- Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy bundles all three origin-story games plus 20+ DLC packs.
- Play in release order: Tomb Raider, then Rise, then Shadow, for the smoothest progression.
- Stealth first: The bow and camouflage systems reward silent takedowns over open combat.
- Camps matter: Spend skill points and upgrade gear at base camps regularly.
- Challenge tombs reward powerful skills—never skip them.
Trilogy Overview: What's in the Collection
The Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy collects Lara Croft's complete origin journey in a single 2021 release, covering the original games from 2013 to 2018 along with their Definitive Edition content. Each game builds directly on the systems of the last, so understanding the structure of the collection helps you plan your entire playthrough.
The collection includes Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam.
| Game | Main Setting | Story Role | Main Story Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | Yamatai Island | Lara's origin as a survivor | 12–15 hours |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | Siberia, Kitezh | Lara becomes a determined relic hunter | 13–16 hours |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Peru, Paititi | Lara confronts her consequences | 12–15 hours |
Each edition includes its DLC: extra outfits, weapons, challenge tombs, and expansions like Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch and Blood Ties in Rise, plus the full season of adventures in Shadow.
Beginner Steps: Building the Right Habits
New players get the best results by following a consistent routine across all three games. The systems evolve, but the core loop—explore, gather, upgrade, stealth, solve—stays the same.
Play in Release Order
Start with Tomb Raider, continue through Rise, and finish with Shadow. Each game assumes familiarity with traversal tools introduced earlier, so this order provides the smoothest learning curve and keeps Lara's relationship with Jonah and Trinity coherent.
Use Survival Instinct Constantly
Scan every new area before moving. Survival Instinct highlights resources, enemies, interactable objects, and climbable surfaces. Look for marked ledges, rope-wrapped objects, and breakable barriers.
Gather Resources in Every Area
Collect salvage, cloth, hardwood, and hides as you travel. These fuel ammunition crafting, healing items, and weapon upgrades. Search bodies and open supply crates after every encounter.
Manage Skills at Camps
Base camps handle fast travel, skill selection, and weapon upgrades. Spend skill points regularly instead of hoarding them, and upgrade the bow and climbing tools first.
Open Every Encounter with Stealth
Use bushes, mud walls, and high ledges to stay concealed. Prioritize isolated enemies and alarm units. In Rise and Shadow, poison and fear arrows add powerful group-control options.
If a region or tomb seems inaccessible, you are likely missing equipment such as rope arrows, the wire spool, or the rebreather. Mark it mentally and return after the story unlocks the tool.
Skills and Weapons: Build Priorities
Each game offers distinct skill branches—Survivor, Hunter, and Brawler in the first two titles, with Seeker, Scavenger, and Warrior in Shadow. Pick a direction early and commit to a reliable core.
Stealth Build
- Hunter / Seeker skills first
- Bow damage and draw speed
- Poison and fear arrows
- Camouflage upgrades in Shadow
Combat Build
- Brawler / Warrior skills
- Rifle for mid-range consistency
- Shotgun for close-range control
- Armor-piercing ammo vs. armored enemies
Explorer Build
- Survivor skills early
- Climbing and traversal tools
- Carrying capacity upgrades
- Crafting efficiency for longer expeditions
| Weapon | Best Use | Upgrade Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Bow | Silent kills, precision, special arrows | ★★★★★ |
| Rifle / Assault Rifle | Mid-range sustained damage | ★★★★ |
| Shotgun | Close-range crowds and stagger | ★★★★ |
| Pistol | Fast handling, precision backup | ★★★ |
| Climbing Axe | Traversal and melee takedowns | ★★★★★ |
Upgrade bow draw speed and ammo capacity first, then climbing tools, then one dependable firearm. This order supports both combat and exploration across the entire trilogy.
Difficulty Settings Compared
Difficulty names change between games, but the practical effects—enemy damage, resource scarcity, aim assist, and save rules—follow the same pattern.
| Game | Balanced Setting | Hardest Setting | Hardest Setting Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | Normal | Survivor | Very high damage, scarce resources, minimal aim assist |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | Tomb Raider | Extreme Survivor | Restricted checkpoints and campfire progression |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Rite of Passage | Deadly Obsession | Manual campfire saves only, very scarce resources |
Shadow's top difficulty restricts saving to campfires only. Veteran players should attempt it only after learning the game on a lower setting, and keep a separate save for difficulty-specific achievements.
First-time players should choose the balanced settings (Normal, Tomb Raider, or Rite of Passage) to enjoy exploration and story without punishing resource pressure.
Collectibles and Completion Checklist
Each game packs its regions with documents, relics, murals, caches, and challenge items. Track progress by area rather than by category to avoid backtracking.
| Game | Key Collectible Types | Notable Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | Documents, relics, GPS caches, treasure maps | Coastal Forest, Mountain Village, Shipwreck Beach |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | Murals, survival caches, coin caches, strongboxes | Siberian Wilderness, Soviet Installation, Geothermal Valley |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Documents, monoliths, relic chests, crypt rewards | Peruvian Jungle, The Hidden City, Cenote, San Juan |
Completion Milestones:
- Finish all three campaigns in release order
- Complete every optional challenge tomb
- Collect all documents, relics, and murals in each game
- Unlock New Game Plus in Rise and Shadow
- Finish one campaign on the highest difficulty
Explorer satchels and archivist maps reveal collectible positions on your map. Grab them early in each region to cut down search time dramatically.
Unlocks, Replay Modes, and FAQ
There is no universal cheat-code system in the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy. Bonus outfits, weapons, and modes are earned through progression, DLC, and completion milestones. Rise offers Expeditions, Score Attack, and Endurance modes, while both Rise and Shadow include New Game Plus paths that carry progression forward.
Q: What order should I play the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy?
Play in release order: Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. This follows Lara's character development and keeps equipment and gameplay progression understandable across titles.
Q: Does the trilogy include all DLC?
Yes. The collection includes Definitive Edition content for each game, such as challenge tombs, extra outfits and weapons, Baba Yaga and Blood Ties in Rise, and the full season of additional adventures in Shadow.
Q: Are there cheat codes in the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy?
No. There is no universal cheat-code list. All bonus content is unlocked through campaign progression, challenge tombs, DLC, New Game Plus, and replay modes like Expeditions and Score Attack.
Q: Which game has the hardest difficulty?
Shadow of the Tomb Raider's Deadly Obsession mode is the most restrictive, combining very scarce resources with manual campfire-only saving. Rise's Extreme Survivor is the toughest challenge in that game.