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Lara's Coastal Home by John Lincoln

alan 6 7 7 5
CC 7 6 6 6
Dimpfelmoser 7 3 7 7
Dougsan 6 3 6 7
Driber 7 9 8 6
eRIC 7 7 9 9
eTux 6 7 8 5
Gec 10 9 8 10
Gerty 7 8 7 8
Jaws Victim 10 10 9 8
Jay 6 7 7 7
Jose 5 5 6 6
Josi 7 6 7 6
Juan Carlos 7 8 9 6
Kristina 8 8 8 7
LeeO 7 9 9 8
Leeth 4 4 5 8
Lyin_4rm_u 7 6 8 6
Magnus 6 6 8 8
MichaelP 7 6 8 7
Phil 7 7 7 8
qbg 10 8 9 8
RaiderGirl 8 7 8 9
Ryan 6 6 7 7
Sash 9 8 9 9
Scottie 8 7 8 7
Sheevah 8 7 7 8
Tantalus 8 6 10 9
Treeble 7 7 7 7
Vicks 10 9 10 9
Zhyttya 5 7 8 7
 
release date: 12-Oct-2001
# of downloads: 60

average rating: 7.29
review count: 31
 
review this level

file size: 24.70 MB
file type: TR4
class: Home
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
johnnyz482@hotmail.com

Reviewer's comments
"A house with a car, many new rooms and extra tasks to solve. The best room was the huge pool. It was cool taking leaps from there." - alan (05-Mar-2023)
"Although offering a bit of variation on the usual mansion gameplay, this still wasn't very entertaining overall. There's certainly a lot to do, but much of the gameplay is either tedious or pointless. You only really have to collect the Jeep keys and then that's pretty much it, as the level has no proper finish trigger. The globe puzzle was ultimately boring and unnecessary and the maze section was a game-killer, as it seemed to have grown since last time (then again, this is a slightly different abode). The best bits were the amusing dying animation of Winston when you run him over with the Jeep, and the quest for the armour pieces (again optional), but overall it was underwhelming." - Ryan (10-Dec-2018)
"For a house level this was different. You have a few objectives to complete, specially releasing jeeves and to pick up a few objects. Although this is generally better than most house levels i just didn't get that feeling of enjoyment. For me it's boring overall, with some long pushing globe puzzle, an enormous underwater maze and a huge jeep circuit (altho the latter was fun). I didn't manage to find all the secrets, cause i just got bored while roaming the mansion but the decoration was really good and it did bring memories from the classic TR games." - Zhyttya (03-Mar-2017)
"Fun gameplay in the Jeep part and that's all. This level lacks a purpose and fails to engage the player to keep playing. It was really just roaming around with no objective, at least that's how I felt. The decoration was great and I laugh a bit in the jeep part when the camera changed. The underwater maze was a bit to big for the area and the globe puzzle was like pushing those around the world for how long it take for something so simple. Recommended if you like to roam around in another Lara's home with a bit of fun on the outside, but besides that I advise you to just skip this one" - Leeth (03-Mar-2017)
"Lara's mansion with added boulders basically. Well, OK perhaps there is a bit more to it than that - there are armour piece secrets to find and a planets puzzle, plus mazes on land and underwater. You can also ride the jeep around as much as you like - or not really. It's just that so much of the action is either optional or redundant so it all feels a bit pointless. Those lovely coastal sound files are soothing though - it would have been nice to have seen a bit of the coastal scenery from her windows." - Jay (10-Sep-2016)
"Nothing interesting for me in this mansion level. A moveable planets puzzle moving them long distances to get nothing, a nasty UW maze, another nasty maze (at least, this time I got a way to climb to the top of the hedges), some traps to avoid and some brass balls to shoot. There is an entertaining ride with the jeep, but no finish trigger. Where are the enemies? If you kill Winston with the jeep, a strange animation appears..." - Jose (15-Feb-2016)
"After downloading this one to play, I discovered to my surprised that I had written the walkthrough many years ago. It must have been at the time I had this crazy idea that one should not review a level for which he's written a walkthrough. Anyway, I remembered little about the level, of course, so I used my own walkthrough to get through. I was a little lazy in covering the hedge maze, because it's not at all easy to find that jump switch "near the middle of the maze." I didn't stop to analyze, but finding secrets seemed to open doors necessary to progress in the level, something that builders today quite properly avoid. The game map is quite vast, and you finish with a Jeep ride that covers a whole lot of outdoor territory. There's nothing here that would excite many of us today, but it's a pleasant enough house level." - Phil (23-Jan-2014)
