- Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy PS4 bundles all three Lara Croft origin games with their Definitive Edition content.
- Play in release order: Tomb Raider, then Rise, then Shadow, for the smoothest story and gameplay curve.
- 20+ DLC items are included across the bundle, from challenge tombs to story expansions like Baba Yaga.
- Start every fight with stealth: the bow, mud camouflage, and special arrows save scarce ammunition.
- Choose difficulty by experience: Smart and Resourceful or Adventurer for first runs, Deadly Obsession for veterans.
What Is the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy on PS4?
The Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy PS4 collection, released in 2021, packages Lara Croft's complete origin story in one bundle. It includes Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, each with its full slate of additional content. You can verify the bundle contents on the official PlayStation Store page.
| Game | Edition Included | Main Setting | Story Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | Definitive Edition | Yamatai Island | Lara's origin as a survivor |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | 20 Year Celebration | Siberia and Kitezh | Lara becomes a determined relic hunter |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Definitive Edition | Peru and Paititi | Lara confronts her consequences |
The trilogy follows Lara from her first disastrous expedition on Yamatai, through her search for the Divine Source in Siberia, to her race against Trinity to prevent a Mayan apocalypse. Each game expands her equipment, skill trees, and exploration tools, which is why release order delivers the best learning curve.
Each Definitive Edition includes its game's DLC: outfits, weapons, challenge tombs, the Baba Yaga expansion, Blood Ties and Lara's Nightmare chapters, Endurance mode, and Shadow's full season of additional adventures.
Recommended Play Order and What Each Game Offers
Play the trilogy in release order. Each entry assumes familiarity with traversal tools introduced earlier, so skipping ahead can make movement and puzzle logic feel abrupt.
| Game | Core Gameplay | Main Story Playtime | Recommended Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | Linear cinematic exploration, survival combat | 12-15 hours | Learn movement, stealth, bow combat, camp system |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | Larger semi-open regions, expanded crafting | 13-16 hours | Stealth tools, hub exploration, optional tombs |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Deep stealth, swimming, hub side quests | 12-15 hours | Camouflage, underwater traversal, merchants |
Tomb Raider (2013)
- Yamatai Island survival story
- Bow-focused stealth combat
- Introduction of challenge tombs
- Climbing axe and rope arrows open routes
Rise of the Tomb Raider
- Siberia and the lost city of Kitezh
- Semi-open hub regions
- Crafting, hunting, special arrows
- Endurance and Score Attack modes
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Paititi and the Mayan apocalypse
- Strongest stealth emphasis
- Underwater exploration
- Fear and poison arrows
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 rope launcher, rebreather, or ascender.
Beginner Progression: Skills, Weapons, and Combat
New players get the most out of the trilogy by building habits early: scan with Survival Instinct, gather resources constantly, and open every encounter with stealth before committing ammunition.
Play in Release Order
Start with Tomb Raider, continue with Rise, and finish with Shadow so story beats and traversal tools build naturally.
Use Survival Instinct First
Scan every new area to highlight resources, enemies, rope-wrapped objects, breakable barriers, and climbable surfaces before moving.
Gather Resources Everywhere
Collect salvage, plants, cloth, and hardwood while traveling. Search bodies and crates after fights because small shortages limit later upgrades.
Manage Skills at Camps
Spend skill points regularly instead of hoarding them. Upgrade the bow and climbing tools first because they serve both combat and exploration.
Open with Stealth
Use bushes, mud-covered walls, and high ledges to remove isolated enemies before open combat, prioritizing alarm units and armored targets.
Weapon choices should match the situation rather than a single favorite:
| Weapon | Best Use Case | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bow | Silent attacks, precision | Primary stealth tool; upgrade draw speed early |
| Pistol/Rifle | Mid-range reliability | Consistent damage in forced firefights |
| Shotgun | Close-range crowd control | Strong stagger when enemies rush |
| Special arrows | Armored groups | Poison and fear arrows shine in Rise and Shadow |
Improve bow draw speed, damage, and ammo capacity first, then climbing and rope traversal tools, and only then specialize into Warrior combat skills.
Difficulty Settings Compared
Difficulty names change between games, but the practical effects follow the same pattern: higher settings raise enemy damage, cut resources, reduce aim assistance, and tighten save rules.
| Game | Easiest Setting | Balanced Setting | Hardest Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | Easy | Normal | Survivor (scarce resources, minimal aim assist) |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | Adventurer | Tomb Raider | Extreme Survivor (restricted checkpoints) |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Smart and Resourceful | Rite of Passage | Deadly Obsession (manual campfire saves only) |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider's Deadly Obsession is the most restrictive mode in the collection because it combines very scarce resources with manual saving at campfires. Reserve it for a second playthrough after you know the encounters.
Choose the balanced setting (Normal, Tomb Raider, or Rite of Passage) for a first run. It keeps resource pressure meaningful without punishing exploration.
Collectibles and Challenge Tombs Checklist
The trilogy hides documents, relics, GPS caches, murals, monoliths, survival caches, and challenge items across every region. Track them by area rather than trying to sweep everything at once.
| Game | Key Collectible Types | Notable Challenge Tombs |
|---|---|---|
| Tomb Raider | Documents, relics, GPS caches, treasure maps | Tomb of the Unworthy, Hall of Ascension, The Flooded Vault |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | Documents, murals, coin caches, strongboxes | Ice Ship, Ancient Cistern, The Red Mine |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Relics, monoliths, crypts, treasure chests | Judge's Gaze, Path of Battle, Temple of the Sun |
Completion Milestones:
- Finish all three campaigns in release order
- Complete every optional challenge tomb
- Collect all documents and relics per region
- Unlock New Game Plus in Rise and Shadow
- Finish a high-difficulty run for exclusive trophies
Challenge tombs in Rise and Shadow reward permanent skills, not just collectibles. Completing them early makes later combat and traversal noticeably easier.
FAQ
Q: What does the Tomb Raider Definitive Survivor Trilogy PS4 bundle include?
It includes Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, each bundled with its DLC such as challenge tombs, outfits, weapons, the Baba Yaga expansion, and Shadow's additional adventures.
Q: Which game should I play first in the trilogy?
Play in release order: Tomb Raider, then Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The order follows Lara's character growth and the gradual introduction of traversal tools and equipment.
Q: Are there cheat codes in the Definitive Survivor Trilogy?
No. There is no universal cheat-code system. Bonus outfits, weapons, and modes are unlocked through campaign progression, New Game Plus, DLC, and completion milestones such as finishing challenge tombs and collectible sets.
Q: What is the hardest difficulty in the collection?
Shadow of the Tomb Raider's Deadly Obsession is the most demanding mode, combining very scarce resources, minimal aim assistance, and manual campfire saving. Rise's Extreme Survivor is similarly restrictive with checkpoint limitations.