Lara Moves Sideways: Why the New Side-Scrolling Tomb Raider is a Must-Play

Fri,May 01 ,2026

Tomb Raider: Side-Scroller Edition is a massive fan-led project that reimagines the original 3D adventures of Lara Croft through a nostalgic, two-dimensional lens. Developed by creators Delca and Trxye, this project has gained significant traction in the community as a “love letter” to the early days of Core Design.

​The Vision: 2.5D Archeology

​While the main Tomb Raider series became famous for its sprawling 3D environments, the Side-Scroller Edition takes the mechanics of the classic trilogy (TR1, TR2, and TR3) and translates them into a 2.5D plane.

​The game doesn’t just simplify the experience; it keeps the high-stakes platforming, complex lever puzzles, and dangerous wildlife that defined the 90s era. Lara’s movements—running, jumping, and grabbing ledges—feel remarkably fluid, drawing inspiration from the official Game Boy Color titles but with the high-fidelity aesthetics of the PlayStation-era models.

​Key Features

• ​11 Reimagined Locations: The game features levels inspired by iconic settings from the original trilogy, including Peruvian caves and Egyptian tombs.

• ​Classic Mechanics: Despite the 2D shift, the game retains “tank-adjacent” precision, requiring players to time their jumps and manage their inventory.
• ​Modern Polish: Utilizing modern development tools, the game features dynamic lighting and updated textures that bridge the gap between retro and modern.
• ​Accessibility: Released for free on TRCustoms, the hub for Tomb Raider level design, making it accessible to anyone on PC.

​Why It Matters

​For many fans, the Side-Scroller Edition represents a “what if” scenario: what if Lara Croft had followed the path of Prince of Persia or Flashback? It offers a tighter, more arcade-like focus on level design and timing, proving that the atmosphere of Tomb Raider isn’t tied to a specific camera angle, but rather to the thrill of the “Aha!” moment when a puzzle finally clicks.

You can download the game from the official website here