Lions

Lions are among the many species of big cats that Lara Croft has encountered during her professional career, and are the first felines seen in the original Tomb Raider. They are re-created in Tomb Raider Anniversary, and also appear in Tomb Raider Chronicles.

Tomb Raider - Tomb Raider Anniversary

In the original Tomb Raider, lions appear throughout the levels set in Greece, starting in St Francis' Folly. Both male and female lions are seen in the original, but only lionesses appear in Anniversary, despite concept art showing a male lion.

In both games they are fast and vicious, and usually appear in groups of two, but can occur by themselves when they are paired with other animals. They can be quite difficult to deal with if there is not sufficient space to move in, because as well as moving quickly they can also turn to attack Lara quite efficiently. However, in Anniversary, again because of Lara's increased athleticism and gymnastic abilities, they lose some of the threat they once posed.

Tomb Raider Chronicles

Lions are only ever seen in The Colosseum level of Chronicles. They occur either as an individual or when paired with a gladiator. Only male lions appear. They are not difficult enemies to kill and will often succumb to sufficient pistol fire or a close-range blast from a shotgun.

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  Lara battles a Lion, TRC