Tomb Raider II

Tomb Raider II Official Box Art (Europe) Release Date: 1997 Developer: CORE Design Publisher: EIDOS Series: Tomb Raider Platforms: Playstation PC Genre: Action-adventure

Tomb Raider II is a British videogame developed by now-defunct CORE Design and published by EIDOS, released on PC and PlayStation in 1997. The 2nd instalment in the Tomb Raider series follows British archaeologist and explorer Lara Croft as she travels the world to find the ancient Dagger of Xian which when plunged into the heart by the user turns them into a dragon.

The game had an PC Exclusive expansion, Golden Mask that was included in some re-releases of the game and was eventually released as a free patch, where Lara explores the fictional Melnikov Island in Alaska in search of the titular Golden Mask of Tornarsuk and finds herself fighting the mercenary group A.V.A.L.A.N.C.H.E who are also after the mask.

A re-release titled Tomb Raider I-III Remastered was announced in September 2023 for release on February 14th 2024. I-III Remastered includes Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider III, and the expansions to all three games and optional enhanced graphics.

The following weapons appear in the video game Tomb Raider II:

Handguns

Browning Hi-Power

As in the previous game, a pair of nickel plated Browning Hi-Powers serve as Lara's main weapons, with unlimited ammo and, like most of the weapons she uses in the game, an infinite magazine size. The models used in the artwork and FMVs differ in finish from the in-game models, the former being an all-nickel finish, whereas the in-game models feature black slides and nickel frames. At the time, the Browning Hi-Power was the standard-issue pistol of the British Army, which suggests Lara may have used these pistols for the patriotic touch. Higher detailed models that show the Hi-Power's unique slide design and slide release are seen in art work for the game.

Nickel plated FN Browning Hi-Power - 9x19mm Parabellum

In-game model of the Hi-Powers. Note the black slides, which differ from the all-nickel models used in the game's artwork. as well as the remaster.

The official game cover artwork clearly showing the distinctive slide design and slide release of the Browning Hi-Power. Note the lack of sights and ejection port.

A close-up of the remastered Hi-Power.

Lara holds the remastered Hi-Power pistols on the first of Bartolli's cultists.

Intratec TEC-22

The weapons model wise are based on the Intratec TEC-22 called "Automatic Pistols" in-game, they are dual wielded pistols that are more powerful than the infinitely firing Browning Hi-Powers that Lara has. Like the actual TEC-22, the magazines load into the pistols in front of the trigger guards.

Intratec TEC-22 - .22 LR

The in-game model

Lara with the remastered Automatic Pistols which still appear to be TEC-22 inspired but keeping the original shape of the blocky PS1 versions.

CZ P-10 C

Various NPCs during the Tibet levels in the base game and Melnikov Island in Golden Mask use a handgun that, while blocky and generic in the original release, resembles a CZ P-10 C in the remaster.

CZ P-10 C - 9x19mm Parabellum

The rather generic looking original model in the hands of a Golden Mask A.V.A.L.A.N.C.H.E Mercenary.

The remastered pistol, now sporting several features characteristic of the P-10.

A dead snowmobile driver clutching the same machine pistol as the Uzi Pro enemies in the original game.

Which is replaced with the remastered CZ P-10 C in remastered graphics just with the laser sight removed.

Beretta 92FS Vertec Inox

A suppressed Beretta 92FS Vertec Inox appears in the remaster being used by the masked Fiamma Nera thugs as well as their leader Marco Bartoli. This is also used in the Tomb Raider III remaster.

Beretta 92FS Vertec Inox - 9x19mm Parabellum

The original pistol.

The remastered Beretta. Note the frame rail, flat-fronted trigger guard, and characteristic Vertec-style grips. Also note that the safety is on.

Marco with his pistol in the original game...

...and in the remaster.

Smith & Wesson Model 500

The Smith & Wesson Model 500 appears being used by the Revolver wielding boss Fiamma Nera members in the remaster; these replace the generic revolvers from the original version that, while somewhat similar to the Model 500, could not possibly have been based on it, seeing as it entered production six years after TRII's release.

