Rise of the Tomb Raider

Rise of the Tomb Raider
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Release Date	Xbox One, Xbox 360: 10 November 2015 (US), 13 November 215 (EU) PC: 28 January 2016 (Worldwide) PS4: 11 October 2016
Platforms	Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PS4
Developer	Crystal Dynamics
Publisher	Microsoft / Square Enix
Game Chronology:
Tomb Raider (2013)	Rise of the Tomb Raider

Rise of the Tomb Raider (short Rise or RotTR) is the title of the tenth Tomb Raider Game, in which Lara Croft has to use the skills she learned in Tomb Raider - A Survivor is Born and accept her destiny as a Tomb Raider. Overcoming the trauma of being stranded on Yamatai, losing so many friends and having killed for survival, she embarks on a new adventure to find more evidence for the supernatural and hints of immortality she witnessed in Queen Himiko.

Unlike in the reboot game exploring tombs once again plays a major part in Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Release Dates & Platforms

Xbox 360 and Xbox One

The game has been release on November 10th 2015 (US) and November 13th (EU), exclusively on Xbox. It is developed for Xbox One and ported to Xbox 360.

PC

A PC Windows 10/Steam version was released on 28. January 2016. It in addition to the features of the Xbox One version it supports 4k resolution.

System Requirements

The System Requirements for the PC version are rather steep. The game supports many new features that are heavy on both CPU and GPU, like trails in the snow, even more detailed hair simulations, and post processing.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements as stated by Crystal Dynamics:

• Minimum Windows 7 64bit, DirectX 11

32bit systems are not supported

• Intel i3-2100 or equivalent
• Nvidia GTX 650 with 2 GB video RAM, AMD Radeon HD 7770 with 2 GB video RAM, or better
• 6 GB of RAM
• Input via mouse/keyboard or controller is supported

Recommended

Recommended GPU as published by Nvidia:

• GeForce GTX 970

for Full HD resolution (1920x1080@60Hz)

• GeForce GTX 980 Ti

for WHQD resolution (2560x1440@60Hz)

Recommended GPU as published by AMD:

• Radeon R9 390

for Full HD resolution (1920x1080@60Hz)

• Radeon R9 Fury/Nano

for WHQD resolution (2560x1440@60Hz)

PlayStation 4

The PlayStation 4 version will be released on 11 October 2016, as soon as the exclusivity deal with Microsoft runs out, called Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration. This package includes all previous Downloadable Content (e.g. Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch and Cold Darkness Awakened) as well as some new bonus modi:

• Extreme Survivor

A new difficulty setting without checkpoints, making the game even more challenging to finish

• Blood Ties & Lara's Nightmare

Two new DLCs

• Co-op support for Endurance Mode

Play endurance with a friend

• Croft Manor and support for PlayStation VR

Unlock the mysteries of Croft Manor in first person

• Classic Lara Card Pack

Several classic Lara models will be available

• Re-envisioned Cold-weather Outfit and weapon

Inspired by Tomb Raider III

Other

As of July 2016 no Mac version, PS3 version, or versions for other platforms have been announced.

Story

A well-funded, shady organisation called Trinity has covered up the events that happened on the island of Yamatai and Lara’s own accounts of the events have been discredited. Having listened to the old tapes her father left her, Lara sets her sights on a fabled tomb said to house the soul of an immortality-granting Prophet and travels to Syria, which in turn leads her to Siberia in search of the Lost City of Kitezh.

She is not alone on her quest as Trinity follows her with armed and hostile soldiers. Also, her friend Jonah Maiava will accompany Lara to Siberia. There she will find the Remnants, a native people protecting Kitezh, and ally herself with them.

