Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider introduced Lara Croft to a generation of players and combined third-person exploration, platforming, puzzle solving and gunplay into a remarkably atmospheric adventure. Ancient ruins, hidden chambers and elaborate traps provide the backdrop, while Lara's acrobatic movement makes navigation almost as important as combat. The environments often encourage careful observation: a seemingly impossible jump may have a hidden route, and a quiet corridor may be hiding something considerably less friendly. The game's 3D engine was impressive for its time, giving the ruins a strong sense of scale and atmosphere. Tomb Raider also established the distinctive mixture of archaeology and action that would define the series, although its idea of archaeological fieldwork involves rather more shooting than most museums recommend. It remains a landmark adventure game, especially for anyone interested in the moment when polygonal worlds became genuinely exciting.