Rise of the Tomb Raider might have microstransactions - pre-orders open

Ok, let's try to get this information in order.

News has been coming out about Rise of the Tomb Raider recently, including the fact that the game is now available to pre-order on Xbox Live and you'll be able to pre-load ahead of release. We're also beeb hearing about the season pass for the game, and that's where things get a bit more complicated.

The season pass will offer up a good amount of extra content for the solely single player game, including three DLC. You'll be getting a new mode called Endurance - which sounds like a harder version of the main game, a story mission called Temple of the Witch and a wave-based mode called Cold Darkness Awakened.

Lots of extra material will also be offered during the first four months after release, including outfits and weapons as well as Expedition Cards. These card packs add abilities and extras to Lara, letting you change up the style of gameplay on the fly.

There are five different Expedition Card packs available:

Silver Pack: A set of 5 Expedition Cards, guaranteed to contain at least one Uncommon Card. Cards can be used in all extra gameplay modes.

Gold Pack: A set of 5 Expedition Cards, guaranteed to contain at least one Rare Card. Cards can be used in all extra gameplay modes.

Challenge Pack: A set of 5 Expedition Cards, each of which inflicts a restriction on Lara or another modifier that makes gameplay more difficult. Overcome challenges to earn bonus credits. Cards can be used in all extra gameplay modes.

Advantage Pack: A set of 5 Expedition Cards, each of which will give Lara a distinct advantage while playing. Perfect for those looking for a little edge. Cards can be used in all extra gameplay modes.

Wild Pack: A set of 5 Expedition Cards, each of which will have a highly unique impact on gameplay. Who knows what creative, crazy, or even Rare Cards are within? Cards can be used in all extra gameplay modes.

So it sounds like you'll be able to make the game harder or easier or just add some randomness to whatever you're playing. It's not clear as yet if this will be available in the main story based section of the game, and it's more likely that these modifiers will work in the other modes.

A pack of cards sounds like something we'll have to buy, though Microsoft hasn't confirmed as yet. With many different packs on offer, and some random Uncommon and Rare items in many of the packs it's likely there will be an element of collecting included in the game, and that you'll have to pay to collect them all. We're not sure that's something we want in a Tomb Raider game, especially if the price is high, and we'll have to wait and see how the players handle the news, and what Microsoft and Crystal Dynamics do in response.

Rise of the Tomb Raider comes to Xbox One and Xbox 360 on the 10th of November 2015.