The iconic Tomb Raider franchise is approaching a significant milestone—its 30th anniversary next year—and Steam is celebrating early with substantial discounts across the entire series. The Pre-Autumn Sale, which launched September 15 and runs for two weeks, presents an exceptional opportunity for both newcomers and longtime fans to experience Lara Croft's complete journey at unprecedented prices.
Complete Collection for Budget-Conscious Gamers
The mathematics behind this Tomb Raider sale are compelling. By strategically purchasing three specific bundles—the Definitive Survivor Trilogy, the Remastered bundle, and the individual Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld titles—players can secure all 12 mainline entries for approximately $42, excluding local taxes. This represents exceptional value considering the breadth of content spanning nearly three decades of game development.
For those seeking an even more comprehensive experience, adding the two cooperative spin-offs and the critically acclaimed puzzle game Lara Croft GO brings the total to around $50 for 15 complete games. This pricing structure makes the entire franchise more accessible than individual full-price releases of modern AAA titles.
Standout Deals Within the Sale
Several individual titles deserve particular attention due to their exceptional discount rates. The 2013 Tomb Raider reboot, which revitalized the franchise for modern audiences, is available for just $2.25—a remarkable price point for a game that redefined action-adventure mechanics and narrative presentation. This reboot introduced more realistic survival elements and grittier combat systems that influenced subsequent entries.
Lara Croft GO, representing a successful departure into mobile-inspired puzzle gaming, costs only $1.50 during this sale period. This title demonstrates how established franchises can successfully experiment with different gameplay mechanics while maintaining core identity elements. The game's turn-based puzzle design and minimalist aesthetic earned critical acclaim and proved the franchise's versatility beyond traditional action-adventure formats.
Technical Considerations for Modern Players
Steam Deck compatibility adds another layer of value to this Tomb Raider sale, as most titles in the collection run effectively on Valve's portable gaming device. However, older entries may require configuration adjustments to achieve optimal performance. The remastered versions generally offer smoother experiences on modern hardware, while original releases might need community fixes or compatibility tweaks.
The technical evolution visible across the franchise provides insight into gaming industry development over the past three decades. From the original's grid-based movement and tank controls to the modern trilogy's fluid traversal and cinematic presentation, the collection serves as an interactive history of game design philosophy changes.
Franchise Future and Current Uncertainty
While this sale celebrates the series' extensive catalog, the franchise's future remains unclear. Amazon's 2022 announcement regarding publishing responsibilities for future Tomb Raider games has yielded limited concrete information about upcoming projects. This uncertainty makes the current sale particularly valuable for fans wanting to experience or revisit the established canon while awaiting news about the series' direction.
The timing of this promotional event, coinciding with the approach of the 30th anniversary, suggests strategic positioning to maintain franchise visibility during this transitional period. Sales data from events like this often influence publisher decisions about future development investments and marketing strategies.
Value Proposition Analysis
From a pure content perspective, the mainline Tomb Raider games represent hundreds of hours of gameplay across multiple design philosophies. The original trilogy established the template for 3D action-adventure gaming, while the Legend trilogy modernized mechanics for contemporary audiences. The Survivor trilogy introduced crafting systems, open-world elements, and psychological character development that expanded the franchise's appeal.
This diversity means the collection appeals to different gaming preferences within a single purchase. Players interested in classic puzzle-platforming can experience the origins, while those preferring modern action-adventure mechanics can focus on recent entries. The sale pricing removes financial barriers that might otherwise limit exploration of different eras within the franchise.
Strategic Purchasing Recommendations
For newcomers to the series, the bundled approach recommended for achieving the $42 price point provides the most comprehensive introduction. Starting with the 2013 reboot offers the most accessible entry point, as its mechanics align with contemporary gaming conventions while introducing core franchise elements.
Veteran players might consider this sale an opportunity to fill gaps in their collections or upgrade to remastered versions offering improved visual fidelity and modern compatibility features. The pricing structure makes even selective purchasing economically attractive compared to typical digital game prices.
The two-week duration provides sufficient time for research and decision-making, though historically, Steam sales of this magnitude for established franchises don't occur frequently. The combination of anniversary timing, franchise transition period, and comprehensive discount coverage suggests this represents an optimal purchasing window for interested players.
