Crystal Dynamics changed the look of young Lara in Rise of the Tomb Raider from her revitalized début in 2013 with the Tomb Raider reboot. However, even between the original 2013 release and subsequent Definitive Edition, Lara’s look morphed which you can clearly see in our Lara Croft Tomb Raider vs Rise of the Tomb Raider comparison video. It’s interesting how a few subtle tweaks to her face can alter the appearance of the character. Interestingly considering the amount of attention the original game received about the portrayal of a strong willed and positive female lead character in video games, the introductory look of Lara Croft in Rise of the Tomb Raider sports noticeably less cleavage than what she did back in 2013 and no boob jiggle physics. It’s a minor element to focus on but we’re wondering why this obviously deliberate design choice has been made. Could it be a pandering to those who feel video game developers sexualize female characters too much and so Crystal Dynamics moved away from this area by subtly toning down Ms Croft’s appearance in order to remain inoffensive and neutral? Or is it a case of maturing the character (after so many years) having less focus on her physical form. That said, Lara Croft’s assets have been a mainstay in marketing the game right from the first offering in 1996 as you can see in the images below. Take a look at the video and see how Lara has transformed her looks from 2013 to now just to see how much has changed.
You can also see how the marketing images of Lara has changed dramatically from her original in 1996, the 2013 reboot and Rise of the Tomb Raider.
Original Artwork for Tomb Raider:
The original reveal character artwork for the 2013 game:
Rise of the Tomb Raider Artwork: