Overview:
- Estimated achievement difficulty: 4/10
- Offline achievements: 41 (1250 )
- Online achievements: 0
- Approximate time for 1000 : 7-10 hours (for 1000) + 1-2 hours (for 125 in Beneath The Ashes + 2-3 hours (for 125 in Lara's Shadow)
- Minimum number of playthroughs required for completion: 1
- Number of missable achievements: 6 (Master Swan Diver, Master Speed Demon, Grenadier, Master Grenadier, Weapons Expert, Master Weapons Expert)
- Glitched achievements: None
- Do cheat codes disable achievements: No
- Does difficulty affect achievements: Yes
Introduction
Welcome to Tomb Raider Underworld. This iteration of Tomb Raider ties up storylines in from the previous two titles following the reboot of the franchise, so it's highly recommended you pick up at least Tomb Raider: Legend if you want to be up to date on the story. In addition, there is no training level (usually Croft Manor) in this version, so if you're new to the series, take some time during the prologue and first level to adapt yourself with Lara's moves; players of Anniversary or Legend will find the controls nearly the same.
To obtain 1000 gamerscore, you can obtain it all in one playthrough by starting on the Master Survivalist difficulty. There are 2 level packs available as DLC, each adding 125 The combat isn't too difficult and there is no penalty for dying, so there's nothing to worry about. Upon completing the game, you unlock Treasure Hunter mode, which allows you to revisit locations and pick up any missed treasures or relics.
Cheats are available in this game from the beginning, though they're not really necessary. To activate them, while in control of Lara, press the following:
Bulletproof Lara: Hold , press
One-shot Kill: Hold , press
Show Enemy Health: Hold , press
Step #1 - Master Survivalist Playthough
Should you wish to use a full walkthough, use the one located (LINK).
When you start up a new game, make sure to select Master Survivalist. As you play, try to get as many treasures and relics as you can, and check those off against the master list (LINK).
While you are able to go back and collect them later, if you loose track of what you have already picked up, you will end up having to check all the locations again anyways. Treasure and relics save automatically and will remain even if you die or don't finish the level. They do, however, have to be obtained in one Playthough (including the Treasure Hunt).
There are two sets of achievements you want to make sure to get as you pass through the areas they're located in. Both the Master Swan Diver and Master Speed Demon achievements require all 3 tasks to be done within the same Playthough. So if you miss the first, but do the other two and reload a save to do the first, it will not count. The first half of the game, you will want to make note of the 3 swan dive locations (LINK).
For the second half of the game, you will want to make note of the 3 speed runs involving the motorcycle.
In addition, there are three sets of combat achievements that may end up being missable. In Treasure Hunt mode, enemies you kill in the normal game don't seem to respawn, so if you haven't gotten either of the Grenadier achievements, Weapons (headshot) achievements, or Road Killer achievements, you will have to reload an older save.
Other than that, the rest of the achievements should come by completing the main storyline.
Step 2: Beneath The Ashes [+125/DLC Only!]
If you purchased the first DLC pack, Beneath The Ashes, it can be accessed from the main menu or the pause menu. Select 'Downloadable Content' on the bottom left, then 'Play Mission' on the top right. This is a fairly straightforward level that takes place after events in the main storyline. All you will have to do is complete the level and find all the collectibles (1 relic and 28 treasures). If you have any problems, consult the walkthrough (LINK).
Step 3: Lara's Shadow [+125/DLC Only!]
The second DLC pack loads up the same way Beneath The Ashes does and intertwines with the main story and Beneath The Ashes. The controls are slightly different, but luckily you start right out in a tutorial area. Once again, you will have to do some treasure hunting, this time it’s 1 relic and 20 treasures. Lara’s Shadow also introduces the return of the speed runs. There is no given goal time, so you will have to work as fast as you can. Both of them can be obtained on your second pass through the level and it’s been reported you can obtain the first speed run on your first pass of the level. If you have problems, consult the walkthough (LINK).
[x360a would like to thank jukkakhan for this Road Map]