I'm pretty hyped for the recently-announced Tomb Raider IV-VI rem?asters by Aspyr, but maybe not for the healthiest of reasons.

Many years of surviving disappointing video game releases forced me to evolve into a state where I enjoy masterpieces and absolute train wrecks all the same. To me, the only bad game is a formulaic and uneventful one. In case you're wondering, I loved the original batch of remasters from Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Trilogy because they provide competent a??nd surprisingly soulful ways to play amazing classics. The se??cond trilogy, however, will require more than just good polishing.

I know Aspyr will pull off IV and V, The Last Revelations and Chronicles, respectively. Tough task, as that's where the series began to falter. IV was the first entry to tinker a bit with the formula, which was good for the most part, but it also began introducing a few areas too large to allow for fun exploration. V was but a collection of levels not good enough to fit in the other entries. Still, fans will likely enjoy just getting to re-play these two in higher res for nostalgia's sake, if nothing ?else.

What I cannot fathom is how you'd polish such a broken and straight-up unfinished game as Angel of Darkness into something unir?onically enjoyable - and I'm all here for it.

If you're new to the series, you must know that The Angel Of Darkness was, sadly, the last game in the series Core Design ever got to work on. It came out in a very poor state after years-on-end of increasingly egregious studio demands and poor design choices began taking a toll on the Tomb Raider dev team.

The Angel Of Darkness begins in a small alley where you're supposed to learn some of the game's all-new ropes. This alley features a dog chained to a wall. Coming in contact with the dog will caus??e Lara to immediately die. This is the worst dog in video game history, but also one of the best ways of preparing players for what's to come??.

In the alley, you'll learn Lara has the same moves, but we now have a hybrid alternative to the original tank controls. Lara now moves in whatever direction you move your analog stick to, but in an extremely clunky and unpredictable way. Among t?he game's many problems, this is by far the most disrupting one and will inevitably result in a ragequit-worthy amount of missed jumps. Luckily, it's likely the easiest one to fix. I'm pretty sure Aspyr will pass this challenge with flying colors just by looking at how well the studio dealt wit?h the new optional control type introduced in the first remaster.

Most other problems, however, come from terrible design choice?s. The game features incredibly dull dialogue sequences where Lara will have to talk, not shoot, characters into doing her bidding, awful stealth, a baffling lack of tombs, and even light RPG elements still heavy enough to cripple the entire experience. Yes; if you don't know or don't recall, this is the game where Lara, who'd been a world-class athlete for her past decade, will sometimes require players to perform three more jumps and two pull ups just so she gets strong enough to clear one humiliatingly simple climbing section in the game.

The remaining problems stem from the game just not being finished. Aspyr cannot fix code that doesn't exist, and it's unfair to expect the studio to fill in the gaps in a remaster. Angel Of Darkness features unfi?nished mechanics, bug-riddled gameplay, and is missing ?not only entire levels but even story-relevant cutscenes.

Any fan who picked up Angel Of Darkness would be up to a rough start as the game begins without providing any explanation as to why Lara is alive after having been crushed to death at the end of The Last Revelation. Players will likely feel even more puzzled by the end of the game, as they come to the realization?? that no explanation will ever be given.

We only got to learn via a deleted cutscene that it tur??ns out Lara was revived by a Shaman in Egypt:

But that was pretty dumb, so it's almost better it?? got le?ft out.

This one would likely be best suited for a remake, ironically a treatment only games that already came out in a decent state and sold a bunch of copies ever get. Still, I don't know how deep into its cursed code Aspyr bravely dove to try and fix AOD, so it might turn out to be the most surpris??ingly awesome remaster of all time. I'm sure to enjoy it either way.

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Netflix has finally revealed the teaser trailer for Tomb Raider the Legend of Lara Croft, starring Hayley Atwell. After two different iterations of flesh and bone Tomb Raider on the big screen, fans can now catch a ??glimpse of what Netflix's adventures of Lara Croft in animated f??ormat will look like:

For the sake of clarity, it's important to note that the series isn't based on Tomb Raider: Legend. The Legend Of Lara Croft takes place an unspecified amount of time after the events of Shadow Of The Tomb Raider, the final game in the rebooted "Survivor Trilogy". Legend Of The Tomb Raider will see?mingly try to bridge the gap b?etween the latest games, where Lara goes on adventures with her friends, to the classic Lara, who searches for the most perilous situations all on her own.

While Netflix hasn't advanced much about the plot yet, we know things are put in motion once one of Lara's artifacts gets stolen from the Croft Manor. There's also the introduction?? of a grey-haired man who's likely connected to Lara's past, or perhaps to the past of her family, but we're yet to learn more about him.

Though the emphasis here will be on the most modern version of Lara, it doesn't look like fans of the old games will be left completely out to dry, as a few references ?to the classics can be spotted in the trailer.

