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Ancient Temple by Jirka008

Blue43 7 6 5 6
Ceamonks890 7 6 4 4
DJ Full 7 7 6 5
dmdibl 8 6 7 7
eRIC 7 7 5 6
Gerty 6 4 6 6
Jerry 8 4 7 7
Jose 6 7 6 8
manarch2 8 6 7 6
MichaelP 7 7 6 5
Mulf 5 5 4 3
Obig 8 7 7 7
Orbit Dream 8 7 4 4
Phil 7 7 8 7
rtrger 5 5 5 6
Ryan 7 5 6 6
StudBuddha 7 7 6 5
Treeble 5 5 5 5
 
release date: 20-Jun-2008
# of downloads: 77

average rating: 6.08
review count: 18
 
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file size: 23.71 MB
file type: TR3
class: nc
 


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Reviewer's comments
"There's a remake of this game so I first played this original to refer to. From its rather primitive shapes, basic textures, looped music and almost no lighting, I was pleased to extract some nice gameplay, even though half of duration was pushables. Am I exaggerating? Of course I am but the point is I had some valuable time here. Off to finish the remake and for now approving of both." - DJ Full (17-Nov-2023)
"Less reliant on combat and much more diverse in its gameplay (which includes some platforming, a variety of traps, and a few puzzles), this plays better than the builder’s Jungle, although it has a similar stop-and-go structure. The difference is that here, the slow bits are parts of puzzles rather than uneventful intermissions, and a few of them are fairly clever. That said, the first few pushables don’t add much to the gameplay, as they simply need to be moved to their designated tiles, and the sideways climb across the entire length of a room and back again was a bit much. The monkeyswinging threatened to get out of hand as well.
The level takes about an hour to finish rather than 30 minutes (to say nothing of rtrger’s 20 minutes, which I believe are physically impossible). It’s linear and would be devoid of backtracking, except you have to make it through the firetrap and stompers sequences and back again; a form of padding that I don’t appreciate. There’s also an underwater maze, but it’s small and, surprisingly, not aggravating, as evidenced by the fact that when I had retrieved a key from it, I went back in to check what I might have missed. This is not something I’d usually do.
Cameras were few and functional; none was one-shot, and none would go away of their own. The imported Athena gates make no sound, but I noticed no other missing samples. I found (all?) three secrets, which as a rule are not too difficult to find, but can be quite a challenge to keep. Shotgun ammo, often sparse in non-TR4 levels, was comparatively plentiful (I had 28 shells at one point) and helpful in dealing with the enemies. There weren’t that many, but the tigers always came in couples, and the poisonous lizards at one point as a gang of four. I never used the Uzis and finished with 400 rounds in my backpack. The level crashed at the end and required the Task Manager to terminate.
So, some good things in this level, some not so good, but it’s no use complaining about an Amulet of Horus in India (Obig), as textures and objects are all over the place—Greece features prominently, but Babylon is there as well, and who knows what else. There’s a bit of India too, but that’s no reason to assume that this is where the game takes place; design has no pretensions to verisimilitude, and the entire level looks “gamey” (Treeble), that is to say like a typical map from a video game ca. 1994: simple, boxy, repetitive texturing, negligible lighting. Some of the textures date from around that time, too. Perhaps in order to chime in with that aesthetic, the builder chose to have the same background audio track (TR3’s “The Puzzle Element”) on a loop throughout. The look isn’t fully sustained though, and the visuals might have worked better if the builder had gone full-on retro. At any rate, attempts at prettifying it (as suggested by some reviewers) would be futile unless we’re talking about a radical makeover of the entire level." - Mulf (20-Jun-2021)
"Gameplay & Puzzles - I felt I should play this level because of a recent remake that has been released. Besides that, I thought this was a pretty decent raid. It wasn't too demanding but sometimes tedious with its push blocks. Although I did appreciate the ideas. Along with the platforming. This game seemed well rounded to me even with it's shortcomings. Enemies, Objects & Secrets - Tigers and the poisonous green reptiles I thought were a nice touch. I think more statics if possible would have been more nice throughout the temple to set the tone/mood more. But the theme I thought was pretty consistent here. Secrets were decent and seemed to go along with the gameplay but I only found 3/6. Atmosphere, Sound & Cameras - Atmosphere is decent but falls kinda flat geometric wise. I thought it would have been nice to have some better architecture for such long pushable puzzles. The Puzzle Effect OST is the background audio. That may or may not be an issue for some people. No camera hints but I didn't get annoyed by the fact there weren't any. Lighting & Textures - Both sections were pretty flat. Not much noticeable wallpapering throughout the level which was nice. Maybe a little more lighting here and there would have been a little nicer with the engine. This was overall solid raid that took 45mins." - StudBuddha (16-Jun-2020)
"Definitely the best offering from this author I've played so far. Although some of the areas have an obvious "gamey" feel to them, others feel more legitimate and atmospheric, such as the temple with the Poseidon statues. Gameplay boils down to repetition though, as there are quite a few jumping+climbing sequences, a number of keys and levers to find, and one too many pushblock puzzles. It got old rather quickly. Areas seemed a bit flat, generally speaking, but, like I said, the "gamey" feel puts emphasis on gameplay and traps rather than atmosphere. More effort on that end would have done wonders here. 35 minutes, 2 secrets. 12/19" - Treeble (15-Dec-2019)
"This is a pretty ordinary TR3 level, as TR3 levels go. Most of the gameplay is logical and involves precision jumping and monkey swinging. Finding the three secrets documented in Harry Laudie's walkthrough rewards you with sufficient weaponry and ammunition to deal with the relatively few enemies (tigers and lizards with really bad breath). The pushblock puzzles are rather easy to figure out, but tedious all the same. So is shifting along a wall ladder from one end of the room to the other, and then back again. The flame gauntlet looks impossible at first, but you can pause between each blower without getting singed. A good time-filler for 30 minutes or so." - Phil (29-Jan-2018)
"Better than the previous level from this author, this time even when the architecture is not very good, I notice much care with the texturization, some puzzles with movable blocks and some original tasks added and some new objects from TR4 too. The gameplay is still lineal here, but I found some repetitive tasks with the swinging blades and bumpers; in the corridor with many fire blowers I had to take a look at the walkthrough 'cause I always got burnt if sprinting. At the end, the game crashed/frozen? with multiple textures on screen and I had to use the task manager to go back to the desktop. Anyway nice to see better skills from this builder." - Jose (09-Aug-2017)
"This fun TR3 level has some entertaining and varied gameplay tasks including some intuitive block puzzles, jumping sequences, deviously placed traps such as spiked walls and flame blowers, key hunts and an underwater maze which isn't too tedious to get through. The appearance, while functional, isn't that exciting, the rooms are rather sparse and music not used well, but I would still recommend this level for those who are a fan of fun gameplay." - Ryan (05-Jul-2017)
"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to solve the pushable puzzles, yes plural, and although they were not all the same, it for sure felt tedious after a bit. For the rest it is straight forwards with the hunt for keys. Not a bad level but a bit empty. I couldn't leave the level at the end but by using ALT F 4, you get back to your desktop." - Gerty (25-Nov-2014)
"While I personally do believe that there is still a lot of room for improvement in regards to Jirka008's levels(particularly in the visual department), the gameplay is done well enough here for a change, to effectively carry the entire experience for the hour-long playthrough that you'll more than likely spend going through this initially. So, if this sounds right up your alley and you're willing to tolerate the somewhat unconvincing and generally empty level design(alongside some simplistic texturing/lighting), then by all means, give it a shot." - Ceamonks890 (15-Oct-2014)
"Don't get wrong with the WT or rtrger's review. This level can be an hour-lasting adventure if the traps and block puzzles aren't obvious for you, and get a little tedious sometimes. All of them are really well built, I think, and made the game fun, when they aren't too long. Textures were TR 4 / Tinnos ones, correctly placed. There were few enemies in this level like tigers and lizards. They made the game even more hard. I really liked this puzzle-based TR3 level. Recommended." - manarch2 (25-Jan-2011)
"It was a great TR3 adventure. But bizarre we have to collect the Ankh in India, but I don't wonder these days. :) Not too hard, but not too easy in the same time. Great pushable block challanges, moreover there are secrets too. I can suggest this level for everyone." - Obig (31-May-2010)
