Rise of the Tomb Raider PC Download – Lara’s Toughest Expedition Yet
Game Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Crystal Dynamics |
| Publisher | Square Enix, Microsoft Studios |
| Release Date (PC) | January 28, 2016 |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Third-Person Shooter |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| File Size (PC) | 25 GB |
| Game Length | 15–20 hours |
The Snow Is Cold. The Action Is Hot.
Lara Croft is back. And she’s pissed. Rise of the Tomb Raider PC Download sends our favorite archaeologist to Siberia, and trust me, she didn’t pack for a vacation.
Here’s the setup. Lara uncovered a secret. An ancient mystery about immortality. Now a ruthless organization called Trinity wants that secret. Badly. They’re willing to kill for it. Lara races them to a lost city called Kitezh. Hidden somewhere in the frozen Russian wilderness. She has to find it first .
The story is better than the 2013 reboot. Tighter. More personal. Lara isn’t just surviving anymore. She’s hunting. One player called it “more engaging” with “better and more interesting villains” . You actually care about what happens.
What Makes This One Different?
The first game was about survival. This one is about becoming a tomb raider. Big difference.
The tombs are back. And they’re actually good now. Hidden underground complexes. Deadly traps. Puzzles that make you think. Optional areas you can completely miss if you’re not paying attention. One reviewer said exploration is “genuinely rewarding” and the optional tombs are “clever and challenging” .
The crafting system got a serious upgrade. You hunt animals to make better gear. Scavenge resources in the wilderness. Craft explosives on the fly. It feels meaningful now. Not just tacked on.
And the stealth? Way better. You can scale trees, hide in bushes, and dive underwater to avoid enemies. Use the environment as your weapon. One player praised the “smoother” stealth and “more crafting options” .
What Are The Graphics Like?
Gorgeous. Even today.
The Siberian wilderness looks incredible. Snow storms. Frozen lakes. Ancient ruins buried in ice. The lighting effects hold up beautifully. One reviewer said the game “still holds up beautifully” with lighting, weather effects, and animations that “work together to create an immersive atmosphere” .
On a modern PC, you can crank everything to ultra. Hit high frame rates. The game runs smooth. No complaints here.
The Blood Ties DLC Is A Must-Play
The 20 Year Celebration edition includes something special. Blood Ties. A story where Lara returns to Croft Manor. Explores her family’s past. Solves puzzles in her childhood home.
It’s emotional. A bit creepy. And a fantastic addition to the story. You also get “Lara’s Nightmare” – a zombie survival mode set in the manor. Fun little extra .
The edition also includes the Season Pass with all DLC. Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch is a standout. Adds a new tomb area with a supernatural twist. Cold Darkness Awakened adds a combat-focused challenge mode. Worth getting the complete package .
What Players Are Saying (2026)
The user score sits at 7.9 on Metacritic. 74% positive . People mostly love it.
One recent reviewer gave it a 10/10, calling it “one of the finest adventure games of its generation” and praising Lara’s “human, determined, and believable” evolution .
Another said it’s “a significant improvement over the previous game” with “more tombs, better story, more weapons” .
The complaints? Some say the story isn’t as impactful as the 2013 reboot. Others mention repetitive combat. One player said there’s “too much combat and very little exploration” . And the voice acting can feel forced in some scenes.
But overall? People really like this game.
The DRM And Crack Situation
Here’s the history. Rise of the Tomb Raider launched with Denuvo anti-tamper DRM. It held out against pirates for about six months. That was a big deal back in 2016 .
A crack eventually appeared. The usual suspects. The game has been available on torrent sites for years now.
But here’s the thing. The game is old. It goes on sale constantly for $10-15. The 20 Year Celebration edition is usually $15-20 on sale. At that price? Just buy it. You get all the DLC, cloud saves, achievements, and no risk of malware from sketchy download sites.
