Brazilian fan João Pedro Pancionato (John P.) from Tomb Raider United has published a hefty (and genuinely fun to dig into) PDF called the Ultimate Unification Guide, a visual-first attempt to map Tomb Raider's tangled continuity into something you can actually follow.
And right away, João sets expectations: this isn't official canon, it's not trying to "win" continuity debates, and it exists for one main reason: to have fun.
What's inside the guide?
The document is structured like a proper artifact hunter's dossier:
- A breakdown of the three original continuities (Classic, LAU, Survivor), laid out so you can compare events side-by-side
- A visual guide to those three timelines (quick "at a glance" reference)
- Then the main event: The Unified Timeline, including rules, compromises, and a full timeline run
João also explains upfront that some dates across sources conflict, so this guide is built from a mix of official material, fan research, and "making the puzzle pieces fit" decisions.
The Big Rule: Survivor Is the Foundation
Here's the core philosophy that powers the entire unification attempt:
Survivor Lara is the base. Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018), plus tie-in media, are treated as the "set in stone" foundation for the Unified Timeline.
From there, Classic and LAU material can be integrated only if it doesn't contradict Survivor-established facts. And because Survivor Lara is treated as being born in 1992, that pushes most "adult Lara" Classic/LAU adventures to after Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018), meaning Unified Lara potentially grows into her 30s and beyond as the timeline expands.
It Even Accounts for What’s Next
Because this guide was assembled while new Tomb Raider projects were being announced, it also makes room for upcoming entries in a "best effort" way, clearly marked as speculative where needed.
That includes Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (treated as a reimagining/remake space for the classic Natla/Scion story), Tomb Raider Catalyst, and even the upcoming Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts comic material via synopsis placement.
If you're the kind of fan who:
- loves comparing timelines,
- wants a clearer picture of what "Unified" could realistically mean,
- or just enjoys seeing someone take a thoughtful, structured swing at Tomb Raider's biggest lore headache...
...this guide is absolutely worth a read.