Smith & Wesson Model 500 - .500 S&W Magnum

The original graphics revolvers.

The remastered Model 500 revolvers.

Submachine Guns

Heckler & Koch MP5SD3

The H&K MP5SD3 submachine gun is seen in the hands of some Bartolli thugs during an FMV, as well as Bartolli himself in the game's title screen.

Heckler & Koch MP5SD3 with stock extended - 9x19mm Parabellum

Tomb Raider II title screen, showing Bartolli with the MP5SD3 in the background

A thug with an MP5 in the aforementioned FMV

Ingram MAC-10

The MAC-10 is depicted in-game and in the game's artwork, incorrectly referred to as "Uzis" in-game. The MAC-10s can be dual-wielded by Lara. Chambered in 9x19mm, these have the same power per shot as the Browning Hi-Power pistols and have limited ammo, but are far more effective due to their increased rate of fire.

Ingram MAC-10 - 9x19mm Parabellum

The in-game model. Note the transparent magazines (who seem to lack a follower).

Lara with MAC-10s in the game's artwork.

Lara unloads her M16 on an mercenary in Golden Mask, the holstered MAC-10s are visible and oddly the magazines disappear but the pistol grips are the same 3D shape as the magazines when holstered, TR3 onwards would "Fix" this by having them use magazine textures. (so the grips just shrink entirely when holstered).

Lara with her remastered MAC-10 submachine guns. Note how the magazine still lacks a follower but only the left side of the magazine is transparent now.

Unlike the original, Lara's Uzis are not simplified when holstered.

"Tommy Gun"

The first of Bartolli's cultists that Lara encounters in the game fires at her with a submachine gun that features a drum magazine and appears to be inspired by the Thompson M1928/M1A1 models as it has a similar shape to them but with the drum magazine moved infront of the foregrip. In the following dialogue sequence, he refers to having "a Tommy Gun on [his] keyring."

Thompson M1928 with 50-round drum magazine - .45 ACP

Bartolli cultist having just been relieved of his "Tommy gun..."

The Cultist attempting to attack Lara after firing his Tommy Gun in the remaster.

The Tommy Gun flies through the air after Lara throws him.

Walther MPL

An Walther MPL submachine gun is depicted in the game's artwork.

Walther MPL with stock folded - 9x19mm Parabellum

Walther MPL from Tomb Raider's II artwork

Machine Pistol

Some enemies used a generic machine pistol, that appears to be a hybrid of a MAC-10 and Micro Uzi. Bizarrely it appears to hav two charging handles: one on the side and one on top of the receiver.

IWI Uzi Pro

In the remaster the generic machine pistol used by enemies more closely resembles the Uzi Pro (but keeping the same redundant top carrying handle). It is anachronistic considering the weapon was produced in 2010.

IWI Uzi Pro Pistol - 9x19mm Parabellum

Shotguns

Mossberg 500 Cruiser

A pistol gripped pump-action shotgun that can't be dual wielded returns from Tomb Raider 1. It seems to not be based on any particular pump-action shotgun. However in the remaster, it's replaced with a a customized Mossberg 500 Cruiser just like the other other games' remasters.

Mossberg 500AT Shotgun with Pistol Grip and Custom Choke similar to one used in the film Raw Deal - 12 gauge

The in-game model. The receiver seems to be that of an MAC-10(!).

Render image used in the end credits, showing Lara holding a slightly different shotgun.

Official promotional image for the remaster showing both the old and new Shotgun. (As well as the MAC-10 submachine guns.)

Lara with the shotgun in the game's ending as she blasts the camera, the oversight in some cutscenes of Lara's arm or hands being bent the wrong way is far more visible with remastered graphics.

SPAS-12-like Shotgun

The remaster adds some features from the Franchi SPAS-12 to a large generic shotgun used by Cultist Shotgunners.

