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20 Years of Tomb Raider: Digging Up the Past, Defining the Future
Relive the excitement of Lara Croft's incredible adventures and the legacy of Tomb Raider with 20 Years of Tomb Raider, the ultimate guide to the iconic game franchise.
Explore every element of the best-selling Tomb Raider games and their place in pop culture. Rediscover Lara Croft's greatest moments with fascinating coverage of the smash hit Tomb Raider movies, fiction, comics, and collectibles, and be enthralled by the legacy of Tomb Raider across the decades.
Packed with exclusive art, photographs, and interviews covering all facets of the Tomb Raider franchise, 20 Years of Tomb Raider is the essential guide to this game's action-packed history and a must-have for every Tomb Raider fan.
Explore every element of the best-selling Tomb Raider games and their place in pop culture. Rediscover Lara Croft's greatest moments with fascinating coverage of the smash hit Tomb Raider movies, fiction, comics, and collectibles, and be enthralled by the legacy of Tomb Raider across the decades.
Packed with exclusive art, photographs, and interviews covering all facets of the Tomb Raider franchise, 20 Years of Tomb Raider is the essential guide to this game's action-packed history and a must-have for every Tomb Raider fan.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 21, 2017
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a member of the official Tomb Raider fansite program and was involved in the editing of this book as part of a small group of contributing webmasters. That said, the research and writing that Meagan Marie put into this project is outstanding. It's a huge book--more than 300 pages packed with info and pictures, many if which have never been previously released. As the description says, it covers every aspect of the franchise from games to movies, comics, novels, and all sorts of fan projects. Even if you've played all the games and read other books and 20-year celebration articles, you're sure to find something new here, including the inside scoop on several unreleased games. If you're a Tomb Raider fan, this is essential reading. Prima also did a great job with the layout and printing. I am amazed this huge, full-color book is so inexpensive. As a long-time fan, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to dive in to 20 years of gaming history!
July 9, 2018
Not the Tomb Raider Babylon many fans will have been hoping for: this is too much the official story for that, and Tomb Raider is still a viable corporate franchise. The departure of Toby Gard, creator of Lara Croft, after just one game is covered (though perhaps not the full acrimony), as are Core's pragmatic but brutal rejection of the Saturn in favour of the PlayStation, and the flagging morale of the creative team by the time of The Last Revelation. But the chapters on more recent instalments read more like press releases than journalism, such is their effusiveness, while the massive behind-the-scenes difficulties on The Angel of Darkness are almost completely ignored (and given how public those problems were, that's an impressive poker face to hold).
But if you accept the gloss, there's a lot here for fans to get excited over. There's one of the most detailed accounts yet of the early work that fed into the first game, and Tomb Raiders three to five get their first decent behind-the-scenes coverage since they were released. The hardcore of Angel of Darkness will be delighted with the extensive rundown of the plans for the rest of the (abortive) trilogy that game was meant to kick off, and there's some delightfully fannish discussion of whether 2006's Tomb Raider: Legend is a reboot or not.
20 Years of Tomb Raider is not Masters of Doom and that is sad, albeit not unexpected from an official biography. But until some enterprising games journalist wants to fire up the string quartet and unearth the guns-blazing, jaws-gnashing unofficial story, it's the best we're going to find in print...
...*Tinkling chime* Ah huh... what's this?
But if you accept the gloss, there's a lot here for fans to get excited over. There's one of the most detailed accounts yet of the early work that fed into the first game, and Tomb Raiders three to five get their first decent behind-the-scenes coverage since they were released. The hardcore of Angel of Darkness will be delighted with the extensive rundown of the plans for the rest of the (abortive) trilogy that game was meant to kick off, and there's some delightfully fannish discussion of whether 2006's Tomb Raider: Legend is a reboot or not.
20 Years of Tomb Raider is not Masters of Doom and that is sad, albeit not unexpected from an official biography. But until some enterprising games journalist wants to fire up the string quartet and unearth the guns-blazing, jaws-gnashing unofficial story, it's the best we're going to find in print...
