• Lightning Returns will have Lara Croft DLC at launch



    It was announced earlier today on Square Enix's YouTube channel as well as Tomb Raider's Facebook page that Lightning will have a new DLC outfit for launch! Fans of both iconic series will be able to enjoy playing as Lightning while she roams around in Lara Croft's outfit as seen most recently in Square Enix's newest release of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. Aside from the outfit itself, she also has the wear and tear appearance of someone who's been literally fighting for their life in the wild. Lightning's sword appears to be Lara's pick axe and she also wields a riot shield.

    It will be a treat to see two of the gaming industries leading ladies put together in some fashion. It leads me to wonder, would you be interested in picking up the new Tomb Raider if it had Lightning DLC? Are you as excited about this outfit as I am? Do you plan on getting this DLC?
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Lightning Returns will have Lara Croft DLC at launch started by Lone Wolf Leonhart View original post
    Comments 37 Comments
    1. Sephiroth's Avatar
      Sephiroth -
      Sephiroth's Let's get sexy Edition:

      SOLDIER 1st - check

      Spira Summoner - check

      Midgar Flower Girl
      Lara Croft

      "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII - Tomb Raider DLC T..." - Videos - Viddler
    1. Ayen's Avatar
      Ayen -
      I thought this meant we would actually be able to play as Lara Croft.

      *leaves*
    1. Noctis Caelum's Avatar
      Noctis Caelum -
      Don't forget we will also have the Japanese language voices as a launch DLC as well. For the first two weeks it will be free. So those that aren't getting the game in that time can still download that and get it for free in that time frame, before it becomes a paid DLC.

      As for the Lara costume, this comes as no surprise to me though. We had that gimmicky N7 armor DLC for XIII-2 so I was expecting something similar in this game too. Square, quit with the costume DLC. Give us some story/sidequest DLC, and I'll eat that trout up. I don't care for costumes, I'm sorry.
    1. Del Murder's Avatar
      Del Murder -
      I bet Square execs are literally drooling over all the money they will make from these downloadable outfits.
    1. Skyblade's Avatar
      Skyblade -
      I don't see how it is any different than all the DLCs that contain guns or other equipment for other games. The gear does come with its own effects and stats, after all. It's not purely cosmetic.
    1. Psychotic's Avatar
      Psychotic -
      That girl looks like she could use a good wash. I like how she's all grubby and dirty and then her pink hair is still glossy and perfectly styled.
    1. Del Murder's Avatar
      Del Murder -
      Quote Originally Posted by Skyblade View Post
      I don't see how it is any different than all the DLCs that contain guns or other equipment for other games. The gear does come with its own effects and stats, after all. It's not purely cosmetic.
      You answered your own question. The cosmetic component of it is what makes it different, and, in my opinion a huge money maker for Square-Enix since it panders to two types of audiences (those who want functionality and those who want pretty outfits).

      This is also the type of DLC that I fully support since it is clear these are extra things for those willing to pay for them, and not a carved-out section of the game reserved for 'future wallets use' (i.e., the XIII-2 battle arena).
    1. Noctis Caelum's Avatar
      Noctis Caelum -
      Extra things? These costumes are already on the disc. You're basically reaching into your wallet, and paying to unlock it from its shackles. That is not good for business. It doesn't matter if it's $2 or $5, the point is it's already in the game. But because it's released individually as DLC, people are suckered into thinking that it's new content. The smurf it is.
    1. Ayen's Avatar
      Ayen -
      Quote Originally Posted by Psychotic View Post
      That girl looks like she could use a good wash. I like how she's all grubby and dirty and then her pink hair is still glossy and perfectly styled.
      I was scratching my head trying to figure out what I found unnatural about the pic and you just hit the nail on the head. A lot of these costumes look unnatural on her so I have no reason to be surprised.

      Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Caelum View Post
      Extra things? These costumes are already on the disc. You're basically reaching into your wallet, and paying to unlock it from its shackles. That is not good for business. It doesn't matter if it's $2 or $5, the point is it's already in the game. But because it's released individually as DLC, people are suckered into thinking that it's new content. The smurf it is.
      Just when I thought I couldn't hate the concept of DLC any more.
    1. Skyblade's Avatar
      Skyblade -
      Quote Originally Posted by Del Murder View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by Skyblade View Post
      I don't see how it is any different than all the DLCs that contain guns or other equipment for other games. The gear does come with its own effects and stats, after all. It's not purely cosmetic.
      You answered your own question. The cosmetic component of it is what makes it different, and, in my opinion a huge money maker for Square-Enix since it panders to two types of audiences (those who want functionality and those who want pretty outfits).
      The guns or armors DLC for Mass Effect 2 or Mass Effect 3 were both cosmetic and functional. Heck, most weapon DLCs I've seen do change the way weapons look, and character skins are already a huge DLC market that no one complains about (League of Legends, anyone?).