"rtrger must have found some trick how to push blocks faster to get through this level in 20 minutes ;) - I needed easily twice that time and did not mind at all, because gameplay, while not difficult at all, flows well and is quite entertaining and diverse, with jump/climb courses, a mixture of traps, some keys and the occasional tiger and lizard to deal with. Yes, some of those push block exercises are a little on the tedious side, but especially the last one was quite clever in its design. Texturing and lighting is simplistic and often not well done, but despite mediocre looks, this is still a level I would recommend playing." - MichaelP (19-May-2010)
"This is a nicely built level with solid textures. No big flaws anywhere. It contains a variety of challenges and traps - typical TR3. The background music is the same looped over and over again, and gets a little annoying after a while. Changing sound tracks would have made this a lot nicer. The lighting is very monotone throughout the level but not bad. The room with collapsing tiles and jumps was a good challenge. The block pushing is a bit on the tedious side. The finish trigger was nicely made with credits and all, but came almost a little surprising as I was expecting to place an item from the inventory somewhere to open a final door or something similar. In generally I would recommend this level. You should give it a try if you like TR3 levels." - Blue43 (03-Apr-2010)
"My main problem with this one is that you have to push and pull too many blocks in this level and that made the whole thing a bit boring. Otherwise, there are very nice tasks in this one, like going through a tunnel with some fire emitters, running away from a spiky wall, sprinting through a room filled with rolling plates. Collecting one of the secrets is also catchy. Texturing is not bad, no streched textures or such, so that's good, and there are various "themes" in the level, for example it starts in the desert, and the ending part is in a grassy garden, which is also nice. 20 minutes." - rtrger (02-Apr-2010)
"There are occasions when the atmosphere in this adventure is really rather good;this occurs in rooms which the builder has taken time to light properly.Most of this level,however,looks flat and uninteresting and has generally uninspired texturing.This is a shame,as the gameplay is creative throughout and surprisingly full of variety.You get spiked walls,squishable hammers,rolling boulders,collapsible platforms,numerous enemies and quite a few rather original pushblock puzzles.It's a lot of fun and is generally well thought out.If the lighting (which,for the most part,is non-existant)and texturing had been of a higher quality,this would have been an undiscovered gem;as it is,it provides heaps of entertainment for non-discerning players of all abilities." - Orbit Dream (21-Nov-2009)
"The initial courtyard has some insubstantial walls, but don't be put off. Once the doors opened, the layout of the room was completely familiar to me. As was the lava room, though maybe it had a few angles I didn't recall. I'd swear that I've played this in the past year, though maybe it was part of a series? Anyway, the game play is pleasant and fun, and you instinctively know when the tigers or the Green Lizard Gang is going to show up. Lara can get through flame emitters by using the save-and-reload trick. A few short puzzles with pushing blocks. There isn't much attempt at atmosphere, and the texturing isn't special, so I deducted points, but most players will probably enjoy playing this more than levels that have scored higher. Recommended." - dmdibl (10-Nov-2009)
"Let us talk about classic raiding here in this solidly built level. If we can overlook the fact that there is no depth for the walls encircling the outside area of the temple at the beginning , some walls which suffer from wallpaper texturing effect, and here again I could not quit the game properly , this is quite a pleasant level well balanced between a few varied traps , some action , tigers , green lizards, and pushable blocks puzzles, none of the tasks are difficult. It could have been more atmospheric with a different and diversified audio loops. Quite a satisfying level with a good progression. Recommanded." - eRIC (02-Nov-2009)
"Out of all tr3 levels I played this one was the best so far. Gameplay is very fluent and straightforward. Climbing, jumping, fire traps, swinging pendulums, a moving spike wall, moving wheels - it's all in here and everything is easy to master. I was busy all the time and I enjoyed it. Pushing puzzles are a bit too long maybe. Some more variety in texturing (and less wallper-style), some more audio files as well as some more decoration objects would have helped the atmosphere, as there is only one background audio file used in the game and only a few decoration objects like wall torches thrown in here and there." - Jerry (17-Sep-2009)