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Initial Release: November 1998
Metacritic Score: Original game - 76 (details), Remaster - 76 (details)
ESRB/PEGI Rating: Original - Teen/12, TR3 Remaster - Teen (ESRB), Mature/18+ (PEGI)
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation. Later: Macintosh, PlayStation 3 and PSP (via PlayStation Network). Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered is now available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games.
Spoiler-free Synopsis: Millions of years ago, a meteor crashed to Earth, landing in Antarctica, then a tropical paradise. Today, the same area is being excavated by the research company RX Tech, who are picking up unusual readings from the meteorite's impact zone. It is here that they uncover the body of a sailor who served on Charles Darwin's expedition on the H.M.S. Beagle. A few of the sailors had apparently explored the crater's interior.
Following clues from the sailor's journal, the researchers have expanded their search beyond the impact crater to other parts of the globe, where the Beagle's crew subsequently traveled...and died.
One of these places is India, where Lara is currently searching for the Infada Stone. Unaware of its true history, she only knows that in local beliefs it was supposed to hold great powers. Soon she will discover much more....
What's New Since TR2: More detailed environments and enhanced graphics, including dynamic lighting, rain, snow, smoke, mist, and other 3D effects. Lara's arsenal now includes the powerful Desert Eagle pistol and rocket launcher. (The pistol, shotgun, Uzis, harpoon gun and grenade launcher carry over from TR2, and an MP5 submachine gun replaces TR2's M-16.) New vehicles include a quad bike (ATV), underwater propulsion unit, kayak, inflatable motor boat and mine car. Lara gets some fresh moves as well. She can now traverse hand over hand (monkey-bar style), crouch, crawl and sprint. Also, instead of being completely linear, the middle locations—London, the South Pacific and Nevada—can be played in any order.
Saving Your Game: As in TR1, the PlayStation game requires you to pick up a save crystal each time you want to save your game. PC and Macintosh players still have unlimited saves. The crystals do appear in the PC and Mac games but function as small health power-ups. Perhaps the designers intended to have save crystals in the PC game, then scrapped the idea but for some reason didn't remove the crystals. (Windows and Macintosh savegame files are available in case you make a bad save, want to skip a level, etc.) As far as I know, the Remastered version also includes unlimited saves on all systems.
Secrets: As in the original Tomb Raider, the number of secrets in each level varies (from 0 to 6). Secrets consist of ammunition, medi packs, save/power-up crystals and the occasional weapon. A chime sounds when you locate a secret, and the stopwatch in the main inventory ring indicates the number of secrets in the current level and how many you've found so far. This also appears on the statistics screen at the end of each level. There is no reward for finding all secrets in a level, but finding all secrets in the game allows you to access the bonus level, All Hallows. As always, my walkthrough includes the location of all secrets.
If you haven't found all the secrets and want to play the bonus level, you can use the PlayStation all-secrets cheat or download a save file for PC or Mac.
Bonus Levels: Aside from the extra level unlocked by finding all secrets (above), there is also an expansion, The Lost Artifact. It was previously only available for Windows and Macintosh as a physical CD, but is included in the remastered collection.
Classic Tomb Raider Games on New Systems: Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered (link to blog post) is the best way to play TR3 on modern computers and consoles, but if you need help with a legacy version, check out my classic TR3 Downloads page and/or visit Core-Design.com, a fantastic fansite dedicated to the original games.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft launched February 14, 2024, for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games.
Becoming an Expert Raider
If you've never played a Tomb Raider game before—or even if you have—I encourage you to check out my TR3 Controls and Gameplay Tips & Strategy pages. They include pointers on moving Lara through her environment, conserving health and ammo, using the menu and inventory systems, and much more.
See this page for IMPORTANT BUG WARNINGS with minimal spoilers.
If you prefer a video walkthrough to text with screenshots, I encourage you to check out my friend Eldincy's Tomb Raider 3 Remastered Video Walkthrough and Classic TR3 Video Walkthrough.
Tomb Raider 3 Walkthrough/Strategy Guide
India
Jungle
Temple Ruins
The River Ganges (now includes 100% guide)
Caves of Kaliya
Nevada
Nevada Desert
High Security Compound
Area 51
South Pacific
Coastal Village
Crash Site
Madubu Gorge
Temple of Puna
London
Thames Wharf
Aldwych
Lud's Gate
City
Antarctica
Antarctica
RX-Tech Mines
Lost City of Tinnos
Meteorite Cavern
Bonus Level
Some screenshots courtesy of Katie's Tomb Raider Site. TR3 synopsis draws from information on The Tomb Raiders Traveler's Guide.