It really doesn't look like it will lack fan service, as this teaser seems to even pick up on the more horror-oriented direction for the series that the developers had at some point considered taking.

The trailer also shows various different set pieces featur??ing some really ??promising animation, with the scene where Lara escapes a flood on her motorcycle really catching my eye.

Can Netflix pull off Tomb Raider?

Tomb Raider adaptatio??ns are yet to reach a level of quality that leaves both fans and regular moviegoers completely satisfied. It's a tough job, as isolated exploration and platform jumping are what put the series on the video game map, but that just doesn't translate very well into blockbuster actio??n.

Still, Netflix has hosted some excellent, and certainly harder to adapt, animated series with the likes of Castlevania and Arcane; heck, this Tomb Raider comes by way of Castlevania studio Powerhouse Animation. This is probably the best bet we have in the realm of possible Tomb Raider adaptations. Tomb Raider the Legend of Lara Croft will be available on Netflix on October 10.

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With a brand new Tomb Raider game still nowhere to be seen, fans are having to make do elsewhere. The remastered collection of the first three games was admittedly welcome, as was the addition to Tomb Raider Legend on PlayStation Plus. And now Lara Croft is set to appear as the newest crossover character in Dead by Daylight.

This news had leaked beforehand, but developer Behaviour Interactive has since formally confirmed Lara's inclusion on its website. Unsurprisingly, her appearance is based on how she looked in the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot. Given how the modern games have offered a more grounded take on Lara, with her forced to survive in harsh environments, this depiction of the character is certainly a better fit for Dead by Daylight than her original 90's action hero persona.

Plus, Crystal Dynamics' Survivor trilogy is known for allowing Lara to die in all manner of gruesome ways. With her now at the mercy of Dead by Daylight's various serial killers, I kind of hope the next game is just her chilling on a nic?e beach somewhere. She could do with a break.

Lara will become playable on July 26, but anyone with access to the public test build on Steam can try her out right now. As such, the most recent patch notes on Reddit have broken down what her perks are. One such perk lets her vault much faster than normal when active, and she can gain special tokens from opening chests that can then be used to reduce the maximum required genera??tor pr?ogress.

This is a neat crossover and all, but I'm far more intrigued in whatever Crystal Dynamics is working on. There's very little official info on the next Tomb Raider game, though Amazon will help in publishing it. Unfortunately, Crystal Dynamics was among the many studios under Embracer Group to be hit with layoffs, which may have hampered development somewhat. The studio's also busy assisting with Microsoft's Perfect Dark reboot, which finally saw a proper trailer during the latest Xbox showcase.

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Along with a recent RTX Remix, the classic Tomb Raider games are about to come back in a pretty big way. Aspyr? has been hard at work remastering the original three entries in the iconic series, and we've been given a bit of a breakdown of what's to come.

A recent post on the PlayStation Blog gives us a few details on the upcoming Tomb Raider remasters, which are set to release on February 14 (ooh, la la). Going way back to 1998 when the studio helped launch the second game on Mac, Aspyr is more tha?n familiar with Lara's adventures.

This modern take on the classic installments will be brimming with the usual. We'll get up-to-date controls that "take inspiration from the Legend, Anniversary, and Underworld era." However, the studio will?? also be keeping the original tank controls for that dose of retro authenticity.

If looks could kill

Of course, it wouldn't be a remaster witho??ut some fresh visuals that don't veer too much from the source material. The post goes on to say ??that Aspyr has swapped out the 2D sprites for 3D models, as well as implemented real-time lighting effects, polished environments and character models, and more.

And because this is a modern game (or at least a modern interpretation), Tomb Raider Remastered will also come bundled with a photo mode. And much like the tank controls, you can ??switch between the newer and classic visuals, if that's your bag.

It's impre?ssive that the series is still going after almost 30 years. If you are interested in raiding some tombs from a bygone era, the remasters will be coming to current and previous-gen consoles, as well as PCs.

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Responsible for leaving a lasting impression on the gaming world, Tomb Raider is still going strong,?? even if it's not as paradigm-shifting as it once was. That said, there's still love for Lara Croft and her adventures, and one creato?r has been tweaking the original 1996 release.

YouTube user Dominus Aurate (as spotted by WCCF Tech) recently uploaded video footage from the OG Tomb Raider. Exc??ept in this instance, the legendary game has been given a bit of a lighting facelift, specifically when it comes to path tracing, thanks to Nvidia's RTX Remix tech.

//youtu.be/Ms8K13lCfl0

Although it still pretty much looks the same in terms of its textures and polygonal aging, there have been some noteworthy changes to the light??ing and shadow effects. It looks very impressive, breathing new life into the 27-year-old release.

Those tombs won't raid themselves

It's nice to see the 1996 entry still getting some attention after all these years. Tomb Raider made waves for its 3D ??adventure story and gameplay mechanics (at a time when 3D was starting to take off).

It also introduced the world to Lara Croft, who quickly became one of the gaming world's most recognizable characters. She's still gracing modern systems and the series h?as sold millions of copies worldwide.

Croft (or her manor, at least) has also appeared in games like PowerWash Simulator, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (best known for creating the critically acclaimed sitcom Fleabag) is writing Tomb Raider for a TV series.

In short, Croft is by no means done for. The older installments may look dated now, but it's nice to see modern techno??logy giving a fresh look to a retro game.

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Lara heads to a new home

Amazon Games and Crystal Dynamics have entered a new partnership to publish the latter's upcoming Tomb Raider project. The new multiplatform?? entry in the story of Lara Croft will receive support ??and publishing help from Amazon.

The announcement today confirms Crystal Dynamics' newest partner on the project, following the studio getting acquired by the Embracer Group. The press release also confirms this will be a single-player, narrative-driven Lara Croft adventure. Crystal Dynamics will continue to develop, while Amazon provides support and globally publishes the still-unnamed Tomb Raider.

"Crystal Dynamics has an extraordinary opportunity following our acquisition by Embracer to redefine what a publishing relationship is for Tomb Raider," said Crystal Dynamics head Scot Amos in a press release. "Transformative is what we’re looking for, and?? with Amazon Games, we found a team ?that shares our creative vision, ambitions, and values for a Lara Croft universe across the spectrum of possibilities."

The new Tomb Raider is also being built in Unreal Engine 5. Lara's new adventure is still in early development, but today's news promises there will still be enemies to take down and puzzles to solve in the new Tomb Raider.

A new benefactor

For Amazon, the online shopping giant picks up another publishing deal with this project. Bandai Namco's Blue Protocol is also joining up with Amazon for publi?shing, helping the online RPG launch sometime nex??t year.

Meanwhile, for Crystal Dynamics, the deal ensures some support for the next ??big Croft game. The studio is saying it will be the "biggest" and "most expansive" to date. It's also set to carry on Lara Croft's story, though in what manner that happens remains to be seen.

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That's a Lara tombs raided

No one would, could, deny the incredible impact of one of gaming's foremost adventure series, Tomb Raider. The escapades of the undeniable explorer Lara Croft have kept thousands of video game fans entertained ever since her genre-shattering '90s debut. From her humble PlayStation and Sega Saturn beginnings, through her pint-sized handheld/mobile releases, to her modern, critically acclaimed adventures, Lara and the Tomb Raider franchise are, undeniably, a household name.

Tomb Raider's new owner, Embracer Group, wasted no time in reminding the world quite how successful the jungle-traipsing, mountain-climbing, throat-stabbing explorer has been in both the digital realm and on the bottom line. According to a freshly released timeline, the Tomb Raider franchise now sits a?t an amazing 88 million lifetime sales, pulled from every release since th??e series' 1996 inception.

Of these 88 million sales, a huge 38 million comes directly from Crystal Dynamics' "reboot trilogy" �namely Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018), a series which remains Ms. Croft's most recent jaunt into Parts Unknown. The remaining 50 million sales are combined of the original Tomb Raider titles, released throughout gaming's fifth-to-seventh generation), as well as numerous mobile titles such as Lara Croft: Relic Run and Lara Croft: GO.

As for what the future holds, frankly, it's all for the taking. The sale of Crystal Dynamics and Tomb Raider to Embracer Group opens up numerous possibilities for Lara's future. The fact that the new owners have been quick to release these numbers is a very positive sign �suggesting that they see a lot of potential in both the brand power and proven track record of the series. Here's to hoping that Lara ??returns to our screens soon...

Quite frankly, sh?e is an instituti??on. As much of a treasure as anything unearthed within any temple.

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Returning to their Croft

The next entry in the Tomb Raider series is on the way, and it'll be built in Epic's engine. Crystal Dynamics confirms that it's working on the next Tomb Raider in Unreal Engine 5.

The news arrived during today's State of Unreal presentation, where Epic launched UE5 to the public. The engine is now available to use, alongside some extra tools like the Lyra Starter Game and a city sample from The Matrix Awakens Unreal demo from late last year.

//twi??tter.com/tombraider/status/1511368712?279904258

Legacy of the Tomb Raider

No details were announced yet on where this journey will go or how it links in to previous Tomb Raider games. Crystal Dynamics helmed the first two reboot games, starting with 2013's Tomb Raider and then Rise of the Tomb Raider. Eidos-Montréal, meanwhile, took up 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Things have been quiet for Lara since then, as Crystal Dynamics went to work on Marvel's Avengers and Eidos-Montréal went to Guardians of the Galaxy. Now, it looks like CD is back on the Tomb Raider franchise, a??nd I'm interested to see where the??y take the character from here.