Locations

Main article: Rise of the Tomb Raider Locations

• Siberia
• Syria

Characters

Main article: Rise of the Tomb Raider Characters

Screeshot of Lara

• Lara Croft
• Jonah Maiava
• Jacob, member and leader of the Remnants, a seclusive people also fighting Trinity
• Sofia, also a Remnants
• Ana, Lara's Stepmother
• Konstantin, leader of Trinity in Siberia
• Richard Croft (Reboot), Lara's father, in flashback scenes
• Trinity Equipment Technician, a renegade Trinity mercenary that runs the Supply Shack

Levels & Game Locations

There are 15 Locations and 43 Base Camps in Rise of the Tomb Raider; seven of these Base Camps are located in Challenge Tombs. There is one additional Location and two more Base Camps in the Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch DLC, bringing the total up to 16 Locations and 45 Base Camps.

There are 43 Levels spread across Syria and Siberia, the table below shows where each level begins (but not necessarily where it ends). The Baba Yaga DLC is not divided into levels, as it is independent of the normal game's progress, but rather into separate missions, which are listed below instead of levels. Note that these missions do not necessarily start in the Wicked Vale but may start in the Soviet Installation.

	Location	Levels	Base Camp
Siberia	Mountain Peak	Ascension	(none)
Syria	Northwest Border of Syria	The Lost Tomb, The Hidden Oasis, The Prophet's Tomb	Syrian Cliffs, Syrian Catacomb, Syrian Tomb,
Siberia	Siberian Wilderness	A Cold Welcome, Echoes of the Past, Best Laid Plans	Wilderness Refuge
	Glacial Cavern	Among the Enemy	Mongolian Passage
	Soviet Installation	1st visit: Unexpected Discovery, Prison Break, The Way Out, Get Out of Dodge, Fugitives, Alone Again 2nd visit: The Rescue, Tracking Down Trinity	Installation Vista, Train Yard, Logging Camp, Hidden Refuge, Communications Tower, The Gulag, Sheltered Ridge, Copper Mill Yard, Copper Mill Bridge
		Challenge Tombs	Cistern Cavern, Excavation Shaft, Frozen Gorge
	Abandoned Mines	Shortcut	Pantheon Corridor
	Geothermal Valley	1st visit: Warming Up, Prepare for Battle, To the Tower 2nd visit: Silent Night, The Cathedral 3rd visit: The Gathering	Valley Farmstead, Ruins Encampment, Cliffside Lookout, Aqueduct Ruins, Hidden Ravine, Cathedral Courtyard, Ridgeline
		Challenge Tombs	Aquifer Cavern, Infirmary, Whirlpool Sanctuary, Hidden Ridge
	The Acropolis	Into the Acropolis, Reach the Tower, Rescue Mission, Back to the Forest	Tower Courtyard, Riverside Landing, Remnant Bazaar
	Flooded Archives	Glimpses, The Atlas, Dark Waters, Rising Tide, Escape the Archive	Chamber of Records, Greek Fire Depot
	Research Base	The Cathedral, Save Jonah, Protector	Weather Station, Soviet Facility
	The Orrery	Path of the Deathless (Level), Through the Glacier	Solmn Crevasse
	Path of the Deathless	Into the Hidden City, Breaking In	Hall of Guardians, Icy Bluff
	The Lost City	The Frozen City, Gate Crasher, You Shall Not Pass, Ascension, The Devine Source	Threshold of Kitezh, Citadel Plaza, Citadel Gate, Broken Spire, Final Precipice
		Challenge Tombs	Geothermal Cavern
Baba Yaga DLC (Siberia)	Wicked Vale	The Disturbance in the Sawmill, Chasing Grandpa, Gathering Clues, Making the Antidote, True Vision, Defeating the Witch	Wicked Vale, Witch's Cave

Features & Gameplay

Unlike the 2013 reboot Rise of the Tomb Raider features many new tombs that can be explored by Lara. Many of these tombs are optional and must not be investigated during the main mission, but some are an integral part to the main story line. In order to finish the game successfully, these must be visited. Also, the developers promised more puzzles with a higher difficulty than in Tomb Raider (2013).

