Play Tomb Raider (2013) first. It is the direct story lead-in to Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration. If you want Lara Croft’s complete Survivor-era origin, play Tomb Raider (2013), then Rise of the Tomb Raider, then Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The classic-era games are optional history lessons, not required preparation for Rise.
The short answer
The “20th Anniversary Edition” in this question is Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, not a separate twentieth game. For the minimum useful context, finish Tomb Raider (2013), preferably its Definitive Edition where that version is available. Crystal Dynamics presents that game as Lara’s first adventure and frames Rise as the expedition that follows it.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition - PlayStation 4 | $19.37 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Rise of The Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration (PS4) | $17.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (PS4) | $21.84 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Tomb Raider Colossal Collection Volume 2 | $50.76 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Tomb Raider Trilogy | Buy on Amazon |
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For the complete modern origin arc, use this order:
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- Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
You can start Rise without playing anything else, but the first game gives Lara’s relationships, motivations and transformation considerably more weight. The third game is not a prerequisite for Rise; it is the continuation to play afterward.
#1 Best Overall
- Live the critically acclaimed, cinematic action adventure, re built specifically for next gen consoles
- Survive high octane combat, customize Lara's weapons and gear, and overcome grueling environments to uncover the island's deadly secret
- See Lara Croft like never before, with every bead of sweat, strand of hair, and article of clothing delivered in obsessive detail
- Endure a stunningly re imagined island, fraught with new, unforgiving storms, and alive with motion
- Own the complete Tomb Raider experience with all of the DLC, including the Tomb of the Lost Adventurer, six outfits for Lara, a digital mini art book, and the digital comic " The Beginning
What “20 Year Celebration” actually is
Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration is an expanded edition of Rise of the Tomb Raider. Crystal Dynamics describes Rise as Lara’s first tomb-raiding expedition after her first adventure. The official game description places her after the events of the original, pursuing the mystery of immortality and the lost city of Kitezh: “Rise of the Tomb Raider takes Lara to some of the most beautifully hostile places on earth, in a hunt for the lost secrets of immortality.”
The anniversary name marks the franchise milestone and the edition’s added content; it does not change the basic story position of Rise. You are still playing the second chapter of the Survivor-era narrative.
Choose your play path
| Path | Play before or around Rise | What it gives you | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum context | Tomb Raider (2013) → Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration | Lara’s first adventure and the essential setup for her next expedition | Players who want to reach Rise quickly without losing the main character context |
| Complete Survivor origin | Tomb Raider (2013) → Rise of the Tomb Raider → Shadow of the Tomb Raider | The full modern trilogy, moving from Yamatai to Siberia and then Peru | New players who want the entire character arc |
| Franchise-history route | Start with the Survivor trilogy; explore older eras separately | Modern continuity first, classic games as optional background and contrast | Players curious about Tomb Raider’s wider history |
The official trilogy framing treats the three Survivor games as a self-contained starting route. That is why older titles should be considered enrichment rather than homework for Rise. Individual references or recurring concepts may appear across the franchise, but no reviewed official description makes the classic games a prerequisite.
Why Tomb Raider (2013) is the best lead-in
It establishes Lara before she becomes the experienced explorer
The 2013 game is built around Lara’s first major survival ordeal on Yamatai. It introduces the version of Lara followed through the modern trilogy: capable but inexperienced, physically vulnerable, and still developing the skills and convictions associated with the familiar adventurer.
Rank #2
- The Critically Acclaimed Action Adventure - In Rise of the Tomb Raider, Lara uncovers an ancient mystery that places her in the cross-hairs of a ruthless organization known as Trinity. As she races to find the secret before Trinity, the trail leads to a myth about the Lost City of Kitezh.
- NEW "Blood Ties" Single Player Story - In the wake of her father
- NEW "Blood Ties" Nightmare - Lara
- NEW 20 Year Celebration Content - Five classic Lara Croft skins as well as a reimagined outfit that pays tribute to Lara
- NEW Endurance Mode Co-Op: You and a friend must scrounge, scavenge and craft to survive the harsh elements by day, as well as lethal threats from enemies, both man and beast, by night. This is the ultimate test to see how long you and a friend can survive the sprawling, unforgiving landscapes. Fire takes fuel, cold kills the unprepared, food restores health, and everything must be caught, collected, or crafted. You start with nothing and must find everything. Work together and challenge others to your longest survival run and battle to the top of the leaderboards.Includes all DLC - Includes all downloadable content that will extend your single-player campaign and will allow you to compete with friends. Three major releases will challenge you to survive the extreme conditions of Endurance Mode, explore a new tomb that houses an ancient terror in Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch, and combat waves of infected predators in Cold Darkness Awakened. In addition, new outfits, weapons, and Expedition Cards will keep you customizing, expanding, and challenging your friends to new adventures.
Playing it first lets you see that development rather than receiving it as backstory. Characters who matter to Lara’s decisions in Rise are introduced earlier, and the consequences of the first expedition explain why she approaches later mysteries with greater determination.
Use the Definitive Edition when editions are available
The Definitive Edition is the preferred choice when you are selecting among versions of the 2013 game. The important point is the game itself, not a special compatibility requirement: the story lead-in is the same campaign. Confirm the edition offered for your platform before buying, since names and packages vary by store.
The complete Survivor-era order
1. Tomb Raider (2013)
This is the opening chapter of Lara’s formative journey. The Yamatai setting supplies the central origin context for the Survivor trilogy: Lara’s first expedition, the people around her, and the experience that changes her understanding of what tomb raiding demands.
For a player focused only on Rise, the main campaign is the relevant preparation. Optional challenge modes and downloadable extras are not needed to understand the sequel’s premise.
