Tomb Raider: Anniversary episodes hitting Xbox 360 in September

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jun 18th 2007 at 6:40AM }

Eidos UK has officially announced Tomb Raider: Anniversary for the Xbox 360, confirming almost all of the theories originating from the ESRB listing we unearthed earlier this month. We say "almost," because one of said theories had the game being distributed via antiquated catapult. That's clearly and unfortunately not the case, as Anniversary will initially arrive on the Xbox 360 as a set of four downloadable episodes incorporated into Tomb Raider: Legend. The publisher notes that this marks the first occasion of a full game being serialized on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

As suggested in the earlier article, the episodes should be split across the various locales Lara Croft explores and inevitably desecrates in the Crystal Dynamics remake of the 1996 original. Lady Croft's manor will be offered as a free download, while the complete set of episodes will cost 2400 MS Points -- $30 and on par with the cost of the already released PC and PS2 versions.

Eidos promises to release Episode 1 and Episode 2 in September, with the final two episodes following "shortly afterwards." Those bemoaning the fact that they've since traded in Tomb Raider: Legend (understandable!) or never bothered to pick it up (unacceptable!) can wait for a retail version of Anniversary to be released on Xbox 360 "later in the year."

Tags: Eidos, Episodic, Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider Anniversary, TombRaider, TombRaiderAnniversary, XBLA, XBLM, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace, XboxLive, XboxLiveMarketplace

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jay @ Jun 18th 2007 7:28AM

So you'll need to own Legends to play Anniversary? Not keen on that idea, but I suppose I can't complain since I'm picking up the PC version.

synce @ Jun 18th 2007 7:54AM

Well look at who didn't read the fucking article (cough, #1).

tcc3 @ Jun 18th 2007 7:55AM

On par with a previously released version on another platform? Wow, imagine that. One would assume the whole thing would cost 1/3 more - you know like the Guitar Hero content.

t_m @ Jun 18th 2007 8:34AM

So i'm assuming the graphics on this will be at PS2/Wii levels?

Strange how even the next-gen powerhorses seem to be accepting the fact that people are happy to have Wii level graphics if the gameplay and/or price is right.

Right now, the most appealing games on both the PS3 an 360 seem to be downloadable ones with last gen graphics..

Consolenaut @ Jun 18th 2007 8:37AM

If it's using the Legend engine, which I'm guessing it will, it will look just as good as Legend since it would take MORE effort to dumb down the graphics.

mattclarkie @ Jun 18th 2007 8:49AM

I assumed it would use the character models, textures, physics and just be a small download of where to put stuff. I am glad they are making a full 360 version though as I don't actually have legend.

sheppy @ Jun 18th 2007 8:51AM

So let me get this straight. Due to digital distribution, they save money on packaging, shipping, and even reduces the possibility for someone to resell their version, and we, after getting such a shaft, get to enjoy the full retail price?

Welp, PC version here I come.

whosmav @ Jun 18th 2007 8:55AM

This comes with the nudie code right?

Drdre74 @ Jun 18th 2007 9:38AM

This is the dumbest idea I've seen. You need to have a old game to download the new game and if you dont have the old game you have to wait until the retail version comes out months after the downloads. This is just dumb marketing. I'll just get the PS2 version.

Joshua Marketis @ Jun 18th 2007 9:49AM

You know the "retail" X-box 360 version will cost $60 right? ;)

polly @ Jun 18th 2007 10:39AM

Free on GameTap...

polly @ Jun 18th 2007 10:44AM

oops...that's legend...nevermind...

Plaid Ninja @ Jun 18th 2007 10:58AM

Thankfully there's a retail version coming out. The digital model is nice and all, but I prefer physical to digital when it comes to software purchases.

Spitkicker @ Jun 18th 2007 11:29AM

nice, no disc!!

konajinx @ Jun 18th 2007 11:32AM

Awesome. I just recently got a new copy of Legend at Target for $7.98, so this will all make it more than worth it to me. I originally had the game on my PS2, but never finished it but liked it enough to get it again with better graphics and such for a great clearance price and finally play it all, which I'm actually still doing.

Jonathan Tran @ Jun 18th 2007 11:34AM

I prefer digital dist on PC because even though it's gotten better, PC game boxes are still about 10x too big to put on most shelves, compared to console game boxes.

Phranctoast @ Jun 18th 2007 12:23PM

picked this game up for the ps2 for $20 from best buy online. This game owns. The puzzles are all changed to reflect the legend gameplay. With that change and the graphics going through such an overhall, its like playing an entirely different game. This is great news for the 360, and Im sure (like legend) the graphics will be upgraded to at least match the PC's.

eRAD @ Jun 18th 2007 12:45PM

If the price is the same, I think I'd rather have the DLC rather than the disc. I've had two games get scratched on my console and I KNOW this game will be played until all achievements are unlocked. I understand games sometimes get scratched after playing for long periods of time. My wife LOVES Legend and the demo for PC has her looking forward for Anniversary. She doesn't want the PC version as she wants her achievements :D I guess MS did something right with those little gamescore points.

DLC doesn't bother me as I'm sure you can delete the levels you complete and then download a new one. If you ever want to play the old levels again, you can redownload it for free as any XBLA game.

aegies @ Jun 18th 2007 1:42PM

Hey, look at that. I was right. Except for them deciding not to package episodes together. And that pricing is way, way more reasonable than I expected.

http://eat-sleep-game.com/news

Twist @ Jun 18th 2007 4:29PM

I think I will just wait for the full retail version since my 360's HD is getting a little more packed than I am comfortable with. Anything that delays having to buy that 120 gig HD is good IMHO.

fester @ Jun 18th 2007 11:37PM

Boy oh boy what a nice game it is too! Got it on PS2 and it's by far the best of the Toomies. Camera can get a little nertsy , but the controls are pretty good ,graphics great and oodles of puzzles. Dammit, I'm still tryna find the nudie cheat for Lara tho! bwaaahaahaa! lol