First Shadow Of The Tomb Raider DLC Adds Co-op Puzzle Solving

Shadow of the Tomb Raider
(Image credit: Square Enix)

We're just barely a month removed from Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal, and Square Enix's release of Shadow of the Tomb Raider for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, but the game is already set to receive its first major DLC add-on that adds something a little extra to the overall experience. The sugary and spicy expansion brings an all new cooperative puzzle-solving experience to Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which is bound to give puzzle-fanatics something thick to sink their teeth into, and it might even encourage those who aren't into puzzle games to give the game a try if a friend convinces them that co-op play is worth checking out.

Over on the official Tomb Raider website, there's a post about the new DLC titled The Forge. It will be the first of seven new DLC packs planned for release for the third-person action-adventure title. The Forge, however, will not be a premium piece of DLC when it launches. You'll be able to get your hands on it for free on the Xbox One, Xbox One X, PS4, and on Windows for PC starting November 13th next month. That's right, you'll be able to get the DLC for free. The rest of the DLC packs will be premium priced, unless you purchase the season pass.

The content pack will come with a brand new journey into a new challenge tomb known as Kuwaq Yaku. This is a lava-filled Forge that was home to the fallen gods of old. And yes, the tomb will be playable in solo play or as a cooperative adventure with a second player.

The new DLC will also come with new costumes and weapons, including a new Brocken outfit, an all new grenadier skill, and the Umbrage 3-80 weapon. There are some screenshots of the new DLC but none of the screenshots showcase what the new weapon or outfit looks like for the upcoming Shadow of the Tomb Raider DLC.

The screenshots do, however, showcase who the second player will be and what the stage looks like. It appears as if players will take on the role of Jonah's love interest, Abby. We see that she's still wearing the red and white baseball cap and short-sleeved leather jacket. What we don't know is if there will be co-op mechanics implemented similar to games like Army of Two or A Way Out, where both players will have to work together to achieve certain goals or if it's just setup where two players are in the same map at the same time.

Either way, The Forge will be the first of seven monthly DLC packs that roll out for Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The content will center around locations based around the city of Paititi, which was one of the central locations featured throughout the main campaign of the game.

Each of the DLC packs will come with new weapons, new outfits to gather or craft, and new skills for Lara to utilize. I'm also wondering if the second player will share Lara's skills or will players have to unlock new abilities for them separately?

I'm sure once the DLC drops we'll find out more about how that all works with the co-op mode and progression. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is available right now for the Xbox One, PS4 and PC, and the first DLC will be available starting next month on November 13th.

Will Usher

Staff Writer at CinemaBlend.