Cronos Lazarus DLC launches on December 3, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S at $9.99. The story expansion for Cronos: The New Dawn introduces the playable Pathfinder, a relentless enemy called the Tracker and new ways to fight using teleportation, decoys and the Gladius weapon.
Lazarus takes place before the original game, exploring how the Pathfinder became the Warden. Nintendo Switch 2 players will get the expansion later in early 2027. Here’s the confirmed release schedule, the base-game requirement and what the new gameplay features actually do.
Cronos Lazarus DLC Release Date and Platforms
Bandai Namco confirmed the December 3 release date on October 28, replacing the earlier autumn release window. The initial launch is for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The Switch 2 version is due in Q1 2027, between January and March. The original game is already on Switch 2, but its Lazarus expansion is not part of December’s launch.
| Platform | Release |
|---|---|
| PC | December 3, 2026 |
| PS5 | December 3, 2026 |
| Xbox Series X|S | December 3, 2026 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Q1 2027 |
The launch date is confirmed, but no specific worldwide unlock hour has been announced. Check the countdown on your chosen storefront rather than assuming a midnight release in the UK.
How Much Does Lazarus Cost?
Cronos Lazarus DLC costs $9.99 in the US. A UK price was not included in the announcement, so check your platform’s store for the price in pounds.
Bloober Team is offering the original Cronos: The New Dawn at a 50% discount during the Halloween period. That’s a promotion for the base game, not a discount announced for Lazarus. Availability and sale end dates vary by platform.
Do You Need the Base Game for Cronos Lazarus DLC?
Yes. Lazarus is an expansion, not a standalone game. The official Steam listing specifically states that you need Cronos: The New Dawn installed and owned to play the DLC. Buying Lazarus by itself won’t give you access to the original game.
Cronos Lazarus DLC builds directly on the characters and mysteries of The New Dawn. Its story happens earlier, but playing the original first will give you more context for the Warden, the Collective and the Essences at the heart of the story.
Pathfinder, Warden and the Tracker
Cronos Lazarus DLC follows the Pathfinder, an elite agent of the Collective. Isolated in the Terminal, he is trying to revive a lost Essence, a mission that puts him against the organisation he once served. Lazarus follows the events that lead to his transformation into the Warden from the base game.
The Collective sends the Tracker, a relentless pursuer built to challenge the Pathfinder’s abilities. Its pursuit changes the rhythm of combat, adding pressure to move and look for openings rather than simply hold your position.
Cronos Lazarus DLC Weapons and Abilities Explained
Bloober Team has revealed three named additions. Teleportation lets the Pathfinder move quickly to a chosen location within an area. Decoy leaves a ghostly version of him behind to distract enemies, briefly making the real Pathfinder invisible. The Gladius is a faster and harder-hitting counterpart to the dagger from The New Dawn.
| Addition | How it changes gameplay |
|---|---|
| Teleportation | Quick repositioning to escape pressure or get around an enemy |
| Decoy | Draws enemy attention toward a ghost copy and briefly hides the Pathfinder |
| Gladius | A faster, stronger alternative to the base game’s dagger |
| Tracker | A persistent pursuer that forces the player to stay mobile |
These additions push Cronos Lazarus DLC towards faster, more tactical fights. Teleportation gives you space when surrounded, while the decoy creates an opening to escape or reposition. The Gladius offers more offensive power. Exact Gladius pickup locations and upgrade costs have not been shown in the official announcements.
How Is Lazarus Different From the Base Game?
Cronos: The New Dawn revolves around managing scarce resources, keeping enemies from merging into stronger creatures and choosing when to fight. Lazarus retains its survival horror setting but gives the Pathfinder more movement and stronger tools. The Tracker adds a constant sense of danger, even outside ordinary enemy encounters.
Cronos Lazarus DLC is a new prequel story, not a free update to the Traveler’s original campaign. You’ll need Cronos: The New Dawn to play, and the new Pathfinder abilities are part of the expansion. If you’re starting the series now, our beginner’s guide covers the game’s core survival mechanics.
Official source: Bandai Namco, Cronos: Lazarus release date and new content announcement.
