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Brief synopsis
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is a remastered version of the 2013 action-adventure reboot, produced by Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix. It follows a young, inexperienced Lara Croft on her first expedition to the mysterious island of Yamatai off the coast of Japan, retelling the origin story that relaunched the franchise.
Placement in the trilogy
This release is the first chapter of the Survivor trilogy; players who enjoy it can continue Lara’s journey in Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider to complete the arc.
What the package contains
- Most of the originally sold costume packs included with the remaster
- All downloadable content from the base game, such as additional map packs and multiplayer arenas
- Technical updates like unlocked frame rates to improve visual smoothness and responsiveness
Visual and performance improvements
The Definitive Edition adds several technical and graphical refinements over the 2013 release. Expect clearer textures, improved lighting and shadow work, and generally smoother frame pacing, which enhance combat, traversal and puzzle-solving.
Where it is available
The full remastered Definitive Edition is offered through the Microsoft Store and the Xbox Store. On Steam and the Epic Games Store, you’ll typically find the Tomb Raider: Game of the Year Edition instead, which contains the same core content and DLC but lacks some of the remaster’s technical enhancements.
Assessment and recommendation
The Definitive Edition is an attractive way to revisit the reboot with better fidelity and all DLC bundled in. However, the update doesn’t add new narrative content, and its improved technical features are tied to specific storefronts, which may limit its appeal for players who already own another edition. If you want the best-looking version and can access it on the Microsoft/Xbox platforms, it’s worth picking up; otherwise the Game of the Year Edition remains a solid alternative.
Technical
- Windows
- Full
