trle.net ::: Level Reviews

Level:	Spreehoefe
Author(s):	Michum

total rating:	8.14	Gameplay & Puzzles	Enemies, Objects & Secrets	Atmosphere, Sound & Cameras	Lighting & Textures
	afzalmiah	9	8	9	9
	CC	7	9	8	9
	Gerty	6	7	7	7
	Ivan	8	9	9	10
	Jay	8	9	9	9
	Jose	7	7	8	9
	Kitkat	8	9	8	9
	Kristina	5	7	5	5
	manarch2	8	9	9	10
	MichaelP	8	9	9	8
	Moonpooka	8	9	8	9
	Phil	8	8	7	7
	reborn1995	9	10	9	10
	Shandroid	7	8	7	9
	category averages (14 reviews)	7.57	8.43	8.00	8.57

Reviewer's comments

"I really enjoyed this level. You are in this city called spreehoefe and you got to find keys and other casual things. There is a lot of unused space but it didn't annoy me. Also the training level can be very annoying with the sentences popping up but luckily you can jump over the trapdoor. This is an underrated level and everyone should play it. Amazing debut level and should not be missed." - afzalmiah (04-Mar-2011)

"I can only say I love this area, it is so much reality-like and professional. From the rather boring training area, which one luckily can skip with a courageous jump over the trapdoor, to a really masterpiece of real-life-games. The tasks are so "normal": getting ink for the printer, searching a music paper for a pianist, ... The only bad point here was that there was a huge amount of non-used space here which is mostly black. The builder could have done more of that. But if you take your attention on the main tasks, it will be an absolutely stunning and challenging adventure. A must-play." - manarch2 (17-Sep-2010)

"i'm really shocked this level has such a low average score. this level is absolutely brilliant. The real-world-ness of the level is precisely where tombraider levels need to go. It may be fun to do timed runs and push block puzzles; but be honest, real buildings in real cities (or even tombs) are not full of push block puzzles and random levers. This level here generally uses a common sense placement of things. Keys really are where people might leave them. Relevant levers are basically by the doors they go to. The only push block puzzle in this level is where there really would be a mess of crates and blocks in real life. My only major criticism of the level is its vastly unused area. The author went to such terrible trouble to make this environment real (and he executed his vision pristinely!), and then a great deal of it cannot even be accessed just for exploratory purposes. i really do think other authors should begin to explore this real-world-ism and have Lara interact with that environment in a real way. Where this particular level falls short in achieving a new plateau for TRLE levels is that it needed a stronger, more intricate plot. Put a person working the counter in the grocery store and have us do him a favor before he'll help us get the music. Explore who the cigar dealer is and why he's lost his money outside and why we ought to keep it. Let's use the money for some plot-purpose for cryin' out loud. There were dozens of gorgeously decorated cars in this level--create one of them as a taxi that transports Lara across town in order to investigate or retrieve something needed for her story and her goal. Maybe we need the cigar dealer's money to pay the driver. Let us interact with the skateboard kid--maybe he has information or can get us to something or someone we need. Why do we need to set up the piano music? Could someone very important be listening and we need that meeting to go right? This level architectually was completely ripe for a wonderful plot. i would love it if the author would take the time to rework this, use the entire area he built, and give us a real plot and story to follow in all our gameplay. Even though the level doesn't have these things already, i think it's just because of its innovative vision and its ripeness for such a plot which makes it worthy of high marks." - reborn1995 (10-Mar-2008)

"This level is as exact a copy of a familiar part of Berlin that the builder kniws and could achieve with the limitations of the level editor. It is bright and sunny and welcoming, unlike some of those damp, dank tombs Lara does insists on visiting! The tutorial �cutscenes� were wasted on me as I don�t speak German and I did find the fact that I couldn�t �esc� to stop them a little annoying. The town is lovely and there is a lot to do without being over run with baddies, although there are some. I liked the pushable puzzle and who knew Jean-Yves played the piano? I thought the secrets were placed well. This isn�t your usual sort of Tomb Raider level but it does make a pleasant change. I look forward to Michum�s next level." - Kitkat (25-Jul-2007)

