Today Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration will launch on PlayStation 4 October 11, 2016. It will include the award-winning base game, a completely new story chapter titles “Blood Ties”, a new co-op endurance gameplay mode, all of the previously released DLC, and more outfits, weapons, and Expedition Cards. The Limited Edition of the game will also feature a limited edition art book. To make things a little more interesting on the PlayStation platform Blood Ties will also support PlayStation VR, allowing players to explore Croft manor for clues. With the exception of VR support, all of the new content in Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration will also be available for Xbox One and PC players. Current Season Pass owners on Xbox One and PC will automatically receive the content for free, and moving forward the existing Season Pass will be updated to include the new content. There will not be a Season Pass on PS4 since all of the content will be included in the initial release.
“The studio is celebrating with all Tomb Raider fans, thanking them for being on Lara’s 20 year journey with us,” said Scot Amos, co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “The team has packed in surprises, new story, and the top-requested special features into this 20 Year Celebration edition.”
“Blood Ties,” a new premium DLC, beckons players to explore Croft Manor in a new story mode; then defend it against a zombie invasion in “Lara’s Nightmare”. When Lara’s uncle contests ownership of the Manor, Lara must explore the estate to find proof that she is the rightful heir, or lose her birthright and father’s secrets for good. Players can then test their zombie-killing skills in the replayable “Lara’s Nightmare” mode: a haunted Croft Manor where players have new challenges and must rid the Manor of an evil presence.
“This year we celebrate 20 years of the iconic Lara Croft,” said Ron Rosenberg, co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “This provided the perfect opportunity for us to deliver a new Tomb Raider experience. With the addition of PlayStation VR support, you can play the world through Lara’s eyes for the first time in franchise history.”
In addition, for the first time in a Tomb Raider game, a new online co-op expansion to Endurance mode lets fans raid tombs in a brutal wilderness together. Two players must team up to survive the harsh elements by day, as well as lethal threats from enemies by night. Fire takes fuel, food restores health, and every resource must be hunted, collected, or crafted. Battle to the top of the leaderboards, as others try to beat your longest survival run.
Working with long-time partner Nixxes Software, the development team has also created a number of additions that celebrate Tomb Raider releases through the years, including a re-envisioned version of the cold-weather outfit and the Hailstorm pistol that Lara donned in “Tomb Raider III”. A special classic Lara card pack will allow fans to replay the game with five classic Lara models from the games over the years, including the original Lara model that started it all in 1996.
At the special request of hardcore fans, the main game becomes even grittier with a brutal new “Extreme Survivor” setting. This new difficulty level takes the toughness of Survivor and ratchets it up several notches starting with all checkpoints being stripped out of the game. The only way to save the game is forage enough resources to light campfires. Square Enix is also introducing a new scavenger hunt promotion that will allow fans to use their wits and skill to bring home prizes. Rise of the Tomb Raider: Scavenger Hunt is a website for PC and mobile; the program offers new trivia, photo, and social challenges every week. Complete the challenges and earn points to unlock Rise of the Tomb Raider Expedition Cards. Your points also earn you sweepstake entries for amazing prizes like an ATV, Rise of the Tomb Raider skinned PS4 consoles, and the grand prize, an epic Arctic adventure! Pre-order today exclusively at GameStop in the U.S. and at other participating retailers in Canada to gain entry into the experience.