Plus, the game is DRM-free on GOG. Yes, you read that right. GOG sells the 20 Year Celebration edition with zero DRM. Download it. Keep it forever. Install it on as many PCs as you want. No activation limits .
That’s the best deal. Wait for a GOG sale. Grab the DRM-free version. No cracks needed. No security risks. Just pure Lara action.
Screenshots
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System Requirements
Here are the official specs from Steam and Crystal Dynamics .
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 64bit | Windows 10 64bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-2100 / AMD equivalent | Intel Core i7-3770K |
| Memory | 6 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 650 2GB / AMD HD7770 2GB | NVIDIA GTX 980Ti / GTX 970 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 25 GB available space | 25 GB available space |
Note: These specs are very friendly. The game runs on hardware from 2012. An SSD is nice but not required. You’ll be fine with a hard drive.
Best Games Like Rise of the Tomb Raider
Love exploration, action, and strong female leads? These games will scratch the same itch.
| Game Name | Why You Will Love It |
|---|---|
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | The finale of the trilogy. More tombs. More puzzles. Less combat. A satisfying end to Lara’s origin story. |
| Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End | The other king of action-adventure. Bigger set pieces. More humor. Nathan Drake is like Lara with better jokes. Excellent PC port. |
| Tomb Raider (2013) | The reboot that started it all. Pure survival. Brutal. Emotional. Shorter and tighter than the sequels. Start here if you’re new. |
Download Rise of the Tomb Raider
Ready to explore the lost city? Grab the game below. The 20 Year Celebration edition includes everything.
| Game Version | Release Features / Status | Action / Link |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Year Celebration | Base game + Season Pass + Blood Ties + Baba Yaga + all DLC | Buy from GOG or Steam |
| Standard Edition | Base game only | Buy from Steam |
Important Note: The 20 Year Celebration edition is DRM-free on GOG. That means no activation limits, no online check-ins, no launcher required after download. Install it anywhere. Keep it forever. Wait for a sale – it drops to $15-20 regularly. If you buy on Steam, the game uses standard Steam DRM only (Denuvo was removed years ago) . Either way, you’re getting a fantastic game. Looking for a rollback setup? Click to view Older Versions
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Older Versions of Rise of the Tomb Raider
We keep older builds here just in case newer patches break your mods or cause compatibility issues. The 20 Year Celebration edition is the definitive version.
| Archive Version | Release Date | Action / Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| v1.0 Day One Build (Denuvo included) | January 28, 2016 | Buy from GOG or Steam |
| 20 Year Celebration Edition | October 11, 2016 | Buy from GOG or Steam |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rise of the Tomb Raider free to play?
No. Standard Edition is $29.99 full price. But it goes on sale for $10-15 constantly. The 20 Year Celebration edition is $15-20 on sale. Wait for a sale. Worth every penny.
Where can I get the Rise of the Tomb Raider PC download safely?
Stick to GOG (DRM-free) or Steam. Both are official. GOG is the best choice – no DRM, no launcher, keep the installer forever. Avoid random download sites – the game is cheap enough on sale .
Do I need an internet connection to play it?
Only for the initial download. The single-player campaign works completely offline after that. No always-online nonsense. The GOG version can be installed on an airgapped PC.
What is the total download file size?
25 GB. That’s very reasonable. Fits easily on most drives. An SSD is nice but not required.
Do I need to play Tomb Raider (2013) first?
Not strictly. The story stands alone. But you’ll miss Lara’s origin. Her trauma. Why she’s so driven. The 2013 reboot is excellent and regularly on sale for $5. Play it first. You’ll appreciate Rise so much more.
Is this better than the 2013 reboot?
Depends who you ask. One player says it’s “a significant improvement” with “more tombs, better story, more weapons” . Another says the story “isn’t as impactful as before” . My take? The gameplay is better. The tombs are better. Lara is more confident. The 2013 reboot has a tighter, more emotional story. Both are great. Play them in order.
