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The Chalice II - Mysterium Revelatum by Marcos

DaroRaider 10 10 9 8
DJ Full 9 10 10 8
eTux 9 9 9 8
Jay 9 10 9 9
JesseG 9 10 9 8
Jorge22 8 10 10 9
Jose 8 9 10 8
manarch2 8 10 9 8
Phil 10 9 9 8
Rambo 7 9 9 8
requiemsoul 9 9 9 9
Ryan 9 10 9 9
 
release date: 30-Oct-2015
# of downloads: 96

average rating: 8.98
review count: 12
 
review this level

file size: 75.00 MB
file type: TR4
class: Mystery/Horror
 


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

Reviewer's comments
"This is undoubtedly the best level of all the work done by the author. The work done from the concept of the history of the game, where we see several factions trying to fight and find the chalice, embodied in a work of artistic design of animations is simply brilliant. Mention aside goes to the outcome of the game since you get the cup until Kurtis ends the adventure, it must have required a good dose of creativity and meticulous effort. As is known in the works of the author, the use of the Wadmerger and TREP exploited to the maximum. In itself what is the game, has a relatively moderate gameplay, in some points you have to have more patience than others. A lot of suspense, action and combined epic scenes keep one entertained. The most unfavorable point is the lighting. Motivated by a personal appreciation, I am not convinced by so much darkness (although there are enough flares luckily), but in any case it makes the mystique of the level. The monastery is complex; Objects, textures and puzzles combine very well together with music and sound. Expectations are high since you see the trailer for the first time. Undoubtedly, the most recommended work for me. Could we talk about a "The Chalice III"? Hope so." - DaroRaider (07-Oct-2018)
"I don't know but I must have played this when it came out at a time when I just didn't feel like reviewing. So, I didn't. But I'm doing it now just to say it is top notch creativity wise but so much so that it becomes way too cryptic for any regular player (I take it I am a "regular" player) to be able to follow through without checking the walkthrough one too many times. That doesn't simply mean it's the kind of thing that happens in games that don't follow the usual Tomb Raider strategies, it actually means the gameplay can (and sometimes will) be counter-intuitive. Everything else is what you may expect from a game by Marcos and that means quality without a doubt. The textures seem a little rough but they fit the plot that way. Music and sounds are quite appropriate. Darkness can be a bit excessive at times but... fine, ok. What really matters, in the end, is how much satisfaction and sense of completion one gets from this gaming experience... Pretty much indeed and it's great to watch evil go kaboom (after all, most of us dream of the perfect world and love a happy ending, especially in the darkest hours, right?). Very complicated, yes, as I'm not an inorganic algorythm and can only think as a limited human. But very fulfilling too. Thanks." - Jorge22 (22-Mar-2018)
"Somehow missed this when it was released so I was able to enjoy a unique raid today. I loved the objects that Marcos used and some of the interactivity needs a bit of lateral thinking. It was also nice to not have to worry about health as you have unlimited refills (of sorts). The ending is somewhat different too. Recommended if you want something unique." - Ryan (05-Jul-2016)
"Gameplay & Puzzles: I like the style of the builder but the gameplay is too easy, most of the time there are objects to find in obscure places. There are much better parts in between though and some are more tricky. Enemies, Objects & Secrets: Excellent object design with a lot of great new ideas, enemies are also great, perhaps the secrets are too simple again. Atmosphere, Sound & Cameras: The atmosphere is very nice, very spooky and sounds and camera work is almost perfect, just the architecture is a bit simple at times. Lighting & Textures: Almost faultless texturing and good lighing but I was missing something here, it's not totally great but good. The looks are too much of the same. Total: 8,25/10, unique but a bit too easy." - Rambo (07-Mar-2016)
"Much like part one but even darker and spookier, with another portion of variety added in form of new objects, sounds and animations. But why do all these awesome things always happen in narrow corridors and flat rooms? Really, a different approach like this calls for a scenery much more inviting to explore. It's too easy to get tired here." - DJ Full (23-Jan-2016)
"A surprise release back on last Halloween I managed to finish just now. It is pointless to say anything about the object design in a Marcos level - it's simply outstanding even from the top tier of the custom levels. This time you don't have any weapons (to almost the very end) or health kits, but there are plenty of creative ideas to get ride of the enemies along the way. The gameplay is generally nice, with lots of different objects to find in very odd places (didn't like that often two objects are hidden in the same place); perhaps I didn't feel challenged enough in here as there are not so many creative puzzles or harder tasks here, but there's still plenty to do in here that will keep you occupied for the time spent here (for me the time clocked in at 35 minutes). The atmosphere is aptly spooky and there are very nicely used sounds and once again amazing flybys; the texturing is very clean, but a bit monotonous and there are some unrealistic dark shadows here and there. I found the five sometimes easier, sometimes quite hard secrets and warmly recommend this level as one of the easier, but equally impressive levels of this great builder." - manarch2 (14-Jan-2016)