"Well, the setting is strange, colourful but not attractive at all not to me anyway. The items are unique so are the machines or places to use them although sometimes it�s not so obvious where to use them. The first level which is a tutorial has some very annoying texts but because some of us are not so lucky to speak the builder�s language we have no idea what the texts are about. There are three secrets that are gems and open a door with goodies. That level lasted seven minutes. The second level had a few enemies, some keys and a few items to find. The three secrets here, six in the whole game, are easy like in the first level but this time the gems are not used. The idea of Jean Yves playing the piano badly but when he gets the proper notes from Lara he finds the rhythm again, was very good. This is supposed to have been created according to real areas but personally I didn�t like the setting, it looked like a photography and very fake, or the atmosphere and I think the lighting was not good not even in the outside areas. Play this at your own risk." - Kristina (09-Apr-2007)

"Really enjoyable level. It has the atmosphere, looks and feel of a very modern city, almost as if we are actually there today. Based on locations in Berlin, the author has supplied photos to show just how near reality he has come to recreating this location, with the wonderful outside spiral staircase, the U21 cafe, the Aldi supermarket, the huge truck parked outside the delivery gates and the barriers at the roadworks, to name but a few. There is a tomb4.exe in the download, but it is playable on the mac. A lot of work has gone into creating this level, and it shows. The author has created lots of extra areas we can't get into and that is a disappointing tease. Apart from the odd thug with his dog there are no other enemies, unless you class a couple of small spiders in a basement 'enemies', lol. Jean Yves is here too and I laughed at his attempts to tune the piano. So our quest is to find him some decent music to play. To do this we need to find certain approprite items such as cash, a till receipt, bottles, ink cartridge for thr printer, keys, and of course the music sheet. The gameplay highlight is a very good timed trapdoor exercise inside scaffolding. I particularly liked the use of textures, especially the guitars and shelves on the walls, the footprints to show we must step back a bit, the very realistic looking doors, the bike shed, and the warehouse flooded with sunshine. I smiled at the exercise system in the 'gym', and moving the cardboard boxes. Secrets are gems, some to keep, and some to place in receptacles. Overall a really nice level where I'll leave you with a question and a hint. Who is the guy on the skateboard?, and the carpark is more useful than I first thought!" - CC (20-Mar-2007)

"And now for something completely different...and I have to say despite the fact that I seemed to be taking the wrong turn all the time and ran around a lot searching for the next thing to do, I really enjoyed the original ideas thrown in by the author. Much like Mantua's Squares, this level aims at recreating a real area and it works out quite well with really nice custom objects and textures that create a believable atmosphere. The tutorial is a nice and pretty unique addition as well, as are the 6 gem secrets. The Skateboard Kid scene is very cool and some of the gameplay elements are fun, like the the push block puzzle and the supermarket. The duct crawling and the very tedious car push to get one of the secrets I probably liked the least, but they don't spoil a fun and relaxed hour long adventure which ends with Jean-Yves playing a piece on the piano." - MichaelP (17-Feb-2007)

"To be the first level of this author it has many experienced details, a lot of new textures, new objects, new actions,... The tutorial level was simple but very tedious, 'cause I had to be all the time pressing the "Ins" key to take off the continuous camera shots I didn't understand 'cause the german language; at least could a "one shot" camera, but every time you step over the trigger tiles the messages appeared again and again. About the gameplay, it's not bad, but sometimes is difficult to figure out what you have to do with some objects, as in the grocery-store; the money thrown in any place was not a good idea too; the scaffold puzzle was good. There are very few enemies, some spiders, thughs and a couple of dogs, and the only weapons you'll have are your pistols :s. Secrets are well hidden, in second level I only found two of three. Ambience is excellent, with an extraordinary detail in the application of textures and a big effort in the small details; the environment makes you feel in a real city. Good debut." - Jos� (13-Feb-2007)

"This level consists of two parts, and the shorter training level is marred by annoying pop-up screens that are relevant only if you're German and unaccustomed to playing Tomb Raider. The longer section is more satisfying, even though it's fairly basic and offers nothing that really stirs the juices. Parking the cars was a clever touch, but it was spoiled somewhat by the tediously long distance one of them had to be pushed. There's nothing particularly challenging here, except maybe one banana jump that requires perfect placement, but at least there's plenty of light to see by. After those London levels this was a welcome relief. A nice level for beginning raiders." - Phil (31-Jan-2007)

