Square Enix has pegged October 11 as the day Rise of the Tomb Raider releases for the PlayStation 4. The game, out on Xbox One and PC as a timed exclusive, will release as a 20 Year Celebration edition that includes a brand new story chapter named Blood Ties.
In addition to the new chapter, the PS4 edition will have new co-op Endurance gameplay, Playstation VR support for the new chapter, all previously released DCL, extra outfits, weapons, and Expedition Card. The 20 Year Celebration edition will also include a limited edition art book.
The Blood Ties chapter will be made available for Xbox One and PC season pass holders, minus the VR support. There will be no season pass for the PS4 iteration, as all the extra content Xbox One & PC season pass owners received will be included.
“[Crystal Dynamics] 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 the studio. “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.”
According to a Square Enix press release, the PlayStation VR support lets players “unlock the mysteries of Croft Manor in first-person, while the new co-op Endurance mode lets fans team-up in the wilderness.
“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.”
As a nod to the history of Tomb Raider, updated versions of the cold-weather outfit and Hailstorm pistol from Tomb Raider 3 will be available in Endurance mode. There will also be a classic Lara pack that will let players play as different versions of Lara Craft, from the original Lara model on.
Finally, Rise of the Tomb Raider on the PS4 will have a new Extreme Survivor difficulty: “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.”
With all the goodness Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration Edition will pack in, Tomb Raider fans will be extremely happy, and PS4 owners will definitely not be upset that they had to wait for this game.
