Tomb Raider 2 considerably improves on its predecessor with more varied environments, new armed human enemies and increased detail. Lara Croft explores China, Venice and an underwater base. A franchise peak that surpasses the first entry in scope and quality.
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Category
Action Adventure1 player16+
Description
Japanese Core Design edition of Tomb Raider II, sequel with expanded gunfights and varied levels. Created by Core Design and Eidos, released in 1998 in Japan under the Tomb Raider 2 title. Over eighteen varied 3D levels from Great Wall of China to Tibet, expanded exploration, platforming and combat, over fifteen weapons including new harpoon and grenade launcher and Nathan McCree orchestral soundtrack. Japanese edition under the Tomb Raider 2 title.
Tomb Raider 2 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
The Japanese edition of Core Design's sequel, Tomb Raider II unfolds an atmospheric 3D art direction, more varied than the original. The Great Wall of China, Venice canals, a sunken shipwreck and snowy Tibetan lairs make rich, exotic environments, where vertical exploration remains king. The variety of settings and enriched modeling elevate Lara Croft's adventure. A striking visual setting.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
The Japanese version of Tomb Raider II, markedly rarer than the Western editions in a market where Western-style 3D adventure carried little weight. This Japanese edition appeals to collectors of cross-region releases of a 1990s icon in Japan. Its desirability rests on this limited local run, noticeably harder to find than the PAL and American versions.
Is Tomb Raider 2 still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 1997 on PS1, Core Design's project widens the original's formula with urban settings, snowy nights and submarines to explore. The new moves, the more complete weapon system and the human enemies bring real variety. The handling stays demanding and the staging more cinematic. Tank controls and the camera still demand patience. Recommended today for fans of authorial adventure, for Core Design devotees curious about a lineage peak and for PS1 collectors fond of late nineties classics on Sony's first home console hardware globally.
