Developer Crystal Dynamics has rolled out a new gameplay mode for its cinematic adventure game Rise of the Tomb Raider that mimics the survival-oriented challenges of Minecraft‘s core campaign.
Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s new Endurance mode, available as a DLC add-on, challenges players to stay alive in a harsh wilderness setting by employing traditional survival methods, making for a drastically different gameplay experience.
In Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s new Endurance mode, players must keep starring character Lara Croft alive for as long as possible over the course of multiple in-game days. Lara can restore her constantly depleting health by cooking and eating meals throughout, but an accelerated in-game timer ensures that players will have limited opportunities to hunt for wild animals before nightfall.
In addition to keeping Lara healthy and fed, players must also gather fuel for fire throughout, as freezing temperatures provide another layer of challenge. Crucial weapons and items must also be crafted using materials scavenged from the surrounding environment, forcing players to make efficient use of limited resources.
“Fire takes fuel, cold kills the unprepared, food restores health, but everything must be caught, collected, or crafted,” developer Crystal Dynamics warns. “You start with nothing and must find everything.”
Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s freeform Endurance mode is reminiscent of Mojang’s indie hit Minecraft, which offers a similar Survival mode at its core. In Minecraft‘s default gameplay mode, players must hunt for food in order to fill a depleting hunger meter, and shelters must be constructed in order to fend off enemies who invade at nightfall.
Endurance mode features its own unique set of global leaderboards, and players who purchase the DLC pack will receive an exclusive in-game outfit and weapon. Endurance mode is included as part of Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s Season Pass, and is also available as a standalone download priced at $10.
