Rise of the Tomb Raider microtransactions unlock Big Head Mode and more

You may have thought a gaming relic like Big Head Mode would never be seen again, but uncovering relics is kind of Lara Croft's thing. Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics are bringing it back for Rise of the Tomb Raider, with just one caveat: you'll need to earn it as an in-game virtual card, or purchase it as a microtransaction.

Big Head Mode - and other modifiers, such as bonus damage to animals, or setting enemies on fire with melee attacks – occurs outside the single-player campaign by way of Expedition Cards. You earn these cards by playing through Rise of the Tomb Raider and earning credits, which can then be used to purchase card packs. There will be 300 cards total at launch, with more available over time.

While microtransactions can be a tricky thing to handle, even when they exist outside story mode, it doesn't sound like they'll be too burdensome here. Now if Lara goes to open an ancient treasure chest and the chest asks me to buy some digital cards, we're gonna have words.

Rise of the Tomb Raider will be available on Xbox One on November 10, PC early next year, and PS4 late 2016.

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