It'll be some added work, as Crystal Dynamics is also collaborating on the Perfect Dark reboot with The Initiative. That's another project we've yet to see much of, outside of the initial announcement. It??'s unclear when we'll see either Joanna Dark or Lara Croft back on the screen again.

With all that, I'm happy to see Tomb Raider games back in development. I was a fan of reboot trilogy, and would definitely like to see where Crystal Dynamics could go. The Matrix demo was pretty impressive too, and Tomb Raider games have usually been good showpieces for tech and visuals??.

The new Tomb Raider is also now one of several projects in development on Unreal, including the next Witcher game from CD Projekt Red. Today, Epic confirmed over 85 studios are working on UE5, including those two and The Coalitio??n. Seems li?ke Unreal is off to a running start with the new engine.

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The top-down action games bring Lara's adventures to the Switch

Some more Tomb Raider adventures are going on the go. Two Lara Croft games are coming to the Nintendo Switch i?n 2022, mark?ing her debut on the console.

Feral Interactive announced that Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris are coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2022.

//twitter.com/tombr?aider/status/1453762?173600026627

These top-down Tomb Raider games are separate from the Tomb Raider reboot series. They're instead a little bit more arcade-inspired, with fast combat to go with the puzzles. And they have co-operative multiplayer as well, which s??eems like it might be rad for Switch.

No date has been set yet for the debut of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light or Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris on Switch, outside the year 2022.

As for more Tomb Raider, there weren't too many announcements on future games. There is still the Tomb Raider Netflix series, which has enlisted Hayley Atwell to play Lara. Maybe that?? series can reinvigorate the game series a bit.

Even though Shadow of the Tomb Raider was only three years ago, it feels like it's been ages since we've seen Lara in video game action. At l??east this seems like a good reason to re??tread some old ground on the Switch next year.

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Come on, Lara, you can do this...

Netflix has announced that British actor Hayley Atwell has signed on to voice Lara Croft in the upcoming anime adaptation of Tomb Raider �the latest in a long line of legendary ga??mes adapted for the video streaming service.

Atwell, who many of you will know from her excellent turn as Marvel's Agent Peggy Carter, will portray a slightly matured version of the treasure hunting adventurer as featured in Square Enix' Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018). The Netflix anime is intended as a canon sequel to this particular trilogy, and thus has no connection with the original Tomb Raider games, nor the recent cinematic endeavors.

//twitter.com/NetflixGeeke?d/status/14374158?30942277632?s=20

The series will be written and produced by Tasha Huo, who is also responsible for penning both the upcoming prequel series The Witcher: Blood Origin and the fantasy adventure reboot Red Sonja. Busy times. Sonic the Hedgehog co-producer Dmitri M. Johnson is also on board for th??e venture, which currently does not have an episode cou?nt nor a release window.

Tomb Raider will join Netflix expansive entourage of video game-themed series, ranking alongside current and upcoming releases such as Castlevania, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, DOTA: Dragon's Blood, Assassin's Creed, The Cuphead Show, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, The Division, Splinter Cell, and many others. Before her Tomb Raider appearance, Hayley Atwell will be getting her hi-octane adventure on in Mission: Impossible 7, which is expected to release in 2022.

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Weta Workshops take Lara to The Lost Valley

Premium merchandise maker Weta Workshops has opened pre-orders on a limited edition statue of the legendary Lara Croft. The stunning display piece recalls the classic "Lost Valley" stage of the original Tomb Raider release, and depicts Ms. Croft in action as she fe?nds off an attack from a pair of ravenous velociraptors, deep within some forgotten land lost to the annals of time.

Sculpted by Weta's Ga??ry Hunt, the "Lara Croft The Lost Valley" statue is 1:4 scale, standing a mighty 31" high and 16" wide, with a weight of around 27 lbs. Cast in high-quality poly-stone, the statue will be available in limited order format — only as many pieces will be produced as pre-orders are received. No more, no less.

As you?? can see from the video above, the fine detailing — especially on the raptors and th??e jungle floor — is incredibly intricate, while the dynamism of the pose truly captures a "still shot" of physical action. It really is quite beautiful.

As for the damage... it will hardly come as a surprise to anybody that we're reaching into four figures — which is fast becoming the standard for premium gaming statues in the modern age. Lara Croft will retail for around $1,500 USD, which does not include any applicable taxes, shipping costs, or customs charges. Finance options are also available over on the Weta store. The pre-order window is now live and will close on May ??3, with the statue expected to release in Octo??ber 2021.

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Come on, Lara, you can do this...