"First it looks after quite a normal house level. Also on the second look one hardly ascertains changes. Only on the third look one notices, that the levelbuilder has brought in many of his own ideas. And he has added areas, which one has not seen thus in this house yet. Aim is here to find all five parts of the armour of Horus, also one must find the amulet of the Horus. Moreover, Lara must free the butler. And, finally, she can drive a little bit with the jeep. There is not an end-Trigger here. All together this is a very good level. Indeed, here and there one sees a stretched texture. And the lighting could be also better. But otherwise one has a lot of fun. With quite a personal restriction: There are two labyrinths. One underwater and one in the garden. And because I get lost in labyrinths basically, I don't like this. But this is my quite own problem. Result: Good level, which one should play anyway." - Scottie (18-Apr-2009)
"At first this level was very nice...great textures and puzzles. After you finished it it was like 'oh well'. Since this was your first level my first thought was this guys has talent. Nice textures but it looked like you went completely mad with the garden horses. But it was all good. Nice work." - Lyin_4rm_u (17-Mar-2004)
"One of the highlights of 'Lara's Coastal Home' is reported to be the maze. I don't tend to agree about the maze. I found it VERY EASY and quite tedious. In fact I found this whole level quite tedious. The cause and effect of Lara's actions was a complete mystery for about the first half of the game resulting in Lara (me!) running around in circles. The very tired assault course needed a timer (I did like the double ball sliding hill challenge) and more different challenges. The jeep ride could have been fun but something was missing. I don't know just what. The interior of the house had a few new tweaks but it was comprised mostly of just a lot of what you've seen before. I did like the swimming pool area very much and had a bit of fun with it. However the idea of adding the sound of waves crashing in the background to a reasonably tired version of Lara's mansion and calling it a Coastal Home takes courage. There is little about this level I enjoyed. When I first played 'Lara's Coastal Home' I quit 75% into it through boredom. This time through I finished it. I shouldn't have. Sorry but I don't recommend this unless you have a fondness for the Mansion." - Dougsan (07-Jun-2003)
"Take Lara's Mansion and add a lot of extras like a terrific swimming pool area with a tremendous dive into the water a few more mazes to drive you mad a brilliant drive around a huge outdoor area and dangerous traps throughout the house and you've got an exciting little adventure." - CC (08-May-2003)
"Find the six secrets that's your goal. It's not too hard each secret leads to another. Although there are several things I don't like (boulder runs underwater maze push puzzle jeep ride) I found myself playing this level twice mainly because I did not have the right sound files the first time and yes it does make a difference. The second time was better. I'm afraid I hit Jeeves with the jeep but hey what's he doing on a racetrack anyway? There are no enemies the lava room was nice and the house was very nicely done I liked exploring it. So if you like house levels you should play this one." - Josi (07-Jan-2003)
"I actually expected more from the level than I got seeing the good reviews it got but I were a bit disappointed. Sure it is different from the other home levels (in a good way) and it's an excellent start for new raiders in the custom level world so they'd be prepared for the more tougher and 'mature' levels out there but the search for the armor the mazes (really horrible) jeep course and the awfully stretched textures and almost non-existent lightning really didn't make my play time better and I prefer John's other home level or other greater adventures..." - eTux (23-Dec-2002)
"A fun and beautiful Lara's home level. The author has made a good work to create a good design of rooms based on the Croft manor in TR3. When you progress in the game you see that it is not the same manor with new rooms new gardens and different architecture. Here you can solve puzzles to find the 5 parts of the golden armor and the keys of the jeep for a very funny ride. The end of the level (there is no end trigger though so if you like this home you can stay a bit longer) is the most entertaining with series of boulder traps and spikes traps and jumps. I like also the room where you can see the Iris or the knife of Xian and pick up the amulet. The underwater maze and the hedge maze were quite entertaining but the pushable globes puzzle is too much long. All in all I really had a nice and long time in Lara's coastal home. I wonder who replaces the collapsible tiles each morning before Lara raids her own house Jeeves? By the way Jeeves makes a funny noise when Lara comes near him :)" - eRIC (26-Sep-2002)
