Story

The game begins with Lara, aged 16 and on her first expedition in 1984 in Angkor Wat with her mentor Werner Von Croy. He is teaching her the ways of exploration, however when they edge closer to the artefact that they are searching for- the Iris - Von Croy turns on her and they race each other to the artefact. The cutscene outcome depends on if the player reaches the location before Von Croy, however in both outcomes, Von Croy crosses the bridge to retrieve the artefact but picking up the Iris causes the room to shake and collapse. He slips and is hanging by his leg; Lara turns to save him but has no real way of helping, she only managing to escape without damage.   

In 1999, Lara and a guide are exploring the Tomb of Set in search for the Amulet of Horus. Her guide runs away in fear after reading an inscription, leaving Lara to carry on alone. When she finds the sarcophagus of Set, she sees the Amulet sealed on top of a sepulchre, so she pulls it out and leaves. Outsides, she takes a moment to read the Amulet; learning that the Amulet was made by Horus and was used to seal Set in his tomb for eternity and that by removing it, she has set him free. She also discovers that her guide is also working for Von Croy. Lara quickly escapes as a storm brews.  ​

She pays a visit to Jean Yves, her faithful friend and archaeologist, to seek help. He reads fragments of a papyrus about the Amulet and informs her of the situation. He tells her that she may find answers in the Tomb of Semerkhet in Karnak and she sets off at once. After fighting off Von Croy’s mercenaries and using the Amulet to access the tomb, she enters but Von Croy steals the amulet from the key slot, sealing her inside. She traversing through the traps and even plays an ancient Egyptian game of Senet, she finds Semerkhet’s tomb and a description of what to do in case Set was freed. It mentions the Armour of Horus, how Horus once wore it when in battle with Set and if found again and placed on Horus’ statue in his temple under the Great Pyramid of Giza, the god could be summoned to imprison Set once again.  ​

Lara makes her way to Alexandria via train to see Jean Yves again at his office. He tells her that Cleopatra once found the armour and placed it in her palaces to protect it and keep it safe but Von Croy’s men are everywhere, also looking for the armour so she would have to go through the Catacombs to get into Cleopatra’s palaces. She eventually retrieves all five pieces of the armour and returns to Jean Yves only to find that he has been kidnapped by Von Croy, who has left her a ransom note, his life in exchange for the armour.   ​

Lara travels to Cairo to save her friend. After a tough journey through the streets, she finds a wounded Egyptian sergeant, who tells her of strange creatures who have arisen and are guarding the ancient sites throughout the city. She carries out several tasks for the sergeant and then he sacrifices his life to help her; driving a truck of explosives into a giant, dragon-like creature blocking the way into an ancient citadel. Lara saves Jean-Yves, who reveals that Von Croy has been possessed by Set and is searching the ancient crusader vaults for the Ceremonial Tablet, which contains Set’s binding spell. Lara makes her way through the citadel, avoiding the resurrected crusader knights and finds Von Croy in an old tomb that has been opened with the Amulet. He offers to ‘grant her vigour as those around fall’. Lara refuses and runs out of the tomb, taking the Amulet away and trapping him inside.  ​

Lara makes her way to Giza to find the Temple of Horus. During her mission to find the Temple of Horus, she finds all necessary items to summon Horus. She dresses Horus in his battle Armour, puts down the four Holy Scriptures and adds the Amulet to the armour. His spirit starts to return to the statue but Set's spirit is stronger and destroys the armour, stopping Horus. Set takes over the statue and attacks Lara, but she is able to grab the Amulet and escape the temple, using the Amulet to seal this temple and trapping him inside forever. She makes her way out, exhausted as she reaches the exit. In front of her, she sees Von Croy and she asks if he is still possessed by Set. He isn't but he is concerned for her safety but before she can escape, the exit corridor starts to collapse. The floor disappears under her feet and she is left hanging. Von Croy tries to grab her hand but for his own safety, he steps back and the entrance caves in, leaving Lara presumed dead. He bows his head in both respect and sadness. ​