WRATH: Aeon of Ruin

  • Shadow Man Remastered

  • PowerSlave Exhumed

  • Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation (1999)

  • Eldritch

  • Realms of the Haunting

More expressive

Games that feels like Tomb Raider I (1996) but with more self-expression and customization

  • Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered

  • Pseudoregalia

  • Tomb Raider: Legend

  • The Upturned

  • Tomb Raider II (1997)

  • Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered

More relaxing

Games that feels like Tomb Raider I (1996) but with a more relaxing feel

  • Darkenstein 3D

  • CULTIC

  • Echoes of the End: Enhanced Edition

  • Indiana Jones® and the Infernal Machine™

  • Indiana Jones® and the Emperor's Tomb™

  • The Chant

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Tomb Raider I (1996): A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Continuation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

Last update: 03/08/2026