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Level: Caesar's Palace back home search
Author(s): Leandro Dubost
total rating:6.11 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
bERT 7 6 7 7
CC 7 6 7 6
Dimpfelmoser 6 6 6 5
eTux 5 5 5 4
Gerty 7 7 7 7
Josep 7 7 6 5
Kristina 8 7 8 8
MichaelP 7 6 6 4
Momster 8 6 6 6
Orbit Dream 6 4 6 6
RaiderGirl 8 7 8 7
Sakusha 7 7 6 6
Sash 6 5 6 6
Spike 6 5 5 4
The Aussie Adventurer 8 6 7 6
Torry 6 5 8 7
Treeble 7 7 9 7
Zygatus 2 2 2 2
category averages
(18 reviews)		 6.56 5.78 6.39 5.72

Reviewer's comments

"While this was a short level, there were a few camera angles and gameplay elements I really liked. It was original to have an insurmountable lava passage that would lead the player to head towards another direction. Some of the boulder traps were like swords of Damocles to either avoid with care or to avoid by running for Lara's life. With the camera angle in a room similar to the multi-storied room of St. Francis Folly from Tomb Raider 1 and England from Tomb Raider Legend, the dramatic flair of the ghost sequence was apparent, and the player had to search for the nearest guardian angel statue to extinguish it. While I had ample amounts of shotgun ammo, I had to look for pits when dealing with skeletons. In fact, the revolver was pretty useless without the lasersight. I was also disappointed that the ladders were not very easy to distinguish from the walls, and the textures could've been less repetitive. Nonetheless, searching for the golden star and the portal guardian was pretty fun." - Sakusha (11-Jun-2012)

"I stumbled upon this via the featured level section of the site - and the reviews promised a quick, but fun catacombs experience. Having played it - I wasn't disappointed - it took me a little over 10 minutes to get till the end of it, and I never got stuck, stumbling only a little by the rope-swing / crawlspace secret for fear of having missed something. The author really likes his boulders and uses them well, creating some of the level's most thrilling moments. I really liked the way the skeletons were used as well, but the definite highlight for me was the birdview camera room which I thought was well executed, and I didn't find it obscure at all. Looks-wise there's nothing really to write home about - the TR1 Greco-Roman textures are used decently, but are a bit too repetitive, and the lighting - while fittingly gloomy and not too dark, was somewhat on the flat side. However, if you're looking for a quick, fast paced game that's fun all the way through and will not challenge you so much you have to pull your hair out - this one's fair game." - eTux (09-Jul-2009)

"There isn't much to do in this short, 10-minute long level, other than dodge a few skeletons and boulder traps, and a few simple jumps to do. Thankfully, it all moved along at a rather quick pace, with some of the boulder traps requiring some quick reactions in order to avoid. Sadly, the texturing isn't as good, and many sections are wallpapered or stretched. A nice, small level that is suitable for those wanting a quick raid." - Spike (30-Jul-2007)

"Caesars Palace is quite a good level. The most impressive part about this game is the fact that some time was spent in designing this level to make it fun and challanging to play. I don't want to give away all the traps but some are quite clever and interesting too. The rooms are pretty big and expansive with some platform jumping. This level has got to be the level with the most boulder traps ever in 1 level. The designer had used the camera to great affect giving a top down view when fighting some skeletons. The enemies consisted of skeletons and spirits all of which were more annoying than hard. The biggest let down would have to be the texturing which is nothing more than ugly. It looks ok, but still seems unprofessional and dull. Other than that, it's a good quick destraction. If I had to give this level a grade, I would give it a B-, a low distinction." - The Aussie Adventurer (03-Feb-2006)

“Orbit Dream: For this review I am joined by the famed Level Builder Marksdad. Marksdad: Good evening. Orbit Dream: Marksdad I gather you've played most of Leandro's other levels already. What did you think of this one of his earliest efforts? Marksdad: Well Mr Dream I was actually rather impressed. For a start it's a very small download and yet I was provided with nearly 25 minutes of playing time in a decent environment where despite using the Catacomb WAD Leandro managed to create an atmosphere more akin to dangerous caverns. I was also most impressed by the challenges on offer although the 'door-opening puzzle' had a somewhat obscure solution. Orbit Dream: Yes I would have thought a suitable fly-by would have remedied that. Marksdad: I quite agree. However it was quite novel and proved yet again that there are many things you can do with the original LE program provided you exercise a little imagination. Orbit Dream: Yes I agree. This was a tiny download and yet great 'value for money'. Marksdad: You've got it. If only other Level Builders appreciated that as well. Orbit Dream: Perhaps some of them will consider returning to the 'grass routes' style of level building in the future. Marksdad: One can only hope. Orbit Dream: Finally what's your favourite Fish? Marksdad: Haddock. Orbit Dream: Marksdad thank you very much for agreeing to help out with this review. Marksdad: My pleasure.” – Orbit Dream (18-Aug-2003)