An as-yet-unannounced compilation of recent Tomb Raider releases appeared on Microsoft's Xbox Store this past weekend, only to vanish just as quickly.

According to the long-gone listing, spotted by ResetEra users, The Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy is comprised of three titles taken from Lara Croft's grisly modern reboot: Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. The trilogy supports ??HDR/4K visuals and comes packaged with all previously released DLC, along with each title's respective online/multiplayer modes.

According to the listing, the Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy is scheduled to launch on Xbox One March 18, although it would seem very likely that the same package will also be available on PlayStation platforms. Once official confirmation from Tomb Raider publisher Squ?are Enix is forthcoming, we will be sure to update you. So stay tuned.

Tom??b Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy popped up on ?Microsoft Store [Eurogamer]

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Pocket Puzzler

Square Enix Montreal is offering up its mobile puzzler Lara Croft GO as a fr??ee download for a limited time. All you have to do is grab the 2015 title on either iOS or the Android Store between now and April 1 and you can dive into the strategic adventure game for no charge.

Lara Croft GO is a neat little title that takes the typically action-packed adventures of Lara and translates them into 40 stages of turn-based, strategic action. The exploration, combat and puzzle-solving aspects are all present and correct, albeit at a more thoughtful and relaxed pace. The concept works surprisingly well, much as it did in predecessor Hitman GO.

Also available on PS4, PS Vita, and PC, Lara Croft GO is currently only free to pick up on mobile platforms - though the PC version is cu?rrently discounted over on Steam.

Stuck at home? Lara Croft GO is free to download from March 27 to April 2. #stayhomeandplay
Download on mobile:
iOS: //t.co/ZhSyVmmm4e
Google Play: //t.co/IygcYlEEoe pic.twitter.com/6kC8gkdBQH

— Square Enix Montréal (@SquareEnixMtl) March 27, 2020

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Do you like Classic Lara or Stabby Lara?

Treasure hunter, gaming icon and all-round ass-kicker Lara Croft is getting ready for another rumble, only this time it's in the Smash-lite world of Brawlhalla. Everyone's favourite tomb raider is available to purchase in the free-to-play fighter right now, as part of Brawlhalla's new 3.57 update.

In a really neat touch, both classic "blue vest and shorts" Lara and "gritty modern survivor" Lara are both included in the bundle, each with their own exclusive animations. Ms. Croft has been delightfully recreated in Brawlhalla'?s cute, charismatic style. I think she looks really good, a perfect fit fo?r the wild fighter's universe.

Along with Lara herself, the Epic Crossover event includes a new map, Temple Ruins, a brand new mode, Temple Climb, and a sinister-looking podium. Players will also earn bonus gold when logging in. Several bug fixes and balance tweaks have also been applied to Brawlhalla, and you can check out the full patch notes over at the official website.

Brawlhalla is no stranger to crossover characters, having previously featured numerous WWE Superstars, as well as characters from franchises such as Rayman, Shovel Knight, Steven Universe, Adventure Time, and even Hellboy.

Brawlhalla is ava??ilable now on PS4, PC, Xbox O?ne and Nintendo Switch.

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I draw the line at dinosaurs

This weekend was an absolute bonanza of exciting news for Rainbow Six Siege fans. We heard details of the upcoming Void Edge event, plans for Years 5 & 6, and mouths were left agape at the coming of Holy Tachanka. As if all this wasn't enough, Ubisoft Montreal also revealed that Siege is set to pay tribute to one? ?of gaming's most famous characters: Lara Croft.

This crossover will manifest itself in the form of a new Elite skin for Siege's lead gal, Ash, and will see the SWAT operator get her cosplay on as the iconic tomb raider. The dev team have gone for Ms. Croft's '90s look - comprised of vest, shorts and tinted shades - rather than the more contemporary outfit of modern Tomb Raider titles. Y?ou can see Ash in her fancy new duds in the trailer below.

As with all Elite skins, The "Ash Tomb Raider" bundle will include a character skin, an exclusive victory animation, and a? cute chibi charm, as well as themed skins ??for her weapon loadout and her wall-ripping M120 gadget. The bundle is expected to go on sale soon after the start of the new season.

As a crossover, it sure makes a helluva better fit than Gris.

Rainbow Six Siege is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

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Lara's set to get all stabby again

Square Enix has launched Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition on all platforms, bringing Lara Croft's 2018 escapade, along with all previously-released DLC add-ons, to PC, PS4 and Xbox One in one handy package?.

Launching in September of last year, Shadow of the Tomb Raider sees Lara traveling through the tropico of South America, exploring the Incan city of Paititi and once again saving the world from a squad of dangerous mercenaries, not to mention an ancient evil accidentally dug up from the depths. Shadow is the third - and seemingly final - chapter of the Tomb Raider reboot, which began back in 2013 ?with Crystal Dynamics' violent and more "realistic" take on the franchise.

