Crystal Dynamics has proudly revealed what DLC really means to them and they are talking about Downloadable Lara Croft! With the finale set for Microsoft’s 2010 Summer of Arcade on XBLA and the release of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light™ on August 18th, this will mark the kick off of the DLC campaign for Crystal Dynamics and what they are calling Downloadable Lara Croft.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

The new game marks a lot of first in the Lara Croft series too, one being the first fully downloadable arcade game based on Lara Croft, it also has an all new isometric view that looks incredible for not only a single player but will also include for the very first time a franchise two player offline cooperative experience as well. Oh, did I mention the title is also coming to the Xbox 360 first as well? This only marks the beginning of the Downloadable Lara Croft campaign which is slated to run until the end of 2010.

Next up for the DLC campaign will be a free update for Xbox 360 gamers on September 28th that will include the much anticipated two player online co-op, as well as full leaderboard support and voice chat functionality for the title. This will also mark the release date for Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light on the PlayStation Network and PC (via the Steam network) with full online support.

“DLC for us means Downloadable Lara Croft,” said Darrell Gallagher, General Manager of Crystal Dynamics. “It all begins in August with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light releasing on XBLA and runs through to the end of the year with the additional packs we will be offering. Oh and be prepared for a few surprises.”

From October through December the Downloadable Lara Croft campaign will continue as 5 packs are set to release across all formats. The first three of these will be expansion packs featuring a combination of all new puzzles, exploration and combat experiences in the game and all new areas to explore. The last two packs will be playable character packs, offering gamers the chance to experience the entire adventure without Lara Croft and Totec but instead with some other well-known videogame characters…

I think Crystal Dynamics has a real hit here with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light for all gamers and fans of Lara Croft. This game has been built with co-op players in mind first and for most here and that means team play will be the real key to a successful game experience. If you like co-op games and that style of play, you will surely love Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. The single player will also provide just as great an experience as well, but I really feel this is a game that should be experienced with a friend locally or at least later online after the update hits.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be available on Xbox August 18, 2010 as part of the Xbox Live Arcade’s Summer of Arcade for 1200 MS Points and for PlayStation Network and Steam on September 28, 2010 for $14.99. The game is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.