“A terrific little level. Great fun all the way through. Shooting the skeletons with the shotgun was good fun. The room with the ceiling camera was great with the skeleton. The way I dealt with this one was to trap him in the crawlspace then I shot the bones on the red tile and the door opened. Every time I encountered spikey boulders I died until I figured how to get past them. Hair raising stuff. And that run under the boulders was heart stopping.” – CC (05-Aug-2003)

“Nice little level with some rumblings (not in Lara's stomach) some skeletons and spikey balls desperately wanting to shorten Miss Crofts' life. Except for the first fly-by camera that is a bit fast and ends abrupt all other cameras were very well done with the bird view camera being the best. Music was well dosed. Dark red may always give a room an instant good look but nevertheless the lava room where you find the head was well done anyway. Seeing this author made a lot of levels I'm looking forward playing the other ones.” – bERT (26-May-2003)

“My rating can't be that high because this is rather short and has a few flaws (already mentioned by the other reviewers) but you should definitely go there and have a look cause in parts this is very inventive and features a few things that I haven't seen anywhere else. Battling the skeletons with nothing more powerful than a shotgun is always a big thrill you get some neat camera angles and spiked boulders are put to good use especially in the final part. I liked the atmosphere in the room where you start out but later on some areas are textured rather listlessly. Great fun all the same.” – Dimpfelmoser (05-Oct-2002)

“OUCH! 2 things I hate Lara rope swinging into walls and skeletons hacking away at her while we watch a flyby. I think this author has tried to make the level appear un-Egyptian and more Caesarish and in the process has come up with a rather dull drab looking scenario. Those are the negatives. The positives are a fast paced adventure always something to do. Always outrunning and outwitting the ever-present skeletons and some really great use of the falling and rolling spike balls. I confess it took me a few times to get that gold star! A definite download for the beginner or the seasoned raider just for 20 minutes of fun.” – Momster (19-Jul-2002)

“Even if this was a short level it is packed with tricky boulder traps rope jumps and a skeleton puzzle I have never seen before. You start by picking up the secret scroll then going into a dark corridor the fun begins as an earthquake will hinder you to go on. Find the effigi and its handle and a star and before you know it the level ends. Wouldn’t mind a bit if this level was longer. 11-07-2002” – Gerty (17-Jul-2002)

“For a short level at just under 25 minutes this was really well planned out with a whole lot of tricky things tricky rope jumps tricky boulder traps tricky camera angles and trickiest of all was the skeleton trick that is crucial for progression which I accidentally worked out otherwise I would still be running around trying to figure out what to do. So if you’re looking for a quick fun and at times dangerous level then go check this one out.” - Sash (21-Jun-2002)

“With only 33 rooms you would expect a short level and indeed it has only around 20 minutes net gaming time and the textures are mostly carelessly applied and lighting is not very special but this is still a very enjoyable level as it presents you with a set of reasonably tricky puzzles a bunch of spike ball traps some weird fixed camera views from the ceiling and a very smart use of the skeletons to help you solve a puzzle that I have not come across before. Try it out for a bit of fun.” - Michael (21-Jun-2002)

“This level should have been called the Palace of the falling Spiked Boulders because the bloody things were everywhere. I think Leandro has a spike fetish lol. This was (apart from those bloody boulders) a fairly standard level where you had to find and use that stupid smiley face on a stick but some of the camera angles were clever and gave you pause to consider. All in all 25 minutes or so of some fun and after all isn't that what it is all about?” – Torry (21-Jun-2002)

“This level is nice. It has lots of traps and thousands of falling balls. But the coolest of this level is the top-room cams. It is fun to run around dodging the skeleton attacks in an unusual view.” – Treeble (21-Jun-2002)

“A correct and dynamic level. Interesting use of the camera in the room with the zenithal angle. The worst: the use of the textures with repetitive use of identical tiles in the same room.” - Josep (21-Jun-2002)

“I had a great time playing this level so I was sad when it was over after only 20 minutes. The level has a look that's a combination of the catacomb levels and St. Francis' Folly and even has a room that's very similar to the one in TR I with all the platforms and different levels. Lara has reached the sacred scroll and must escape with it finding a golden star (and one secret) along the way and solving a number of fun puzzles using lava boulders and skeletons. The great atmosphere combined with the unique camera angles and the tricky puzzle make a great level and one I recommend.” – RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002)

“Not even good enough for a single look! Too easy!” - Zygatus (21-Jun-2002)

“An enjoyable level but rather short. A basic catacomb one with the familiar skeletons after you but with some good traps. Those are spike balls in every new area but in one or two cases well hidden a lava room that looks more like burning water and the room with the star has balls all over the ceiling the player must carefully align a jump between two tiles to pass. Reaching the star with the crowbar being in the same room helps you end the level after more spike balls coming down on you and it's the only puzzle. One that really made me think a little was in a room with a broken camera there is a skeleton in there and I guess that you must make him step on a red symbol on the floor because as soon as that is accomplished the bones in the middle explode and the door opens a nice idea. A ghost chasing you and a few jumps from upper ledges to lower ones. A fun level for sure.” – Kristina (21-Jun-2002)
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