The Final Hours of Tomb Raider: Episode 3 - The Sound of Survival

Episode 3 of The Final Hours of Tomb Raider is here with the new announcement that Jason Graves is the composer for the new game! Finally! I love this episode. It's so interesting to see how Jason and a friend invented "The Instrument" to produce the unique sounds of this Tomb Raider. And as a bonus, Zachary Levi has blonde hair! I actually really like it! Anyway... back to the video. ;)

The Crystal Habit Podcast Episode 16 Released

The latest episode of The Crystal Habit Podcast is out now! Have a listen below as we chat with Karl Stewart and Brian Horton on the details of the newly released cover art. Also, info on the special editions and pre-orders incentives for the game. Enjoy.

Listen Here

Tomb Raider Collector's Edition Revealed and More!

Check out this beauty! I cannot wait to have this treasure! Read on to find out what's included in this and the European editions.

Tomb Raider North American Collector's Edition

(From the Official Tomb Raider Blog)

• Endurance Survival Kit Packaging: A survival tin salvaged from the ill-fated Endurance. The tin houses a copy of the game and the Lara Croft Play Arts Kai figure.
• Play Arts Kai Lara Croft Figurine: Fully posable figurine with over 40 points of articulation. The dirt on her body and clothes has been realistically recreated to tell the tale of Lara’s fierce fight for survival on a desolate island. Comes with alternate set of three (3) hands, bow and arrow, shotgun, handgun, and climbing axe. Figure Size: Approx 8.0” Tall.
• 15” x 19” Double Sided Island Map and Poster: Discover key landmarks from the mysterious island of Yamati, where Lara Croft and her fellow castaways were marooned after the Endurance shipwreck. On the reverse is a poster size image of the box art that epitomizes Lara’s origin story.
• Lithographic Print: 5” x 7” heavy stock lithograph print with matte frame, designed by Crystal Dynamic’s Senior Art Director, Brian Horton. Painting by Brenoch Adams.
• Experience Shields: Three Iron-on badges of the game’s key icons: Animal Instincts, Climbing Axe, Fire Arrow.
• CD Soundtrack: Tomb Raider Original Soundtrack ‘Survivalist cut’: A collection of 10 tracks totaling over 60 minutes of music from the game.
• Downloadable Content: Weapons Pack - A selection of weapons to help Lara survive against the island’s inhabitants. 

The Collector’s Edition will be available in North America for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for $99.99. Tomb Raider will also be available in North America for the PC via Digital Download, with Collector’s Edition details pending.

Tomb Raider European Survival Edition

• Art Book: A 32-page mini art book compiled by Tomb Raider Art Director Brian Horton, depicting Lara’s epic adventure through original concept art. 
• 15” x 19” Double Sided Island Map and Poster: Discover key landmarks from the mysterious island of Yamati, where Lara Croft and her fellow castaways were marooned after the Endurance shipwreck. On the reverse is a poster size image of the box art that epitomizes Lara’s origin story.
• Waterproof Survival Pouch: A waterproof re-sealable adventure pouch for storing key items you’ll need to protect when fighting off scavengers on the island. 
• CD Soundtrack: Tomb Raider Original Soundtrack ‘Survivalist cut’: A collection of 10 tracks totaling over 60 minutes of music from the game.
• Downloadable Content: Weapons Pack - A selection of weapons to help Lara survive against the island’s inhabitants.

Tomb Raider European Collector's Edition

The Collector’s Edition will include every item from the Survival Editions in addition to:

• Play Arts Kai Lara Croft Figurine: Fully posable figurine with over 40 points of articulation. The dirt on her body and clothes has been realistically recreated to tell the tale of Lara’s fierce fight for survival on a desolate island. Comes with alternate set of three (3) hands, bow and arrow, shotgun, handgun, and climbing axe. Figure Size: Approx 8.0” Tall.
• Endurance Survival Kit Packaging: A survival tin salvaged from the ill-fated Endurance. The tin houses a copy of the game and the Lara Croft Play Arts Kai figure.

The Survival and Collector’s Editions will be available in Europe for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Also, it seems Steam has announced a Digital Survival Edition including downloadable content: Lara Croft and the Guardian of light, Challenge Tomb and Endurance DLC, soundtrack, art book and a map.

As always, visit the Official Tomb Raider Pre-Order Hub for more info.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light in your browser!

Yes, you read that right. Now you can play Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light right in your very own internet browser for free! (with minor advertising interruptions) Check out the screen grabs and trailer below and follow the link to check it out for yourself. Sadly, my computer's specs aren't strong enough to play it. :(

COREONLINE WEBSITE

The Crystal Habit Podcast: Episode 15

The 15th Crystal Habit Podcast has been released. This time we get to spend the whole episode with lead writer Rhianna Pratchett. I enjoyed this episode quite a lot. You get a real insight on game writing and learn more about Rhianna, whom I adore more and more every time I hear her voice! ;D

Follow the link below to listen.

