Just in time to ride the wave of hype from the Tomb Raider Remastered Trilogy, the Tomb Raider saga is set to unfold beyond the video games, as Evil Hat Productions introduces Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth, a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) that delves deep into the world of Lara Croft.
Although there was a TTRPG that featured Lara Croft before (Lara Croft’s Tomb Raiders: Mark of the Phoenix), Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth is officially licensed from Crystal Dynamics. The new Tomb Raider TTRPG blends the innovative Powered by the Apocalypse and Forged in the Dark tabletop RPG systems.
The game aims to provide a modern and immersive experience within the iconic Tomb Raider universe, while delving into the intricacies of character development and narrative design, which is in line with the modern reboots of the franchise.
Explore hidden tombs and uncover powerful secrets in Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth, an official tabletop RPG developed in collaboration with the team at @EvilHatOfficial . 🎲https://t.co/wHTI9p3yW1 pic.twitter.com/yZLbsoY8ek
— Tomb Raider (@tombraider) February 22, 2024
Scheduled for release in 2025, Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth invites players to step into the boots of Truth Seekers. These are effectively adventurers and contemporaries of the legendary Lara Croft, on a quest to uncover forgotten treasures and protect them from those seeking to exploit their power.
Unlike conventional dungeon-crawling adventures, this TTRPG challenges players to strive for knowledge rather than theft, implementing a unique dynamic in the world of tabletop gaming. loot fest this is not (or at least, isn’t trying to be).
Evil Hat founder Fred Hicks, Tomb Raider franchise narrative director John Stafford, and lead writer Rae Nedjadi, known for the Apocalypse Keys, shed light on the game’s development. Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth also promises an engaging mix of action and exploration, challenging players to make tough choices and face perilous challenges in their pursuit of heroism.
Indicative of how much the TTRPG is leaning into the fantastical and mystical side of things, the game introduces a novel concept where character downfall is not merely dictated by hit points but by delving too deeply into one’s “Shadow Self”.
An example of this is The Hunter character class. A standout among the character options, it mirrors the typical actions and motivations of a Dungeons & Dragons “murder hobo” player, but with a distinct nihilistic touch, adding layers of complexity to highlight the roleplaying part of the game.
To join the upcoming playtest and receive further updates on Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth, fans can become members of the Society of Raiders on the official franchise website. This playtest will be crucial for refining the game mechanics and ensuring a seamless gaming experience for 3-6 players.
On that note, the gamemaster is called The Keeper of Truths, a player designated to describe the world around the Team. As with any TTRPG, the Keeper sets up the conflict and roleplays the NPCs, adding depth to the narrative, emphasizing connections that bring the adventure to life. Players can collect Truths and utilize Maps, Aid, and Lore to enhance their rolls as they race toward the Final Tomb.
A crowdfunding campaign is anticipated in 2025 to support the initial production run of Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth. This crowdfunding initiative will provide fans with an opportunity to contribute to the realization of this unique TTRPG experience, and will likely yield exclusive goodies.
As the game gears up for its public playtest, enthusiasts are encouraged to join the Society of Raiders for updates and stay tuned to the official Tomb Raider website for more details on how to participate in the upcoming playtest.
Tomb Raider: Shadows of Truth will be presented in an 8.5″ x 11″ full-color hardcover book containing rules, advice, and exciting adventures for both Seekers and Keepers. The unique Team Playbooks allow groups to collectively create their team, choosing from roles like Crafter, Scholar, Hunter, Companion, Legacy, Changed, and Reclaimer. Of course, players and gamemasters will need the standard TTRPG essentials such as pencils, paper, and six-sided dice.
For fans eager to be part of this groundbreaking experience and want to check out other Evil Hat Productions games, a special offer awaits. Until March 31st, 2024, using the coupon code ENTERTHETOMB at checkout on the official Evil Hat website adds a 20% discount on any Evil Hat game.