...*Tinkling chime* Ah huh... what's this?
November 16, 2016
As soon as I got home after picking it up from the library, I couldn't resist: I immediately started reading it. From beginning to end, I was captivated in all thing Lara Croft and Tomb Raider; and I wish this book was endless; I wish there was an endless amount of information about this amazing franchise. Even though I finished it, I plan on flipping through it over and over and wishing I didn't have to give it back to the library. (Definitely need to grab my own copy!)
(Proper review to come!)
(Proper review to come!)
January 12, 2017
This book is a must have for any Tomb Raider fan! It is one of the best non-fiction Tomb Raider books that I have read in years. It details the beginnings of Core Design from the emergence of Crystal Dynamics, details all print media, comic, novels, films and the fan community. Even if you're a gamer who has yet to play Tomb Raider, the book truly shows how much Lara Croft has affected pop-culture and her influence in the gaming world.
December 19, 2016
I can't give this 5 stars because it was way too much info! Honestly, this book has like ALL the info concerning the TR games, creators, movies, comics, merch, fans, etc. I loved it a lot but I was overwhelmed at times. The layout was great though and the pictures well chosen and placed and overall the quality of the book was amazing (considering it was like 17€). I would definitely recommend this to any TR fan!
February 14, 2018
Okay, so it took me awhile to finish this book... But MAN was it such a PHENOMENAL read throughout the past almost year lol!! 😍 I was taken aback and in such awe after uncovering and discovering things that I never knew before about The Tomb Raider Franchise.
My journey with Lara Croft started way back in 1999, 2000. On a family trip back home to New Jersey, my cousin had already been playing his Playstation before we arrived. Once we got settled in after our reunion, my sister and I were curious about it, so we decided to sit down with him and learn how to play. (I believe the game was Street Fighter...?) Anyways, we were HOOKED and played for HOURS with him. That was when we discovered our deep love for video games. I found out later on that after the trip, my dad saw how stoked we were about the Playstation and the game, that he had a long conversation with my mom about getting us the console. (Of course she was hesitant about it because she didn’t want it to take up all of our time lol) Well she ended up caving because we got one for Christmas that same year!! It was one of the BEST Christmas gifts we ever received, and I still remember the moment when we opened it on Christmas Day.
Anyways, this memory is a little blurred, but Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation was the VERY first game that we got from the franchise. I believe the reason for us getting it was because there was a strong and empowering female character on the cover. We played and were complete ADDICTS after that. The gaming world didn’t have a lot of female players or strong female characters during that time so as a female gamer, it meant a lot. She was so bad ass, and wasn’t afraid of anything that was thrown her way. Then came Tomb Raider Chronicles, Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, Tomb Raider Legend (MY FAVE), Tome Raider Anniversary, and then the 2013 reboot: Tomb Raider. (Yes I skipped a few games, and it wasn’t on purpose... I hope I can revisit and complete them one day), but it goes to show that regardless, I have been a fan all the way up until now, and will continue to be. As a player of the games I enjoyed going to exotic locations as Lara and uncovering artifacts and getting through the puzzles (which were at times difficult lol) But as a die hard fan, reading this book and understanding everything that went into creating her and this incredible franchise was eye opening. There were sooooooo many hardworking people involved in making the games so unique and different. That’s why Lara Croft is such an Icon, and will continue to be. I enjoyed reading about the creativity with the illustrations, how the games were developed, the official Tomb Raider Movie/Movies, the Official Real Life Lara Models, the music, fan fiction stories, fan films, cosplayers, etc. I even learned brand new terms that I never understood or even knew about before. Each section that was written went into great detail about each game and how it came to be. There was so much wonderful and USEFUL information that I felt like my head was going to explode!! (In a GOOD way) I also loved hearing and reading about the impact that Lara has had on fellow gamers as well, and the lengths that these gamers would go in order to honor her. I can’t wait to connect with other Tomb Raider fans, and talk with them about past and future games!!!!!! (Which I am VERY STOKED FOR!!) 😬🤗
All in all, Meagan Marie... I CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH for all of the HARD work you’ve done to put together something so special for us fans. Your book was an accidental discovery at my old job in the gaming section and I was super stoked to get my hands on it, because I was interested in knowing a little bit more about one of my FAVORITE video game franchises of all time. This was my very first “Coffee Table Book”, and I am proud to say that. When I get my own “Coffee Book Table”, I can’t wait to display it proudly. Thank you also to the geniuses behind Lara Croft, because without you guys, she would not exist. I can’t thank you enough!!