      This is also the type of DLC that I fully support since it is clear these are extra things for those willing to pay for them, and not a carved-out section of the game reserved for 'future wallets use' (i.e., the XIII-2 battle arena).
      Agreed.

      Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Calum View Post
      Extra things? These costumes are already on the disc. You're basically reaching into your wallet, and paying to unlock it from its shackles. That is not good for business. It doesn't matter if it's $2 or $5, the point is it's already in the game. But because it's released individually as DLC, people are suckered into thinking that it's new content. The smurf it is.
      Actually, there are plenty of similar DLCs that are not included on the in-game content. Did you play Dissidia Duodecim? None of the rare DLC skins for pre-ordering (such as Tifa's Enforcer outfit) were included on the in-game code. Neither was Aeris as an assist character. Or the N7 Armor in Final Fantasy XIII-2.

      There's also the multi-national release thing to think about. Some of these bonuses could have been released, as paid DLC, in the original Japanese release. Just because the localized version came out six months later, we should get everything that came out in between the two for free? Sure, it's added on the disc, the data is tiny and there is plenty of extra room. That doesn't mean that it was created specifically to be held back.

      Even then, most people don't complain about cosmetic things being locked to a disc. It's when core content such as extra characters, levels, and story sections are put in that it gets to be a problem. This is clearly bonus content meant to cross-promote the games, it is not a core part of the game. Who cares?
    1. radicaledward124's Avatar
      radicaledward124 -
      I can't wait for this. I will be getting any and all DLCs for this game that I can, cause I can. LOL
    1. Psychotic's Avatar
      Psychotic -
      Instead of offering just outfits they should full on have that person (Lara Croft, Aeris, Cloud!) replace Lightning as DLC. I guarantee that'd be a lot more popular, particularly if you changed the voice too. Lightning's voice grates on me, she just sounds either permanently tired or like she's clenching her teeth.
    1. Lone Wolf Leonhart's Avatar
      Lone Wolf Leonhart -
      When I bought the collector's edition I also bout the HD Tomb Raider trilogy in the same order, so as luck would have it I'll be spending time with both these ladies in the future
    1. Mercen-X's Avatar
      Mercen-X -
      Quote Originally Posted by Psychotic View Post
      Instead of offering just outfits they should full on have that person (Lara Croft, Aeris, Cloud!) replace Lightning as DLC. I guarantee that'd be a lot more popular, particularly if you changed the voice too. Lightning's voice grates on me, she just sounds either permanently tired or like she's clenching her teeth.
      Of course Psychotic says it. FYI. That'd be weird. Which idea is better? Lara or Cloud saying all of the same lines Lightning was supposed to say or each having their own individual take on the story..?
    1. Psychotic's Avatar
      Psychotic -
      Saints Row style would be best. Usually the same lines but their own little deviations every now and then.
    1. Quindiana Jones's Avatar
      Quindiana Jones -
      Quote Originally Posted by Psychotic View Post
      Instead of offering just outfits they should full on have that person (Lara Croft, Aeris, Cloud!) replace Lightning as DLC. I guarantee that'd be a lot more popular, particularly if you changed the voice too. Lightning's voice grates on me, she just sounds either permanently tired or like she's clenching her teeth.
      Not only would doing this make me willing to buy a game I have no intention of playing, but I would also purchase as much of the DLC as I possibly could. This would be amazing. xD
    1. Mirage's Avatar
      Mirage -
      Quote Originally Posted by ToriJ View Post
      Just when I thought I couldn't hate the concept of DLC any more.
      You seriously didn't know? This thing has been around since like 2008.
    1. Ayen's Avatar
      Ayen -
      Quote Originally Posted by Mirage View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by ToriJ View Post
      Just when I thought I couldn't hate the concept of DLC any more.
      You seriously didn't know? This thing has been around since like 2008.
      The rock I live under is of reinforced steel.
    1. Noctis Caelum's Avatar
      Noctis Caelum -
      Quote Originally Posted by ToriJ View Post
      Just when I thought I couldn't hate the concept of DLC any more.
      Not all DLC is like this. It's very easy to tell when something is though. If it's a costume or something, and it's less than 20MB, then it's just a dead giveaway. Or Day 1 DLC in general is an absolute dead giveaway, no matter what the size is. (Unless it's too big that they just couldn't fit it on the disc, but even then it should be free if you already bought the game.)

