Square Enix officially announces third Tomb Raider game

Despite leaks online alerting fans to the existence of the game already, Square Enix has officially announced that a third Tomb Raider game in their rebooted series is on the way.

“Square Enix is excited to share some big news with you next year,” the publisher wrote on Facebook. “Honestly, we wish we could share it with you right now, but were taking a new approach this time. A new Tomb Raider game is coming.

“Driven by our goal of putting our fans first, we want you to know that it won’t be very long between the official reveal and when you can play. Our journey together will begin with a major event in 2018. We simply can’t wait to take you on Lara Croft’s defining adventure.”

Fans may recall a leak earlier this year revealing the game as being titled Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and eagle-eyed fans may have noticed already what the first letter in each sentence of Square Enix’s statement spells out as well – “SHADOW.”

Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics began their new Tomb Raider series in 2013 with the self-titled game. Camilla Luddington provided the voice and motion capture for the character in the game as well as its 2015 follow-up, Rise of the Tomb Raider. The two games were nominated for many awards upon their release, including Game of the Year.

A feature film adaptation of the first game will be released next year, simply titled Tomb Raider, featuring Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina, The Danish Girl) in the lead role. Hailing from director Roar Uthaug, it will be released in theaters on March 16, 2018.