Rumors and talk of a 'Definitive Edition' of Shadow of the Tomb Raider have been floating around ever since the release of the last DLC back in April. Speculation started when another "Coming Soon" spot appeared after that 7th and (supposedly) final DLC. Many fans, including myself, believe another surprise DLC is in the works possibly featuring a full-fledged Croft Manor.
More recently, a file referencing Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition has appeared on a Korean game rating website suggesting the release on Xbox One and PC. I'm sure it will be available on PS4 as well. Nothing has been officially confirmed by Crystal Dynamics or Eidos Montreal as of yet. An announcement may surface during Gamescom later in August.
Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration launches this coming Tuesday! Until then we've got a bunch of new screenshots and a glorious new trailer to tide us over. The game is releasing on PS4, but the new DLC and modes will be available for Xbox One and PC users as well with the Season Pass or separately.
The "Woman VS Wild" series continues with a deeper look at all that is to come in Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, including Croft Manor! Check it out!
I was recently invited to a private viewing of the content shown at this past Gamescom event. I was joined by many of the other fansite webmasters as we watched the footage unfold and Meagan Marie and Will Kerslake answered some of our eager questions. What was previously only shown behind closed doors in the Gamescom Theatre is now revealed for all to see in the video above. Rich Briggs narrates the video giving a little more insight of what to expect without spoiling too much.
The demo opens up with what is called "Thin Ice," showcasing a section from the middle of the game. From what I could tell the game runs very beautifully on the PS4. We still need confirmation on the controllers supporting lighting and sound effects, as was with the reboot on PS4, but Will did mention the controller works as a flashlight in the VR mode of "Blood Ties." Speaking of VR, it sounds as though it is a very rich experience worth trying. Regarding the inclusion of old school, polygonal Lara skins, Meagan spoke of wanting to capture the history of the franchise with a good variety and even including the AOD sunglasses. The "Extreme Survival" difficulty mode sounds very difficult. There are no checkpoints. The only way to save is to fight your way to the next available campsite and ignite the camp. New achievements/trophies are added to the package as well.
Now the "Blood Ties" content in Croft Manor is what I'm most excited about. Lara's uncle is contesting her legal status in ownership of the Manor and she must find her father's will and testament to prove she is the rightful owner. This story-driven content actually fits into the main game's timeline in between Syria and Siberia, which I find is a nice touch. Lara wears her "London Jacket" outfit during this level as she discovers rooms she had never been in. There will be plenty of clues, relics, and even references to the old games. "So many throwbacks and secrets" Meagan noted. Will also spoke of "comments from Winston about certain freezing devices."
"Lara's Nightmare" is a new mode playable in Lara's Manor after completing the story portion. The level makes more sense to me now after hearing Meagan and Will elaborate. Think of it as Lara having a literal nightmare. Where everything that she has seen, everything she has encountered is culminating into one dark, twisted dream. It's the Manor story again, but then Lara's uncle is morphed into a demon like visage condemning her to death for fighting him on the matter of the estate. The manor is flooded with zombie-like men coming for Lara constantly. "Supernatural has always been a part of the Tomb Raider universe" said Meagan. You only have one life. You are trying to beat the level and get the highest score. You have to survive the hordes of zombies, destroy floating skull effigies, and then there is a boss apparently, which I did not see. The level is randomized each time you play as well which makes it that much more of a challenge.
Last, but not least is the Co-Op Endurance Mode which has you surviving with a friend in the bitter wilderness. This mode is only only, no local play. You both get to choose a couple of challenges and cards before starting and share them. The traps are more difficult in the fact that they do not slow down to give you time to shoot them. You need to disable them by tripping them first or you will die. Your teammate can revive you, bu you only have a limited number of revives. You can gain a revive by discovering a sarcophagi. You and your teammate share food and other supplies, but only if you are near each other. You individually collect weapons for more realism.
I, personally, am so excited to play this new content when it arrives on October 11th and I hope this inside information has you ready to play as well.
Xbox brings us a new trailer showcasing the upcoming "Blood Ties" and "Lara's Nightmare" DLC that will be available alongside the PlayStation 4 release of Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration edition. I have said it before, and I will say it again; I am so excited to play the imfamous manor! It has been too long! Check out the IGN Gamescom interview below for more footage and info. Also visit the ROTTR: 20 Year Celebration Page.
We've got a brand new piece of concept art and some tantalizing screenshots coming out of Gamescom in Germany today! Take a look at Lara's Manor from the upcoming "Blood Ties" and "Lara's Nightmare" levels! This will be the first time we've visited Croft Manor since Tomb Raider: Underworld and it looks absolutely divine! It's going to be a joy to play through the game with classic polygon Lara as well.
Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration releases the 11th of October this year on the PS4.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is finally getting it's release on the PlayStation 4 with the release of Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration this October 11th, 2016. Included is a plethora of goodies... YUSS WE GET TO PLAY LARA'S MANSION!!! Xbox One and PC Season Pass holders with get everything mentioned below as well, aside from the VR content. It will also be available as an individual digital purchase. Check out the FAQ. Pre-Order yours now from BuyROTTR.com
⦁ NEW “Blood Ties” Single Player Story – In the wake of her father’s death, Lara’s uncle challenges her ownership of Croft Manor. Lara is determined to reclaim her legacy and prove that she is the rightful heir, but to do that she will need to confront her past head on. Explore Lara’s childhood home in an hour of new Story Mode gameplay, and uncover a family mystery that will change her life forever. This new mode is playable in standard third person and can also be experienced in Virtual Reality mode.
⦁ NEW “Blood Ties” Nightmare - Lara’s worst nightmares come alive as hordes of the undead overrun her childhood home. Defeat hordes of infectious zombies to become the ultimate zombie slayer, before the nightmare overwhelms you! Compete with friends and create community challenges with card modifiers in an all new Nightmare Mode.
⦁ NEW Endurance Mode Co-Op: You and a friend must scrounge, scavenge and craft to survive the harsh elements by day, as well as lethal threats from enemies, both man and beast, by night. This is the ultimate test to see how long you and a friend can survive the sprawling, unforgiving landscapes. Fire takes fuel, cold kills the unprepared, food restores health, and everything must be caught, collected, or crafted. You start with nothing and must find everything. Work together and challenge others to your longest survival run and battle to the top of the leaderboards.
⦁ NEW 20 Year Celebration Content - Five classic Lara Croft skins as well as a reimagined outfit that pays tribute to Lara’s trip to Antarctica in Tomb Raider III. New content also includes the “Extreme Survivor” difficulty setting in Rise of the Tomb Raider that will severely limit your save points, crafting materials, resources, ammunition, and health – only the most resourceful and capable will survive this new extreme difficulty.
