Tomb Raider: Catalyst vs Just Cause 3

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Northern India (Post-Cataclysm)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Release Window: 2027
• Unique Feature: The largest world map in the franchise's history, powered by Unreal Engine 5, featuring the experienced Lara Croft in the new Unified Timeline.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-player Only (Fan-made multiplayer mod for PC)
• Setting: Medici (Fictional Mediterranean Island Republic)
• Platforms: PC (Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Unique Feature: Signature Grappling Hook, Wingsuit, and Parachute traversal; massive physics-based destruction sandbox; liberation of a vast Mediterranean archipelago; Gear Mod system for customizing abilities.

• Rebel Fighters (Army of Liberation): As Rico liberates settlements and military bases, AI-controlled rebel fighters will spawn and engage Di Ravello's forces. They act independently but contribute to the chaotic battles and can provide covering fire or draw enemy attention. Rico can sometimes find rebel squads to assist in specific encounters, but he cannot directly command them.
  Human (AI-Controlled Rebels)
• Mission-Specific Allies (Mario, Dimah, Sheldon, Annika): Key story characters like Mario Frigo, Dimah al-Masri, Tom Sheldon, and Annika Svensson (in DLC) will accompany or assist Rico during specific story missions or provide objectives and intel. They are not persistent controllable companions but play roles in dedicated mission sequences.
  Human (Key NPCs)
• Rebel Drop Pilots (Implied): Though not visible companions in the traditional sense, pilots from the rebellion deliver requested vehicles, weapons, and gear to Rico's location via Rebel Drops (supply drops). Their efficiency and the range of available items can be improved by collecting Vintage Parts.
  Human (AI-Controlled Rebels)

• Ancient Artifacts: Revealed by the mythical cataclysm, these are the secrets Lara must protect from exploitation.
• Specialized Gadgets: Rumored to be discovered throughout the adventure, with some possibly infused with mythical powers.

• Di Ravello Tapes: Audio logs recorded by General Di Ravello, scattered across Medici. Collecting these reveals more about his backstory, motivations, and personality. There are 71 tapes in total.
• Ancient Tombs: Hidden tombs found in various locations. Each tomb contains a switch that, when activated, contributes to unlocking the U-24 Zabijak, a unique shotgun. There are 23 tombs.
• Daredevil Jumps: Specific ramps or locations designed for performing vehicle jumps. Completing all 30 Daredevil Jumps is required for an achievement/trophy.
• Vintage Parts: Collectible parts for various weapons and vehicles, found by searching specific locations marked on the map (often after liberating areas or finding intel). Collecting all parts for an item unlocks it for Rebel Drops. There are 79 unique items to collect parts for (weapons, land vehicles, sea vehicles, air vehicles).
• Rebel Shrines (Virgin Mary Shrines): Small shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary, scattered across Medici. Lighting all 49 shrines is part of a side activity and unlocks an achievement/trophy.
• Tomb Raider Relics (Easter Egg - from 'Lost Explorer' mission): Specific relics found during 'The Lost Explorer' side mission series, referencing the Tomb Raider franchise.

• Adventure
• Archaeology
• Unified Timeline
• Cataclysm
• Ancient Secrets
• Rivalry
• Next-Gen

• Liberation
• Chaos & Destruction
• Dictatorship
• Rebellion
• Mediterranean Setting
• Physics-Based Sandbox
• One-Man Army
• Explosions
• Over-the-Top Action
• Anti-Totalitarianism

