You're freezing. Honestly, if you've spent more than twenty minutes trying to find that one specific ledge in the Prophet's Tomb, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Rise of the Tomb Raider on the PS4 isn't just a sequel; it’s a massive, sprawling beast that loves to hide its best secrets behind obscure climbing mechanics and physics puzzles that don't always behave.
Most people looking for a ps4 rise of the tomb raider walkthrough are usually stuck on one of two things: the Baba Yaga DLC hallucinations or the brutal combat spikes in the Soviet Installation. It's a gorgeous game, sure. But it’s also frustratingly vague when it wants to be. Crystal Dynamics built a world that feels open, yet it funnels you into these tight, high-stress encounters where if you don't have the right skill point invested, you're basically toast.
The Syria Opener: More Than Just a Tutorial
Don't rush the beginning. Seriously. Syria is meant to teach you the language of the game, but many players treat it like a cinematic hallway. It isn't. You need to pay attention to the way Lara reacts to walls. If she puts her hand out, you're close to a secret. If she shivers, you’re going the right way toward an exit.
The water puzzle in the Prophet's Tomb is the first real hurdle. You have to break the wooden pallet, let the water rise, and then—this is the part everyone misses—actually use the hanging platform to weight down the sluice gate. It’s simple physics, but the camera angle makes it look like you should be jumping elsewhere.
Getting Through the Soviet Installation Without Dying Constantly
This is where the game truly opens up. It’s also where your ps4 rise of the tomb raider walkthrough usually turns into a "how to survive a firing squad" guide. The Soviet Installation is a massive difficulty spike. You go from fighting a few guys with bows to dealing with armored mercenaries and a literal helicopter.
The Secret to the Installation? Stealth is actually a lie. Well, mostly. You can sneak through the first camp, but eventually, the game forces a confrontation. You want to prioritize the "Double Shot" skill early. Being able to headshot two guards simultaneously with the bow is the only way to clear the communications tower without every alarm in Siberia going off. Also, grab the "Eye for Detail" skill. It makes crafting resources glow. Without it, you're going to spend three hours looking for magnesium ore in the dark.
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Managing the Hub World Fatigue
You'll see a lot of side missions here. The "Geothermal Valley" later on is even worse for this. My advice? Skip the "find the posters" nonsense on your first pass. It doesn't give you enough XP to justify the backtracking. Focus on the Optional Tombs. The "Ancient Cistern" tomb in the Soviet area is mandatory for anyone who wants to actually survive the late-game combat. It gives you the "Natural Instincts" ability, which makes nearby crafting resources glow on your map.
I’ve seen players reach the final act with base-level gear because they ignored the tombs. Don’t be that guy. The rewards—like the ability to fire arrows faster or heal without using resources—are what separate a fun playthrough from a miserable slog.
The Infamous Baba Yaga: Temple of the Witch
If you bought the 20 Year Celebration edition on PS4, this DLC is baked right into the campaign. It’s a trip. Literally. You’ll find yourself in the Wicked Vale, hallucinating giant spiders and a floating witch hut.
The puzzle with the hanging platforms and the vats of chemicals is the peak of the game's complexity. You have to timing-pull the levers so the platforms align while the "witch" is screaming at you. Most people fail here because they try to shoot the witch. Stop. You can't kill her with bullets yet. You have to use the environment. Pull the rope tether to the swinging vat, wait for her to pass over the furnace, and then hit the switch. It takes three hits.
Geothermal Valley: The Beautiful Time Sink
Once you hit the valley, the game's pace slows to a crawl. This is where most people quit. It’s rainy, it’s muddy, and there are about fifty different collectibles per square inch.
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If you're following a ps4 rise of the tomb raider walkthrough to get 100%, you need to accept that you cannot finish this area on your first visit. You lack the broadhead climbing arrows. You lack the wire spool. You’re going to see a chest or a cave you can’t reach. Leave it. The game will give you the gear you need during the "flooded archives" sequence later.
The Combat Meta: Why You Keep Running Out of Ammo
Combat in Rise is different from the 2013 reboot. Lara is squishier. If you stand behind a crate for more than five seconds, a grenade will land on your head.
- Movement is armor. Never stay in one spot.
- The Poison Arrow is the "Easy Mode" button. Seriously. It creates a cloud of toxic gas that kills almost anything instantly, including the heavy shield guys. If you're struggling with a boss or a wave of enemies, just craft more poison arrows.
- Dodge Counter is mandatory. In the skills tree, under Brawler, there is a skill called "Dodge Counter." It allows you to kill unarmored enemies instantly after a dodge. Without this, the final push through the Lost City will be a nightmare.
The Lost City (Kitezh) and the Final Stretch
The end of the game is a gauntlet. You'll be fighting the Deathless—basically immortal Byzantine warriors who don't care about your puny handgun. They use fire, they move fast, and they have heavy armor.
The trick here is the "Hollowpoint" ammo for the pistol or the "Dragonfire" shells for the shotgun. By the time you reach the gates of Kitezh, you should have upgraded your shotgun to the max. The "Thunderclap" (if you've unlocked it via the tombs) is essentially a hand-cannon that deletes enemies.
The final boss fight isn't even a fight. It's a game of hide and seek. You're against a helicopter and then a man in a very expensive suit. Use the pillars. When the helicopter flies low, shoot the fire pots that the Remnant are throwing. It sounds convoluted because it is. Just keep your eyes on the red circles on the ground; those are the "you are about to die" indicators.
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Solving the "Language Level" Problem
A common frustration in any ps4 rise of the tomb raider walkthrough is Lara saying, "I can't read this yet." This is tied to your Greek, Russian, and Mongolian language skills. You level these up by looking at murals and picking up documents.
If you find yourself unable to open a Monolith, you've missed murals in the previous area. There’s no way around it. You have to backtrack. Most players miss the murals tucked away in the corners of the "Gulag" section of the Soviet Installation. Go back there if your Russian level is too low.
Technical Glitches on PS4
While the PS4 Pro version has the "High Frame Rate" mode, the base PS4 can struggle in the Geothermal Valley. If you notice input lag during the big firefights, try turning off the "PureHair" setting if you’re on a PC, but on PS4, you’re stuck with it. To help the engine, try to clear out the "checkpoints" by moving slowly. If you sprint through a zone transition, the game might stutter, leading to a cheap death during a jump.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
To actually finish Rise of the Tomb Raider without losing your mind, follow this specific order of operations.
- Prioritize the "Intuition" Skill: It’s in the Survivor tree. It makes collectibles show up through walls when you use Survival Instincts. It saves hours.
- The Shotgun is Your Best Friend: Don't waste resources upgrading the assault rifle. The recoil is terrible. The shotgun, however, is a life-saver in the cramped corridors of the final levels.
- Do the "Voice of God" Tomb Early: It’s located in the Soviet Installation. It gives you the "Inner Strength" skill, which automatically heals you once per combat encounter if you're near death. It’s basically an extra life.
- Don't Fear the Backtrack: Once you get the Combat Knife and the Lockpick (from the "Communications Meltdown" side mission), go back to the early areas. The gear you find in the locked chests will make the mid-game much easier.
- Check Your Map for Campfires: If you're low on health and out of herbs, fast travel to an earlier camp. The world resets certain herb spawns, allowing you to restock before a big fight.
The game is a masterpiece of atmosphere, but it demands you play by its rules. Don't try to outrun the plot, and don't ignore the side content, or the final battle will feel like hitting a brick wall. Focus on the tombs, grab the poison arrows, and keep moving.