While much more human than the old version of the character, Lara Croft will not be entering a romantic relationship any time soon, says Tomb Raider creative director Noah Hughes. In reply to a question from a fan Q&A (via: Polygon) Hughes said that Lara simply doesn’t have the time.
“Lara’s pursuit and journey to becoming a Tomb Raider is almost an involuntary obsession. It starts as her being an archeology geek, but it becomes an all-consuming passion that ultimately she’s willing to risk her life for,” says Hughes.
“And so part of Lara’s journey is to struggle with balancing what it means to be a young person growing up, and what it means to have the responsibilities of a Tomb Raider. Lara has to prioritize. She doesn’t have room for a significant other in her life – she doesn’t have enough left over after archeology and what becomes Tomb Raiding. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have feelings.”
“So what we play with a little bit during her journey in these early years is the tension between the life she might have lead if she didn’t get sucked down this rabbit hole. We’re delivering on not the normal life, but the Tomb Raider life. She is so dedicated and obsessed and focused that she doesn’t have room for these other things.”
As to whether Lara will look the same or not in the Tomb Raider sequel currently in development, Hughes stated that it’s too soon to say any more than that Crystal Dynamics will be taking advantage of next-gen technology.
