trle.net ::: Level Reviews

Level:	Villa Mortal 2
Author(s):	The Vagrant

total rating:	8.38	Gameplay & Puzzles	Enemies, Objects & Secrets	Atmosphere, Sound & Cameras	Lighting & Textures
	dmdibl	7	8	9	9
	eTux	8	10	9	10
	Jay	7	8	9	8
	MichaelP	7	7	9	8
	Obig	8	7	8	8
	rtrger	7	10	10	10
	category averages (6 reviews)	7.33	8.33	9.00	8.83

Reviewer's comments

"I played bad reviewer/good reviewer with this one, i.e. ‘oh no, not another TR1 level I shall have to play on DOSbox’ versus ‘one more review will take it off the wish list so grit your teeth and get on with it’. Good reviewer finally prevailed and I have to say I’m actually quite glad. After allowing for the age of this level and the obvious limitations of the TR1 genre, this is a well crafted and enjoyable game. Certainly if you have a fondness for the old Cistern and St Francis Folly levels, there’s much to appeal here. Try it, why don't you!" - Jay (24-Jan-2012)

"One of the best TR1 level. You don't have to miss it. Reminds me of Collosseum and Cistern levels. The final part is a little jumbled, because of we could open the door at the spike room, and we could finish the level without the second part/half of the level. So don't go left in that room, first research the underwater areas, there are many. :)" - Obig (14-May-2010)

"Really shows what TR1 can do, as Lara wanders through a series of wonderfully designed rooms. I played this years ago, but have always remembered it: the giant Diana stature, the soaring water rooms, the way everything interconnects as play progresses. Yes, the graphics suffer within the limits of TR1 and the early unofficial editor, but this is a fully developed achievement, worthy of inclusion in official TR1. In fact, if one remembers TR1 levels such as "Cistern," then "Villa Mortal 2" surpasses such original levels in design and architecture. This is a greatly expanded and richer version of an earlier release. This leads to a curious problem: players can abruptly shorten the game by following the play of the initial release. And the expansion means that play often feels haphazard, with Lara a tourist. But what there is for her to see has a magical feel. A must play TR1 release." - dmdibl (11-Apr-2010)

"Again, a big wow goes to Kevin for this level. Absolutely stunning one! Intimate rooms with nice lighting, a gorgeous statue, and a beautiful blue temple - that's why it should not be missed. The gameplay is similar, but the architecture is marvelous enough to do not complain about this level. Superb level, don't forget to try it!" - rtrger (06-Apr-2010)

"Now that was indeed a significant addition to the earlier version. More than doubled in length for me and the extra areas are most impressive in terms of their architectural scale, fabulous objects like the Diana statue, a few clever jumps to be mastered and great secrets added. The original rooms play almost the same, except for a few changes in pickups and enemies, but it is indeed the new rooms that make this one of the greater TR1 custom levels out there. Not to be missed." - MichaelP (04-Apr-2010)

"There's just something charming about Vagrant's levels that at least for me embodies the best aspects of creating custom Tomb Raider games. If there's anything you can single out as a distinguishing trademark of his - then I would say that it's the ability to create environments that are simply awe-inspiring considering the limitations of the engines he usually prefers to work within. It is no different here in Villa Mortal, and you get such places like the cistern, the cortyard and the Diana room (among others) that easily got me back in the feeling of the early raiding days when every larger well-crafted area was a little miracle. The attention to detail is amazing and while it shows in other ways, generally it's hard to tell you're playing a TR1 level. The tasks don't deviate much from the standard TR1 gameplay, so you get some swimming, lots of platforming and lots of wildlife extermination, though I did enjoy the jumping on the columns in the Diana room, and the spike and slope pit to the switch that opens the level's exit was a highlight. The secrets are well placed as well with the one in the Diana statue being my favourite. Despite its more obvious faults (sometimes during the 40+ minutes spent here I wished there would be a bit more variety to the tasks), the game has a very professional feel about it and it would've perfectly fitted in within the original TR1 game. The one thing I didn't get however was why so much of the level could be skipped entirely? I understand that they were essentially just add-on rooms to the original level (which is included in its entirety in this one as well), but I think it would not have been too difficult to add a key or switch in the new areas that somehow contributes as much to allowing Lara to finish as all the old tasks, and while this perplexed me somewhat, it definitely should not scare anyone interested away, as the level is worth your time even with all of its flaws. If you only play one TR1 level in your entire life, this one should be the one." - eTux (02-Apr-2010)