Square Enix Europe announced that developer Crystal Dynamics are working on the first game featuring infamous heroine Lara Croft since their 2008 release of Tomb Raider Underworld. The new game Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be available for digital download on unspecified platforms later this year.

The game is said to be something completely different to what gamers might be expecting. In fact the title may indicate a break away from the Tomb Raider series as does the new multi-player option and fixed-camera perspective – both completely unique to the Croft series. Crystal Dynamics hired a lead designer with expertise in multiplayer mapping to hone the new spin-off game. It will be available for digital download, similar to Tomb Raider Anniversary which was digitally distributed as Tomb Raider Legend DLC on Xbox before being released at retail outlets.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, says Crystal GM Darrell Gallagher, will be a truly original digital experience. The team are taking the iconic character and doing something completely new, changing gamers’ expectations. Crystal though has reassured hardcore Raider fans that they are working on this and the next installment of the Tomb Raider series at the same time.

To date, only screenshots and concept art have been released, but hopes are high that a behind doors preview will be available at the Game Developer’s Conference in San Francisco this week.