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Level: The Opal Rose back home search
Author(s): Amber Lion
total rating:7.58 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
Akcy 8 9 8 8
Bene 8 8 8 8
CC 8 8 7 8
Duncan 7 8 8 8
eRIC 7 8 8 8
Gerty 7 8 7 7
Jay 7 8 8 7
Jerry 7 8 6 7
Jorge22 7 8 7 8
Kristina 7 8 7 7
MichaelP 7 8 7 7
Necro 9 8 7 8
Obig 8 8 8 8
Orbit Dream 6 7 7 6
Sash 7 8 7 7
Selene 8 8 8 8
Sutekh 8 7 7 8
The Aussie Adventurer 8 9 7 8
category averages
(18 reviews)		 7.44 8.00 7.33 7.56

Reviewer's comments

"Perhaps it's just me,but isn't it a little unfair to place a couple of shatterable doors in a level which is otherwise filled with identical doors which need keys or levers to open them? I spent ages wandering around looking for a key and its corresponding key hole to open an all important door,when all I needed to do was shoot at it.If it hadn't been for that,this would have been a straightforward romp;generally linear,with a touch of 'round-the-houses' here and there,and all set within a fairly half-hearted and boxy Jungle environment. The puzzles are simple (find key;jump from column to column;activate rope to swing across deep pit)and don't have you pondering for too long;while enemies are interestingly varied and quite copious. Textures and lighting are serviceable,but the atmosphere never quite gets itself into top gear despite the best attempts of the chosen music tracks.It kept me occupied for a large part of an afternoon,which is quite good enough;but there are rather more entertaining jungle adventures out there." - Orbit Dream (20-Oct-2011)

"The gameplay of this level is quite easy with a couple of items to find, some traps and different enemies to kill. Most of the rooms are outdoor rooms and they are all rather angular shaped what makes them look a bit unreal. There is enough weaponry and ammo spread along your way and I didn't need not even one medipack in the whole game. A level of about 45 minutes, recommendable even to not so experienced players." - Jerry (27-Feb-2009)

"A good level , about 40 minutes with textures from TR2gold not often seen in custom levels , a great variety of enemies and puzzles, that keep you entertained all the time and make you think this level has lasted a bit longer. None of the tasks are difficult here , so everybody should have a good time playing it." - eRIC (25-May-2008)

"This level was a breath of fresh air for me. I haven't played many levels set in the jungle so this was a nice change. The gameplay was excellent. There were so many features I enjoyed about this level. I especially liked the hidden areas such as the place where the bats flew out of. I hope I'm not giving too much away by mentioning that. I was stuck in a few areas but I managed to figure a way out after a break. The puzzles were very clever and use have to think about them. They weren't just find a key, then fine the door or find the switch then get to the door; these were pretty clever and that's what makes me give a high score on the gameplay. There weren't many baddies used but this didn't hinder from the gameplay. The puzzles and platforms compensated. I highly recommend this level." - Necro (17-Oct-2007)

"The search for the second Rose brought us into the jungle, or more like rooms in a jungle-like setting, but the layout is fine. Gameplay is fluent and interesting, maybe could have been a bit longer. Great diversity of enemies, some nicely retextured, also some items. It was a good raid. Loking forward for the third episode." - Akcy (16-Sep-2007)

"As I had played The Sapphire Rose I really looked forward to this level. Lara receives the second note from her secret admirer telling her that the second Gemstone Rose: The Opal Rose is hidden in Brazilian jungle. This level is a splendid opposition to The Sapphire Rose. It's a tropical jungle level with temples, traps, rope swings, pools and of course enemies. In overall I found the level harder than The Sapphire Rose and longer as well. I´m a great fan of jungle environments so the atmosphere and the entire level in general was great. The enemies were not abundant and ranged from crocodiles to panthers, wild boars, carnivourous butterflies, wraiths, skeletons, soldiers, tribesmen and fairies and with an extra suprise enemy at the end. The sound wasn't too impressive though. For most parts one could only hear jungle sounds and as I love to hear music in TR games this was something I sorely missed. Nonetheless a fun level which is worth downloading and playing, especially if youve already played The Sapphire Rose. In overall I found it better than the first one and now I´m waiting with excitement for the third part." - Selene (07-Feb-2006)

"Firstly, the downsides to this second instalment of the rose series set in the Brazilian jungle are that the rooms are unfortunately too boxy looking and that the game in itself is a bit too straightforward. On the upside though there are some cool objects and enemies that you come across in your hour long journey, my favourite by far being the gorgeous tiny golden horse statues of which there are 3, you also meet some leather clad warrior women, I think maybe these sexy looking women must have taken a wrong turn on their way to Mardi Gras and ended up in the jungle, and the giant bird creature that I had much enjoyment blowing up…mmmm, chicken tonight! I think this author has made a pleasant set of levels up to this point in the series and I hope that each successive level can grow better and more challenging as they go, but if not I will still look forward to playing them." - Sash (26-May-2005)