The Definitive Edition includes the original Shadow of the Tomb Raider bundled with all seven DLC tombs - such as The Path Home, The Pillar and The Forge, among others. Also included are all DLC weapons and character skins, the bonuses from the "Croft Edition", and an all-n?ew "Croft Fitness" outfit, because those guns don't sculpt themselves.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is available now on PS4, PC a??nd Xbox One, with a Stadia release planned for late November.

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Back to the underground

[Update: Square Enix has confirmed Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, launching November 5 on PS4, PC and X??box One. As expected, this release will contain the origi??nal title, all seven DLC expansions, and a bonus outfit. You can check out a trailer at the foot of the article.]

Fresh signs continue to point toward a definitive edition of Eidos Montreal's 2018 action-adventure Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Following on from previous appearances on Korean and Australian ratings boards, French retailer Micromania recently posted a listing for such a title, complete with release date.

In the now-removed listing, Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition was listed for PS4, Xbox One and PC with an expected release date of December 7. So, if true, it??'s getting high time publisher Square Enix clued us in on what is currently becoming gaming's worst kept secret.

A definitive edition of Shadow of the Tomb Raider would likely contain the original game alongside exclusive gear such as the Forces of Chaos and Myth Hunter skins. It would no doubt also contain Shadow's DLC chapters, such as The Forge, The Path Home, The Pillar and The Fight for Survival, among others. Of course, we will keep you informe??d when the officia?l word drops on this release.

Shadow of the Tomb Ra??ider release date leaks again [COGconnected]

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That'll do, Lara

It's time for Lara Croft to take the trip back home to Croft Manor, no doubt haunted by the screams of a thousand people she axed in the face during her latest adventure Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Still, there is time for just one more jaunt before her return to Blighty, as Eidos Montreal has dropped Shadow's final piece of DLC, The Path Home, on all platforms. This add-on features a new Challenge Tomb, ready and waiting for Ms. Croft's expertise. Helping her dig through the caverns ??is a new skill "Magic Touch" which reduces the resources needed for crafting, as well as the new Midnight Sent??inel outfit and Silver Strike bow.

This release brings to an end the trilogy of games that makes up the Tomb Raider reboot, which began back in 2013 with Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider. They've been a successful trio of action-adventure titles, even if they did make Lara a little more of a slasher icon than I would've expected. Although there are no currently no plans for the series going forward, the chance of us never seeing Lara venture into the underground again is very slim indeed.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

We're excited to announce Shadow of ??the Tomb Raider - The Path Home available April? 23rd.

Join Lara in The Path Home, following the end of Shadow of the Tomb Raider after the dust has settled & the battle over. Available exclusively to Season Pass owners //t.co/0dR0OpljxW pic.twitter.com/P7XkKE3qfp

— Tomb Raider (@tombraider) April 5, 2019

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Ex Machina star grabs her climbing axe once again

High-stakes adventurer Lara Croft is taking the silver screen once again, as Warner Bros. and MGM has confirmed a sequel to 2018 move Tomb Raider. Alicia Vikander is signed up to return as Lara Croft, with the film's script penned by Amy Jump, who also wrote the hi-octane Brie Larson flick Free Fire and Ben Wheatley's brutal Kill List.

Released last Spring, Tomb Raider was the movie adaptation of Crystal Dynamics 2013 video game, which reinvented the series with a grittier, more brutal approach to Lara's jungle-swinging adventures. The movie, which also starred Walton "I'm playing a bad guy"? Goggins, received mixed reviews, but stayed pretty close to its source material, ultimately raking in around $270 million at the box office.

There are currently no plot d??etails or an official title for the sequel, s??o we are yet to see if the film franchise will continue to follow in the footsteps of the video games, or go off on its own narrative course. No doubt we'll hear more once production gets underway.

MGM and W??arner Bros. starts t?o climb aboard Tomb Raider 2 [Deadline]

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Another successful jaunt for Ms. Croft

While chatting with USGamer, a representative of Eidos Montreal has expressed pleasure with the performance of last year's Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the third title Lara Croft's adventure series since she made her ??grand return in 2013.

Speaking at PAX, Shadow of the Tomb Raider producer Jonathan Dahan noted that the team were pleased with both the game's appraisal and its sales. "We're super happy with how (Shadow of the Tomb Raider) turned out, both on the critic's side and performance," said Dahan. "That's why we continued producing DLC, because we're excited ?about how it wen??t."

"We've had to learn to work with multiple studios, and we've come to have a very good relationship with Crystal Dynamics," Dahan continued. "Hopefully that??'s someth??ing we're going to continue doing because it brings a very nice feel to the games to have people with different experiences and backgrounds working on the game."

