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Level: Base Near the Ruins back home search
Author(s): Sakiel
total rating:8.79 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
Andi Croft 9 9 9 10
Anurag 10 9 8 8
bERT 8 9 9 9
CC 10 9 9 9
Dimpfelmoser 9 8 9 8
eRIC 10 9 9 8
eTux 10 10 10 10
Gerty 9 8 9 9
Jerry 6 8 8 9
Jorge22 8 7 8 9
Jose 8 9 9 9
Kristina 8 8 8 8
Leandro 8 9 10 10
Loupar 10 9 9 9
MichaelP 10 9 9 9
Nutman 9 8 10 10
Phil 8 8 9 9
RaiderGirl 9 9 9 9
Sash 10 10 8 10
Seemeister 3 8 9 8
Tombraidergirl 9 8 9 9
Torry 8 7 9 10
Treeble 8 8 8 8
TrueRaider 9 9 10 10
WebKnight 10 9 10 7
Xxenofex 8 10 9 8
Yoav 10 8 9 9
category averages
(27 reviews)		 8.67 8.59 8.96 8.93

Reviewer's comments

"The look of this level is great. The boat, the base, everything is very well built and textured and seems realistic. Gameplay-wise I found it a bit weak, it's only picking up items, looking for switches, killing a couple of guards and doing a bike-ride. I often felt confused, even with the help of the walkthrough, not knowing where to go to find the recently opened door, because camera shots are rather short and places often look quite similar. But considering this level being about 7 years old it is a quite good one." - Jerry (01-Mar-2009)

"Sure that it will take you several hours to finish this level. The base is very big and complex; you'll have to explore a lot to find some hidden elements to can continue playing. Except the tight timed run under the grate there are not difficult tasks. The best I liked was the excellent architecture and textures, giving a sensation of playing in a real environment and a professional game; the yatch design is fantastic. Secrets are difficult to find (I only found three of six) and there are a lot of ammo and pickups (and many enemies too). Very good cameras and musics. One of the levels with the best design I've ever played." - José (13-May-2008)

"I really had a great time playing this level, the gameplay is excellent , the position of pickups and enemies is well thought out. Good progression and some excellent challenges like a timed door and the use of the motorcycle. Great architecture too, the author has made an amazing work for the boat and the submarine. The only thing that could be better is the lighting as the sun bulbs are missing. Don’t miss this excellent stand alone level , it is all what Tombraider is about. GREAT MAP ! A pity the author has never released the sequel." - eRIC (25-Dec-2007)

"This level started out really nicely, but halfway through I got confused and didn't quite understand what I was doing. Shortly after you get to the bridge which you brilliantly switch positions twice, you get to places that don't really fit the ship area, but then again it's a base level so I suppose I only felt they were out of place because I wasn't expecting much else. The ship's nicely crafted and so is most of the level, some of the doors were indeed tricky to spot - as Michael suggests in his review - and I loved Lara's outfit, despite how simple it is. I never found the lasersight, but never needed it so I guess it's fair. The use of the nitrous feeder to jump over a wall and return to the beginning of the level to reach the end was pretty nice, though. 60 minutes, 3 secrets. 03/07" - Treeble (11-Mar-2007)

"Lara looks cool in violet. A decent level with plenty of bike racing and some cool jumps. Must play this if you haven't. A great level by Sakiel." - Anurag (24-Jul-2005)

“A nice little level. A sentry gun gives you fits at the very beginning but you're soon able to take revenge when you explore a large yacht and find both the revolver and the laser sight. The motorcycle comes into play near the end and there's also a neat touch where you have to re-align a bridge a couple of times in order to progress. Nothing real earth-shattering here but definitely fun to play (5/04). The enemies are SAS and guard dogs but there's plenty of ammo lying around to keep them at bay. Another good solid one-shot level from the early years.” – Phil (10-May-2004)

“Nice game where the main thing is to always be oriented since you have to move back and fro so much you may forget where you really are or where you're supposed to go anymore. In general terms it seems fairly simple. But there are quite a couple of places and times where you have to be very attentive and find out exactly what to do. I never got to see the ruins (but they must have been somewhere near right?) but I managed to find my way to the final destination a submarine not without some sweating. Good use of the motorcycle too. And great fun which you shouldn't miss if you're not playing any major game at the moment.” – Jorge22 (10-Apr-2004)

“What a good choice I do when I decided to play this level again after almost three years since I last played it it's like playing a new level. Ok - this is a very good base level; many puzzles to solve excellent gameplay with the motorbike that Lara drives most of the level. Original puzzle to pass from place to place with the bike. Impressive atmosphere - great level.” – Yoav (14-Feb-2004)

“This is a brilliant base level very well constructed and very convincing. Or should I say submarine hovercraft rocket base level. I had great fun. I really like the idea of the moving bridge to drive the bike across. The hovercraft was excellent both inside and out. Liked the fixed camera running up all the stairs. An almost invisible trapdoor in the ceiling. The rocket room was amazing. I never did get to climb that central ladder don’t know if it led anywhere! I let Lara fall a couple of time to the bottom of the rocket just to see if I could see anything down below as she was falling. So either I missed out on something or there was nothing there. And it was fun to bring the bike with you all the way to the end stopping off here and there to do other things. Textures lighting and atmosphere were great. Gameplay can be a tiny bit confusing but just wait a minute and think and it all comes to you. Sometimes we get so caught up in moves from other hard levels that we can’t see the obvious right in front of our noses. You must get that crowbar at the start it’s in the room with the hovercraft or you’ll get really stuck later on. You must check all doors to see whether you can just open them or use the crowbar and look around for crawlspaces and holes. The timed-run is one you won’t forget simply because there’s not just running involved excellent. Highly recommended level. And I loved that lilac coloured top and gloves Lara wears.” – CC (23-Apr-2003)

“Not sure why I stopped playing this one when it came out nearly two years ago. Think I didn't know what to do as soon as I reached the big catamaran and got tired of looking around. Luckily tried it again to find out this is actually very well constructed: the catamaran is just great. An author too with a story to tell: find a way to open the path for your sidecar to get to the submarine. Gameplay consists basically of finding hang levers one very tight timed door run with a 'handicap' and looking around closely (certainly to pass the big room with the turning black hanging bridge path). Very well done by the way how the author tries to bring the impression the bridge path is turning when pulling the lever. Secrets were kept well secret: found only 2 out of 6 first time around. It's a mystery why by now there has not been a follow-up because the end (finding the white submarine) leaves you with an impression of more to come (review 4 March 2003). A must play level.” – bERT (05-Mar-2003)

“I've found that base levels are either really good or really bad and this is one of the best I've seen so far. I can tell the author has tried really hard to make everything as realistic looking as possible and the result is a level that is not only fun but tells a story as well. The objective is to break into this base and make your way to the site of the top-secret submarine that the government is hiding. There are plenty of soldiers and dogs along the way that will try to stop you but there are also loads of ammo and weapons to be found along the path. Some cool things to watch for: a motor yacht developed just for the government the large boat hangar with walkways overhead and a huge entrance door for the boat a bridge that you can change the direction of and the cool way you can catch glimpses of coming areas before you actually get to them. Secrets found: 3” – RaiderGirl (07-Dec-2002)

“Exactly what the title says a base that looks like it's in the desert or something. The beginning is not very difficult but as it goes on there are a couple of jumps that need more than one try. SAS guards and dogs as well as a couple of sentry guns will make your life harder. There is a submarine you will enter and from there get to the other side and start riding the bike of course. Not much to say since everything has been said before I liked the bridge that the player has to turn a couple of times to proceed a timed run that seems to be a trap and the secrets that are a little difficult to find. There is the nitrous oxide to help you make a jump. All in all it's a very interesting level play it.” – Kristina (02-Dec-2002)