• Grappling Hook & Tethers: Traversal, Utility, Combat Tool
  Rico's primary tool. Can attach to surfaces for traversal, tether multiple objects/enemies together (up to 6 tethers simultaneously with upgrades), and retract tethers remotely. Upgradable via Gear Mods for strength, speed, and number of tethers.
• Firearms (Assorted): Pistols, SMGs, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, Sniper Rifles, LMGs
  A wide variety of conventional firearms. Rico can dual-wield one-handed weapons. Examples: CS Negotiator (Grenade Launcher), UPU-210 (Rocket Launcher), Capstone Hydra (Rocket Launcher), Fire Leech (Homing Cluster Rocket), M488 (Multi-Lock Missile Launcher).
• Special Weapons (e.g., M488, Fire Leech): Heavy / Unique Firearm
  Powerful weapons often found in military bases or unlocked through progression, offering significant destructive capability, such as multi-lock missile launchers or homing rockets.
• GE-64 (Remote/Proximity Explosive): Throwable Explosive
  Versatile C4-like explosives that can be planted on surfaces, vehicles, or enemies and detonated remotely. Can be upgraded to have proximity triggers or increased explosive yield via Gear Mods.
• Grenades: Throwable Explosive
  Standard fragmentation grenades. Capacity can be upgraded via Gear Mods.
• Bavarium Wingsuit (Sky Fortress DLC): Weaponized Traversal Gear
  An upgraded, jet-powered wingsuit equipped with shoulder-mounted machine guns and missiles. Acquired in the 'Sky Fortress' DLC.
• GRIP (Mech Gravity Gun - Mech Land Assault DLC): Mech Weapon / Utility
  The 'Gravitational Remote Influence Projector' (GRIP) equipped on controllable Mechs in the 'Mech Land Assault' DLC, allowing players to pick up and throw objects (including enemies and vehicles) with powerful force.
• Eden Spark (Bavarium Sea Heist DLC): Energy Weapon
  A powerful Bavarium-powered lightning gun acquired in the 'Bavarium Sea Heist' DLC, capable of chain lightning attacks.

• Rico's Default Outfit: Rico's signature attire (leather jacket, jeans) doesn't provide specific numerical armor values. Player survivability is based on health and regeneration, which isn't directly tied to equippable armor pieces in the traditional RPG sense.
• Gear Mods (Defensive): While not visible armor, certain Gear Mods can enhance Rico's resilience, such as those that increase his resistance to damage or improve health regeneration, effectively acting as an armor system.
• Bavarium Wingsuit (Sky Fortress DLC): The Bavarium Wingsuit itself offers no direct damage resistance but provides enhanced mobility and offensive capabilities which contribute to survivability by allowing Rico to evade attacks and quickly dispatch enemies. It's more of an offensive/traversal tool.
• Mech Armor (Mech Land Assault DLC): When piloting Mechs in the 'Mech Land Assault' DLC, the Mech itself provides significant protection and firepower. The Mech acts as Rico's temporary armor and weapon platform.

• Rico's Default Outfit: Rico's iconic attire, typically a leather jacket, jeans, and boots. The base game does not feature extensive customization options for this outfit itself, beyond it getting progressively more worn as he takes damage (cosmetic effect).
• DLC & Special Edition Skins (Wingsuit & Parachute): Various DLC packs (e.g., 'Kousavá KēRaras • Stealth Wingsuit & Parachute Skin') and special editions (like the Day One Edition's Weaponized Vehicle Pack which might include themed skins) provided cosmetic skins for Rico's wingsuit and parachute, allowing for visual personalization of these traversal tools.
• Bavarium Wingsuit (Sky Fortress DLC): A unique, jet-powered and weaponized wingsuit acquired in the 'Sky Fortress' DLC. It has a distinct appearance and functionality, effectively acting as a new 'outfit' for aerial traversal and combat.

Progression is based on enhancing Lara's abilities and rich, customized adventure tech. Players will likely upgrade their traversal gear (wrist-mounted grappling tool) and combat skills as they delve into lost tombs and solve intricate puzzles.

The game promises the largest Tomb Raider world yet. Lara will traverse an expansive and interconnected landscape in Northern India, densely packed with secrets, tombs, and outlandish terrains. The environment is designed to reward exploration at an increasing scale.

