[July 9, 2025 | Earthtechy Gaming News Desk]
Lara Croft is heading into battle again—but not in the way most fans had hoped.
In a surprising crossover announced by Wargaming, World of Tanks is launching a Battle Pass Special: Heroes’ Paths featuring iconic video game legends Lara Croft and Duke Nukem. While that may sound like a dream for collectors and tank commanders alike, Tomb Raider fans have responded with a mix of frustration and disappointment. And honestly? I get it.
It’s been seven years since the last mainline Tomb Raider game, and although we’ve seen Lara in everything from Call of Duty to Fall Guys, there’s been radio silence on the next big adventure. So when fans saw her pop up in World of Tanks, the reaction was—well—let’s just say less than celebratory.
“Okay, this is getting absolutely ridiculous. Lara has appeared in every single game except her own at this point,” one fan commented online. That sentiment is echoing across social platforms—and it’s not hard to see why.
What You Get in the World of Tanks x Tomb Raider Event
Now, let’s talk about what this collab actually offers. The event kicks off on July 10 and runs through July 21, and it’s part of a limited-time battle pass with two chapters: one for Lara Croft and another for Duke Nukem.
Each chapter includes its own set of unlockable goodies, and yes—this is more than just a character skin. You’ll be able to earn cosmetic rewards, 2D styles, decals, emblems, and even exclusive crew members. And here’s the cool part: Keeley Hawes, who’s voiced Lara Croft since 2006, is reprising her role. For Duke, the legendary Jon St. John lends his voice once again.
For Tomb Raider fans, this crossover offers a closer look at the new unified design of Lara, blending her classic tank top-and-braid look with touches from the Survivor trilogy—like her jade necklace. Her themed tank, the IMT US medium, is decked out with adventuring gear: winch, ropes, harpoon, and hatchet—everything she’d need to raid tombs or, apparently, dominate on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Duke Nukem gets the TS-6 US heavy assault tank, fully loaded with laser machine guns and grenade launchers, plus a paint job as loud as the man himself.
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But Fans Just Want a New Tomb Raider Game
THE LEGENDS ARE HERE! 🤩 Lara Croft and Duke Nukem join us in-game, and each of them gets their own Battle Pass chapter! Join the iconic adventurer and the badass muscle man, and set off on a bombastic journey 🔥
— World of Tanks (@worldoftanks) July 7, 2025
➡️ https://t.co/VofF0r5NQg pic.twitter.com/qhO8fNEPsr
While the World of Tanks crossover is undeniably slick, it’s also adding fuel to the fire. Many longtime fans are getting tired of these cross-promotions. Lara Croft is showing up everywhere except where players really want her—in a new Tomb Raider title.
“Another day, another cross promotion without a new game announcement…” reads another fan’s comment. And that hits the nail on the head.
It’s worth remembering that Amazon Games and Crystal Dynamics did confirm a brand-new Tomb Raider game back in late 2022. The upcoming title promises to bring together elements from past games while giving players “control of the confident and multidimensional hero Lara Croft in an environment that rewards exploration and creative pathfinding, with mind-bending puzzles to solve, and a wide variety of enemies to face and overcome.”
Yet here we are in mid-2025, with no trailers, no major updates, and no release date in sight. Fans are left clinging to vague promises and growing weary of seeing Lara borrowed out like a guest star instead of leading her own show.
What’s Happening With the Next Tomb Raider Game?
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: Where’s the next Tomb Raider game? Back in 2022, Amazon Games made waves when they confirmed they were fully backing Crystal Dynamics on what they promised would be the biggest and most expansive Tomb Raider installment yet. The goal? To bring together the best of the franchise’s rich history, blending classic and modern elements in a single, epic adventure.
Amazon’s boss, Christoph Hartmann, shared some insight in 2024, reminding fans just how high the bar is for the new game. He said, “The longer you go, the expectation goes higher, so it’s a huge, huge task, but things are progressing. I mean, there’s some really great ideas here.”
Despite this, official news has been sparse since then. Crystal Dynamics has weathered some layoffs, and the development timeline seems to be stretching out longer than anyone hoped. Meanwhile, Embracer Group—the parent company overseeing many studios including Crystal Dynamics—hinted earlier this year at a AAA release originally planned for fiscal year 25/26, but now likely needing “a few more quarters to polish.” While they didn’t specify which title, many in the industry suspect this delay could involve Tomb Raider.
As someone who’s followed this series for years, I share the mixed feelings of excitement and impatience. On one hand, I trust the developers want to deliver a game worthy of Lara’s legacy. On the other, the silence can be frustrating when all we see is Lara popping up everywhere except in her own world.
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The Impact of Constant Crossovers on Lara Croft’s Legacy
This isn’t just about a single game release; it’s about how Lara Croft’s character is perceived today. Over the last several years, she’s made appearances in multiple unexpected places: Call of Duty, PowerWash Simulator, Fall Guys, Hero Wars, and now World of Tanks. While these crossovers keep Lara visible and introduce her to new audiences, they risk overexposing the character outside her own story.
I can’t help but wonder—does this strategy dilute the strength of the Tomb Raider brand? Some fans argue it makes Lara feel more like a guest star than the confident, adventurous heroine she’s always been. And with a Tomb Raider series that once set the gold standard for exploration and storytelling, it’s understandable why many want Lara back at the forefront of her own narrative, not just as a cameo in other games.
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Wrapping Up: What This Means for Fans and Players
So, what should you do if you’re excited about the World of Tanks crossover? Jump in! The event runs from July 10 through July 21, and it offers a unique chance to experience Lara Croft—and Duke Nukem—in a totally different arena. With voice work by Keeley Hawes and Jon St. John, plus some of the best thematic vehicle designs you’ll find in the game, it’s a treat for fans of both franchises.
But if you’re like me, you’re also holding out hope for that big, standalone Tomb Raider game that puts Lara back in her own world, where she belongs. The wait has been long, and the hype high. Here’s hoping that Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games deliver an adventure that’s worth every second of it.
Until then, Lara’s everywhere you look—but hopefully, not for much longer outside her own game.