When asked about further sequels, Dahan had no news, although did note that he would be "very surprised" if we didn't see Lara grab her trusty climbing axe f??or another wall-crawling, chasm-leaping, skull-axing adventure in the future.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

Shadow of ?the Tomb Raider devs "??super happy" with sales and reviews [USGamer]

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Home Sweet Home

Lara Croft has already seen more death and horror than anyone should have to, and the traumas of her injuries, actions and other frightening experiences look set to haunt her in Shadow of the Tomb Raider's next DLC addition: The Nightmare.

Taking place on the expansive estate that is Croft Manor, The Nightmare looks to find Lara picking her way through the voices of the past, as Lara confronts "familiar enemies and fallen friends". If I'm interpreting this right, I'm expecting a creepy psychological horror trip in which Ms. Croft comes to ter??ms wi??th the chaos of her formative years, hopefully overcoming the guilt and regret that eats away in her more vulnerable hours.

The Nightmare will launch on all platforms January 22. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

Journey through “The Nightmare” on January 22nd as Lara Croft faces off against familiar enemies and fallen friends. 😱 pic.twitter.com/ouRPCGv538

— Tomb Raider (@tombraider) January 15, 2019

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Pack your pick-axe

Square Enix has released the latest DLC add-on for cliff-hopping adventure title Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The Pillar, which can be picked up today, sees Lara Croft pick her way through an ancient ruin, packed to the rafters with brutal booby??-traps.

As we can see in the new trailer below, Ms. Croft isn't the only adventurer after the treasures which lie within The Pillar, and must be prepa??red to take on a dangerous band of mercenaries to prevent the ancient wonders falling into their hands... She's going to mur?der a shit-load of people is what I'm saying.

The Pillar is available to download now in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, for PS4, PC and Xbox One.

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Prep that climbing axe, there's heads to cleave

Square Enix has announced, via the official Tomb Raider Twitter, that Ms. Croft is getting set for another death-defying turn, as new DLC The Pillar will be arriving in Shadow of the Tomb Raider next week.

The Pillar will follow previous DLC expansion The Forge as the next frightening scenario to test Lara's mettle. Whereas The Forge was a lava-filled inferno, it appears from this excellent promotional image that The Pillar will be a little bit cooler. It's all in a day's work for Lara, surely, as the young a?dventurer builds her legacy as the greatest (??luckiest?) explorer of all time.

No trailer for The Pillar is available as of this writing, but ??the DLC will be arriving on December 18. Shadow of the Tomb Raide?r is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

We're excited to announce "The Pillar," the second DLC adventure for Shadow of the Tomb Raider will be available December 18th on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. pic.twitter.com/5ndVkQwzPU

— Tomb Raider (@tombraider) December 11, 2018

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Tomb Rager

Steam has dropped the price of Lara Croft's latest jungle jaunt, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, with a discount of 34% for the standard edition, and 47% for the "Croft edition". The third entry to the rebooted Tomb Raider trilogy released a little o??ver a month ago, and as such, ??some "early adopters" (as has become the buzz-word in recent times) are not happy.

A selection of fans who picked up the game for full price on launch are fuming to see the game receive a discount within six weeks of release and have taken to review-bombing the stealth adventure on Steam, while making their voices heard on platforms such as Reddit and the game's Steam page.

As expected, some of these complaints are wholly out-of-proportion, wishing death on Square Enix employees, while others feel a sense of betrayal for supporting the brand at launch, only to see that they could have saved some money had they held on just a month longer. Equally, there?? is a huge contingent of fans who take no issue with the sale at all, just seeing it as part and parcel of the consumer process and choice.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider released to fair-to-good reviews. Our own Brett Makedonski praised the sequel's themes and jungle-based stealth tactics, but also admitted that?? it doesn't take any revolutionary strides to change up the formula and has a lackluster second act.

Shadow of th??e Tomb Raider is getting review bombed because its on sale [PCGamesN]

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Most prolific tabletop murderer since Col. Mustard

For those of you who like your gaming in both digital and analogue form, then Square Enix might have something in the works for you. A new board game is currently in the? works based on the tomb raidin' crusades of the irrepressible Lara Croft.

Tomb Raider Legends: The Board Game is a game for 3-4 players which will?? apparently see the misadventures of young Lara played out in tabletop form. Although there are no real details as to how the game works, images appears to show a circular, tile-based board representing the adventure, as well as player profiles based on various interpretations of the tomb raider herself.

We can see tiles based on aquatic exploration, a "Pest Nest" and even a battle with a dinosaur. There are various runes and effects in play, as well as four miniature Lara playing pieces and various colour-coded cards. All we know currently is that a game takes less than an hour to play, and is recommend for ages 13 years and up. Tomb Raider Legends has been designed by the team behind the Final Fantasy Trading Card Game, and is expected to launch in Q1 of 2019

You can check out some images in the gallery below, for more information, be sure to stay tuned to the Tomb Raider Legends pre-order page right here.