• Civilian & Military Cars/Trucks/Bikes: Land Vehicle (Transport / Light Combat / Utility)
  A vast array of cars (sports cars, sedans, beaters), pickup trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and larger trucks. Military versions are often armored and may have mounted weapons. Can be hijacked or called in via Rebel Drop.
• Tanks & Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs): Land Vehicle (Heavy Combat)
  Heavily armored and armed vehicles like tanks (e.g., CS Odjur, Urga Mstitel) and APCs, primarily used by Di Ravello's forces. Rico can hijack and operate these for immense destructive power.
• Helicopters (Attack & Transport): Air Vehicle (Combat / Traversal)
  Includes attack helicopters armed with missiles and machine guns (e.g., U-7 Dravec, CS Navajo), as well as transport helicopters (e.g., Mugello Pescespada SX). Essential for aerial combat and rapid deployment across Medici's islands.
• Fighter Jets & Planes: Air Vehicle (Fast Combat / Traversal)
  Fixed-wing aircraft ranging from fighter jets (e.g., CS7 Thunderhawk, U-24 Zabijak - also a weapon) with advanced weaponry to cargo planes (e.g., CS Peregrine) and smaller prop planes. Used for high-speed travel and air-to-ground/air-to-air attacks.
• Boats & Naval Craft: Water Vehicle (Transport / Combat)
  Various watercraft for navigating Medici's extensive coastlines and seas, including small fishing boats, speedboats (e.g., Pescatore GSL), patrol boats (often armed), and larger military vessels like destroyers (e.g., CS Powerrunner 77).
• Specialized Vehicles (e.g., FOWs, Construction): Utility / Unique
  Includes unique or specialized vehicles like Formula 1 cars (Mugello Vistosa), monster trucks (Urga Pocomotive X), construction vehicles, and the massive land-based 'FOWs' (Forward Operating Bases) which are more like mobile fortresses than simple vehicles.
• Bavarium Wingsuit (Sky Fortress DLC): Personal Aerial Vehicle / Weapon Platform
  A heavily upgraded, jet-powered and weaponized wingsuit equipped with Bavarium machine guns and missiles. Allows for sustained flight and aerial combat. Acquired in the 'Sky Fortress' DLC.
• Mechs (Mech Land Assault DLC): Bipedal Combat Walker
  Controllable Mechs introduced in the 'Mech Land Assault' DLC. Equipped with powerful weapons including the GRIP (gravity gun) for manipulating objects and enemies, and other energy weapons or machine guns.
• Loochador Rocket Boat (Bavarium Sea Heist DLC): Weaponized Speedboat
  A heavily armed speedboat featured in the 'Bavarium Sea Heist' DLC, equipped with multi-lock missiles and machine guns, designed for naval combat.

• Lara Croft: Playable Protagonist
  An experienced, confident, and fierce adventurer set years after the events of Tomb Raider: Underworld. Voiced by Alix Wilton Regan.
• Global Rivals: Antagonists
  Notorious treasure hunters from around the world who descend upon Northern India to exploit the ancient power unleashed by the cataclysm.

• Rico Rodriguez: Protagonist / Former Agency Operative / 'The Dictator Removal Specialist'
  The main playable character. A highly skilled operative with expertise in demolition, combat, and extreme traversal using his grappling hook, wingsuit, and parachute. Returns to his homeland of Medici to liberate it from General Di Ravello.
• General Sebastiano Di Ravello: Main Antagonist / Dictator of Medici
  The brutal military dictator of Medici who rules with an iron fist and exploits the island's Bavarium resources for his own nefarious purposes. He is Rico's primary target.
• Dimah al-Masri: Ally / Scientist
  A brilliant scientist who was forced to work for Di Ravello on Bavarium weapons. She defects and aids Rico and the rebellion with her technical expertise and knowledge of Bavarium.
• Mario Frigo: Ally / Rebel Leader / Rico's Childhood Friend
  Rico's best friend from childhood and a key figure in the Medician rebellion against Di Ravello. Provides Rico with missions and support.
• Tom Sheldon: Ally (Ambiguous) / Former Agency Handler
  Rico's former Agency handler who appears in Medici with his own agenda, often assisting Rico but with questionable motives. A recurring character in the Just Cause series.
• Annika Svensson: Ally / Rebel Smuggler (Sky Fortress DLC)
  A rebellious smuggler and pilot who assists Rico in the 'Sky Fortress' DLC against the eDEN Corporation and their Sky Sentinels.
• Rosa Manuela: Ally / Rebel Propagandist
  A voice for the rebellion, often heard on radio broadcasts, inspiring the people of Medici to rise up against Di Ravello.
• Zeno Antithikara (Mentioned): Scientist / Creator of Bavarium tech (Deceased)
  A scientist who pioneered Bavarium technology and was Dimah's mentor. His work was twisted by Di Ravello.

