- Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy release date: The bundle launched in March 2021 on PlayStation and Xbox.
- Three games included: Tomb Raider, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider with all Definitive Edition content.
- Original release span: The three base games shipped between 2013 and 2018.
- Where to buy: Available on the official PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Steam bundle page.
- Play order tip: Play in release order for the smoothest story and equipment progression.
Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy Release Date Overview
The Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy release date is March 2021, when Square Enix published the complete Lara Croft origin trilogy as a single bundle. Xbox Wire confirmed availability on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on March 17, 2021, followed by the PlayStation 4 release announced through the official PlayStation Blog the next day, March 18, 2021. The bundle collects the entire reboot storyline in one purchase, which is why fans often call it the Origin Trilogy collection.
The trilogy is not a new game — it packages three previously released titles together with their Definitive Edition content. Understanding the full timeline helps new players know exactly what they are buying and in what order the story unfolds.
The 2021 bundle release date is separate from the original games. If you only search "Tomb Raider release date" you may find 2013 results. The trilogy bundle specifically arrived in March 2021.
| Release | Date | Platform / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider (base game) | 2013 | Start of the Survivor Trilogy |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 2015 | Second entry, Divine Source story |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 2018 | Trilogy conclusion, Mayan apocalypse |
| Definitive Survivor Trilogy (Xbox) | March 17, 2021 | Xbox One and Series X|S |
| Definitive Survivor Trilogy (PS4) | March 18, 2021 | PlayStation Store launch |
What Each Game Contributes to the Trilogy
Each entry in the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy covers one stage of Lara Croft's transformation from inexperienced archaeologist to seasoned tomb raider. The games were designed as a continuous story arc, and each new title assumes familiarity with tools introduced in the previous one.
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
- Setting: Yamatai Island
- Story role: Lara's origin as a survivor
- Content: Main game plus extra outfits, weapons, and the Tomb of the Lost Adventurer challenge tomb
- Playtime: Roughly 12–15 hours for the story
Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
- Setting: Siberia, the Geothermal Valley, Kitezh
- Story role: Lara becomes a determined relic hunter
- Content: Baba Yaga expansion, Blood Ties, Lara's Nightmare, Endurance mode, extra outfits and weapons
- Playtime: Roughly 13–16 hours for the story
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
- Setting: Cozumel, the Hidden City of Paititi, the Cenote
- Story role: Lara confronts the consequences of her actions
- Content: Full season of additional adventures, challenge tombs, outfits, and weapons
- Playtime: Roughly 12–15 hours for the story
Across all three games, the bundle delivers 20+ pieces of DLC and expansions, including challenge tombs, story missions, additional outfits, weapons, and replay modes such as Expeditions and Endurance.
| Game | Main Region | Core Gameplay Focus | Difficulty Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | Yamatai | Linear cinematic survival combat | Survivor |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | Siberia | Semi-open hubs, crafting, hunting | Extreme Survivor |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Peru | Stealth, swimming, complex puzzles | Deadly Obsession |
How to Start the Trilogy in 2026
If you picked up the bundle after its release date, follow this sequence to get the most out of Lara's origin story. Release order matches both the narrative arc and the equipment learning curve.
Play Tomb Raider First
Start with the Definitive Edition of the 2013 reboot. Learn the core movement, stealth, bow combat, camp system, and the environmental puzzle language used throughout the trilogy.
Continue with Rise of the Tomb Raider
Move into the 20 Year Celebration edition. Experiment with stealth tools, upgrade crafting resources, and explore the larger hub regions thoroughly.
Finish with Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Complete the arc with the Definitive Edition. Master mud camouflage, underwater navigation, fear and poison arrows, and multi-stage traversal puzzles in Paititi.
Return for Optional Content
After finishing the story, replay earlier regions with unlocked equipment to access previously blocked challenge tombs, crypts, and collectible caches.
Some storefronts list the original 2013–2018 release dates on individual product pages inside the bundle. The trilogy package itself launched in 2021 — do not mistake older component dates for the bundle date.
Edition and Platform Details
The trilogy is available across all major platform stores. Store pages confirm support for multiple text languages including English, French, German, Spanish, and — on Steam — additional options such as Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Italian, Russian, Polish, and Portuguese.
| Platform | Store Page | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation | PlayStation Store | PS4 release on March 18, 2021 |
| Xbox | Xbox Store | Xbox One / Series X|S, March 17, 2021 |
| Steam | Steam Bundle | Broad language support, community discussions |
| Official site | tombraider.com | Hosted the 2021 trilogy project entry |
Track your progress across the full collection with these milestones.
Trilogy Completion Milestones:
- Finish all three main campaigns in release order
- Complete every challenge tomb across the trilogy
- Collect all documents, relics, and caches in each region
- Unlock New Game Plus in Rise and Shadow
- Clear the highest difficulty in at least one game
Why the Release Date Still Matters
More than five years after the bundle launched, the March 2021 release date remains the reference point for collectors and new players. The bundle simplified access to Lara's complete reboot arc in a single purchase, replacing the need to track down three separate Definitive Editions and their DLC.
The trilogy does not use a traditional cheat-code system. Bonus outfits, weapons, and New Game Plus content are earned through campaign progression, DLC, and completion milestones — not typed codes.
Key reasons the release date stays relevant:
- Version clarity: The 2021 bundle guarantees all Definitive Edition content is included.
- Community guides: Walkthroughs and collectible maps created after 2021 generally target the bundled versions.
- Story continuity: The collection presents the three games as one continuous origin story from Yamatai to Paititi.
- Value reference: Comparing the bundle against individual purchases starts from its 2021 launch positioning.
FAQ
Q: When was the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy release date?
The bundle launched on **March 17, 2021** for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, followed by **March 18, 2021** on PlayStation 4, as confirmed by Xbox Wire and the PlayStation Blog announcements.
Q: Are the three games in the trilogy new releases?
No. The bundle collects Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018) together with their Definitive Edition content, including 20+ DLC items and expansions.
Q: Which Tomb Raider Survivor Trilogy game should I play first?
Play in release order: Tomb Raider, then Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. This matches Lara's character development and the equipment learning curve across the trilogy.
Q: Is the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy available on Steam?
Yes. The trilogy is sold as a Steam bundle with broad language support, and community discussions are available on the Steam Community pages for the included games.