Lara Croft has been around since the triangle boobs. There aren’t too many other characters that have been in 3D as long as Lara Croft (Mario 64 Was released the same year, but Mario hasn’t come as far as Lara Croft has in terms of photorealism). Plus, she’s instantly recognizable. Personally, I don’t think there’s any deeper reason than that.
I think I was 15 or 16, trick or treating with my little brothers. A guy on a porch told me it was disgraceful to be a teenager trick or treating and asked why I wasn’t doing something with a girl instead.
That guy was definitely totally wrong and out of line, but it did make me realize that I don’t particularly enjoy going to people’s houses and giving them the opportunity to say shit like that. So now I buy candy whenever I want.