The PC edition of the adventure game Rise of the Tomb Raider is set to release for Microsoft Windows in January 2016.
The news of the PC version of the game's release comes courtesy of the game's listing on Steam's online store. However, neither the developer nor the game's publisher has given an exact launch date for Rise of the Tomb Raider's PC release.
For the unfamiliar, the Xbox One version of the game was released on Nov. 10 and at the time, rumors were rife that the title's PC version would arrive later.
The release of the Rise of the Tomb Raider's PC version barely a month after it released for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One comes as a surprise.
The game was announced at Gamescom 2014 as an Xbox exclusive with the exclusivity for the platform lasting a year. Post this the PlayStation 4 version would be released. Publisher Square Enix had announced at the time that the PC version of the title would be released in "early 2016" and the PS4 version in winter holiday 2016.
On Saturday, Dec. 26, the listing for the game appeared on the Steam store, confirming the PC versions release in January 2016. However, no other details - barring the brief game description - are forthcoming.
"Featuring epic, high-octane action moments set in the most beautiful hostile environments on earth, Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers a cinematic survival action adventure where you will join Lara Croft on her first tomb raiding expedition as she seeks to discover the secret of immortality," notes the listing on the Steam store.
The PC version's arrival close on the heels of the Xbox one may not go down well with gamers who picked up the Xbox One version, which was touted to be an exclusive for the platform.
For those who are yet to play the game and are considering to purchase the PC version of the action adventure game, which sees Lara Croft battle her way through obstacles during the tomb raiding experience, the Rise of the Tomb Raider has garnered positive reviews.
The game's Xbox One release has already offered insight on what one can expect from the title and reviewers are waxing eloquent, calling the sequel to the 2013 Tomb Raider "bigger and denser" but maintaining the "tight design that made its predecessor so entertaining."
Polygon scored the game 8.5, which bears testimony to the game's playability. Gamers have several side missions they can indulge in, discoverable mini quests - like the one where one can destroy the Soviet flags in an area.
The puzzles are intermingled with the challenges in the story and the optional feature of "Challenge Tombs" will excite gamers.
These tombs can only be completed by deploying skill and logic and Lara's Survival Sense ability is not handy in this challenge. If one completes these tombs then one gets ancient powers added to his skill tree for each one conquered.
In the sequel, all of one's actions and conquests lead to XP points increasing and making Lara Croft stronger.
The bow also gets several upgrades and there are special arrows. Moreover, Lara also has access to pistols, explosives and several machine guns in the game. Even the RPG abilities are stronger.
Scavenging is an integral part of the game but instead of animal carcasses and plants, one gathers poisons from mushrooms, feathers from nests, saplings from wood etc.
With January 2016 knocking on our doorstep, Rise of the Tomb Raider will soon make its way to Windows PC users. In the coming days, one can expect a specific release date and necessary system requirements.
Whether the game will be priced in the same bracket as its Xbox version also remains to be seen.