"I couldn�t get the level playable without the included TR4 file and why are there no binoculars? If this is the only way to start a level where Lara cannot use her guns, well sorry to say there ARE other ways. A first effort and one has to applaud for the novel idea. And that is what lets this level down as well. Lara has to gather lots of items to find a cartridge for the printer so she can hand the musical sheets to Pierre so he can finally play some music. There are six secrets to find, all gems so you can use three of them in the tutorial level. I found the tutorial level very irritating with the pop-up texts, like we don�t know what to do, for Christ sake; we do know Tomb Raider and we do know what to do. It isn�t that we have to learn new moves like in AOD. For the rest it is a bit of a lucky guess on my part that I used the empty bottle so to get hold of the cartridge. I still wonder at some other closed doors as I never got them to open but I was glad I hit the finishing trigger though. But I have to say that I am impressed how some buildings are exact copies." - Gerty (22-Jan-2007)

"Looking at the pictures accompanying the readme, this level is based on a real place and you will see what an excellent job the builder has done in recreating the town � it looks stunning. I did the tutorial before the level proper, but as I don�t speak German I hadn�t a clue what it was all about, although I did find three secret gems which gained me some flares and a large medipack so it was worth doing. There are some unusual items to find and exploring all the various buildings and outside areas in their pursuit was a real treat. I only wish I could have climbed the gorgeous spiral staircases. This is just such fun you absolutely must not miss it." - Jay (20-Jan-2007)

"This is a fine first effort by Michum. It is obvious from the read me that Michum was very successful reproducing this area in Germany he is so familiar with, it's too bad there isn't more to do. I was optimistic from the beginning, except the tutorial area was annoying with the German pop-ups that I am guessing gave advice, but I couldn't read it. I love well-done city areas and I wasn't disappointed here. There are some thought-provoking puzzles and interesting objects, even if one of the combinations elicits a "huh?" It is apparent that Michum spent hours and hours designing this lovely level, but it is so short. I found myself gazing into the "no-go" zones wishing I could explore further, but alas, I could not. I only found 3 secrets, and I think if I found all of them, they are to go into depressions in the underground tutorial area, but I never went back. This was a confusing situation and didn't really fit with the rest of the level. The final piano piece was quite lovely and made me wonder if Michum performed it. Nice level, Michum!" - Shandroid (23-Dec-2006)

"One of cutest level of cities. Not too modern or sci fi town or not too old like ancient. But excellent and very good for playing and try little difference between usually played leves of Tomb Raider. Modern and classic towns are my favorite levels for play and for best mood. Nice bricks and nice trees and all green. maybe little is not good because you cannot go up to circle stairs to roof or car roof where is place for parking car, after visited shops and markets. Doors are good made and 3D really. Gems like secrets and at last you still two, keys and money. Probably for shopping this nice town. Maybe for buy new car? :) Choice is rich nd u can choose color too. And at last unfortunattly what is good its short too. About one hour of good playing and 5 secrets level done. CHeers and Merry Christmas." - Ivan (21-Dec-2006)

"Amazing!!! A totally new style TR level which will keep you happily enthralled for an hour or so. Lara arrives in Berlin I believe, and this is where the author spent some time and captured the details of the buildings etc. First off you will notice the clean texturing, and it is somewhat different to the usual lay out of a village, this rather put me in mind of the early GTA games, with the little car parks and shops scattered about, in fact the whole setting was quite dreamy. There are only a few enemies by way of thugs, and a few traps will hinder your way, but there are a fair few items to collect such as various gems as secrets, (I found 6 secrets) the crowbar, bottles, till receipt, ink cartridge, keys and a music sheet to end the level with. This is very much a 'search and ye shall find' level, and not everything is that obvious, but it certainly is fun to play, and a breath of fresh air to the custom level world. I loved the style, and the game play was great. Lara looks fabulous and the audios added to the cool atmosphere. I used three of my gems to grab some goodies and had three gems remaining, maybe I missed something else, but I also came away with a stash of cash so I considered myself lucky and left with a smile. I really hope to see another level from this builder; this was a truly remarkable start." - Moonpooka (19-Dec-2006)