Tomb Raider 2 Controls & Menu/Inventory System

The following lists basic controls, as well as complex moves involving combinations of controls, and controls for vehicles in Tomb Raider 2 and the Golden Mask expansion. Most Macintosh keys are the same as those for the PC. Where they differ, Mac controls are listed in green. PlayStation controls are in blue. Instructions for saving and loading games, using the inventory, etc., are at the bottom of the page.

Follow this link for the official manual in PDF format.

Follow this link for Mipo's Seamless Controller Setup for Original Tomb Raider Games, using JoyToKey.

Follow this link for a Tomb Raider 2: Logitech Profiler Game Profile created by CrimsonBlitz and posted on the Steam community forum.

Whether you are using a keyboard for the Windows or Macintosh game, a PlayStation controller or gamepad, you can change the controls to suit your taste. (See Menu/Inventory System & Hotkeys, below.)

This page also includes notes about Weapons & Ammunition and links to All Weapon Locations. More details are available in the walkthrough.

IMPORTANT: Tomb Raider 2 includes some moves not available in the first game, but some of the moves and skills Lara has in TR3, 4 and 5 aren't yet available. She cannot crouch or crawl, sprint, climb on monkey bars, swing on ropes, etc. If you have never played Tomb Raider before, you should also familiarize yourself with the unique control system for jumping. It seems odd at first, but it is actually very easy to make Lara do what you want if you just follow certain basic steps, covered on my Tips & Strategy page.


Basic Moves

MOVE

CONTROLS
(PC/Mac/PlayStation)

DESCRIPTION/NOTES

Run

Up Arrow
D-Pad Up

Press forward with left or right to move in that direction.

Hop Back

Down Arrow
D-Pad Down

 

Turn Right

Right Arrow
D-Pad Right

Hold to pivot on the spot.

Turn Left

Left Arrow
D-Pad Left

Hold to pivot on the spot.

Walk

Shift
R1

Used in combination with the direction keys/buttons for slower movement. Lara will never walk off an edge, though she will run off. It's also handy for areas with spikes, broken glass, barbed wire, etc. Lara won't take damage if she WALKS through these.

Jump

Alt
Command
Square

Makes Lara jump straight up. More complex jumps are covered under combo moves, below.

Sidestep Left/Right

Delete/Page Down
R2 + D-Pad Left/Right

 

Roll/Reverse

End, or 5 on numeric keypad, or Up + Down Arrows together
backslash [\]
Circle

Lara drops to the ground and comes up facing the opposite direction.

Draw/Holster Weapon

Space Bar
Triangle

 

Action

Ctrl
X

Actions include firing weapons, picking up objects on the ground, using switches, keys, puzzle items, etc. (Also used to make Lara grab in certain combo moves, below.)

Look

0 on numeric keypad + arrow keys
L1 + D-Pad

Look (labeled "Ins" on some keyboards) shifts perspective to what Lara sees. Hold Look while pressing direction keys/buttons to look in different directions.

(NOTE TO LAPTOP USERS: Many laptop computers have no numeric keypad, so you'll need to reassign the Look key in order for it to work. See the Menu & Inventory section below.)

Light/Throw Flare

forward slash [/]
L2

Press once to pull out a flare and light it; press again to throw it in the direction Lara's facing. Lara can climb or swim while holding a flare, but she'll drop it when it goes out or she draws weapons.


Combo Moves

MOVE

CONTROLS
(PC/Mac/PlayStation)

DESCRIPTION/NOTES

Standing Jump

Alt + Up Arrow
Command + Up Arrow
Square + D-Pad Up

Press keys/buttons together to jump forward approximately 1 terrain square (see Tips & Strategy)

Backflip

Alt + Down Arrow
Command + Down Arrow
Square + D-Pad Down

 

Sideflip

Alt + Left/Right Arrow
Command + Left/Right Arrow
Square + D-Pad Left/Right

 

Running Jump

Up Arrow then Alt
Up Arrow then Command
D-Pad Up then Square

Press Forward and then immediately press Jump to run two steps then jump forward approximately 2 terrain squares (see Tips & Strategy)

Jump and Grab

[standing or running jump] + Ctrl/X

Do the standing or running jump (above), adding Action to grab a ledge or other object ahead (see Tips & Strategy)

Safety Drop

Ctrl + Down Arrow
D-Pad Down + X

Walk to the edge of a drop-off. Turn around so Lara's back is toward the edge. Then press Action + Back to drop and hang from the edge. Continue holding Action to hang on. Release it to let go and drop. The safety drop minimizes damage taken from falling.

Reverse/Safety Drop

End + Ctrl
Circle + X

Stand facing a drop-off about 2 steps from the edge. Press the keys/buttons for Roll then Action to drop, roll and hang from the ledge. Release Action to let go and drop.

Traverse (shimmy)

Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow
X + D-Pad Left/Right

While hanging from a ledge (holding Action), use direction keys/buttons to move to either side. Release Action to let go and drop.

Pull Up/Vault

Ctrl + Up Arrow
X + D-Pad Up

While hanging from a ledge (holding Action) press Up to pull up. While standing, use the same combo to vault up on a low block or ledge.

Handstand/Walkover

Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow
X + R1 + D-Pad Up

While hanging from a ledge (holding Action), hold Walk then press Up, and Lara will pull up to a handstand then do a walkover onto the ledge (generally useless but spiffy).

Grab & Pull Up

Alt + Ctrl + Up Arrow
Square + X + D-Pad Up

If a ledge is too high to climb using just Action + Up, position Lara against the wall below the ledge and then use this combo to jump up, grab the edge and pull up.

Push/Pull Block

Ctrl + Up/Down Arrow
X + D-Pad Up/Down

Position Lara so her chest is against a movable block. Hold Action and she'll go into a crouch, then press Up or Down to push or pull the block

Swan Dive

Shift + Alt + Up Arrow
R1 + Square + D-Pad Up

Standing on a platform (ideally above water), hold Walk and press Jump and Forward and Lara will do a graceful swan dive. (Note that she gets a bit of an arc on this dive, so if you're aiming for a small pool, you may need to step back from the edge before diving.)

Forward Roll

Up Arrow...Walk + Jump
D-Pad Up...R1 + Square

Same as the Swan Dive but used on a flat surface. While running, press Jump and Walk and Lara will take a flying leap, somersault and come up onto her feet. (Not necessary but can help avoid damage from certain traps.)

Swan Dive with Somersault

Shift + Alt + Up Arrow... End
Shift + Alt + Up Arrow... backslash [\]
R1 + Square + D-Pad Up...Circle

Same as the swan dive (above) except pressing the Roll key after diving makes Lara do a somersault (or two if there's time) on the way down.

Mid-air Turn

Alt + End
Alt + backslash [\]
Square + Circle

Begin with a standard forward jump or backflip, press Roll on takeoff and Lara will turn in the air to land facing the opposite direction. (NOTE: Jump + Roll alone is useful for changing direction while sliding down a slope.)

Mount Ladder

Ctrl + Up Arrow
X + D-Pad Up

Facing ladder or other climbable surface, press Action then Forward and Lara will climb onto the ladder. She can also take a standing or running jump, above, and grab a ladder with Action. Release Action to let go.

Climb Ladder

Ctrl + Arrow Keys
X + D-Pad

Mount/safety drop down to ladder, hold Action to hang on, then use direction keys/buttons to go up/down or side to side. (NOTE: To rapidly descend a long ladder, briefly release the Action key to fall a short distance and then re-press it to grab the ladder again.)

Backflip Dismount

Alt
Command
Square

While hanging onto a ladder (or other climbable surface), press Jump to backflip off the ladder and land on the ground or on a platform behind Lara (see Tips & Strategy).

Mid-air Turn & Grab

Alt + End + Ctrl
Command + backslash [\] + Ctrl
Square + Circle + X

When Lara needs to jump from a ladder and grab another ladder behind her, press Jump and either Roll or Forward to jump and turn in midair, then Action to grab the second ladder (see Tips & Strategy).


Swimming

MOVE

CONTROLS
(PC/Mac/PlayStation)

DESCRIPTION/NOTES

Dive/Swim Underwater

Alt + Arrow Keys
Command + Up/Down/L/R
Square + D-Pad

Jump alone makes Lara dive below the surface; it also makes her swim underwater in whatever direction she's facing (use with direction keys/buttons)

Pivot Underwater

Arrow Keys
D-Pad

Direction buttons alone will make Lara pivot underwater or angle toward the bottom (Up) or the surface (Down)

Underwater Roll

End, or 5 on numeric keypad, or Up + Down Arrows together
backslash [\]
Circle

Same as rolling on land. Useful in tight spaces or after pulling an underwater lever.

Swim on Surface

Arrow Keys, Delete, Page Down
D-Pad, L2, R2

Dog paddle (Up), backstroke (Down), pivot (Left/Right), sidestroke (same as Sidestep Left/Right). Note that Lara swims much faster underwater than she does on the surface.

Climb Out of Water

Ctrl + Up
X + D-Pad Up

Swim to the water's edge and press Action and Up to pull up onto a ledge.



Vehicles (Speedboat & Snowmobile)

MOVE

CONTROLS
(PC/Mac/PS1)

DESCRIPTION/NOTES

Get on Board

Ctrl
X

Position Lara at the side of the vehicle and press Action to get in. (She can also jump into a boat from above or climb in from the water, using Action + Up.)

Drive and Turn

Arrow Keys
D-Pad

These controls are similar to movement on foot. (NOTE: Reverse can also be used to slow the momentum.)

Turbo

Ctrl
X

Used with direction keys/buttons, this gives the vehicle a speed boost, allowing it to clear wide gaps or make jumps that would otherwise be impossible. When turbo is engaged, Lara will take damage if she crashes. (Note that certain snowmobiles have guns instead of turbo power.)

Slow/Brake

Shift
R1

Like Walk (above), this is used with direction keys/buttons to move more slowly; however, it won't stop the vehicle from going over an edge.

Climb Out/Dismount

Alt + Left/Right Arrow
Command + Left/Right Arrow
Square + D-Pad Left/Right

 



Weapons & Ammunition

WEAPON

AMMO (per pickup)

Pistols

unlimited

Shotgun

2 rounds/box

Automatic Pistols

20 rounds/pair of clips

Uzis

40 rounds/pair of clips   

M16

20 rounds/pair of clips

Grenade Launcher   

2 grenades/pickup

Harpoon Gun

3 harpoons/2 bundles

As you play through the game, you'll collect various weapons and ammunition. Often you'll find ammo for weapons you don't yet have, since the more powerful guns aren't available until later in the game.

Note that for some weapons, ammo is tracked differently before and after you obtain the weapon. For example, each grenade pickup is actually a pair of grenades. Before you obtain the grenade launcher, each pair of grenades is counted as one item in your inventory. Later, when you get the launcher, the number of grenades in your inventory appears to double, but actually the game starts counting individual grenades instead of pairs. So for example 4 pairs of grenades are counted as 8 individual grenades once you get the launcher. (screenshot) Similarly, if you've collected 10 Uzi clip pickups, they're counted as 400 individual rounds once you get the Uzis. Shotgun shells, which come 2 in a box, are counted individually both before and after you obtain the weapon. Harpoons are a little strange because they come in 2-bundle pickups, with 3 harpoons per pickup. I'm not sure how that works exactly. 1½ harpoons per bundle? ;)

The weapons found in each level are noted in the walkthrough headers. Details are in the walkthrough text. Every weapon can be obtained in more than one location. So don't worry if you miss one; there will be other opportunities. All weapon locations are linked from the next section.



Weapon Locations

The links below lead to the relevant sections of the guide (with possible spoilers). If all else fails, you can use cheat codes to obtain all weapons, or download a save file to obtain all the weapons normally available at a particular point in the game.

PISTOLS: starting weapon

SHOTGUN: starting weapon, Offshore Rig, Diving Area (two opportunities), 40 Fathoms, Wreck of the Maria Doria, Living Quarters, The Deck, Home Sweet Home.

AUTOMATIC PISTOLS: Venice, Bartoli's Hideout, Opera House, Offshore Rig, Diving Area, Wreck of the Maria Doria, Living Quarters, The Deck, Catacombs of the Talion.

UZIS: Bartoli's Hideout, Opera House, Offshore Rig, Diving Area, Wreck of the Maria Doria, Living Quarters, The Deck, Barkhang Monastery, Catacombs of the Talion.

M16: Diving Area, Wreck of the Maria Doria, The Deck.

GRENADE LAUNCHER: Great Wall (reward for all secrets), Opera House, Wreck of the Maria Doria (reward for all secrets), The Deck, Catacombs of the Talion, Ice Palace.

HARPOON GUN: Offshore Rig, Diving Area, 40 Fathoms, Wreck of the Maria Doria, Living Quarters.



Menu/Inventory System & Hotkeys

At start-up, press Left/Right to rotate between snapshot (training level), passport (game options: new game, load saved game, exit), Walkman™ (music/sound volume), and keyboard/controller (customize controls). Press Enter to choose one. Additional hotkeys for adjusting graphics settings in-game are found in the instruction booklet.

Use the following controls during gameplay:

PC & Macintosh

Escape = pause the game and go to the menu rings to access inventory, stopwatch and statistics, collected items and Passport (to save/load/quit)

left/right arrows = rotate menu ring; turn pages in passport once it is selected (to choose between save game, load saved game and exit)

up/down arrows = switch between the different menu rings

Enter = to choose item from ring

Escape = press to deselect an item, press again to return to the game

F5 = shortcut to save game

F6 = shortcut to load saved game

Alt + F4/Command + Q = quick exit

Number keys = draw weapons or use medi packs without having to escape to menus (1=pistols, 2=shotgun, 3=automatic pistols, 4=Uzis, 5=harpoon gun, 6=M-16, 7=grenade launcher, 8=small medipak, 9=large medipak)

F5 = shortcut to save game

F6 = shortcut to load saved game

PlayStation

Select = pause the game and go to the menu rings to access inventory, compass, collected items and Passport (to save/load/quit)

D-Pad left/right = rotate menu ring; turn pages in passport once it is selected (to choose between save game, load saved game and exit)

D-Pad up/down = switch between the different menu rings

X or Select = to choose item from ring

Start or Triangle = press to deselect an item, press again to return to the game

To Change the Controls (PC, Mac or PlayStation)

Following the steps above, go to the Controls icon in the main menu ring. Press Enter/Select. Press left/right arrows or D-Pad left/right to switch from Default Keys to User Keys. Use arrow keys or D-Pad to move to the control you want to change. Press Enter/Select to highlight it. Then press the desired key/button. If you choose a key that's already in use, the conflicting controls will blink until you change one of them. When you're finished, press Escape or Start/Triangle to return to the game.

Main Controls Page | TR2 Walkthrough | Golden Mask Walkthrough | Main Page