- Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy bundles all three reboot games with their Definitive Edition content in one 2021 package.
- A standalone Definitive Edition covers a single game plus its DLC, useful if you only want one title.
- The trilogy launched on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox and includes 20+ DLC items and expansions.
- Buying the trilogy is generally cheaper per game than purchasing three Definitive Editions separately.
- The "Definitive Edition" of Tomb Raider (2013) also added PS4/Xbox One visual upgrades over the original PS3/360 release.
Trilogy vs Definitive Edition: What Each One Actually Is
The names sound similar, but they describe two different products. The Definitive Survivor Trilogy is a bundle released in 2021 that collects Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider in one purchase, described by Xbox Wire as the complete origin trilogy collection. A Definitive Edition, by contrast, is an enhanced single-game release that packages the base game with all (or most) of its post-launch content.
| Product | Games Included | Release Year | Content Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definitive Survivor Trilogy | All 3 reboot games | 2021 | Trilogy bundle with Definitive Edition content included |
| Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | Tomb Raider (2013) only | 2014 | Remastered port with all DLC, extra outfits, Tomb of the Lost Adventurer |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration | Rise only | 2016 | Base game, Blood Ties, Lara's Nightmare, Baba Yaga, Endurance mode |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | Shadow only | 2019 | Base game plus full season of adventures, tombs, outfits, weapons |
Remember the hierarchy: a Definitive Edition upgrades one game; the Definitive Survivor Trilogy bundles the three upgraded games together. The trilogy is the widest net, the Definitive Edition is the deepest single title.
Content Comparison: What You Get in Each Package
Comparing contents side by side shows why the trilogy exists: it removes the guesswork of matching individual editions with the right DLC.
| Content Category | Single Definitive Edition | Definitive Survivor Trilogy |
|---|---|---|
| Base campaigns | 1 game | 3 games (2013–2018 releases) |
| DLC and expansions | All DLC for that one game | 20+ DLC items and expansions across all three |
| Challenge tombs | That game's tombs | Every challenge tomb in the trilogy |
| Extra modes | Modes for one title | Endurance, Expeditions, Score Attack, New Game Plus paths |
| Outfits and weapons | One game's unlock set | Combined outfit and weapon pools for all three |
Official store listings confirm the trilogy is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam, with text support across English, Spanish, German, French, and more languages.
Each game inside the trilogy also plays differently, which matters when deciding whether three games are worth it:
Tomb Raider (2013)
- Linear cinematic survival on Yamatai Island
- Bow-focused stealth combat
- 12–15 hour main story
Rise of the Tomb Raider
- Larger semi-open hubs in Siberia
- Expanded crafting and hunting
- Blood Ties, Baba Yaga, Endurance mode
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Stealth-heavy exploration in Paititi
- Underwater traversal and hub side quests
- Full season of challenge tombs
Step-by-Step: Choosing the Right Purchase
Check Your Library First
Search your platform account for the three games. If you already own one or two Definitive Editions, the standalone editions you are missing may cost less than the full bundle.
Decide Whether You Want the Full Story
The trilogy follows Lara's complete origin arc from Yamatai to Paititi. If you only want one chapter of that arc, a single Definitive Edition covers it. If you want the whole reboot storyline, the trilogy is the intended package.
Compare DLC Coverage
Verify that the edition you buy includes the DLC you care about. Rise's 20 Year Celebration content and Shadow's seasonal tombs are the biggest content packs in the series.
Compare Pricing Per Game
Divide the trilogy price by three and compare against individual Definitive Edition prices during sales on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox before committing.
Confirm Platform and Language Support
Check the store page for your platform and preferred language. The trilogy supports English, Spanish, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, and more on Steam.
Not every listing labeled "Definitive" is identical across platforms and regions. Always confirm on the official store page that DLC such as Baba Yaga or Shadow's additional adventures is included before buying.
Which Version Fits Your Playstyle
| Player Type | Recommended Purchase | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New to the reboot series | Definitive Survivor Trilogy | Full story arc and best value per game |
| Returning player missing one game | That game's Definitive Edition | Avoids rebuying content you own |
| Story-only player | Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | Cheapest entry to Lara's origin |
| Completionist | Definitive Survivor Trilogy | All tombs, DLC, and New Game Plus paths in one package |
| Achievement hunter | Check per-game editions | Some achievements are mode-specific and tied to DLC |
Whichever version you pick, the games share escalating difficulty options, from assisted story modes up to Shadow's Deadly Obsession, which adds manual campfire saving and scarce resources for veteran players.
Before You Buy, Confirm:
- The listing includes all intended DLC and expansions
- Your platform supports your preferred language
- You do not already own part of the bundle
- Sale pricing per game has been compared
- Saved progress from prior editions transfers as expected on your platform
FAQ
Q: Is the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy the same as buying three Definitive Editions?
Content-wise, the trilogy collects the three reboot games with their Definitive Edition content included, so it is functionally similar to buying the three upgraded editions together, usually at a lower bundled price.
Q: Does the Definitive Survivor Trilogy include all DLC?
The bundle includes the Definitive Edition content of each game, covering 20+ DLC items and expansions such as Rise's Blood Ties and Baba Yaga content and Shadow's full season of challenge tombs and story missions.
Q: What did the original Tomb Raider Definitive Edition add over the 2013 game?
The 2014 Definitive Edition brought the game to PS4 and Xbox One with visual improvements and bundled the DLC, including extra outfits, weapons, and the Tomb of the Lost Adventurer challenge tomb.
Q: Should I play the games in release order?
Yes. The trilogy is designed as an origin story that follows Lara from Yamatai to Siberia to Peru, so release order gives the smoothest narrative and gameplay progression.