The game features multiple locations, for example icy mountains with caves Lara can explore, located in Siberia, as well as desert tombs on the Syrian border. Hunting and upgrading of items are once again an integral part of the game.

A new Crafting system complements the old upgrade system: The game is set in a similar situation as the reboot where Lara must gradually collect and upgrade her gear. For example she has to build a Base Camp by scavenging wood and pelts. Plants and animals "don't spit out magic XP or the nondescript 'Salvage' used to upgrade in Tomb Raider, but offer specific materials: wood from saplings, Hide from a Deer half-finished by Wolves."

In addition, leaves can be used to heal wounds and common resources like Mushrooms let Lara craft special ammo, such as poison-tipped arrowheads.

Gear upgrades require rarer materials, from animals that now respond to time of day. An alpha wolf only emerges at night, for example, bringing with him the hide for a nifty furred hood. The player also has a choice over what equipment to improve. For example the first bow, which is made from materials found in the Siberian wilderness, won’t necessarily be replaced by shinier models; it has its own upgrade path and can be kept as the primary weapon.

Additional Game Modes / Expeditions

Rise of the Tomb Raider also features some additional game modes called Expeditions. These can be selected from the main menu and include the following:

• Chapter Replay and Chapter Replay Elite

Complete challenges while replaying certain chapters of the main story.

• Score Attack

Replay chapters and gain points for special kills and collecting pick-ups.

• Remnant Resistance

Play and create custom missions in the game's hub locations.

• Endurance Mode

Survive the harsh conditions of Siberia for as long as possible and collect artefacts.

Additional Downloadable Content, included in the Season Pass

Using Expedition Cards the player can modify Lara's abilities and the rules of the game during these expeditions.

Gear

Lara's main weapons again is the Bow and her Axe. She now automatically use Glow Sticks to light dark passageways. Further gear, such as a Lock Pick, can be gained through a Side Mission.

• Basic Hardware:

• Glow Sticks
• Climbing Axe

Equipment

Equipment can be crafted at Base Camps, bought from the Supply Shack, or else found during the game:

• Quiver:

• Hunter's Quiver
• Adventurer's Quiver
• Ancient Quiver

• Storing Resources:

• Satchel
• Rucksack

• Storing Ammo:

• Stock-mounted Shell Holder
• Shotgun Shell Bandolier
• Rifle Ammo Pouch
• Large Rifle Ammo Pouch
• Pistol Ammo Pouch
• Large Pistol Ammo Pouch

• Storing Oil:

• Small Oil Flask
• Large Oil Flask

• Tools:

• Crafting Tool
• Enhancement Tool
• Refinement Tool

• Tools found during the game:

• Rope
• Combat Knife
• Rebreather
• Broadhead Arrowheads
• Ascender
• Lock Pick

Weapons

Weapons can be switched using the D-Pad of the controller. There are four slots available, one for each type of weapon. The weapons ion these slots can be changed when visiting a Base Camp.

• Bows

• Makeshift Bow
• Recurve Bow
• Compound Bow
• Ancient Horn Bow
• Grim Whisper
• Death's Breath
• White Widow
• Guiding Light
• Dreamstinger

• Handguns

• Revolver (Nagant type weapon)
• Semi-Auto Pistol
• Heavy Pistol
• Venom Hand Cannon
• Moon Shadow
• Accipiter Nox
• Hailstorm
• Rattlesnake

• Rifles

• SMG
• Assault Rifle (AK-47 type weapon)
• Bolt Action Rifle
• Military Rifle
• Goldenfang
• Snowflake

• Shotguns

• Pump-Action Shotgun
• Break-Action Shotgun
• Full-Auto Shotgun
• Tactical Shotgun
• Thunderclap
• Voidhammer
• Harbinger

• Climbing Axe
• Combat Knife
• Bomb
• Molotov Cocktail

Outfits

Outfits can be changed at any Base Camp. For a complete list, see Lara's Outfits#Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Challenges & Secrets

It has been confirmed that a similar concept as the one used in Tomb Raider (2013) will return. There are mysterious lamps throughout the demos showcased at 2015s E3, which might or might not be lit up as part of a challenge. It has been hinted, that GPS Caches or other secret items will also return, and that they might hold another secret hint at something that comes later, just like finding the final caches in the reboot hinted at the Trinity organization.