Official Tomb Raider Blog

Happy Halloween!

Yes I'm Lara Croft. And Yes I'm A Dude.

Official Tomb Raider Package Art Released!

It's finally here! The official package art has been released! I absolutely love it. It draws you in to the feeling and mood of the game without an over the top color scheme. What do you guys think?

Straight from the Official Tomb Raider Blog:


Tomb Raider’s newly unveiled box art captures Lara in a defining moment. As she contemplates the long journey ahead, she knows she will be forced to overcome her darkest fears in an epic fight to survive.

Equipped with her essential survival tools, this image has been carefully crafted to reflect the weight on Lara’s shoulders as she fights to save her crew, unravel the dark history of the island, and hopefully escape.

“It was extremely important for us to ensure that the most iconic image of Lara Croft in the campaign, the front of box, would be the one to epitomize her origins story,” said Brian Horton, Tomb Raider Art Director. “We wanted to show a Lara who is brave and equipped to face dangers, yet who is aware and conscious of the task ahead. This is the moment where it dawns on her that she is destined to become the hero of her own story, and a Tomb Raider.”

Tomb Raider Package Art To Be Revealed!

The title says it all! It is coming!

New Pre-Orders and Special Editions Announced!

New pre-order announcements for the Standard Edition of Tomb Raider! The curious thing is: What is the deal with the "Stage 2" and "Stage 3" dates? Are we going to get different pre-order incentives depending on the time we order? Hmm..

Standard Edition Amazon Pre-Order

Standard Edition Best Buy Pre-Order

Standard Edition GameStop Pre-Order

So far we know that the US will have a standard edition as well as a collector's edition. The UK has 3 options. The standard edition, survival edition and collector's edition. 

UK Standard Edition GAME Pre-Order

Exclusive in-game EXPLORER BUNDLE. Included in this bundle is an exploration themed CHALLENGE TOMB and an early access bonus survival advantage:

CHALLENGE TOMB

An exclusive tomb for Lara to raid! In this new location, Lara will encounter all new environment puzzles that will test her abilities.

FAST CLIMB UPGRADE

Early access to the fast climb skill upgrade will let Lara ascend mountain faces more quickly. Handy when avoiding her attackers in a fight to take the higher ground!

UK Standard Edition Tesco Pre-Order

Exclusive in-game COMBAT STRIKE PACK. This early access combat-themed bundle will improve Lara's chance of survival on the island from day one!

PISTOL SILENCER UPGRADE

The pistol silencer will let Lara use stealthy tactics to overcome even the trickiest of situations

HEADSHOT RETICULE UPGRADE

The headshot reticule will let Lara utilise her weapons more accurately, when used with the pistol silencer, they make for a deadly combination

PISTOL BURST MODE UPGRADE

The three-shot burst pistol upgrade will let Lara unleash a hail of firepower on her foes when under attack

ANIMAL INSTINCT SKILL UPGRADE

Animal instinct skill will light up XP-laden animals in Survival Instinct mode to help you upgrade to the next skill in no time

UK Standard Edition Shopto.net Pre-Order

Exclusive TOMB RAIDER: THE BEGINNINGS COMIC BOOK (digital edition)

Written by Rhianna Pratchett, with cover art by TOMB RAIDER Art Director, Brian Horton, THE BEGINNINGS COMIC BOOK is a digital 48 page six-part comic which tells the story of how this ill-fated voyage of the Endurance came to be. This special edition comic brings together the cast and crew, including a budding young adventurer named Lara Croft, as they prepare for adventure in search of the Yamatai off of the east coast of Japan

UK Standard Edition Pre-Order

Exclusive DLC

Designed exclusively for Amazon.co.uk

More details will be announced in the New Year

UK Survival Edition

The Survival Edition will contain the game, a mini art book compiled by Tomb Raider’s Art Director Brian Horton, a detailed double-sided map of the game’s mysterious Island, and a branded waterproof survival pouch. Digital offerings will consist of an access code to Tomb Raider’s atmospheric soundtrack and a DLC weapon pack. 

UK Collector's Edition

The Collector’s Edition will include the complete Survivor’s Edition, plus a 6” Play Arts Kai Lara Croft figurine and will come housed in a unique Endurance crew member’s metal survival box.

For more info and to pre-order Tomb Raider visit TombRaider.com

The 1st Pre-Order Incentive Announced! Alternate Skins Confirmed!

The 1st of what sounds to be several pre-order incentives has been officially announced today! How exciting! This confirming alternate skins/outfits for the first time in this new Tomb Raider. I am but left to ponder how many copies of the game I am going to have to order to get all the goods... 

MUST HAVE THEM ALL! ;)

Head on over to the official blog to learn more.

Official Tomb Raider Blog