Cronos Lazarus requires Cronos: The New Dawn to play. It is story DLC for Bloober Team’s 2025 survival horror game, not a standalone adventure. The official Steam product page states that the base game is required, so buying the expansion by itself won’t give you access to the original.
Cronos Lazarus launches on December 3, 2026, for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with Nintendo Switch 2 following in early 2027. If you’re trying to work out what you need to buy, whether you must finish the original and how the new story fits, here’s how it works.
Does Cronos Lazarus Need the Base Game?
Yes. Steam lists Lazarus as downloadable content and explicitly requires the original game. Players who already own The New Dawn on Steam can buy the DLC when it releases. Players who don’t own it must purchase both products to access the new campaign.
Lazarus doesn’t replace The New Dawn or provide a new standalone copy. It uses the original game’s world while adding a separate story and different character abilities. You’ll need to keep the base game in your library rather than treating the expansion as an independent download.
Do You Have to Complete The New Dawn Before Lazarus?
The story is a prequel, following the Pathfinder before he becomes the Warden seen in the original adventure. The events take place earlier in the timeline, but you’ll recognise more of the characters and mysteries if you’ve already played The New Dawn.
The confirmed requirement is ownership of The New Dawn, not a completed save. Bloober Team hasn’t announced a requirement to beat the campaign first. You can play the original story beforehand for context, but there’s no reason to treat a finished save as a purchase requirement.
Finishing the first game is still a useful way to understand the Collective, the Essences and the Warden’s role without going into the prequel blind. It’s a story recommendation, not a confirmed technical prerequisite.
Which Version of Cronos Lazarus Should You Buy?
Bandai Namco announced the expansion at $9.99 for its initial release on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Nintendo Switch 2 owners will have to wait until Q1 2027, which covers January through March. The publisher has not stated a UK price in pounds in that announcement.
On PC, the Steam DLC page requires the Steam version of the base game. If you bought The New Dawn through another PC store, check that store’s own Lazarus listing rather than assuming a Steam add-on will work with a different copy.
The same purchasing principle applies when using consoles: buy the DLC for the platform and account where you have access to The New Dawn. The release announcement does not promise that owning the PlayStation DLC also provides an Xbox or Switch 2 copy.
What Does the Cronos Lazarus DLC Add?
The DLC puts you in control of the Pathfinder, an agent who has become estranged from the Collective. He is trying to bring back a lost Essence, while a persistent pursuer called the Tracker has been sent to stop him. The story explores how this character became the Warden.
Combat is more aggressive than in the original game. The Pathfinder can teleport to reposition within an area and deploy a decoy that distracts enemies while briefly hiding him. The Gladius is a faster, more damaging weapon than the original game’s Dagger. These are features of the expansion rather than guaranteed upgrades for the Traveler’s original campaign.
Can You Get The New Dawn Cheaply Before Release?
Bloober Team has announced a 50% Halloween sale on Cronos: The New Dawn through Steam, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and Nintendo eShop, with dates varying by platform. That discount is for the original game. The DLC itself hasn’t been announced at half price.
Check the contents of any Deluxe Edition or store bundle before buying. An edition that includes bonus resources, skins or a soundtrack isn’t automatically a pass for later story DLC. For confirmed dates and the new gameplay features, our Cronos Lazarus DLC release guide covers the announcement.
Official source: Bandai Namco, official Cronos: Lazarus launch announcement.
