Microsoft unveils Tomb Raider-themed Limited Edition Xbox 360 controller

Microsoft, Crystal Dynamics, and Square Enix have unveiled the Tomb Raider Limited Edition Xbox 360 controller at CES 2013. It will be releasing alongside the game at a cost of £39.99, which roughly translates to Rs 3,500.

According to Microsoft, the controller was developed with the help of the artists at Crystal Dynamics. It has a two-layer colour finish with laser etching. This was done “to create a realistic and tactile warn appearance.”

“It’s inspired by Lara’s iconic climbing axe and the tourniquets that result from the adventure in her intense origin story,” the company continued.

Looking at the controller, it looks very worn thanks to all the scratches all over it. The attention to detail seems to be good as well, as you can find finger prints around some of the buttons, especially around the A and X buttons.

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The controller will be available from the same day as the game’s release

It was revealed recently that Tomb Raider will have multiplayer developed by Deus Ex: Human Revolution developer Eidos Montreal. Information on the game’s multiplayer was revealed earlier this month. One of the multiplayer modes will be Team Deathmatch. You play either as a team of Lara’s surviving allies or as a member of the hostile natives called Scavengers. The matches are in a best-of-three format and players alternate between the teams between rounds.

Besides human enemies, players will have to survive against environmental traps such as levers that shoot spikes out of walls or destructible environments, such as bridges. The multiplayer mode will feature the bow as a weapon, much like the one Lara uses in the single-player campaign.

Another multiplayer game mode is called Rescue, where the survivors collect medical packs and deliver them to various places on the map while Scavengers try to kill as many of them as possible. One of the maps in this game mode is called Wind Chasm and is described as tropical with traps, vantage points and junk.

A third game mode is called Cry for Help, where the emphasis is on discovering and collecting items as opposed to straight out killing each other. Not much information about this game mode has been revealed yet.

Crystal Dynamics released a new trailer for Tomb Raider last month. This is the first in a series of trailers that showcase some of the game’s features. Episode 1 of the trailer series, called Guide to Survival, shows the start of the game’s story and explains how Lara Croft is a smart and resourceful character.

A big new feature of the game is the Base Camp, where Lara rests between missions. The base camp has many options, including fast travelling and levelling trees. The base camp also lets you upgrade weapons and skills, experience for which is earned by doing missions, exploring or fighting.

The game, along with the controller, will hit shelves on March 5, 2013.