"Couldn't remember a thing from the first level, but that is not bad as the beginning informs you what is at stake. After a start in the house the next level is set in a sort of blocky jungle, and your goal is of course the Sapphire Rose which you get at the end. There are some nice traps in here and I had a hard time to get the torch on that block. That big bird almost at the end had me jumping in my chair. I have to say that the custom made objects were very well done. The re-textured demigod was great to see and I heard that scream she uttered before she died before LOL. 15-02-2005" - Gerty (21-Feb-2005)

"As with the Sapphire Rose, this begins in Lara’s home with a new message and before you begin your next mission you can see that the Sapphire Rose is placed in the trophy room awaiting its eleven companions. What charming secrets this level has - lovely little golden horses. On a more practical note, there is also a goodly array of weaponry to be found as there are crocodiles, pigs, panthers, skeletons and natives waiting to welcome you to the jungle, not to mention a couple of re-textured Sophias and the giant bird, although he seemed quite happy just to stamp about a bit without attacking. There are guardian keys, hands and a serpent stone to find plus a torch to burn through a floor. There’s nothing difficult to achieve and you shouldn’t have any trouble if you keep your eyes open - some things are rather well hidden." - Jay (07-Feb-2005)

"First of all, I really have to say I preferred the first chapter of the promised 12 episodes odyssey. I didn't prefer it because it was harder and more challenging - both are fairly easy - but simply because it was pretty and had some poetry to it. Now, what am I saying, am I somehow implying The Opal Rose is ugly? Not at all, I'm simply saying that by comparison there's some lack of imagination here and many textures look stretched too, namely the ground at times. To cut it short, this is a very straightforward game with some good moments but nothing specially new and with a huge lack of tension although it manages to keep the player entertained. Plus, I never felt like I was in Brazil - or anywhere else for that matter, even though the TR3 jungle music at a certain time could have pointed to India, which it didn't. Well, mission accomplished and one more rose brought home. Play this for some relaxation. And let's see what chapter three brings along... (January, 31 2005)" - Jorge22 (04-Feb-2005)

“I was surprised to see that this the second episode in a search for twelve Birthday Roses is set in a jungle area. I expected more of a house/mansion setting but the jungle atmosphere works fairly well although a bit cramped. Room follows room without quite opening up. Good ideas here: Palm trees as climbable poles a knife used as a crowbar and a very clever exit from one of the pool rooms. I managed to shoot the objects in the pool with the shotgun but the revolver and laser sight are needed and will be soon found. The bolt throwing enemy woman has a death scene to rival many an actor. I don't think I've ever seen such a dramatic death in TR before. Very well done. I liked the textures (even if some looked a bit patchy) and found I could go through a closed gate from the monkey swing. When Lara pushes a button at the end she finds a new large defender who rushes to her aid. Make sure to watch this - it's a lot of fun and surprising. I like this whole idea of twelve separate levels and am looking forward to the next one. Very nicely done Amber Lion - imaginative and a bit on the quirky side - and that's a very good thing.” – Bene (29-Jan-2005)

“An attractive level that is easy to play through. A bit too easy and predictable I'm afraid and it needs some more challenge and surprises to liven it up. I feel the author has a good eye for color and I like the look of many of the rooms. There are also some great baddies at the end. I encourage the author to keep working and developing as I see some real talent here.” – Duncan (29-Jan-2005)

“The second level from the author has Lara in the jungle. She is after the second rose and has to go through the deadly jungle to get it. Here we have a nice jungle level full of deadly enemies not many puzzles and some nice looking scenery. The camera is used well enough and some new sounds give it a good atmosphere. This time there is enough light and the textures are used well. Gameplay is fluent and does not stagnate. The design and layout are well organised. The addition of new enemies are a good change and look wonderful. Even the end of level boss looks great even though he's not much of a challenge. In my opinion this level is a bit better than the first however I'm a bit impartial to jungle levels. If I had to give this level a grade I would give it a B+ the high end of a distinction.” – The Aussie Adventurer (24-Jan-2005)