If you are a HUGE fan of the franchise, PICK UP THIS BOOK!! It is a MUST-READ, VERY insightful and fun! Here’s to ANOTHER 20 Years of Tomb Raider!!!! I LOVE YOU LARA CROFT!! 📖🎮❤️ #TOMBRAIDERFORLIFE
My journey with Lara Croft started way back in 1999, 2000. On a family trip back home to New Jersey, my cousin had already been playing his Playstation before we arrived. Once we got settled in after our reunion, my sister and I were curious about it, so we decided to sit down with him and learn how to play. (I believe the game was Street Fighter...?) Anyways, we were HOOKED and played for HOURS with him. That was when we discovered our deep love for video games. I found out later on that after the trip, my dad saw how stoked we were about the Playstation and the game, that he had a long conversation with my mom about getting us the console. (Of course she was hesitant about it because she didn’t want it to take up all of our time lol) Well she ended up caving because we got one for Christmas that same year!! It was one of the BEST Christmas gifts we ever received, and I still remember the moment when we opened it on Christmas Day.
Anyways, this memory is a little blurred, but Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation was the VERY first game that we got from the franchise. I believe the reason for us getting it was because there was a strong and empowering female character on the cover. We played and were complete ADDICTS after that. The gaming world didn’t have a lot of female players or strong female characters during that time so as a female gamer, it meant a lot. She was so bad ass, and wasn’t afraid of anything that was thrown her way. Then came Tomb Raider Chronicles, Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, Tomb Raider Legend (MY FAVE), Tome Raider Anniversary, and then the 2013 reboot: Tomb Raider. (Yes I skipped a few games, and it wasn’t on purpose... I hope I can revisit and complete them one day), but it goes to show that regardless, I have been a fan all the way up until now, and will continue to be. As a player of the games I enjoyed going to exotic locations as Lara and uncovering artifacts and getting through the puzzles (which were at times difficult lol) But as a die hard fan, reading this book and understanding everything that went into creating her and this incredible franchise was eye opening. There were sooooooo many hardworking people involved in making the games so unique and different. That’s why Lara Croft is such an Icon, and will continue to be. I enjoyed reading about the creativity with the illustrations, how the games were developed, the official Tomb Raider Movie/Movies, the Official Real Life Lara Models, the music, fan fiction stories, fan films, cosplayers, etc. I even learned brand new terms that I never understood or even knew about before. Each section that was written went into great detail about each game and how it came to be. There was so much wonderful and USEFUL information that I felt like my head was going to explode!! (In a GOOD way) I also loved hearing and reading about the impact that Lara has had on fellow gamers as well, and the lengths that these gamers would go in order to honor her. I can’t wait to connect with other Tomb Raider fans, and talk with them about past and future games!!!!!! (Which I am VERY STOKED FOR!!) 😬🤗
All in all, Meagan Marie... I CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH for all of the HARD work you’ve done to put together something so special for us fans. Your book was an accidental discovery at my old job in the gaming section and I was super stoked to get my hands on it, because I was interested in knowing a little bit more about one of my FAVORITE video game franchises of all time. This was my very first “Coffee Table Book”, and I am proud to say that. When I get my own “Coffee Book Table”, I can’t wait to display it proudly. Thank you also to the geniuses behind Lara Croft, because without you guys, she would not exist. I can’t thank you enough!!
