Tomb Raider Slot Review

Provider	Microgaming

Launched in 2004, the Tomb Raider slot by Microgaming holds a genuine place in online gaming history - it was one of the first branded slots ever made, built around the Lara Croft franchise at a time when licensing a major video game IP for a slot machine was almost unheard of. Two decades on, the game still gets played regularly, and not purely out of nostalgia. The mechanics hold up, the bonus features pay well, and the 96.56% RTP puts it ahead of many newer releases.

This is a 5-reel, 3-row slot with 15 paylines. The paylines are not fixed, so you can choose how many to activate per spin - though playing all 15 gives you the best shot at triggering the bonus features. Medium volatility means you can expect a reasonable spread of smaller wins alongside the occasional bigger hit, rather than long dry spells.

Tomb Raider at a Glance

Developer: Microgaming (now distributed via Games Global)
Reels / Rows: 5 reels, 3 rows
Paylines: 15 (adjustable)
RTP: 96.56%
Volatility: Medium
Min Bet: £0.15 per spin
Max Bet: £150 per spin
Release Year: 2004

Theme and Symbols

The game draws directly from the original Tomb Raider video game series, with Lara Croft front and centre across the reels. Higher-value symbols include Lara herself, a tiger, and a carved stone puzzle. The playing card symbols (10 through Ace) fill the lower end of the paytable and are styled to match the Tomb Raider logo font - a small detail, but it keeps the visual consistency intact.

The wild is the Tomb Raider logo, which substitutes for all standard symbols. The scatter is Lara holding a gun - land three or more anywhere on the reels to trigger the free spins. The idol symbol is the key to the Tomb Bonus picking game.

By modern standards the graphics are basic. The animation is limited and the sound design is functional rather than impressive. That said, the game was ahead of its time when it launched, and the Lara Croft character artwork is recognisable and well-executed for the era. Players who want cutting-edge visuals should look elsewhere, but those who want a game that plays well underneath the surface will find plenty to like.

Bonus Features

Free Spins with 3x Multiplier

Landing three or more of the Lara Croft scatter symbols anywhere on the reels awards 10 free spins. During those spins, all wins are multiplied by 3x - which, combined with a full set of 15 paylines, creates the potential for some substantial payouts. The free spins can be retriggered: land three more scatter symbols during the feature and you get another 10 spins, with the 3x multiplier still in effect throughout. There is no cap on retriggers in the standard game, so a well-timed scatter run can stack up considerably.

Tomb Bonus Picking Game

The Tomb Bonus triggers when three or more idol symbols land on an active payline. You are taken to a separate screen showing a set of carved stone idols, and you pick from them to reveal cash prizes. The number of picks you get depends on how many idol symbols triggered the feature - more symbols means more picks, and therefore a higher payout ceiling. Each idol reveals a coin prize, and the feature ends once all your picks are used. It is not the most complex bonus round, but it delivers solid wins and breaks up the base game effectively.

RTP and Volatility

The 96.56% RTP is above the industry average, which tends to sit around 95-96% for video slots. Medium volatility means the game is reasonably balanced - you are not grinding through endless low-pay spins waiting for a single big hit, but you are not getting constant payouts either. The free spins feature, with its 3x multiplier and retrigger potential, is where the more significant wins tend to come from. Base game hits from wilds and standard combinations keep the session moving between feature triggers.

For context, the maximum theoretical win comes from landing the top wild combination during the 3x free spins phase. Five Lara Croft wilds on a payline already pay at the game's highest rate; with the 3x multiplier applied, the returns are substantial without requiring a progressive jackpot structure.

Mobile Play

The original 2004 version of Tomb Raider was built in Flash, which is no longer supported. The version available through Microgaming (now Games Global) casinos today has been converted to HTML5 and runs on desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers without requiring any additional software. The 5x3 grid adapts cleanly to smaller screens, and the pick-em bonus round works well on touchscreens. A handful of casinos still carry the legacy Flash version, but it cannot be played on modern browsers - if the game does not load, try a different casino.

How It Compares to the Sequel

Microgaming followed the original with Tomb Raider - Secret of the Sword in 2007, which expanded to 30 paylines and added Rolling Reels with escalating multipliers and a Global Adventure bonus with multiple world locations to explore. The sequel is the more technically complex game of the two. The original Tomb Raider is simpler and more focused - two bonus features that both pay well, a clean paytable, and no unnecessary mechanics layered on top. Which you prefer depends on whether you want mechanical depth or a cleaner playing experience.

Is the Tomb Raider Slot Still Worth Playing?

At 96.56% RTP with retriggerable free spins and a picking bonus, the fundamentals are sound. The game does not ask you to jump through multiple bonus tiers or track progress across sessions - you trigger a feature, it pays out, you return to base play. For players who find modern slots overly complicated, that simplicity is a genuine selling point rather than a limitation.

Availability has tightened over the years as the Lara Croft licensing agreement between Square Enix and Microgaming came to an end. Not every casino carries it, so check the game library before signing up specifically to play it.

Pros and Cons

What works:

96.56% RTP is above the industry average
Free spins with 3x multiplier and no retrigger cap
Tomb Bonus picking game adds variety to the session
Clean, focused mechanics without unnecessary complexity
Medium volatility keeps the session balanced
Historic significance as one of the first branded video slots

What to be aware of:

Graphics are dated compared to current releases
Availability is limited since the licensing agreement ended
Bonus triggers can go long stretches without appearing
Sequel (Secret of the Sword) offers more feature variety

What is the RTP of the Tomb Raider slot?

The Tomb Raider slot by Microgaming has an RTP of 96.56%, which is above the industry average for online video slots.

How do the free spins work in Tomb Raider?

Landing three or more Lara Croft scatter symbols anywhere on the reels triggers 10 free spins with all wins tripled. You can retrigger the feature by landing three more scatters during the free spins round.

What is the Tomb Bonus feature?

The Tomb Bonus is triggered by landing three or more idol symbols on an active payline. You are taken to a separate screen and pick from a set of stone idols, each revealing a cash prize. The number of picks depends on how many idol symbols triggered the feature.

Who made the Tomb Raider slot?

Tomb Raider was developed by Microgaming and released in 2004. It was one of the first branded slots ever made, based on the Lara Croft video game franchise. It is now distributed through Games Global, which acquired Microgaming's games portfolio.

Is there a sequel to the Tomb Raider slot?

Yes. Microgaming released Tomb Raider - Secret of the Sword in 2007. The sequel has 30 paylines, Rolling Reels with escalating multipliers, and a Global Adventure bonus with multiple worldwide locations to explore.

Can I still play the Tomb Raider slot online?

Yes, but availability is more limited than it used to be. The Lara Croft licensing agreement between Square Enix and Microgaming has ended, so not every casino carries the game. The HTML5 version works on desktop and mobile; the old Flash version is no longer playable on modern browsers.