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Palopique's First Level by Palopique

alan 6 7 7 7
Daffy 8 8 7 9
Dimpfelmoser 6 6 6 7
EssGee 7 7 6 7
eTux 6 5 5 6
Freeman Porter 7 8 6 7
Gerty 6 8 7 7
Jay 6 8 7 8
Jose 6 6 6 7
Kristina 6 6 7 7
MichaelP 6 8 6 8
Monika 6 7 7 7
Nomad 7 7 7 7
Orbit Dream 6 6 7 8
Phil 8 8 8 8
RaiderGirl 7 8 7 8
Ryan 7 7 7 7
Sash 6 6 6 6
Tombaholic 7 7 8 8
Torry 7 8 8 6
Treeble 6 7 7 7
Xela 7 7 7 7
Xxenofex 8 7 6 6
 
release date: 02-Apr-2001
# of downloads: 69

average rating: 6.89
review count: 23
 
review this level

file size: 15.70 MB
file type: TR4
class: Egypt
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
palopique@t-online.de

Reviewer's comments
"If you're a fan of bulls, you're in the right place as this level is positively brimming with them. The gameplay got slightly repetitive and could have done with more variety and enticing those bulls to break the eye buttons takes quite some practice and patience, but it undeniably makes for a fast paced and action-packed little raid (maybe too brief at 20 minutes). I also that the looks of the rooms and the use of textures and lighting was very appealing and it was nice to see the first effort of a since accomplished builder; this certainly showed visible glimpses of potential." - Ryan (14-Nov-2018)
"For a debut level is quite good. The setting is nice, lighting isn't too dark nor too bright. Gameplay consists in luring some bulls to smash big buttons or to open doors. Two of them opened automatically when Lara ran towards them. It almost looked as if she had pushed the doors open with telekinesis ;) It's rather short, but entertaining all the way." - alan (19-Feb-2018)
"Not bad, especially for a debut level. There is solid level design with an effort to build realistic rooms - the broken columns and the low spaces you have to crawl through at the beginning are proofs of that. The level is also built with the more rarely used atmospheric semerketh style which is a bonus. Gameplay isn't boring, it flows and has exciting moments like blade traps suddenly falling from the top as you climb the ladder. Action is plenty with the usual enemies like harpies and ninjas. There are too many bulls though, I have never seen so many bulls in one level and as usual it was sometimes tough to make them directly charge on you so they would smash the buttons, hindering the good flow of the game. It is short unfortunately and finishes suddenly without a climax. Looking forward to playing the author's next level." - Nomad (22-Dec-2016)
"This is a remarkably charming debut level, giving notice of the promise this builder would show with later releases. It's rather short at 28 minutes and offers no secrets, but the gameplay is fast-moving and engaging. Much of your effort lies in luring bulls to eye tiles while trying to evade their charges. A revolver with plenty of ammo is provided, and there's also a lasersight you can use to shoot off the head of the lone skeleton. There are several nice touches for such an early level, notably that laser machine that points the way to a Golden Vraeus. The surroundings have a consistently appealing look, and everything is adequately lighted. Well done." - Phil (31-May-2016)
"It's interesting to see the debut of a builder who went on to make some very good levels and then, sadly, disappeared from view. This isn't a long level and the gameplay could be more varied, but the bulls you need to break quite a lot of targets are much better behaved than is often the case (or at least they were for me) so it proved quite an easy task. A couple of the rooms are rather lovely, with appealing lighting and, all in all, this feels like something rather different from the usual fare from 2001." - Jay (19-Jan-2016)
"Good debut from this builder. Not a bad level to be the first, but not so good too. There is a good taste with the textures, even when they're not well applied in some places; the architecture is good too; but the gameplay is only based about the bulls smashing the buttons, and I had to repeat this task too many times along the level. Also in the room with low ceiling it's difficult to lure the bull to the buttons 'cause the rocky mounds too near. I think there were excessive scarabs (you'll die in very few seconds), but usually the enemies are well balanced. There are some small defects, like the wrong animation for the reach-in switch or Lara jumping out of the water when surfacing in the small pool near the receptacle for the key; but nothing too bad for the gameplay. Playable, but don't wait for good puzzles." - Jose (16-Jun-2015)
"I always cringe a little when I start at the beginning of an author's career as a level editor, especially for someone who has apparently crafted some magnificent levels. But I was sold on this one, as I had a "bull-load" of fun! Ha, yeah, maybe a few too many bulls, to be honest, but the theme was...threatening enough. My only real issue was how compact some of the rooms were, making things feel too claustrophobic. But, if you like bulls, this one certainly delivers." - Xela (29-Sep-2013)