If you are a HUGE fan of the franchise, PICK UP THIS BOOK!! It is a MUST-READ, VERY insightful and fun! Here’s to ANOTHER 20 Years of Tomb Raider!!!! I LOVE YOU LARA CROFT!! 📖🎮❤️ #TOMBRAIDERFORLIFE
September 22, 2020
A very readable look at the history of Tomb Raider, created for true fans of the series – and Lara herself. Chapters cover the games, films, comics, novels, music, and more, with each showing a decent amount of original art, screen captures, sketches, character models, and photography. Although I was originally a little disappointed about the large amount of fan coverage, and would have preferred to see much more content relating to the original Core Design games, all of this fan-based material (fansite creators, cosplayers, artists, writers, collectors, etc.) does provide an insight into Lara’s enormous worldwide impact, with many of these fans finding personal and creative inspiration to solve everyday life problems, find work or friends, or discover new interests through Lara’s exotic adventures. Love TR and Lara? If so, you’ll certainly get your fan fix with this hefty tome.
October 4, 2021
The ultimate and must read history of the Tomb Raided gaming series.
What I liked -
The level of depth in every single section of this book in phenomenal. No one chapter is light on details but rather they’re all written with heart and passion. The book covers every single aspect of the Tomb Raider world. It starts with the games and leads on to the comics, books, movies and as far as cosplayers and fan sites. This truly is a ‘must read’ if you’re a Tomb Raider fan.
What I disliked -
Nothing much. If I was picking at straws I wouldn’t have missed the fan letters etc but they do harm being there.
5/5.
What I liked -
The level of depth in every single section of this book in phenomenal. No one chapter is light on details but rather they’re all written with heart and passion. The book covers every single aspect of the Tomb Raider world. It starts with the games and leads on to the comics, books, movies and as far as cosplayers and fan sites. This truly is a ‘must read’ if you’re a Tomb Raider fan.
What I disliked -
Nothing much. If I was picking at straws I wouldn’t have missed the fan letters etc but they do harm being there.
5/5.
August 17, 2022
This book is so thorough! Wow, from the games to the cosplayers! Everything in-between. All media is covered in crazy detail. Plenty of colour photos and even a cute click animation in the corner showcasing Lara's signature moves over the years.
April 29, 2023
A great book about Lara Croft journey. Tomb Raider has been my favourite since the games and also Angelina Jolie days. I am passionate gamer and I love this character. This book has a lot of things I didn't know. Great illustrations as well.
May 8, 2018
Great read, really good background on all the tomb raider games.
May 10, 2018
I was going to give it 5 stars up until about the 300-page mark where I started to realise - There’s so much of it! One certainly can’t accuse Meagan Marie of not researching her subject matter - everything Tomb Raider is thoroughly dissected, from the Lara Croft models to the fan-made short films and statues to music and fan-fic and game designers and movie makers. It’s an entertaining read to start with as she delves into the history of the game series and it’s here we have our meatiest and most enjoyable portion of the book. It’s interesting to read about how a small company came up with such an iconic character who captured the zeitgeist of a generation and helped bring gaming to the masses. The book is less interesting when it starts discussing fan websites and level-design hobbyists at length. Although I must say I found the segment on collectors and cosplayers of interest so everyone should find something in these pages to satisfy.
I recommend it highly if you know, maybe you have a thing for Lara like I do or an interest in the history of video games. A great book to flip through, also, and visually very nicely presented.
I recommend it highly if you know, maybe you have a thing for Lara like I do or an interest in the history of video games. A great book to flip through, also, and visually very nicely presented.
February 20, 2017
Loved learning some things I didn't know. I knew A LOT but there was still things in here that I didn't know. It's a good 20 year book of gathering everything that has happened with the character and understanding the changes and why some dusting off and renewing was important to the character.
