Tomb Raider II (1997) on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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The second instalment in the Tomb Raider series invites you to join Lara as she travels around the globe to retrieve a precious artefact before it falls into the wrong hands. The legendary artefact, the Dagger of Xian, is said to give its possessor the power of a fire breathing dragon.
Tomb Raider II (1997) is a adventure, action and female protagonist game
developed by Core Design
and published by Crystal Dynamics.
Released on November 28th 2012 is available in English only on Windows.
It has received 2,306 reviews of which 2,004 were positive and 302 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. 😎
The game is currently priced at 6.99€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified Tomb Raider II (1997) into these genres:
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System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *:Windows XP / Windows Vista / Windows 7
- Processor:1.8 GHz Processor
- Memory:512 MB RAM
- Graphics:3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 9
- DirectX®:9.0
- Hard Drive:2 GB HD space
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User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
This game does not like modern hardware but my review is based on my experience playing long before Steam existed." This sequel to the previous game features some exotic locales and new abilities. The story isn't quite as good but there are some dynamics to the enemies that give it some new challenges. If you enjoyed the first one, this may not be quite at the same level but will certainly scratch the itch for more Lara Croft adventures. I recommend getting the newer enhanced version with updated graphics. You can still play that one with the old graphics but, more importantly, it will ACTUALLY RUN on modern equipment.
Tomb Raider II, developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive, stands as one of the defining sequels of the late 1990s—a game that expanded the vision of its groundbreaking predecessor and transformed Lara Croft from a promising video game character into a cultural icon. Released in 1997, the sequel built upon the solid foundation of the original Tomb Raider, enhancing nearly every aspect while shifting its tone from isolation and mystery toward something more cinematic and action-oriented. Where the first game felt like a lonely expedition into forgotten tombs, Tomb Raider II felt like an adventure film come to life, filled with new enemies, sprawling environments, and an even greater sense of danger. The story follows Lara Croft in her relentless pursuit of the mythical Dagger of Xian, an ancient artifact said to grant its bearer the power of a dragon when plunged into the heart. The chase takes her across an extraordinary variety of locations, beginning with the iconic Great Wall of China and continuing through the canals of Venice, the wreckage of a sunken ship in the South China Sea, and the frozen peaks of Tibet. This globe-trotting narrative gave the game a sense of scale and diversity rarely seen at the time. Each location was filled with detail and atmosphere, with secrets tucked away behind treacherous climbs and deadly traps. The shift from ancient tombs to modern or man-made settings such as Venetian rooftops or oil platforms also marked a significant evolution in the series’ design philosophy, blending archaeology with espionage and adventure. Gameplay-wise, Tomb Raider II refined and expanded the mechanics that defined the original. Lara’s movements remained governed by the same precise, grid-based system, but the addition of new maneuvers such as climbing, rolling, and mid-air direction changes made her feel more agile and versatile. Combat also took a more prominent role, introducing a wider range of weapons—from Uzis and shotguns to harpoon guns and grenades—and a greater variety of enemies, including human adversaries. This heavier focus on combat gave the sequel a faster pace and more intensity but also altered the tone; the sense of solitude that made the first game haunting was replaced by the tension of firefights and ambushes. The inclusion of vehicles, like the speedboat in Venice and the snowmobile in Tibet, added thrilling moments of variety and showcased Core Design’s ambition to make every level feel distinct. The level design remains one of Tomb Raider II’s most remarkable achievements. The environments are vast and intricately constructed, requiring players to think spatially and explore vertically as much as horizontally. Every area feels like a puzzle box—interconnected rooms, levers, traps, and secrets creating a sense of accomplishment with each discovery. Some of the levels, such as the underwater wreck of the Maria Doria or the sprawling Tibetan monastery, are legendary for their atmosphere and complexity. Yet with that ambition came a notable increase in difficulty. The game demands precise movement, keen observation, and a willingness to backtrack