Later in the game Lara will meet and befriend the Remnants, that will give Lara side quests that provide her with additional XP and earn her access to new areas, items, and abilities.

Enemies & Game

Lara and Bear Artwork on Gameinformer Cover

There are several kinds of enemies in the Rise of the Tomb Raider game. E.g. early in Sibiria Lara has to face a Bear and a Mercenary. Wolves also roam the wilderness and threaten Lara.

Enemies

• Trinity Soldiers
• Deathless

Game

Some of these Animals will attack Lara, but most will flee her. They can be hunted for XP and Resources.

• Birds (Ravens, Chickens, etc.)
• Rats
• Bunnies (regular and white)
• Squirrels
• Deer
• Wolves
• Lynx
• Snow Leopards
• Boar
• Bears

Achievements & Trophies

Main article: Rise of the Tomb Raider Trophies and Achievements

Development & Team

Writing Staff

• Rhianna Pratchett

She again is head writer.

Music

• Bobby Tahouri (composer)

Soundtrack

Rise of the Tomb Raider Soundtrack Cover

A preview of the soundtrack has been uploaded to Soundcloud early in October 2015. The complete Soundtrack has been published on Soundcloud on 6 November 2015.

1. London
2. The Prophet's Tomb
3. Hidden Truth
4. Siberia It Is Then
5. The Expedition
6. Blood In The Snow
7. Whispers In The Dark
8. Soviet Facility
9. Revelations
10. The Prisoner
11. Trinity Plan
12. Something Else Happend
13. The Atlas
14. Meet The Remnants
15. Echoes of the Past
16. The Observatory
17. Do What You Must
18. The Cistern
19. Locating The Source
20. The Deathless Prophet
21. The Reckoning
22. Execution
23. Rise of the Tomb Raider

Promotional Song

The song that can be heard in the background of the Rise of the Tomb Raider Launch Trailer (Make Your Mark) is an exclusive by Karen O, titled "I Shall Rise".

Voice Talents

• Camilla Luddington

Camilla once again features as the Motion Capture actress for Lara Croft.

• Earl Baylon

Voice of Jonah Maiava.

International Voice Talents

The following international voice over artists have been confirmed:

• French: Alice David
• Italian: Benedetta Ponticelli
• German: Maria Koschny
• Spanish (EMEA): Guiomar Alburquerque
• Spanish (LATAM): Marisol Romero
• Japanese: Yuko Kaida
• Korean: Lee Soyeong, 이소영
• Traditional Chinese/Mandarin: Chen Jen Yu
• Simplified Chinese/Mandarin: Yang Meng, Lu
• Brazilian Portuguese: Fernanda Bullara
• Polish: Karolina Gorczyca
• Russian: Polina Sherbakova

News

For older news concerning Rise of the Tomb Raider before its release, see Rise of the Tomb Raider/Old News.

A first trailer was released at E3 on June 9th, 2014, and can be viewed on YouTube. At E3 2015 several in-game demos have been showcased. YouTube, Trailer and Gameplay E3 2015 A list of trailers and background information can be found in Rise of the Tomb Raider Playlist by tombraidergirl.

Awards

• GameSpot Best of E3 2015 Winner

Rise of the Tomb Raider has been awarded "Best of E3 2015" by GameSpot on June 16th 2015.

• Best Graphics at Gamscom 2015

Rise of the Tomb Raider was awarded "Best Graphics" by German gaming magazine "Computer Bild Spiele" at GamesCom 2015