"Palo's Search for Imhotep 1 was the first custom levelset I ever completed. Those levels left a lasting impression on me. It's interesting stepping back in time and seeing the early days of Hans-Willi's work. This one, his first release is a little raw but it shows glimpses of the potential that Palo reached in his excellent Imhotep series. It somewhat represents a 'trial by bull' with a herd of storming bulls dispersed throughout the level to torment Lara but also help her on her way. There's some nicely created main rooms, with the last area adorned with a stack of flame emitters showing total disregard for the flare bug. It does look good though. Some of the joining rooms where you climb through crumbled ruins could have benefitted from some better texturing. There's a few technical problems with the aforementioned flare bug, and sounds missing from a couple of objects. Standard audios are triggered at apppropriate spots. For me, the standout is the first glimpses we see of Palo's strong room lighting techniques which are always rich in colour and vibrance. There's about 30 minutes of net game play. Not a world beater but nonetheless a fun romp seeing the early developments of one of our great early classic builders." - EssGee (20-Jan-2013)
"What a fun little adventure! Although there's almost nothing in the way of puzzles,the sheer speed of this game keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. Bulls are frequently on your heels;and even when they're not,skeletons,harpies,beetles and a Demi-God take over the pursuit.Textures have been well chosen,and lighting is frequently creative and evocative. A couple of odd gameplay and camera choices,combined with a rather short duration,indicate that this is a first effort;but it's abundantly clear that the builder has flair.For those in the mood for what is essentially one action-packed and continuous 30 minute chase,this is the level for you." - Orbit Dream (26-Jul-2010)
"This level does not lack originality, a big instant of game for me waltzes it with the bulls in summer. In another way the gameplay is not too difficult and I thought he was made well. The decoration of rooms is often splendid, the author to us in fact to go for a walk in very nice place and the building is very well accomplished. Very great work of this constructor." - Daffy (12-Aug-2009)
"The first level of one of our best LB out there. It's dark all right at least at the beginning and the favourite animal here is the bull there are plenty of them. The main thing to do is to lure the bulls to smash the eyes on the walls and doors later on. There is a vraeus a guardian key to find and a demigod harpies and annoying little beetles to face. The level is short about fifteen minutes with most of the time spent getting the bulls to do their job a nice one though and worth taking a look at to see how the master of spiders lol started." - Kristina (24-Jul-2003)
"I remember playing this 20 minute level back then almost at the same time it was released and even if I thought it was fairly good then I couldn't have imagined that this level builder will release something like the Search for Imhotep series some time later. This shows that many builders who start with an average level still can improve their skills and end up with masterpieces like the previously mentioned Imhotep series. I'm not particulary impressed by this level now when replaying it after some time but it still is not a bad level as the bull chases are thrilling and the lighting very good too. The texturing from his latest levels hasn't appealed much to me so am not surprised this level didn't capture me too I even remember some missing and stretched texture here (no big deal though) but it is a matter of taste. A good effort for a first level of an author and if you like the Guardian of Semerkhet setting you'll like this level even more." - eTux (17-Jul-2003)
"First of all you can tell I really like Palo a lot cause I would have never played a level with this many bulls in it otherwise. Maybe I'm getting too old to play this game but I just can never seem to jump out of their way in time so I spent a lot of time reloading. Aside from that I found this to be an entertaining level with some well designed rooms and clever hiding places for the few objects needed - a Guardian Key and a Golden Vraeus - though the focus seems to be on the many enemies and at one point has you dodging bulls while beetles are slowly nibbling away at your health. This is definitely recommended to anyone with nerves of steel." - RaiderGirl (09-Sep-2002)
"As I never play levels in the order they come out in this instance I was glad. Why you may ask well in one word bulls. How I hate them never seem to dodge them quick enough. And in this game you get pestered by beetles as well. And the darkness was another thing that I detest. For the rest there are more enemies like the banshee and demigods a lost bat a couple of ninjas and one skeleton. Well thank you very much Willi but I should know by now that Willi never makes things easy for a tomb raider. 30-08-2002" - Gerty (03-Sep-2002)
"WHAT A LOT OF BULL. (rotflmfao). OK OK. The level was way too dark which I have found to be a failing of Palo's and I realize that this was his first attempt but it does not make it any lighter on my monitor. Except for working out what you needed the bulls to hit this was a fairly straightforward level but was also a lot of fun to play." - Torry (01-Aug-2002)
