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Tomb Raider (1996)

Tomb Raider (1996)

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Welcome to the original 1996 action-adventure classic, Tomb Raider! Step into the boots of Lara Croft as you navigate treacherous tombs, from the icy Caves to the perilous St. Francis' Folly. Master Lara's every move, uncover hidden secrets, and solve intricate puzzles in this foundational title that defined a genre.

This guide is your ultimate companion to mastering Lara's debut. We'll provide detailed walkthroughs for every level, combat tips to overcome formidable foes, and advanced techniques to help you discover every secret. Whether you're aiming to achieve a perfect run or just need help overcoming a tricky section, this guide has you covered.

Trophies and A-Count-ing

Complete guide to all 67 Trophies and Achievements in Tomb Raider (1996), including how to earn them by finishing chapters, finding secrets, defeating bosses, and performing specific actions.

This guide details all 67 Trophies and Achievements available in Tomb Raider (1996). Trophies are earned by completing chapters, finding all secrets within chapters, defeating specific enemies and bosses, and performing unique actions or challenges throughout the game.

Below is a list of all Trophies, their descriptions, and the level in which they are typically earned.

  1. The Unfound Tomb of Qualopec — Finish the Peru chapter. (Earned in Level 4)
  2. Look Over Us Kindly, Tihocan — Finish the Greece chapter. (Earned in Level 9)
  3. Little Vacation Riot's Over — Finish the Egypt chapter. (Earned in Level 12)
  4. The Cataclysm of Atlantis — Finish the Atlantis Chapter. (Earned in Level 15)
  5. Codex of Peru — Find all the secrets in Peru. (Earned in Level 4)
  6. Codex of Greece — Find all the secrets in Greece. (Earned in Level 9)
  7. Codex of Egypt — Find all the secrets in Egypt. (Earned in Level 12)
  8. Codex of Atlantis — Find all the secrets in Atlantis. (Earned in Level 15)
  9. Not So Late for the Prize Giving! — Defeat Pierre. (Earned in Level 9)
  10. Pain in Your Brain! — Defeat Larson. (Earned in Level 12)
  11. It's Personal Now! — Defeat Cowboy. (Earned in Level 13)
  12. Yes, I'm Firing at You! — Defeat Skater enemy. (Earned in Level 13)
  13. Cheese! — Defeat the Bald enemy. (Earned in Level 13)
  14. Kind of Evolution on Steroids — Defeat Natla's new breed. (Earned in Level 15)
  15. Yes, I Can! — Defeat the third Ruler of Atlantis. (Earned in Level 15)
  16. Head into My Home! — Complete all the exercises in Lara's Home. (Earned in Level 1)
  17. Do Uzi This One? — Get hidden Uzis in Egypt. (Earned in Level 12)
  18. Shell Sucker! — Defeat a Bald enemy using a shotgun. (Earned in Level 13)
  19. Bullseye! — Swan-dive into a hole with water surrounded by fire. (Earned in Level 15)
  20. Leave Them Sucking Wind — Defeat every possible enemy in one playthrough. (Earned in Level 15)
  21. Secret Door — It's not the right time to be here. There's a door for you. (Earned in Level 14)
  22. You Corner Bug! — Get the unreachable medipack in Palace Midas. (Earned in Level 7)
  23. Curses, Like Chickens, Come Home to Roost — Finish Natla with her own production guns. (Earned in Level 15)
  24. Au Revoir! — Make Pierre go away using magnums. (Earned in Level 8)
  25. Midas' Touch — Become golden Lara. (Earned in Level 7)
  26. I Only Play for Sport! — Finish the game in less than 5 hours. (Conditional)
  27. Deadline — Find all 36 ways to die. (Earned in Level 15)
  28. Raid Not Kill — Do not hurt the T-Rex. (Conditional, typically Level 3)
  29. T-Rextinct — Defeat the T-Rex. (Earned in Level 3)
  30. Pharming Health — Collect all medipacks in a single level. (Earned in Level 1)
  31. Clever Girl — Don't let the velociraptors bite you in Peru. (Earned in Level 4)
  32. Mummy, I'm Scared! — Make one of Qualopec's guardians fall down. (Earned in Level 4)
  33. After Us the Deluge! — Make all shuttered floor panels crash in a single playthrough. (Earned in Level 15)
  34. So Salacia — Come out of the water on your last breath in Neptune's room. (Earned in Level 5)
