Which 1996 Tomb Raider level serves as Lara Croft’s tutorial area?

Lara’s Home serves as the tutorial area in the 1996 Tomb Raider game.

Lara’s Home is the playable training level where players learn the series’ basic controls. It is set at Croft Manor and introduces movement, jumping, climbing, swimming and shooting before Lara begins her archaeological expedition. The level is commonly known as the Lara’s Home or Croft Manor training area.

Unlike the main stages, Lara’s Home is not centered on recovering one of the game’s major artifacts. Its purpose is instructional and exploratory, allowing players to practise in a relatively safe environment. The manor also became an important recurring setting across the franchise.

The level should not be confused with The Cistern, Lost Valley or The Great Pyramid. Those are full adventure levels in the original game, each containing hazards, enemies and puzzles. Croft Manor appears in other Tomb Raider games too, but its exact layout and role vary between versions.