through labyrinthine structures. Mistimed jumps, hidden traps, and limited save points could easily punish carelessness. For some players, this uncompromising design was frustrating; for others, it was part of the appeal, giving every success a genuine sense of triumph. Visually, Tomb Raider II was an impressive step forward for its time. Lara’s character model was more detailed, with smoother animations and a sleeker appearance, while the environments benefited from richer textures and lighting effects that made caves, temples, and cityscapes more immersive. The shift in settings allowed for greater visual variety—the golden light of Venice, the eerie glow of underwater ruins, and the cold blues of snow-covered mountains all gave the game a vibrant, globe-spanning aesthetic. The atmospheric music and environmental sounds complemented this beautifully. The silence of ancient ruins, the echoing splash of water, and the sudden swell of orchestral stingers when danger struck all reinforced the cinematic mood the developers were striving for. Despite its technical limitations, the world of Tomb Raider II still feels alive and adventurous even decades later. However, for all its improvements, the sequel also exposed some of the series’ underlying issues. The tank-like controls, while functional and precise, could feel stiff during intense combat or delicate platforming. The camera occasionally fought against the player in tight spaces, leading to awkward angles or sudden deaths from unseen threats. The emphasis on gunfights and human enemies was divisive among fans who preferred the eerie solitude of the original’s tomb exploration. Some of the later levels, packed with traps and enemies, felt more exhausting than exhilarating. Yet these flaws are a reflection of its ambition—Tomb Raider II pushed the boundaries of what the hardware and design conventions of the time could achieve, and in doing so, it defined the challenge and spirit of the 3D adventure genre for years to come. What makes Tomb Raider II enduring is how it captures the essence of adventure. There’s a tangible sense of wonder in uncovering hidden relics, a rush of adrenaline in escaping collapsing ruins, and a thrill in facing off against impossible odds. Lara Croft’s personality shines more confidently here—witty, composed, and unshakable in the face of danger. The narrative may be minimal compared to modern standards, but the sense of purpose behind every level gives the game a strong momentum. It embodies the spirit of exploration that made the series iconic, while also laying the groundwork for the cinematic storytelling that would later define the franchise’s reboots. Even decades later, Tomb Raider II remains a landmark in gaming history—a time capsule of late-90s design philosophy and ambition. Its influence can be seen in countless adventure titles that followed, from Uncharted to the modern Tomb Raider reboots. It’s a game that rewards patience, precision, and perseverance, reminding players that true adventure is never easy but always worth the effort. Though its mechanics may feel dated by today’s standards, its sense of scale, atmosphere, and discovery remains timeless. Tomb Raider II is more than just a sequel—it’s a statement of confidence from a series finding its identity, one that solidified Lara Croft’s place as one of gaming’s greatest and most enduring heroes. Rating: 8/10
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Frequently Asked Questions
Tomb Raider II (1997) is currently priced at 6.99€ on Steam.
No, Tomb Raider II (1997) is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 6.99€ on Steam.
Yes, Tomb Raider II (1997) received 2,004 positive votes out of a total of 2,306 achieving a rating of 8.33.
😎
Tomb Raider II (1997) was developed by Core Design and published by Crystal Dynamics.
Yes, Tomb Raider II (1997) is playable and fully supported on Windows.
No, Tomb Raider II (1997) is not playable on MacOS.
No, Tomb Raider II (1997) is not playable on Linux.
Tomb Raider II (1997) is a single-player game.
No, Tomb Raider II (1997) does not currently offer any DLC.
No, Tomb Raider II (1997) does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
No, Tomb Raider II (1997) does not support Steam Remote Play.
Yes, Tomb Raider II (1997) is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Tomb Raider II (1997).
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Last Updates| Steam data | 09 June 2026 14:21 |
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| SteamSpy data | 12 June 2026 01:27 |
| Steam price | 13 June 2026 12:49 |
| Steam reviews | 12 June 2026 15:56 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Tomb Raider II (1997), we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Tomb Raider II (1997)
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Tomb Raider II (1997) concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Tomb Raider II (1997) compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
1
Developer
Core Design
Publisher
Crystal Dynamics
Release
28 Nov 2012
Platforms