  35. I Am No Heracles — Climb upside unharmed before the boulder ends its way into Atlas' room. (Earned in Level 5)
  36. You Are Really Loki — Don't let thunder hit you in Thor's room. (Earned in Level 5)
  37. Dionysius' Wisdom — Let only one sword hurt you in Damocles' room. (Earned in Level 5)
  38. Hardy Raider — Beat the game without using any medipacks. (Earned in Level 15)
  39. Tempered Lara — Catch fire and put it out with water. (Earned in Level 7)
  40. Hard Boiled — Beat the game using only Lara's guns. (Conditional)
  41. Tomb Cleaner — Take every collectible item in a single playthrough. (Earned in Level 15)
  42. Play It Like You Did on a Console in 1996 — Save 86 times or less in a single playthrough. (Conditional)
  43. Shelley's Encore — Make Lara scream twice while falling. (Earned in Level 15)
  44. The Apex Predator — Defeat a wolf while you are both in the air. (Earned in Level 2)
  45. Pet This Cat — Do a handstand on the Sphinx's face. (Earned in Level 12)
  46. Dances With Wolves — Gather 11 wolves in front of 4 Toltec warriors. (Conditional)
  47. Ave, Lara! — Stand in the emperor's box and sentence 10 animals in the arena to death. (Earned in Level 6)
  48. Only the Brave Deserve The Fair — Swan-dive to the floor from a maximum height to stay alive. (Earned in Level 1)
  49. Lethal and Loaded — Find the shotgun before collecting any cogs. (Earned in Level 3)
  50. Exaggerated Threat — Defuse all swords in Damocles without being hurt. (Earned in Level 5)
  51. On Incredible Tales — Let centaurs live in Greece. (Earned in Level 9)
  52. Kong's Fate — Make the gorilla from the arena die at the highest point possible. (Earned in Level 6)
  53. Enter the Crocodile — Take 6 items underwater in one breath. (Earned in Level 11)
  54. Be like Prince — Don't get hurt by your doppelganger. (Earned in Level 14)
  55. Consolidate the Material — Beat the game on New Game+. (Conditional)
  56. Thor's Mercy — Let the block fall on your head in Thor's room. (Earned in Level 5)
  57. I'm Not Falling for This Trick — Take a secret in Natla's Mines without stepping on the trap slide. (Earned in Level 13)
  58. Watch Your Step — Where the pyramid meets the water, step on only one square surface. (Earned in Level 14)
  59. Feast Your Eyes on This! — Take a close look at tons of gold. (Earned in Level 1)
  60. May They Rest in Ukhu Pacha — Take a close look at two Incan mummies. (Earned in Level 4)
  61. Circus of Vilcabamba — Look at the bears standing on their hind legs. (Conditional)
  62. Why Did It Have to Be Snakes — Take a close look at the snakes. (Earned in Level 2)
  63. Kon-Tiqsi-Wiraqucha — Go in to get the gold idol and exit through the same window. (Earned in Level 2)
  64. It's About Time — Take a close look at all the ancient devices. (Earned in Level 7)
  65. QTN — Stand on the thrones of all three rulers. (Earned in Level 14)
  66. There's So Much to Remember Here — Open Photo Mode. (Earned in Level 1)
  67. Like Dorothy — Use a level skip cheat code. (Earned in Level 1)

Notes on specific Trophies:

  • I Only Play for Sport!: Requires completing the game in under 5 hours, averaging about 20 minutes per level. This is best attempted after multiple playthroughs when you are familiar with the game.
  • Raid Not Kill: Requires completing Level 3 without harming the T-Rex. This can be challenging as the T-Rex is aggressive.
  • Hard Boiled: Requires beating the game using only Lara's pistols. This is noted as not being overly difficult as pistols are often sufficient.

Trophies and A-Count-ing (2)

A comprehensive guide to all 67 Trophies in Tomb Raider (1996), detailing how to earn each achievement, from completing chapters to defeating bosses and finding secrets.

This guide details all 67 Trophies available in Tomb Raider (1996). Trophies are earned by completing various objectives throughout the game, including finishing chapters, finding all secrets within a chapter, defeating specific enemies or bosses, performing unique actions, and completing the game under certain conditions.

