- Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy order: Play Tomb Raider (2013) → Rise of the Tomb Raider → Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Story logic: The sequence follows Lara Croft's growth from shipwrecked survivor to seasoned explorer
- Playtime: Roughly 37–46 hours combined for the three main campaigns
- Editions included: Each game ships as its Definitive or 20 Year Celebration edition with DLC
- Best tip: Do not skip optional challenge tombs — they teach puzzle skills used in later games
Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy Order Explained
The Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy order is simple: play the games in release order. The 2021 bundle collects Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition — Lara Croft's complete origin trilogy in a single package, as confirmed by the official PlayStation store page.
Release order matches story order. Each game assumes familiarity with traversal tools introduced earlier, so starting with Tomb Raider (2013) gives you the smoothest learning curve and the strongest narrative payoff.
| Order | Game | Year | Main Setting | Story Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | 2013 | Yamatai Island | Lara's origin as a survivor |
| 2 | Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration | 2015 | Siberia and Kitezh | Lara becomes a determined relic hunter |
| 3 | Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | 2018 | Peru and Paititi | Lara confronts the consequences of her actions |
Each entry expands Lara's equipment and skill systems while carrying forward her relationships — especially with Jonah — and the ongoing conflict with Trinity. Playing out of order spoils major plot reveals and makes later traversal systems feel unexplained.
What Each Game Brings to the Trilogy
Each title has a distinct gameplay personality while sharing the same survival-adventure foundation.
Tomb Raider (2013)
- Linear cinematic adventure
- Yamatai Island survival
- Bow and climbing axe introduction
- First challenge tombs
- Roughly 12–15 hours main story
Rise of the Tomb Raider
- Larger semi-open regions
- Expanded crafting and hunting
- Special arrows: fire, rope, poison
- Baba Yaga and Blood Ties DLC
- Roughly 13–16 hours main story
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Strongest stealth focus
- Underwater exploration and swimming
- Hub city of Paititi with side quests
- Full season of DLC adventures
- Roughly 12–15 hours main story
| Feature | Tomb Raider | Rise | Shadow |
|---|---|---|---|
| World design | Mostly linear | Semi-open hubs | Largest hub world |
| Stealth depth | Basic | Moderate | Deepest (mud walls, camouflage) |
| Challenge tombs | Simple mechanics | Physics-based puzzles | Multi-stage environmental puzzles |
| Swimming | Limited | Rebreather sections | Full underwater traversal |
| Skill trees | Three branches | Three branches | Seeker / Scavenger / Warrior |
By the third game, Lara commands fear arrows, grappling ascenders, and full camouflage — abilities that only make sense because the first two games built them up step by step.
Recommended Playthrough Steps
Follow this sequence for the smoothest run through the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy order.
Start with Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
Learn the core systems — Survival Instinct, camps, bow stealth, and the climbing axe. Clear the optional tombs on Yamatai to build puzzle habits early.
Continue with Rise of the Tomb Raider
Explore the Siberian hubs, upgrade crafting capacity, and complete the Geothermal Valley tombs. Finish Baba Yaga and Blood Ties for the full 20 Year Celebration content.
Finish with Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Master camouflage stealth, underwater navigation, and the Paititi side quests before the finale. Complete the DLC challenge tombs for bonus skills.
Replay with New Game Plus
Both Rise and Shadow offer New Game Plus paths that carry forward skills and gear — ideal for missed collectibles and higher-difficulty achievement runs.
Do not force an area that requires equipment you have not unlocked yet. Mark blocked tombs and caches mentally, then return after the story provides the needed tool — this is faster than repeated failed attempts.
Difficulty Selection by Game
Difficulty names change between the three games, so use this mapping when planning your campaigns.
| Tomb Raider | Rise of the Tomb Raider | Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | Adventurer | Smart and Resourceful | Story and exploration focus |
| Normal | Tomb Raider | Rite of Passage | Balanced first playthrough |
| Hard | Seasoned Raider | One with the Jungle | Experienced players |
| Survivor | Survivor | — | Serious challenge runs |
| — | Extreme Survivor | Deadly Obsession | Veterans; manual saves, scarce resources |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider's highest difficulty restricts you to manual campfire saves with very scarce resources. Reserve it for a second playthrough once you know the campaign layout.
Trilogy Completion Checklist
Essential Milestones:
- Finish Tomb Raider main story on Yamatai
- Complete all optional challenge tombs in each game
- Finish Baba Yaga and Blood Ties in Rise
- Explore Paititi side quests in Shadow
- Start a New Game Plus run for missed collectibles
FAQ
Q: What is the correct Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy order?
Play Tomb Raider (2013) first, then Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Release order matches story order and gives the smoothest progression of Lara's skills and equipment.
Q: Can I play the trilogy games out of order?
Each game stands alone mechanically, but playing out of order spoils major Trinity and Jonah storylines, and later games assume familiarity with traversal tools introduced earlier.
Q: How long does the full trilogy take?
Expect roughly 37–46 hours for the three main campaigns, with substantially more time needed for challenge tombs, collectibles, side missions, and DLC content.
Q: Does the trilogy include all DLC?
Yes. The bundle ships each game as its Definitive or 20 Year Celebration edition, including expansions like Baba Yaga, Blood Ties, Endurance mode, and Shadow's full season of challenge tombs and story missions.