Rank #3
- Combines the base game, All seven DLC challenge tombs and all downloadable content.
- survive and thrive in the deadliest place on Earth: master an unforgiving jungle setting in order to survive. Explore underwater environments filled with crevasses and deep tunnel systems.
- become one with the jungle: outgunned and outnumbered, Lara must use the jungle to her advantage. Strike suddenly and disappear like a Jaguar, use mud as camouflage, and instill fear in enemies to Sow chaos.
- discover dark and brutal tombs: tombs are more terrifying than ever before, requiring advanced traversal techniques to reach them, and once inside they are filled with deadly puzzles.
- uncover living history: discover a hidden city and explore the biggest hub space ever found in a Tomb Raider game
2. Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
Rise follows Lara after she has survived the first adventure. Its main pursuit is the lost city of Kitezh and the secrets of immortality, taking her into Siberia and other hostile environments. The 20 Year Celebration edition adds modes, side content and previously released downloadable material to that core campaign.
If you are buying the anniversary edition specifically, play the main Rise campaign before treating the added modes as a checklist. Some extras are separate scenarios or challenge experiences rather than chapters that must be completed to follow the central plot.
3. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Shadow is the closing game in the Survivor origin trilogy. The official trilogy description moves the setting from Yamatai to Siberia and then Peru, so it belongs after Rise rather than before it. You do not need Shadow to understand the anniversary edition; playing it afterward gives the modern origin story its intended final movement.
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The edition’s extras are useful once you know what belongs to the main sequel and what is additional content:
Rank #4
- Blood Ties: a story-focused exploration of Lara’s family manor.
- Lara’s Nightmare: a separate manor-based challenge scenario.
- Co-op Endurance: an expanded Endurance experience designed for cooperative play.
- Classic Lara models: playable or selectable looks drawn from earlier Tomb Raider designs.
- Themed outfit and weapon: anniversary equipment tied to the franchise’s history.
- Extreme Survivor difficulty: a more demanding difficulty option for players seeking a harsher replay.
- Previously released downloadable content: additional content packaged with the celebration edition.
Blood Ties is the most relevant addition if you want more character and setting material after the main campaign. The classic models and themed equipment are historical callbacks, not story prerequisites. Endurance and Extreme Survivor are replay options, so you can ignore them on a first narrative playthrough.
Do you need the classic Tomb Raider games first?
No. The original games, the Legend era and other older releases can be played later if you want to study how Lara and the series evolved. They are not required context for the Survivor trilogy’s opening or for Rise’s plot.
This recommendation follows Crystal Dynamics’ official presentation of the Survivor games as an origin trilogy. It does not claim that the wider franchise has no shared ideas or references; it means a new player can begin with the 2013 reboot without first completing decades of releases.
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Do not assume that every listing called “20 Year Celebration” contains the same thing. The package differs by platform, and the base game requirement matters.
Best Value
- ReMastered in high definition, Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary provide the same thrilling gamePlay with immersive visuals
- All three exciting adventures are Included on a Single Blu ray Disc
- Trilogy Includes Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary and Tomb Raider: UnderWorld
- Features Complete collection of "Beneath the Surface" UnderWorld Dev Diaries
| Platform or listing | What the official description establishes | Check before purchase |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 4 edition | The PlayStation announcement describes a package containing the celebration additions, including Blood Ties, Lara’s Nightmare, co-op Endurance, classic Lara models, themed gear, Extreme Survivor and prior DLC. | Confirm that the listing is the complete PS4 edition rather than a separate add-on. |
| Xbox 20 Year Celebration Pack | The Xbox store lists the pack as a separate item and states that it “requires a game (sold separately).” It lists Rise as the compatible game and includes the anniversary content. | Buy or already own the compatible base game; the pack alone is not the full game. |
| Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy | The 2021 franchise announcement describes a digital console bundle containing Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. | Verify your console, store region and the current listing. The announcement identifies it as a digital console bundle, not a guaranteed physical release. |
Store catalogs, package names and platform support can change. Before checkout, read whether the item is a standalone game, an expansion pack or a trilogy bundle, and check the supported platform shown on that store’s current page.
Which route should you choose?
Choose the two-game route if you only want Rise
Play the 2013 campaign, then move directly to Rise. This supplies the character and story setup that matters while avoiding optional franchise history and a third full game before the title you actually want to play.
Choose the trilogy if Lara’s development is the reason you are playing
Play all three Survivor games in release order. The trilogy’s geographic progression—from Yamatai, to Siberia, to Peru—also matches its narrative progression, so changing the order would remove the intended buildup.
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Choose classic games afterward if you are exploring the series
Once you have completed the modern trilogy, older games make more sense as comparisons: you can recognize which traits are longstanding parts of Lara’s identity and which were redesigned for the Survivor era. Starting there is a valid archival project, but it is unnecessary preparation for Rise.
A practical first-play checklist
- Identify the exact game on your store page: Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration or a separate celebration pack.
- If you are beginning the story, select the 2013 Definitive Edition where your platform offers it.
- Finish the 2013 main campaign before starting Rise if you want the intended character context.
- In Rise, play the main campaign first; sample Blood Ties, Lara’s Nightmare, Endurance and the challenge options afterward according to your interests.
- If you want the complete origin arc, continue to Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition.
- Only purchase the Xbox celebration pack by itself if you already own the compatible base game; otherwise select a listing that includes Rise.
Bottom line
For Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, the one game to play first is Tomb Raider (2013). For the full Survivor-era story, play the three-game order of Tomb Raider (2013), Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Classic Tomb Raider releases are optional, and the anniversary extras expand Rise rather than changing where it belongs in that order.
Quick Recap
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