"One can always depend on a Marcos level to be quirky, innovative and fun to play. The Chalice II is all of these, although my favorite kind of level is one with plenty of eye candy and bright lights. That's not Marcos' style, and probably never will be, but I had a good time playing as Kurtis for the hour and fifteen minutes that it took me to complete the level. You have a bit of good vs. evil near the end, where Kurtis is equipped by angels to deal with a few stray skeletons and a boss witch. Before that, more skeletons are demolished when Kurtis stands next to a large cross. I was a bit dismayed at the beginning upon learning that a flare pickup gives you exactly one flare, but enough are provided along the way that I never had real cause for concern. As usual, Dutchy has provided a comprehensive walkthrough that I could not have done without. High recommendations." - Phil (13-Dec-2015)
"I find myself to be repeating broken-record style every time I review a level from Marcos - but he sort of does set a benchmark for himself - and when rereading what I've written about his levels before, I could in essence rephrase whatever I've said to match what can be found in this level as well. There're are the unusual gameplay touches, like playing through the level without the bread-and-butter of the inventory items you would expect in a Tomb Raider level (which makes you question Kurtis's judgement, but makes for an interesting level) - already setting the tone for what you can expect here in terms of the author's devious approach to level-building, simultaneously sharpening your mind as you have to find novel ways to restore your health in the absence of medipacks, engage opponents in the absence of weapons, and engage tasks a bit more creatively than the humdrum find-key-then-insert-here (though there's a bit of that here too). Although the more extraordinary gameplay elements can still feel exasperating, there is a wonderful flow to the 70+ minutes spent here, and one can feel that the author has gone out of his way to make the less clear parts as intuitive as possible. The looks are nicely crafted and on par with what you could expect in a level of the author's, although the lightning could've been technically more sophisticated and the level's visuals, though not doing anything wrong per-se, lack a defining, stand-out area to truly call a highlight. Where it does stand head and shoulders above anything else you can find in the custom level scene is the way the story engages the player - it is done almost wordlessly, but introduces quirky characters, like the gun-wielding thug, that disrupts the initial ceremony, the skeletons, the witches, the monks, and the Roman knight, usually through well-made cutscenes. The truly outstanding thing isn't so much that there are characters truly worthy to be called that in the game (other than the playable character), but that they seem to have conflicting agendas of their own - some are out to get the chalice, some are there to aid Kurtis on his way to reclaim it, and some are just angered that all the above have trespassed on their turf, and will aid whoever is the least nuisance. This - more than anything, I believe is what forms the charm and success of Marcos's world-building and would give the titular chalice more gravitas as a desirable artifact even if all it was good for would be to serve as an extraordinarily ergonomic vessel to drink carbonated beverages from, let alone grant you magical powers over life, death, and what-not (alas, in another genius move - Marcos shows exactly what the alleged powers can do, whereas in other levels the game just ends when finding the trinket, and leaving the destruction or salvation to the players' imagination). So describing the details, be they macabre, ingenious, funny, or frustrating is almost futile - the best way to experience the level is to just play it and see for yourself what makes it great. Needless to say - highly recommended. Found 3 of the 5 secrets." - eTux (18-Nov-2015)
"Another surprising level from Marcos, full of special effects and very original ideas. After the long jump from the top of the cemetery (horizontal rope) you can go first to the right where the gladiator is; in that case the monk and the chalice disappear and I don't know if players are able to get it later to finish the game. Many areas are excessively dark, and I didn't find enough flares to light the way. All in all, an extraordinary adventure you can't miss. Recommended." - Jose (16-Nov-2015)
"Expect the unexpected! If you've played previous levels from this builder, you know just how quirky and occasionally positively surreal they can be. This is great fun, if occasionally confounding - don't neglect to press action twice when accessing pickups etc., or you could get really stuck. The objects and animations are brilliant (and occasionally funny, although I really wish Kurtis had thought to wash his hands after going to the loo). The sound files are quite unsettling at times and the atmosphere definitely spooky. The 'power' Kurtis acquires at the end of the game is a really cool effect too. Definitely different and a must-play." - Jay (16-Nov-2015)
"This is definitely one of the more unique adventures you will find out there. There were a lot of creative aspects, which was my favorite part of this level - from wielding heavenly powers to the dramatic cutscenes and all the little details in between. Most of this ties into the objects used, scoring a 10 from me there. The weakest part is the lighting, which is consistently very dark and kind of bland. Given the fact that you collect flares individually, I guess it was supposed to be part of the game that you had to rely on them to see in the darkness, but I felt there weren't enough flares to justify that. Thankfully you can get the binoculars too, but that is more cumbersome to use while exploring. The gameplay was unique and enjoyable, although the fact that you have to figure out to reach in holes multiple times is a little much, and sometimes it feels like you're running at everything and hitting the action button! Overall a top- notch level in most aspects and recommended. Time: 1 hour 10 minutes" - SSJ6Wolf (07-Nov-2015)
"Other fantastic level with fresh and uniques ideas. The animations,objects, puzzles/challenges are excellent and very rewarding. Muy bien hecho, Marcos. Big Thumbs up! Difficulty:Medium. 60 minutes." - requiemsoul (31-Oct-2015)