“The second installment of the series follows the established principle of a 5 minute intro to learn about your quest and then a solid little level of 45 minutes this time set in a jungle - well kind of a jungle as it is a fairly sequential room to room progression sometimes a bit boxy and linear and with solid camera work when it's not immediately obvious what to do next. I like the three secret horses and many of the objects and the jungle queen you get to fight for the guardian key to get out at the end as well as the big bird. There is the occasional minor glitch (like two paperthin walls) and it's just too predictable to go from button to button but the variety of traps keeps you on your toes (burners boulders chains) and the little torch puzzle is nice. All in all good solid fun and probably works even better when played as part of this evolving series overall.” – Michael (20-Jan-2005)

“Lara has returned home with The Sapphire Rose from her first adventure in this series. She has put it a room with 12 pedestals for the roses. Now she receives a ‘Second Note’ to tell her where to go to next and to beware of the Big Bird Secret Admirer! So off she goes nice little straw hat and jungle clothes towards the main gate of her mansion and the waiting jeep and onto the second level in this download the ‘Opal Rose’. This time we are in the jungles of South America! Meeting warthogs monkeys - the black ones will attack large butterflies birds and black panthers one in front of a huge temple on the other side of a river we must cross skeletons and angry natives. She discovers the campsite of a previous explorer who didn’t make it takes his shotgun and uses a knife to open a gate into another part of the jungle. We get to climb trees monkeyswing swim shoot bones block pushing vase shooting swinging blades raise cages and rope swing. Check dark walls for hidden switches. There’s an interesting tall area with lava columns and ledges to climb and jump around to find the lava star and exit via a timed door. We find golden horse statues pyramid keys lava star serpent stone and a torch to burn a floor. When you finally claim your prize and try to leave the fairy protector of the Opal Rose (like the Ice Queen in Saphire Rose) appears and trys to stop you. Having gotten rid of her we find the way out and push a switch in a corridor. This releases two gunmen who no doubt are there for the same purpose as yourself but wonder of wonders the big bird monster comes to your rescue. So here is Lara’s secret admirer. After pushing the switch try to run out quickly and watch him in action. This is a very colourful level very nicely done and almost has a surreal air about it. Looking forward to the next offering in this series. There will be twelve levels altogether representing the twelve birthstones of the year.” – CC (19-Jan-2005)

“This is a two-part level. The first one is some kind of warm-up level. We are exploring the Croft Manor a bit then after finding the Scroll in the courtyard we get into the jeep and take a ride looking for adventures. The second level is much bigger. We are adventuring in the jungle in temples to finally find the Opal Rose. We get on by shooting vases using levers and switches and keys of course. Also some of the palm trees are climbable and the green vines above us. The enemies are savages wild-boars wasps fire ghosts crocodiles skeletons and at the end gunmen a bird-headed creature and demigods. You don't need to shoot all the vases some of them covers only enemies. The textures are wonderful and various and the added sounds raised the feeling effectively. I liked the sounds of the forest. We can find three golden horse-statues in the three secrets. I can only advice this fantastic adventure to everybody. :) You can find a Hungarian walkthrough (as we don't have English version) savegames and pictures here: http://www.treditor.hu/15/the_opal_rose.htm ” – Obig (18-Jan-2005)

“This time we have to search for the Opal Rose after visiting the mansion once again. There’s not much to do there you pick up the new message and continue to enter a jungle like (with the broader sense) area. The level is well made but the textures and horizon needed more attention. There was a panther butterflies crocodiles and condors around but also a nasty woman. Lara with a nice outfit will search for a few items pass traps that include fire and axes as well to finally get what she wants. I liked all the areas although they were a bit small since this was a jungle I’d like to have seen bigger areas and maybe a greater temple. I liked the idea of placing small horses as secrets; I found two of them a golden and silver one. Not bad at all for a second try but I am expecting the third level to have more puzzles and a better atmosphere not that this one had a problem in that category but something was missing.” – Kristina (17-Jan-2005)

“After a little prologue level Lara finds herself in the Brazilian jungle with a very nice outfit and a new haircut. There she meets a couple of native crocodiles monkeys killer butterflies(!) black panthers in Brazil?) skeletons angry but very good-looking err... priestess and a very BIG bird. To reach her goal the Opal Rose she'll have to search a lot look around carefully pass a bunch of pretty well-designed traps and shoot at things. She may stop once in a while to take a good look at the scenery because it's worth it: not only is it beautiful but a believable jungle level where you don't get lost is uncommon. Gameplay is linear but certainly not boring. Fairly easy on the agility side. Enemies are well placed as are objects. There is a bit of ‘texture patchwork’ here and there but not enough to be annoying and the lighting is indeed very well done. Maybe a bit weak on the atmosphere not really strong on ‘great moments’ either but immersive nonetheless. All in all a level I very much enjoyed playing.” – Sutekh (16-Jan-2005)
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