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Paititi uncovered

Eidos Montreal and Square Enix have uploaded a video today featuring ten minutes of footage compiled from the upcoming, rock climbing, throat-stabbing adventure game Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Complete with commentary by Narrative Director Jason Dovoiz, the clip introduces us to the hub of Paititi, a hideaway village where famous treasure hunter Lara Croft can rest, trade goods, accept side-quests, lay low from gun-toting psychos, or just hang out with the alpacas. We also get to see Shadow's in-g??ame bartering system, where Lara can bargain with the locals for useful s??upplies.

The video then goes on to show us a little of one of the new game's Challenge Tomb?s, with Ms.? Croft traversing the deadly terrain that is fast becoming her natural environment, using her acrobatic abilities and steely reserve to once again set foot where most wouldn't dare to tread.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider launches on PS4, Xbox On??e and PC on September 14.

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Confirmed

If you were hoping that Lara Croft would bring back the very brief dual pistols she wielded at the end of the 2013 reboot game, it's still not going to happen when Shadow of the Tomb Raider rolls around.

While it could have been a possibility, the game's director, Dan Bisson, didn't want it to happen -- so it didn't. Speaking to OXM, Bisson notes, "No. I don’t want that. For us this is her defining moment. We’re not going to put her in shorts with double-pistols, wearing a bikini; that’s not what this is. It’s because the twin pistols have an iconic thing about them. For this trilogy – not saying anything about later on, I don’t kno?w about the future titles – but for this trilogy, the bow is still her signature weapon."

So there you have it! I'm perfectly cool with that so long as Shadow delivers, though I'm over the "this is her defining moment" marketing strategy as Tomb Raider 2013 and Rise of the Tomb Raider (ha, it even says it in the title) were both her "defining moments" too. The semi-shade tone of calling out the original Lara also vaguely reminds me of when Ninja Theory dumped on the original Dante during the making of DmC. Thankfully the new?? L?ara isn't written like a 10 year old.

Tomb Raider [OXM via Sirus Gaming]

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Square Enix never on-board with concept

There was some exciting news recently that the original Tomb Raider trilogy was in? l??ine for a facelift on Steam, with studio realtechVR announcing that they were remastering the '90s classics for PC, complete with VR functionality and a new engine.

Unfortunately, it appears that these plans have been squashed before they even got off the ground, with publisher Square Enix never even giving the go-ahead for such an idea. "While we always welcome passion and excitement for the Tomb Raider franchise," says an official Square statement. "The remasters in question were initiated and advertised withou??t seeking appr?oval. As such, they were never officially sanctioned."

This is a bit of a bummer for the series' PC fans, as the original games are only available via awkward DOS-based chicanery. realtechVR have since said that they are now "refocusing on new projects" and are not committing to third-party licences anymore. It's more than likely this statement also puts an end to their planned mobile port of Tomb Raider 3.

real?techVR no longer wo?rking on third-party licences [Twitter]

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Someone goofed

If this is an accident, someone over at Square Enix is going to have a bad day, because it seems a new Tomb Raider announcement was accidentally spoiled thanks to some poor HTML-related decisions on the official Tomb Raider website.

If you head over to the website, you'll be greeted with a message promising an announcement tomorrow at 6AM PT. However, Kotaku's own cyber sleuth Jason Schreier discovered that inspecting the HTML elem??ent revealed ?the following:

“tagline”:”Shadow of The Tomb Raider is the climatic finale of Lara’s origin story. Available Se?ptember 14th 2018"

Oofta. Following that, more information has been found within the HTML. This includes the platforms the game will be available on (Xbox One, PS4, and PC), as well as an ARG of some kind that will need to be completed to unlock the trailer tomorrow. Not to forget everyone's favorite ??-- pre-order incentives! Originally intended to be revealed April 27.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider [Teaser site]

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But not Alicia Vikander

Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius is no stranger to crossover content and this Friday will see the introduction of one of gaming's leading ladies as a playable character. Lara Croft will be battling alongside Ariana Grande and 2B on March 9. I'm not sure what deity allowe?d that to happen, but I'm eternally grateful.

In an odd twist, this version of Lara seems to be based off of the one from Temple of Osiris i??nstead of the reboot or even upcoming film. I would imagine getting Alicia Vik?ander into this game is not something Square Enix wanted to pay for, but it also doesn't really tie into the new film all that well.

Whatever the case, details are scarce for how long Lara will stick around for. I'm su?re we'll learn more once the DLC lands.

GameTrailers [Twitter]

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