Below is a list of all Trophies, their descriptions, and the level in which they are typically earned.

#NameDescriptionEarned in Level
1The Unfound Tomb of QualopecFinish the Peru chapter.4
2Look Over Us Kindly, TihocanFinish the Greece chapter.9
3Little Vacation Riot's OverFinish the Egypt chapter.12
4The Cataclysm of AtlantisFinish the Atlantis Chapter.15
5Codex of PeruFind all the secrets in Peru.4
6Codex of GreeceFind all the secrets in Greece.9
7Codex of EgyptFind all the secrets in Egypt.12
8Codex of AtlantisFind all the secrets in Atlantis.15
9Not So Late for the Prize Giving!Defeat Pierre9
10Pain in Your Brain!Defeat Larson12
11It's Personal Now!Defeat Cowboy13
12Yes, I'm Firing at You!Defeat Skater enemy13
13Cheese!Defeat the Bald enemy.13
14Kind of Evolution on SteroidsDefeat Natla's new breed.15
15Yes, I Can!Defeat the third Ruler of Atlantis.15
16Load into My Home!Complete all the exercises in Lara's Home.1
17Do Uzi This One?Get hidden Uzis in Egypt.12
18Shell Sucker!Defeat a Bald enemy using a shotgun.13
19Bullseye!Swan-dive into a hole with water surrounded by fire.15
20Leave Them Sucking WindDefeat every possible enemy in one playthrough.15
21Secret DoorIt's not the right time to be here. There's a door for you.14
22You Corner Bug!Get the unreachable medipack in Palace Midas.7
23Curses, Like Chickens, Come Home to RoostFinish Natla with her own production guns.15
24Au Revoir!Make Pierre go away using magnums.8
25Midas' TouchBecome golden Lara.7
26I Only Play for Sport!Finish the game in less than 5 hours.(a)
27DeadlineFind all 36 ways to die.15
28Raid Not KillDo not hurt the T-Rex.(b)
29T-RextinctDefeat the T-Rex.3
30Pharming HealthCollect all medipacks in a single level.1
31Clever GirlDon't let the velociraptors bite you in Peru.4
32Mummy, I'm Scared!Make one of Qualopec's guardians fall down.4
33After Us the Deluge!Make all shuttered floor panels crash in a single playthrough.15
34So SalaciaCome out of the water on your last breath in Neptune's room.5
35I Am No HeraclesClimb upside unharmed before the boulder ends its way into Atlas' room.5
36You Are Really LokiDon't let thunder hit you in Thor's room.5
37Dionysius' WisdomLet only one sword hurt you in Damocles' room.5
38Hardy RaiderBeat the game without using any medipacks.15
39Tempered LaraCatch fire and put it out with water.7
40Hard BoiledBeat the game using only Lara's guns.(c)
41Tomb CleanerTake every collectible item in a single playthrough.15
42Play It Like You Did on a Console in 1996Save 86 times or less in a single playthrough.(d)
43Shelley's EncoreMake Lara scream twice while falling.15
44The Apex PredatorDefeat a wolf while you are both in the air.2
45Pet This CatDo a handstand on the Sphinx's face.12
46Dances With WolvesGather 11 wolves in front of 4 Toltec warriors.(e)
47Ave, Lara!Stand in the emperor's box and sentence 10 animals in the arena to death.6
48Only the Brave Deserve The FairSwan-dive to the floor from a maximum height to stay alive.1
49Lethal and LoadedFind the shotgun before collecting any cogs.3
50Exaggerated ThreatDefuse all swords in Damocles without being hurt.5
51On Incredible TalesLet centaurs live in Greece.9
52Kong's FateMake the gorilla from the arena die at the highest point possible.6
53Enter the CrocodileTake 6 items underwater in one breath.11
54Be like PrinceDon't get hurt by your doppelganger.14
55Consolidate the MaterialBeat the game on New Game+.(f)
56Thor's MercyLet the block fall on your head in Thor's room.5
57I'm Not Falling for This TrickTake a secret in Natla's Mines without stepping on the trap slide.13
58Watch Your StepWhere the pyramid meets the water, step on only one square surface.14
59Feast Your Eyes on This!Take a close look at tons of gold.1
60May They Rest in Ukhu PachaTake a close look at two Incan mummies.4
61Circus of VilcabambaLook at the bears standing on their hind legs.(g)
62Why Did It Have to Be SnakesTake a close look at the snakes.2
63Kon-Tiqsi-WiraquchaGo in to get the gold idol and exit through the same window.2
64It's About TimeTake a close look at all the ancient devices.7
65QTNStand on the thrones of all three rulers.14
66There's So Much to Remember HereOpen Photo Mode.1
67Like DorothyUse a level skip cheat code.1