November 23, 2023
In the zeitgeist of gaming, there is arguably no bigger female icon than Lara Croft who is even more famous than the actual name of the franchise in which she lives, Tomb Raider. Lovingly crafted (or Crofted) with every morsel of information, this rare tome (or tomb) chronicles 20 Years of Tomb Raider.
Printed on thick, glossy paper, this book is a cherished rarity packed with contents as high quality as the paper its printed on. Written for the fans by a fan, Meagan Marie’s passion for the franchise bleeds through the pages as every facet of Tomb Raider is thoroughly researched and recorded. This extends to the perennial debate of the dichotomy surrounding the central figure, questioning whether she is defined as a feminist icon or a sex symbol which encases the legacy of the franchise.
With such a high re-read value, revisiting these transportive colourful pages offers high reward by indulging the reader in both rich pop culture and context-sensitive info about the gaming industry. If my house was burning down, I’ve often stated that this is one of the few items I would save!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Printed on thick, glossy paper, this book is a cherished rarity packed with contents as high quality as the paper its printed on. Written for the fans by a fan, Meagan Marie’s passion for the franchise bleeds through the pages as every facet of Tomb Raider is thoroughly researched and recorded. This extends to the perennial debate of the dichotomy surrounding the central figure, questioning whether she is defined as a feminist icon or a sex symbol which encases the legacy of the franchise.
With such a high re-read value, revisiting these transportive colourful pages offers high reward by indulging the reader in both rich pop culture and context-sensitive info about the gaming industry. If my house was burning down, I’ve often stated that this is one of the few items I would save!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 8, 2017
This was exactly what I wanted. To this day, I still love the first Tomb Raider game, and I've always wondered how the small team managed to create such an atmospheric and immersive masterpiece. This book tells you exactly that, as well as exploring all other aspects of the franchise too.
I had to knock it down a star for not being entirely honest with regards to the series failings. Angel of Darkness, for instance, was handled much more positively in tone than it should have been.
I wish more game franchises would release books like this in the future. Great read!
I had to knock it down a star for not being entirely honest with regards to the series failings. Angel of Darkness, for instance, was handled much more positively in tone than it should have been.
I wish more game franchises would release books like this in the future. Great read!
March 7, 2017
My vid review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO52R...
March 20, 2024
Didn't find the Chinese version so I had to work with this one...
March 29, 2017
This book is great! It contains information on all the Tomb Raider games and everything that is connected to them (movies, books, fan sites etc.) the book looks beautiful too with a lot of pictures and a nice layout. A worthy tribute to Lara and her games!
April 27, 2017
If you are a fan of the games like me this is a must read, it covers everything you could thing of, all the games, the Angelina Jolie movies, look-a-like's and more. Seeing a lot of the PS1 era pictures that you used to see everywhere at one point again years later was quite the nostalgia trip. Even though they're still the mental image I associate with the character seeing them mixed in with pictures from the 2013 reboot/ Rise of the Tomb Raider made me truly realise how far the franchise has come.
Still though this book was a nostalgic, informative and engaging read as a Lara Croft fan that's for sure and (as someone who ironically avoids recommendations) I would urge my fellow massive Tomb Raider fans to check this out.
Still though this book was a nostalgic, informative and engaging read as a Lara Croft fan that's for sure and (as someone who ironically avoids recommendations) I would urge my fellow massive Tomb Raider fans to check this out.
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August 19, 2017Taí um livro excelente - são mais de 300 páginas cheias de informações e imagens, muitas delas são inéditas. O livro cobre todos os aspectos da franquia, ou seja, jogos, filmes, quadrinhos, livros e todo tipo de projeto relacionado à Tomb Raider. E mesmo quem jogou todos os jogos, com certeza vai encontrar algo novo neste livro, que por sinal é muito bem diagramado. Como fã de longa data, eu definitivamente recomendo a quem também é fã e a quem quiser mergulhar em 20 anos de história da Larinha!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews