The Dagger of Xian is a legendary weapon that was used by Chinese emperors to command their armies. It is said that a person can turn into a dragon by piercing his own heart with this dagger. When one of the emperors used it for that purpose, Tibetan monks manage to withdraw the dagger from his heart and return it to its resting place on the Great Wall. While investigating the legend, the archaeologist Lara Croft finds out that a powerful Venetian crime lord is hunting for the dagger, and must do everything in her power to prevent him from obtaining it.
Tomb Raider II is an action game with platforming and puzzle-solving elements. The gameplay consists of traversing hazardous 3D levels using Lara's athletic skills and solving environmental puzzles. There are also many human enemies to fight, adding a new level of challenge. Additional weapons include a harpoon gun, a grenade launcher, and an M16 rifle. Automatic pistols replace the magnums from the previous game.
The player can drive two vehicles in the game: a motorboat in Venice and a snow scooter in Tibet. Lara can also now climb ladders and perform a roll in the air, landing in an opposite direction. The sequel allows the player to save the game anywhere, adding more flexibility to the gameplay experience.