Notes on specific Trophies:

  • (a) I Only Play for Sport: Complete the game in under 5 hours. This requires an average of 20 minutes per level and is recommended to be saved for last.
  • (b) Raid Not Kill: Complete level 3 without harming the T-Rex. This can be challenging as the T-Rex is persistent.
  • (c) Hard Boiled: Beat the game using only Lara's pistols. This is noted as not being overly difficult as pistols are the primary weapon for much of the game.

Basics (READ THIS!)

Learn the basics of Tomb Raider (1996) on PS5, including tank controls, button mapping, and strategies for minimizing damage and collecting all items.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Controls: The guide is written for the PS5 version using traditional "Tank" controls. Button prompts use PS5 designations.
  2. 2
    Main Menu: Press the left side of the touchpad to access the Main Menu.
  3. 3
    Graphics Toggle: Press the "Options" button to switch between Classic and Updated graphics.
  4. 4
    Photo Mode: Simultaneously press down on both sticks (L3 + R3) to pause the game and enter Photo Mode. This allows you to move freely within an area to view the environment and locate enemies.
  5. 5
    Basic Button Mapping (PS5): = Action; = Jump; = Draw/Holster weapons; = Roll; = Look; + Direction = Walk.
  6. 6
    Save File Strategy: Use all 32 Save file slots. Always establish THREE Save files at the beginning of each level: one to keep unused for potential level restarts, and alternate saves between the other two files. This preserves a file at the start of the level and a recent prior save.
  7. 7
    Trophy Hunting:
  8. 8
    Tomb Cleaner Trophy: Collect all 357 items in a single run. Always check your current pickup count against the number shown on the level summary (accessed via the compass) after collecting each item.
  9. 9
    Leave Them Sucking Wind Trophy: Kill all 295 enemies in a single run. Keep track of your enemy count, as indicated in the guide (e.g., "Eliminate the **2 Panthers (18, 19)** from here").
  10. 10
    After Us, the Deluge Trophy: Break every breakaway tile. A count will be provided when encountering these.
  11. 11
    Level End Checks: Always compare your item, enemy, and tile counts against the level summary screen. If they do not match, return to the beginning of the level using your dedicated starting Save file.
  12. 12
    Battle Basics:
  13. 13
    Start each level with full health; the goal is to reach the end alive.
  14. 14
    Shoot enemies from a safe, usually elevated, position to avoid damage. Most enemies cannot reach Lara on a block, allowing you to use pistols to conserve ammunition.
  15. 15
    The guide will inform you about enemy locations and triggers for their appearances to help you fight them one at a time.
  16. 16
    Play with the sound on to hear auditory cues from enemies, which can alert you to their presence or signal when an area is clear.
Tips
  • Prioritize minimizing or avoiding damage taken. Reload your game if you sustain excessive damage.
  • Take your time; there is no rush.
  • If a Trophy does not pop or an item is missed, use the dedicated Save file at the beginning of the level to backtrack.
  • When unusual button combinations are required, they will be detailed in the guide.

Lara's Home and Level 01--Caves

Complete walkthrough for Tomb Raider (1996) covering Lara's Home tutorial area and the first level, Caves. Includes secrets, pickups, and trophy locations.

Before starting Level 1, take a couple of minutes to go through the tutorials in Lara's Home. It will give you a refresher on the basic movements and button commands, and there are 3 Trophies to be earned here.

After doing some jumping upstairs, you'll head downstairs. From the top of the stairs, execute a swan dive (Jump + Up on the D-Pad + R1) over the railing diagonally right towards either the crate or the side stairs. Do this correctly, and you'll earn the Only the Brave Deserve The Fair Trophy. You might have to try more than once. Keep trying until you get it.