"If you like a good maze and the mansion setting then you're going to love this. Me I don't care much for neither so this quest for the golden armour wasn't really to my taste; all the more since I needed quite some time to get on my way as the cause and effect of the various levers and brass spheres is rather enigmatic; plus there seem to be quite a few exercises thrown in just for the hell of it. Once you get to pick up the first piece of armour things become a bit more linear and since you then get some cutscenes that provide you with the clues you need gameplay actually becomes sort of fluent. However things never really get exciting as there are no enemies and the assorted health hazards seemed pretty contrived to me. What are circular slicers and rolling balls doing in Lara's Coastal Home? Driving the jeep at the end was kinda fun though but as there is no finishing trigger and you arrive at the place you set out from it felt a bit pointless. The textures are stretched and not too much effort has gone into ambient lighting while the whole area is just a rather faithful copy of the original mansion so this can't really earn many points for originality. There are some good twists along the way but to be perfectly honest with you on the whole this 2 hour tour around the house didn't make much sense to me." - Dimpfelmoser (08-Sep-2002)
"This Home level is so well done that it should have been the one included in the original Core games though I do admit it would be a little tough for a beginner. My favorite part was the new indoor pool. Just climbing all the way up there (& figuring out what to do up there :-) )... that alone was worth the price of admission." - Gec (21-Aug-2002)
"Well this was the most popular home level. I by myself didn't see anything really special and this is also the debut of this author so nothing spectacular shall be expected. Finding the first armor piece lead you to the other armor pieces (secrets). This level is recommended for those who just want to have some fun or train as there is no baddies to kill. Only puzzles to solve and traps to avoid." - Treeble (26-Jul-2002)
"I haven't enjoyed a mansion level in so long that I think I come to them with a preconceived dislike that is until this mansion level. From the first second in the redesigned bedroom to the last second zooming around the huge jeep track I was having a blast and a lot of that had to do with the brilliant restructuring of nearly every existing room to all new hidden rooms and to the wonderfully extended grounds. Unlike other mansion levels this one is packed with puzzles traps and loads of things such as breakable floors rope swings in the foyer raising blocks and invisible platforms not to mention the grounds where you will not only find the hedge maze with a confusing twist but also a pool that doubles as a water maze though you don't need to go through it to progress and the already stated huge booby trapped jeep track that I must have driven around 5 or 6 times because it was so cool. There is a point to this level as well and that is to find the 5 pieces of armor and Amulet of Horus that are also the 6 secrets but the funny thing is that although they are secrets they are all necessary for progression. I nearly forgot to mention that Winston is also here but just don't run over him with the jeep as you can drive it in the house as well as all through the grounds or he goes into what I can only describe as a cross between someone at a rave and someone having a fit. There aren't many levels that I like well enough to replay and although this 80 minute level is not perfect it definitely is one that I could replay happily." - Sash (21-Jun-2002)
"Regular readers of my reviews know that after 20-30 Lara's Mansion levels these are definitely not my favorite dish of the day but this one is at least somewhat special and I did find parts of it rather entertaining. Tommy's outfit is nice and some of the library WAD objects have been used well. I thought the planet pushing was a little tedious though as was the underwater maze at a later stage. The two high points for me were the flyby when you reach the outside and of course the Jeep course - big fun!" - Michael (21-Jun-2002)