Franchi SPAS-12 Short Barreled Version - 12 gauge. The in-game model has no stock.

The original enemy shotgun.

Remastered enemy with his shotgun

Assault Rifles

Custom Shortened AKS-47

A short-barrelled AKS-47 is depicted in the game's artwork. The same model is used again on a loading screen on Tomb Raider III, where the milled receiver is clearly visible.

In the remastered version, it is used by enemies and has no ejection port as the model is mirrored on both sides.

Type III AKS-47 with stock folded - 7.62x39mm

AKMS Krinkov in the game's artwork.

Render image in the end credits, showing Lara holding the AKMS Krinkov.

The original Not-AKS.

Remastered enemy with his AKS-47.

M16

The M16 is depicted in-game and in the game's artwork. It's the most powerful gun in the game but Lara must switch between shouldering or hip-firing the M16 as she starts and stops moving. It cannot be dual-wielded, as opposed to what the game's artwork shows. The in-game version appears to be an M16A1 with a 20-round magazine, while the artwork version appears to depict an SP1 M16 (note the lack of forward assist), with an A1 flash hider. Notably, while every other weapon in TR2 has a nerfed lock-on range compared to TR1, the M16 actually has a longer lock-on range, enabling Lara to engage targets further away, Lara must also switch between shouldering the M16 and hipfiring it as she starts/stops moving with it drawn, adding a delay between firing unlike other weapons.

M16A1 with 20-round magazine - 5.56x45mm NATO

M16 aka SP1 with an A1 Flash hider, used to emulate the M16A1 during the 1970s and 1980s. This version has a 30 round magazine.

The in-game model.

Lara with an SP1 M16 from Tomb Raider II's artwork.

Lara with dual M16s from Tomb Raider II's artwork.

The M16 on Lara's back as she examines a Stalin Poster in the abandoned Russian Mining Base in Golden Mask, the original M16's carry handle disappears to avoid clipping when holstered on Lara's back. (This no longer happens with the remastered M16.)

The remastered M16 on the ground.

Lara poses with her M16.

Lara hipfires her M16 on the move. (The remaster doesn't display muzzle flashes while in photo mode.)

Machine Guns

Browning M2

A heavily scaled down Browning M2 appears mounted to the armed version of the Snowmobile that appears being used by enemies. Lara can drive enemy snowmobiles and use their mounted Browning M2 Machine Guns after killing the driver. In the base game this vehicle only appears in the Tibetan Foothills level while in Golden Mask it appears in Cold War and Fool's Gold.

Browning M2HB on M3 tripod - .50 BMG

In the level Cold War from the Golden Mask expansion, Lara examines a Browning mounted on a Snowmobile used by an A.V.A.L.A.N.C.H.E Mercenary.

The remastered Browning M2.

Maxim MG08/15

Lara is depicted in the game's artwork firing a Maxim MG08/15 machine gun.

Maxim MG08/15 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Lara firing the Maxim MG08/15.

Other

Grenade Launcher

Lara's grenade launcher doesn't appear to be based off of any real life model in particular. However, it appears to be single shot like the M79 because of its gameplay animation.

The launcher's in-game model.

Lara holds the remastered grenade launcher.

Harpoon Gun

Lara's Harpoon gun in the game appears to have a very large air tank. It is also the only gun on the game that requires reloading, once every 4 shots.

In-game model.

Artwork showing Lara with the harpoon gun. Note the lack of large air tank.

Lara with the remastered Harpoon Gun which now shows how many shots left until it is reloaded.

A dead Diver with the enemy Harpoon Gun.

A remastered dead Diver with his Harpoon Gun.

Flamethrower

Men with flamethrowers appear on the Diving Area level.

One of the aforementioned men with a flamethrower.

A remastered flamethrower cultist. As in, a cultist with a flamethrower, not a member of the Cult Of The Flamethrower. Those are more friendly. (We meet up on Saturdays at 6:30. There's free coffee.)