"With bulls sitting like obedient dogs waiting for a pat at the entrance of seemingly each new room I entered not to mention at least one of every other enemy this was quite a thrilling and for myself nerve-racking I just hate those bulls level. Taking me only 25 minutes to play this was a very well thought out level for the short time it lasted with some nicely set out rooms I'm just glad it wasn't a longer level as I don't think I could have taken one more bull....shudder!" - Sash (21-Jun-2002)
"With only 29 rooms this level turns out to be quite a beauty with lots of action as you meet and greet with whole variety of enemies: beetles, bats, ninjas, banshees, demigod, a skeleton and of course many, many bulls who help you in the progression by hitting those Eye tiles (at least if you get out of the way just in time). After a bit of crawling and climbing around through a well textured and lighted area you pass a rotating blade underwater before meeting up with the first bull. Later on there is a breathtaking long dive and towards the end some really good action when you fight a demigod and a banshee at the same time. Unfortunately, the level very much focuses around these enemies and is over after only 20 minutes with only very little gameplay accomplished." - Michael (21-Jun-2002)
"As a first level this is very good and is one of the few of the levels to disposition that uses the Guard WAD. Lara's quest here I think is the Guardian key that opens the door that leads you to the exit. She will get through bulls bulls and more bulls! It took 20 minutes to get through and they're not wasted at all! Give it a try ;)." - Treeble (21-Jun-2002)
"This is a relatively short level but with alot of action packed in. Gameplay progresses in a fairly linear way but with many nice touches. Enemies are plentiful - bulls beetles ninjas and more - but easily disposed of or avoided. The bulls however are used very well and in fact Lara has to use THEM quite a bit to get through the level. At one point I was able to strand a bull on top of a jutting piece of rock which was fun to watch. Finally I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the level which was richly textured and lighted. This level certainly gives a hint of the great things to come from this author and is well worth checking out." - Tombaholic (21-Jun-2002)
"This level is the first of Palopique as the title says. After a lot of crawling you will meet some different kinds of enemies also the bugs and a lot of bulls. Difficulty is medium and I liked the level but it was too short after 25 minutes I was finished. But I can recommend this one like all levels from this author the bull fighting is funny :)" - Freeman Porter (21-Jun-2002)
"With only 29 rooms this level turns out to be quite a beauty with lots of action as you meet and greet with whole variety of enemies: beetles bats ninjas banshees demigod a skeleton and of course many many bulls who help you in the progression by hitting those Eye tiles (at least if you get out of the way just in time). After a bit of crawling and climbing around through a well textured and lighted area you pass a rotating blade underwater before meeting up with the first bull. Later on there is a breathtaking long dive and towards the end some really good action when you fight a demigod and a banshee at the same time. Unfortunately the level very much focuses around these enemies and is over after only 20 minutes with only very little gameplay accomplished." - Michael "In this level one gets plenty of blue bulls to deal with. That being not enough there also came beetles to nibble away Lara's life. Some more enemies were ninjas golden birds an Egyptian Guard and a skeleton. The bulls have to bash tiles or break doors so the game can go on. Lara died quite a few times with the bulls dashing at her. After a while I just had enough of the bulls. It is a rather dark level but the rooms are mostly well done. The playing time was about 1/2 hour. So it is a rather short level and it wasn't very difficult to play it. For a first level it was a good one." - Monika (21-Jun-2002)
"The name already says it: this is Palopique's first work. After one has struggled at first mainly crawling through the beginning of the level these bulls have taken it out of me so that I have sworn to me never again to eat steaks. The bull battle action is actually the subject of this level Palopique has managed this completely well. What I have not liked so much were the textures. They were at least at the beginning badly worked and in the first water basin partly were completely lacking. But this was beginner's mistake which one should not consider too strongly in the appreciation. After 33 minutes Lara also already swam by the gate and now gets into Palo's second level to continue." - Xxenofex (21-Jun-2002)
"There are some clever ideas in here but the gameplay never takes off as each new room introduces you with yet another way to die and at some stage the enemies become a real nuisance. My favourite moment came right at the end when I realized that I didn't have to fight the demigod and the golden thingy. You never have the feeling of an ongoing adventure it's rather a quick succession of more or less strenuous tasks. Textures look two dimensional at times but that wouldn't bother me if I had a rough idea where I was what the overall structure of this place is. As it is the different rooms don't fit together to create a special atmosphere and therefore this level is not much more than the summation of it's parts. All in all a good first try." - Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002)