Gamescom 2021’s opening night livestream has revealed Dream Cycle, a new game by the original designer of Tomb Raider‘s Lara Croft. The adventurous heroine first debuted back in 1996, and since then she has become one of gaming’s most recognizable protagonists. While the last Tomb Raider installment was released back in 2018, the character has made more recent video game appearances, like Fortnite‘s Lara Croft skins.
The Tomb Raider franchise’s first installment in 1996 was very successful, both commercially and financially, and game designer Toby Gard is credited with creating the game’s tomb-raiding heroine. Gard, an employee at Core Design, worked as a lead artist on the project and created the initial concept for the game. The project’s success led to multiple sequels and adaptations, although Gard left Core Design before the development of Tomb Raider II. Lara Croft would go on to appear in numerous future works, including the franchise’s recently upgraded Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
During the Gamescom 2021 opening livestream, publisher Raw Fury and developer Cathuria Games revealed Dream Cycle. Described as an ever-expanding action adventure game, Dream Cycle is also being designed by Lara Croft creator Toby Gard. Set in cursed alternate dimension, the game will allow players to wield magic, weapons and stealth abilities on a quest to save the protagonist’s soul. The game is currently available as a Steam Early Access title, will plans for a full release at some point in the future.
Since the release of Shadow of the Tomb Raider in 2018, series fans have awaited the announcement of a new Tom Raider game installment for current-gen consoles. Unfortunately the series appears to be on hiatus for the time being, with no announcements of a future installment. Still, Lara Croft’s legacy continues to live on, as Toby Gard’s upcoming Dream Cycle is also set to star a female protagonist named Morgan Carter. Time will tell whether this new heroine will live up to the lasting legacy of gaming’s favorite archaeologist.
While little is currently known about Dream Cycle’s story or gameplay, fans of Tomb Raider may want to keep an eye on the project. Toby Gard is responsible for coming up with the series’ original core concept, so his new project will likely contain some of that classic title’s DNA. With a strange fantasy world and a plethora of gameplay styles, Dream Cycle promises to deliver an ever-evolving adventure.
Sources: Raw Fury/YouTube, Steam