Tomb Raider Fans Want Lara Croft To Have A Girlfriend
With news that Crystal Dynamics is finally moving forward with a new Tomb Raider game, some fans have called for Lara Croft to have a girlfriend.
08th Apr 2022 14:42
Crystal Dynamics
Tomb Raider Fans Want Lara Croft To Have A Girlfriend
With news that Crystal Dynamics is finally moving forward with a new Tomb Raider game, some fans have called for Lara Croft to have a girlfriend.
08th Apr 2022 14:42
Crystal Dynamics
It's a trope we've seen time and time again in video games, with powerful female characters going it alone without the need for a love interest to tie them down. We know it must be hard hanging from a cliff by your toes one minute and spending Valentine's Day with your significant other the next, which might explain why the Tomb Raider games have usually portrayed Lara Croft as a strong woman that don't need no man... or woman!
Since those triangular-breasted days on the PlayStation, the Tomb Raider series has kept us cocking our dual pistols and going on archaeological adventures for the past 26 years. With confirmation a new entry in the series is on the way, fans are saying it could be time for Lara Croft to settle down. However, instead of the traditional Nathan Drake-esque heartthrob, some think she should have a girlfriend.
Why Are Fans Saying Lara Should Have A Girlfriend?
A tweet from @lgbtzenin caused a stir when it simply declared: "I hope they stop being p*ssies and give Lara croft a girlfriend in the new game." Although critics are quick to write this off a "snowflake inclusion," the Lara Croft introduced in 2013's Tomb Raider is considered canonically a lesbian by many.
As a refresher, the game introduced Lara alongside BFF, Samantha Nishimura. The pair were aboard the Endurance when it crashed, before things spun out into a wild plot about Sam being possessed by the demonic spirit of Himiko. It put a strain on their friendship, however, it's later revealed that she's still in touch with Lara. Tomb Raider ended with a rainbow shining over Lara and Sam, which is a not-so-subtle nod toward their potential feelings.
Comic book writer Gail Simone later tweeted: "You cannot convince me that Lara and Sam aren’t 10000% gay for each other. It’s not even subtext." Sam appeared in the comic Tomb Raider: Inferno, and according to writer Jackson Lanzing, "we tried so hard to make it canon." This was backed up by comic book artist Phillip Sevy, who confirmed the original ending included a kiss between Lara and Sam. "I still have the original pencils/inks for that page before I had to redraw it," said Sevy.
Should Sam Be Lara's Girlfriend?
There were plenty of champions for Lara's female love interest. One supporter wrote, "If we don't get a scene where she finds Sam again and they bond closer than ever and kiss and fight together," while another added, "Bring back sam nishimura challenge." A third suggested the aforementioned Nathan Drake, and while a crossover with Naughty Dog's dormant Uncharted series sounds fanciful, stranger things have happened.
The Official Shadow Of The Tomb Raider Artbook revealed that Sam was pitched for a return, however, she was swapped out for Jonah's return. Obviously, we don't know what's going on with Tomb Raider right now, so it's possible the next chapter will be a reboot instead of a Shadow of the Tomb Raider sequel. If the team is destined to continue the story that ended in 2018, we could finally see Lara and Sam lock lips.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