• Main Campaign: Story
  A story-driven, potentially more linear adventure focused on preventing a global catastrophe and protecting an ancient secret in Northern India after a mythical cataclysm.
• Tomb Raiding: Puzzle
  Delving into lost tombs filled with intricate environmental puzzles, utilizing Lara's brilliance and customized tech.

• Main Story Campaign (Liberating Medici)
  A series of narrative missions following Rico Rodriguez's efforts to overthrow General Di Ravello and free his homeland of Medici. This involves destabilizing Di Ravello's regime by destroying his military infrastructure, rescuing key allies like Dimah al-Masri, and ultimately confronting the General himself.
• Province Liberation
  Systematically liberating all settlements and military bases within each province of Medici's three main regions (Insula Fonte, Insula Dracon, Insula Striate). This is achieved by destroying all designated "Chaos Objects" (e.g., propaganda speakers, statues, fuel tanks, military hardware) in each location. Liberating provinces unlocks new missions, challenges, Rebel Drops, and fast travel points.
• Challenges (Various Types)
  Completing numerous optional challenges scattered across Medici. These include: Destruction Frenzies (cause as much damage as possible with a specific weapon/vehicle), Races (car, boat, plane), Wingsuit Courses, Scrapyard Scrambles (collecting Bavarium), Crash Bomb challenges, and Shooting Galleries. Achieving high scores (gears) unlocks Gear Mods.
• Random Encounters / Encounters of Chance
  Dynamic, short events that occur as Rico explores Medici, such as helping stranded rebels, defending rebel outposts, or intercepting Di Ravello's couriers. These provide small rewards and Chaos points.
• Ancient Tomb Exploration
  Finding and exploring 23 hidden Ancient Tombs. Activating the altar in each tomb lights a candle, and lighting all of them unlocks the U-24 Zabijak, a unique mortar-like shotgun.
• Sky Fortress DLC Campaign
  A new storyline where Rico, with the help of Annika Svensson, infiltrates the massive Sky Fortress airship and battles the eDEN Corporation's forces and their advanced drone technology, utilizing the new Bavarium Wingsuit.
• Mech Land Assault DLC Campaign
  Rico travels to the new island of Lacrima to liberate it from The Black Hand, who are harvesting Bavarium with powerful Mechs. Players can pilot these Mechs, equipped with GRIP gravity guns and other weapons.
• Bavarium Sea Heist DLC Campaign
  Rico infiltrates Di Ravello's secret offshore Bavarium research facility, 'The Stingray,' utilizing a new heavily armed rocket boat ('Loochador') and acquiring the Eden Spark lightning gun.

Just Cause 3 is officially a single-player only experience. While Avalanche Studios did not develop official multiplayer, a popular fan-made multiplayer mod was created and released for the PC version by the modding community, enabling unofficial online experiences.

Just Cause 3 was released with a Standard Edition and a Day One Edition (included Weaponized Vehicle Pack). The XL Edition bundled the base game with the 'Air, Land & Sea Expansion Pass.' The XXL Edition (often available digitally) typically includes the base game, the Air, Land & Sea Expansion Pass, the Weaponized Vehicle Pack, and the Explosive Weapon Pack.