"Though not without its problems this was one of the best 'mansion levels' I've seen so far. The house though similar to the original one has been redesigned in a big way. Lara's bedroom and bathroom have been redone and look much better than the original the dining room has been improved and I don't think anyone could beat what he has done with the pool room with a platform that's just begging you to swan dive straight into the pool. But just wait till you get outside. The obstacle course has had a few changes made including a deadly one. The hedge maze is just spectacular - three times larger than the original and much more confusing - but there's something you need to pick up while there. And for the grand finale you have the coolest obstacle course for the jeep ever made. You'll want to go through this a few times. The objective of the level is to collect 5 pieces of armor and an amulet - but this won't be as easy as it sounds. On the way you'll encounter spike filled rooms collapsing bridges built over a room filled with lava swinging chains and a few quite tricky puzzles. This is quite an amazing level. However a few things about it bothered me. Apparently the level ends when you have collected all the pieces but I did not find an end of level spot there were quite a few doors that never were opened there is a switch in the hall you never use the doors to a section of the garden with a small swimming pool never opened for me and if you don't find that first switch you'll spend a lot of time wondering what to do. A few things could be fixed but still a grade A level." - RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002)
"Pffffew I made it. For me it was a confusing level as I couldn't seem to get the piece of armor on top of the front door. Still can't in the normal way so I had to use the flycheat. For the rest it was hard and not that obvious but great fun. To free the butler was an easy task there is a lever to pull somewhere in the swimming pool area. Teach you to have a good look around everywhere. Had to do some somersaulting into the pool just for the heck of it. The underwater maze threw me haven't been drowned that much in ages. The boulders starting in the obstacle course they were a warming up. If you think that is hard think again wait till you are in the cellar jeeeezzzz. I loved what the author did with the house. The house was HUGE. Lovely homely kitchen nice bedroom funny garden room (?). Lots of detail went into this level like ornaments in the garden maze. Lara's mansion was also filled with nice things. And then of course the jeep ride although I am not a vehicle fan this was fun to do once you knew what to expect. 12-05-2002" - Gerty (21-Jun-2002)
"I think this level is very 'happy'. It's got bright rooms bright textures and although there are some deadly traps they're not very hard to survive. The level is very confusing (at least I think so). I never knew what to do so I just ran around in the house or drove over Winston (he sounded so annoying so I think he deserved to die). A fun level but I missed having a couple of enemies to kill." - Magnus (21-Jun-2002)
"I enjoyed this level very much well done to John for creating this level! As house levels go this is one of the best and should be a must download for anyone! There are a few minor nit picks. Stretched textures are a problem in this level in many places but we can push this aside for now download this level now!" - LeeO (21-Jun-2002)
"This level is an extension of Lara's home. The game seems boring to me there are no new things just a repetition of everything we have seen in Tomb raider games. Textures are very bad. The labyrinths are too large. The use of camera around the house is very good. There is no use of lights so Lara looks always as a 2D model. The idea about linking secrets is good. Anyway the level designer works a lot but I think he should take more care with textures and lights." - Juan Carlos (21-Jun-2002)
"Wow! The most amazing Lara's home yet! Gameplay was fun and challenging not to mention the area - HUGE. Puzzles were really good too finding some of the things was a bit hard but that's all in the spirit of Tomb Raider eh? I kinda missed some enemies to shoot at but you can run over Jeeves with the jeep if your bored. :) Secrets were good too took me awhile to find some of the switches. Atmosphere sound cameras all excellent. It had a friendly 'Lara's Training Program' feel. The basement with rolling balls really ticked me......I kept dying! But after I made it I had that huge sigh of relief and feeling of beating a tough part. Overall this level was just plain excellent from beginning to end and the jeep course is something you just HAVE to see. :)" - Jaws Victim (21-Jun-2002)
