Time Trials

Time Trials are an additional challenge in which the player has to complete a level within a stipulated time. If the player manages to do so, they are rewarded with extras like cheats, outfits, etc. Time Trials were introduced in Tomb Raider: Legend, and continued in Tomb Raider: Anniversary. In both these games, the Time Trial for a level can be attempted only after completing a level fully (or, in case of Anniversary, the full area). When replaying the level, the player is presented with a fourth option apart from the three difficulty levels: Time Trial. In Time Trial Mode, a timer on the bottom right of the screen counts down the minutes and seconds left in which the player can complete the level. If the player fails to do so, the level is terminated - there is no way of continuing to the end of the level once the time is up. It is also not possible to save one's game during the Time Trials, though if Lara dies, she will automatically respawn at the previous checkpoint. Also, any rewards picked up during Time Trials can be saved.

Time Trials in Tomb Raider: Legend

In Legend, all the main levels (i.e., excluding the Croft Manor level) can be attempted in Time Trial Mode. Times for each vary greatly, from above half-an-hour for England, to about 4 minutes for Bolivia Redux. Successfully completing each gains the player rewards like outfits and cheats.

Time Trials in Tomb Raider: Anniversary

Time Trials in this game work in almost the same manner as in Legend, with only 3 minor differences: Croft Manor also can be attempted in Time Trial mode (though doing so does not yield any reward); only cheats are unlocked as rewards for completing Time Trials; and these are unlocked only after finishing Time Trials for all the levels in an area, not after individual levels.

Help for Time Trials

Players have found a number of strategies and shortcuts for attempting the Time Trials. Some of these can be found at Toombraiderhub.com.