The primary post-launch content was the 'Air, Land & Sea Expansion Pass,' which included three major story-driven DLCs: 'Sky Fortress' (introducing a jet-powered, weaponized Bavarium Wingsuit and missions against aerial Sky Sentinels), 'Mech Land Assault' (allowing players to pilot powerful Mechs equipped with gravity guns on the new island of Lacrima), and 'Bavarium Sea Heist' (featuring a heavily armed rocket boat, the 'Loochador,' the Eden Spark lightning gun, and missions against Di Ravello's offshore Bavarium research facility, The Stingray).

• Q: What is Tomb Raider: Catalyst?
  A: It is the next major, single-player action-adventure game in the Tomb Raider franchise, developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Amazon Games.
• Q: Which game engine does it use?
  A: The game is built entirely on Unreal Engine 5, allowing the developers to deliver the largest and most expansive adventure in the series' history.
• Q: When does it take place?
  A: It is set 'years after the events of Tomb Raider: Underworld' (2008). The reboot trilogy (2013-2018) is officially canonized as Lara's origin story.
• Q: What new gear does Lara have?
  A: Lara has her iconic dual pistols and a new wrist-mounted grappling tool for enhanced traversal and combat.

• Q: When was Just Cause 3 released?
  A: Just Cause 3 was released on December 1, 2015, for PC (Windows), PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
• Q: Who is the main character in Just Cause 3?
  A: The protagonist is Rico Rodriguez, the series' recurring hero, known for his expertise with the grappling hook, wingsuit, parachute, and causing spectacular destruction.
• Q: What is the setting of Just Cause 3?
  A: The game is set in Medici, a fictional Mediterranean island republic, Rico's homeland, which is under the oppressive rule of dictator General Sebastiano Di Ravello.
• Q: What are the key traversal tools in Just Cause 3?
  A: Rico's signature tools are the Grappling Hook (for tethering objects and quick movement), the Wingsuit (for high-speed gliding), and the Parachute (for controlled descent and aerial combat). These can be used in combination for dynamic traversal.
• Q: How does liberation work in Just Cause 3?
  A: Players liberate provinces by destroying specific "Chaos Objects" (e.g., propaganda billboards, statues, fuel tanks, military installations) within enemy-controlled settlements and military bases. This inspires the local population to join the rebellion.
• Q: Does Just Cause 3 have multiplayer?
  A: Officially, Just Cause 3 is a single-player game. However, a popular fan-made multiplayer mod was developed for the PC version, allowing for unofficial online experiences.
• Q: What major DLCs are available for Just Cause 3?
  A: The 'Air, Land & Sea Expansion Pass' included three major DLCs: 'Sky Fortress' (introducing a jet-powered, weaponized Bavarium Wingsuit and missions against Sky Sentinels), 'Mech Land Assault' (allowing players to pilot powerful Mechs on the new island of Lacrima), and 'Bavarium Sea Heist' (featuring a rocket boat, the Eden Spark lightning gun, and missions against The Stingray battleship).
• Q: What are Gear Mods in Just Cause 3?
  A: Gear Mods are upgrades for Rico's abilities and equipment, unlocked by completing various challenges throughout Medici. They are categorized into Tethers, Traversal, Destruction, Weapons, and Vehicles, allowing players to customize aspects like tether strength, grenade capacity, or wingsuit agility.

Utilizes the Apex Engine (Avalanche Engine) to render the large Mediterranean archipelago of Medici with diverse environments, from sunny beaches to snowy mountains. Known for its impressive physics-based destruction, allowing for creative demolition of structures and military assets. Visuals focus on vibrant colors and spectacular explosive effects.

Features an orchestral score composed by Henry Jackman, with additional music by Just Cause series composers. The music dynamically adapts to the on-screen chaos and action. Sound design emphasizes large-scale explosions, vehicle sounds, and weapon effects fitting the game's destructive nature.

The UI features a minimalist design to keep the focus on the action. Key elements include a map of Medici, objective markers, ammo/health indicators, a gear mod selection interface, and contextual prompts for grappling, parachuting, and wingsuiting. A 'Chaos' meter tracks destruction, unlocking missions and items.