"Lara seems to earn good money in her job as her property - house and area around - has expanded so much since the last time I visited her ;-). There are no enemies around (but beware of the traps) so you have enough time to explore every single room (and the garden area too). And you really need some time! Building this level was hard work I think. You even find a racing track for the jeep (but find the keys first!). One of the quests is to free the butler - unfortunately I couldn't. Maybe there is a switch for the door in the underwater maze which I couldn't finish for Lara was drowning all the time. If you like puzzle oriented house levels try this one!" - Sheevah (21-Jun-2002)
"This beautiful replica of Lara's Home fits the category 'annoying levels' but not in a bad way. There are 3 areas in this level where you die time after time and it's a real challenge to get through these bits and you must be a real Tomb Raider with quick movement and good orientation skills. The boulder course in the cellar tests one's ability to move quickly and with precision or else it's an empty red bar at the top of the screen. But after many times trying and you finally JUST avoided the last boulder you lean back on your chair and get the classical TR sensation 'aaahhhh...gotcha!' The textures are in many cases stretched and wrongly applied but considering this was the author's first level I think he has done a brilliant job nonetheless. The jeep course was a fun area to play around with. It got my adrenaline running and it made me remember why I failed my drivers exam :D Once you first take a step outside Lara's house an extremely long flyby is triggered with the camera flying through the jeep course and the gardens. Although it could do with a few tiny tweaking I really gasped and went 'woooooooow'. The level is filled with actual TR3 objects and although they slow the game down some times on older computer they do contribute on the great re-creation of the actual TR3 Lara's Home level. I missed a finish a feeling of completion but then again Lara's Home in Tomb Raider 3 didn't have an actual finish either so all and all I think that the author has done a splendid job on re-creating Lara's Home and was able to spice it up a notch by making challenging new courses. Thumbs up!" - Driber_IF (21-Jun-2002)
"This level is one of the best levels I have played regarding Lara's home. I liked very much the puzzles and especially the room with the revolver. Good one there. Also I enjoyed the secrets not too hard to find or too easy it was fun. The problem is with the textures they are stretched in some areas but the general impression of this level is very good. The outside area is also very well designed and as for the inside area the gym is well put. In the outside area the fun part is with the jeep I will admit though I didn't understand at first what was it about. I did that course three times just for the laugh it gave me. I would advise the author to keep working because I see he has an eye for replica and I hope not only for that." - Kristina (21-Jun-2002)
"Lara's house has had one decent makeover. There are plenty of things included that I've not seen in any other levels like invisible platforms a racecourse where you don't have to exit the car and these swinging chains you have to get past. I very much enjoyed the racecourse going through the slightly redesigned assault course the puzzles the gym... I better stop before I overfill this web page. :). Lara's outfit is nice too. However no level is perfect. There are only two downfalls I noticed... First there are no enemies and lastly... um... finding the switch to release Jeeves was quite taxing. This level is worth downloading. Get it now. You will not be disappointed." - qbg (21-Jun-2002)
"I'm really glad that John made the effort of making this great 'successor' level of the other original Tomb Raider training levels. But don't get me wrong: Even though there are no enemies to beat most times I thought while playing 'how the hell can someone have so many traps in their house?'. These traps are placed very well and you often need skilled moves to avoid them. The goal of the level is getting six artifacts. You'll have to start with one and each found artifact will make way for the next one. After collecting them all you'll gain access to the jeep key and riding the jeep on the course was the greatest experience I have ever made with a vehicle in a Tomb Raider game (or level)! Playing recommended!" - Tantalus (21-Jun-2002)
"A really great balanced level. Accommodates for all newbies and ardent adventurers. Puzzles are thought provoking but not incredibly hard. The layout is excellent with lots of rooms and different ideas incorporated. Nice amount of secrets to find and actions triggered by sequences. And it has a jeep track all my dreams come true! Generally an excellent level for a first attempt. I can't wait for more! :->" - Vicks (21-Jun-2002)