In the ballroom along the west wall, you'll see an opening into a small cubby with a treasure chest. Go in and examine the chest very closely. The Feast Your Eyes on This! Trophy should appear.

There are several Trophies that are awarded for examining something "closely". Make sure that you get as close as possible and examine the item from all sides. These Trophies can be kind of finicky.

Once you have completed all of the exercises, you should receive the Dive into My Home! Trophy.

Now on to Level 1

Overview:

This is a really easy level, and it's very possible to survive with no loss of life at all. In fact, the only serious threats to your well being come from dart-shooting pipes which, with a little practice, can be effectively dodged. However, your focus should be on avoiding damage from the animals, since this is a skill that will become increasingly necessary as the game proceeds. Otherwise, just get accustomed to the controls and enjoy this level.

This level contains 3 Secrets, 7 pickups, 14 kills, and 2 breakaway tiles.

Trophies earned: 2

New Game+ Notes
1. There is just 1 Save Crystal in this level. I would hold off using it until after you kill the 2 wolves that come up the stairs.
2. Don't waste any premium ammo in this level. Your pistols will get you through just fine.
3. An argument could be made for skipping the bear, but I thing you should defeat it. You can do it safely with your pistols, but it will take some time. You need to start learning some patience in defeating enemies like the bear that can take a lot of punishment.
4. Likewise, because of the restrictions on Saves, be careful not to carelessly run off edges. You'll get tired of repeating large chunks of the level.

Walkthrough

Trophy Alert -- Like Dorothy

Let's earn another easy Trophy before going too far. You get this one for using the level skip cheat code.

  • Run forward a little so that you can see what's going on.
  • Then have Lara do the following:
    • Walk forward one step
    • Walk backwards one step
    • Rotate counterclockwise 3 times. A little more is okay, but you have to do all rotating in one motion, i.e., you can't rotate 2 1/2 times, stop, then rotate that last half revolution.
    • Jump forward.
  • You should get the screen shown below and the Like Dorothy Trophy (except it probably didn't take you 5:19).

After earning the Trophy, quit your game and start over. I'm told that using this code can mess some things up.

Trophy Alert -- There's So Much to Remember Here

If you are playing the Remastered version, before setting off on your adventure, simultaneously press down on the left and right analog sticks (i.e., press both L3 and R3). This will open Photo Mode and earn you a Trophy.

You will come to wish that all Trophies were so easy to come by, but for now just enjoy this one.
You should spend some time playing around with Photo Mode. While pausing the action, it allows you to virtually move through a very large area, allowing you to scope out enemy locations and other useful information.

Deadline 1

Let the darts kill Lara.

  • The darts just past the entrance are completely avoidable. Just right down the middle of the path while jumping. If you get hit by a couple of them, it's no big deal -- they won't cause much damage.
  • Go all the way to the end, bypassing the branch to the left that gets Lara's attention. Secret #1 is inside that overhead room. I had trouble trying to pull up onto the ramp and then jump and grab while sliding down. Stand against the wall with Lara's back to the ramp, then doing a backflip, holding to jump off the ramp, and then press to grab the ledge. Enter and collect a small Medi Pack (1).
  • Double back to the passage that you bypassed along the way. Climb up, pull out your pistols, and take out the 3 bats (1, 2, 3) that come directly towards you.

Deadline 2

Let Lara get killed by the bats.

  • Secret #2 is just on your left as you proceed down this passage. Stand as far left as possible, then press Up + Action to pull up into the overhead area.
  • Beware of the bat (4) that comes to life when you pull up into the cave. Take it out before it can damage you. When it is dead, claim another small Medi Pack (2).
  • Drop back down and hang a left past the dead bats. The path will bend to the left and then drop down. On your left, you'll find a pit into which you should drop. Follow the path and throw the switch on the right, opening the door to the next area.
  • As you enter the new area, draw your pistols and shoot the bat (5). Climb through the hole in the ceiling to the NE, then head to the area with the bridges. There are two wolves (6, 7) below, and you can easily shoot them from above.

Deadline 3

Drop down and let the wolves kill Lara.

  • Wind your way across the bridges to the exit in the SE. In next room, stop at the gap ( PS1: near the Save Crystal), and look down into the pit. There is a bear (8) down there, and with some patience you can take it down from up here with your pistols.

Deadline 4

Drop down and let the bear maul Lara to death.

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