Just Cause 3 includes standard accessibility options for its time, such as subtitle display (on/off), remappable controls (keyboard & mouse, controller support), separate volume controls for master audio, music, SFX, and voice. Options like aim assist toggle and adjustable sensitivity are also present. Advanced features like colorblind modes or extensive UI scaling were not prominent.

• SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. Official hardware details have not been released, but the game is built entirely on Unreal Engine 5, requiring next-generation console capabilities.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop performance will be heavily reliant on the mobile GPU's TGP and the CPU's ability to handle asset streaming and rendering in an expansive UE5 environment.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is essential to handle the advanced rendering features of UE5 and the promised 'largest world yet.'
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's scope and use of UE5 will require a premium cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU (e.g., i7/R7 equivalent) will be critical for handling asset streaming and physics in the expansive, interconnected environments.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended for minimizing latency in action-adventure gameplay.
• Game Name: Tomb Raider: Catalyst

• Official PC system requirements for 'Just Cause 3' (released in 2015). An SSD is recommended for better loading times. These requirements reflect hardware from that era and are modest by today's standards.
• Laptop Performance Note: Just Cause 3, with its large open world and emphasis on physics-based destruction, can still be somewhat demanding, especially during intense chaotic sequences. For a good laptop experience, a gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU from its release era or newer is recommended. Laptop GPUs and CPUs perform differently than desktop equivalents. **Performance can vary based on the specific laptop model's TGP, cooling, and overall system configuration.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P Impact: While less of a factor than with modern high-wattage GPUs, ensuring the laptop GPU receives adequate power for its class is still important.
• Laptop Consideration: Advanced Cooling Thermals: Good cooling helps maintain consistent performance, especially in a game known for numerous explosions and physics calculations that can tax the system.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Performance Sustain: A capable mobile CPU is needed to handle the open-world streaming and physics calculations without significant bottlenecks.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Configuration Speed: 8GB in dual-channel is recommended. While the game might run on 6GB, 8GB provides a much smoother experience.
• Laptop Consideration: Display Panel G P U Pairing: Most laptops aiming for these specs will target 1080p. The GPU should be sufficient for this resolution at desired settings.
• Laptop Consideration: Driver Updates O S Optimization: Using reasonably up-to-date GPU drivers and a well-maintained OS is beneficial for stability.
• Optimization Detail: A P I Choice: The game primarily uses DirectX 11.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, LOD Detail, Water Quality, Anti-Aliasing, and Effects Quality (especially particles and explosions) significantly impact performance.
• Game Name: Just Cause 3

• A P I Choice: The game primarily uses DirectX 11.
• Key Settings Impact: Resolution, Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, LOD Detail, Water Quality, Anti-Aliasing, and Effects Quality (especially particles and explosions) significantly impact performance.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is essential to handle the advanced rendering features of UE5 and the promised 'largest world yet.'
• Cooling Thermals: The game's scope and use of UE5 will require a premium cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU (e.g., i7/R7 equivalent) will be critical for handling asset streaming and physics in the expansive, interconnected environments.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended for minimizing latency in action-adventure gameplay.

• G P U T G P Impact: While less of a factor than with modern high-wattage GPUs, ensuring the laptop GPU receives adequate power for its class is still important.
• Advanced Cooling Thermals: Good cooling helps maintain consistent performance, especially in a game known for numerous explosions and physics calculations that can tax the system.
• C P U Performance Sustain: A capable mobile CPU is needed to handle the open-world streaming and physics calculations without significant bottlenecks.
• R A M Configuration Speed: 8GB in dual-channel is recommended. While the game might run on 6GB, 8GB provides a much smoother experience.
• Display Panel G P U Pairing: Most laptops aiming for these specs will target 1080p. The GPU should be sufficient for this resolution at desired settings.
• Driver Updates O S Optimization: Using reasonably up-to-date GPU drivers and a well-maintained OS is beneficial for stability.