Days before the much-awaited Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2015 in June, Microsoft lets gaming fans have a glimpse of what it will present in the June 16-18, 2015 convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Game developer Crystal Dynamics has unveiled some new concept art for Rise of the Tomb Raider, prior to the highly anticipated game's release date.
The spectacular images should give gamers a pretty good idea of what the next installment of the iconic action series, Rise of the Tomb Raiders, is going for in terms of locations and atmosphere.
The four photos released by Crystal Dynamic confirmed that the Rise of the Tomb Raiders will be set in Siberia. The pictures showcased the attention given by the developers on the game's landscape. One picture shows Lara Croft surrounded with snow and swinging herself to what appears to be a temple entrance, reported VC Post.
Another picture depicts Lara Croft as standing on top of a mountain looking at battlefield covered in smokes.
To date, Microsoft said Rise of the Tomb Raider would be released in Winter 2015 in time for the holidays in December. However, PC Advisor said fans should expect delay in the release.
Rise of the Tomb Raider will be initially available in 360 and Xbox One, as Microsoft has signed an timed exclusive deal for the game. The game will be available on PlayStation 4 (PS4) and PC once the timed exclusivity expires.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer commented on the controversial deal, "I knew there would be some pushback when we came out. Certain people won't believe this: (the deal) doesn't come from an evil space. It comes from a space where there's an opportunity that maps really well with what we need in terms of the genre, and a partner that's looking for partnership. Other people can do the deal, but it was a deal that fit well with us. I think it could help the franchise in the long run and help Crystal and Square and us."
Still devastated PlayStation users did not mince words to express their displeasure over the decision.
User Walter Halycz, asked on the official Rise of the Tomb Raider web site, "Why isn't Tomb Raider coming to the PS4?"
But Meto Nikolov was very blunt when he posted, "Tell us that we can wait for ROTTR on PC/PS4 so we don't need to buy the s----d console you made it exclusive for... I know it's a bad marketing, but you can't expect 100% of your fans on other systems to move to Xbox just because of your game."
As for release date, Rise of the Tomb Raider will be available in the market this Holiday 2015 exclusively to Xbox One and Xbox 360. Square Enix has yet to decide the availability of game to other game consoles like PS4, PS3, and PC. You can also watch the trailer of Rise of the Tomb Raider here