      There are legit DLCs out there. But I think that varies person to person. A lot of people like cosmic appearance DLCs. And I'm not gonna judge them for that. However I just simply cannot justify spending money on outfits in a game. If it's a large collection for a cheap price, I might be willing, but it is really rare. The stuff that I normally am suckered into is story based DLC, especially if it adds at least 5 hours to the game. Achievements are a nice little bonus too but not necessary.

      Trust me, not all DLC is bad. It's just, 90% of it (and that's being generous) is a developer just taking out a knife and gouging out your eyesockets until you bleed out more money. It wasn't long ago that "EXPANSION PACKS" were legitimate. But then DLC rolled around along with the next gen (at the time) and just exploited everything. The worst bit just happens to be this Day 1 DLC bulltrout. Hands down.

      If you want an example of legitimate DLC, check out the Skyrim DLCs. I'm not even a fan of Skyrim, but those DLCs add like 20 hours of gameplay. Easily the best DLC I've ever seen for a game and worth the price.
    1. Skyblade's Avatar
      Skyblade -
      Quote Originally Posted by Noctis Caelum View Post
      Quote Originally Posted by ToriJ View Post
      Just when I thought I couldn't hate the concept of DLC any more.
      Not all DLC is like this. It's very easy to tell when something is though. If it's a costume or something, and it's less than 20MB, then it's just a dead giveaway. Or Day 1 DLC in general is an absolute dead giveaway, no matter what the size is. (Unless it's too big that they just couldn't fit it on the disc, but even then it should be free if you already bought the game.)

      There are legit DLCs out there. But I think that varies person to person. A lot of people like cosmic appearance DLCs. And I'm not gonna judge them for that. However I just simply cannot justify spending money on outfits in a game. If it's a large collection for a cheap price, I might be willing, but it is really rare. The stuff that I normally am suckered into is story based DLC, especially if it adds at least 5 hours to the game. Achievements are a nice little bonus too but not necessary.
      You can't justify spending money on outfits. That's great. Then don't. That doesn't mean that there is anything at all wrong with a company offering cosmetic looks for DLC. Even on day 1.

      Trust me, not all DLC is bad. It's just, 90% of it (and that's being generous) is a developer just taking out a knife and gouging out your eyesockets until you bleed out more money. It wasn't long ago that "EXPANSION PACKS" were legitimate. But then DLC rolled around along with the next gen (at the time) and just exploited everything. The worst bit just happens to be this Day 1 DLC bulltrout. Hands down.
      Actually, about 90% of DLC comes out months after the game does. Only one of XIII-2's Coliseum fights was already in existence on launch day, and only two of the outfits (If I am remembering correctly). All the others were made, developed, and sold afterward. If you need some further evidence of this, look to Mass Effect 3, where development of the Leviathan DLC was brought to a complete standstill as all the resources were switched over into creating the Extended Cut DLC, to appease the angry fans.

      I can't think of a single game where all over even the majority of the DLC was actually created prior to launch.

      What's more, cosmetic DLCs, even if finished before the launch of game, are rarely completed before game finalization, which is usually close to a month long process that gives the artistic team (who are the primary ones who work on cosmetic DLC) plenty of time to flesh out some add-ons.

      If you want an example of legitimate DLC, check out the Skyrim DLCs. I'm not even a fan of Skyrim, but those DLCs add like 20 hours of gameplay. Easily the best DLC I've ever seen for a game and worth the price.
      Or look at most of the DLC for the Mass Effect series. Or the DLC scenarios for Final Fantasy XIII-2. Or most of the DLC scenarios for the Dragon Age series. Or any of the DLC for Fire Emblem Awakening. Or any of hundreds of others.

      DLC is fine (how nice of you to forgive a game that you're a fan of while criticizing others). And there is absolutely nothing wrong with cosmetic DLC being offered at any point, even launch day. It's cosmetic, it affects almost nothing except how things look, and it's completely optional.

      The problem is when story-content is being cut to be put on DLC, and that is far, far rarer than you make it out to be (with the worst offender I can remember being the From the Ashes DLC from Mass Effect 3).
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