Developer Crystal Dynamics announced Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition as part of the Spike VGX television special today. This new version is an expansive reworking of the adventure-franchise reboot specifically designed for the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4. The title will feature an all-new character model of protagonist Lara Croft that sports realistic hair motion through TressFX technology.
“The new hardware let us finally express the original vision in all of its glory,” explained Crystal Dynamics executive producer Scot Amos. “This was a continued labor of love. We pulled the game apart and rebuilt it with painstaking detail to add enhanced visual storytelling but without changing the award winning tale. The end result is a cinematic living world. We can’t wait for fans and newcomers alike to experience this rebuilt epic adventure.”
Enhancements are coming across the board to the original Tomb Raider’s in-game object destructibility, enemies, and shaders. The Definitive Edition will employ subsurface scattering technology, which simulates light entering the surface of an object and scattering within the material before exiting at a different point. Crystal Dynamics is also recreating the game’s textures at four times their original resolution, running them at 1080p.
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition will include all previous downloadable content, along with digital versions of the Dark Horse tie-in comic, mini-art book from Brady Games, and the Final Hours behind-the-scenes video-documentary series. Those who preorder will also gain access to a new, exclusive art book. The Definitive Edition will launch on Xbox One and Playstation 4 on Jan. 28, 2014 for the full retail price of $60.