“Although the title did put me off I was rather surprised with this level. Beginning in the open you immediately get a barrel full of lead as a sentry gun is waiting. Finding your way into the base you will get the chance to find the revolver and the laser sight so you can disable them. Getting on the boat and then finally into the office is not that hard although do look careful as there is a trapdoor on the boat. In the office running up those stairs the camera angles didn’t agree with my tummy so that is a big NO in my books. You can even drive the bike after slaying quite some SAS men. There is a very nasty timed run and although afterwards it made more sense I was running around a few times before I could progress further. 06-11-2002” – Gerty (09-Nov-2002)

“WOW! What a wicked SAS base level. Sakiel has created a base where you really feel like you are there with a combination of amazing atmosphere and excellent textures. I was amazed when I came across a big launch boat how did Sakiel make that? The texturing inside the boat was brilliant. Was nice to have the motorbike to use but would have been good to have some more ‘expansive’ areas around the base to ride it. A must play level.” – Nutman (12-Aug-2002)

“After the first step you will be attacked by a machinegun turret. But they are not going to be a problem in this level. After some diving you'll come to a hangar with a nice textured and designed ship. You will encounter a couple of SAS guarding the base. Most of them loose very useful weapons so you should never be low on ammo or healthpacks. Riddles are done nicely. You'll find the motorbike and a turnable bridge you have to use twice to get on with the bike. You have to find the pipe and nitro for the bike in order to make it over a fence at the end of the level. There was an animated rat in one of the ducts take a good look where it's going. The music is used well. This is the best base level I have played I normally hate them but this one's brilliant.” – Tombraidergirl (21-Jul-2002)

“Just incredible! This has to be by far one of the finest custom levels I have ever played not only is it texturally beyond fantastic but the gameplay is so diverse never simple and even at times extremely complicated. Set on a submarine base the aim is to get inside and then find your way to the end where a submarine awaits. The adventure along the way is incredible as you come across a perfect replica of a large cabin cruiser a huge movable walkway that is one of the trickier puzzles quite a lot of well placed enemies and 6 deviously hard to attain secrets which I only found three of. Every square inch of the immense area of the base seems accessible for full exploration and none of it is wasted as you make your way through this superb 1.5 hours level. Another must play.” - Sash (21-Jun-2002)

“90 minutes of pure fun and breathtaking action in a unique setting. This is the mother of all those ‘Base’ levels out there. Lara equipped with a re-coloured top makes her way through one fascinating area after the other. The Cruiser at the beginning the movable walkway the step by step bike ride the little detector area and last but not least the submarine at the end. Along the way there are lots of soldiers to take care of which becomes maybe a little boring after a while. Cameras (fixed and fly-by) are used nicely and to advantage and there are numerous windows and slots where you can see areas that you will still have to find to explore. Secrets must be well hidden because I could only find one of the six and actually many things are well hidden like the crowbar right at the beginning. There is one area where you can get stuck without dying and I found it a little annoying that you had to test every door whether it is a door or only texture but all in all this level is just perfect and you must try it out.” - Michael (21-Jun-2002)

“I played the original version of this and then the revised version (which was slightly different). It IS a great level but one puzzle is far too difficult in my opinion. These levels are meant to be fun and make you happy not have you tearing your hair out in frustration kicking the cat and mumbling incoherently.” - Torry (21-Jun-2002)

“Absolutely brilliant! Cannot fault it in any way. The scenery outside is good inside some superbly created areas including a boat that you can explore. The motorbike later on adds yet more fun. Despite the large download it is definitely worth it and Lara and various objects have been modified too!” - TrueRaider (21-Jun-2002)

“The design of this level is without other words perfect! And when you see the boat that the author has created in the level you will agree with me. And better than this the architecture of the level is very complex. The puzzles are simple because the most important thing in this level is to kill enemies. A very good level anyway that you must download!” – Leandro (21-Jun-2002)

“This is another of my favourites. I normally don’t like "Tech-Raider" or Bond-Raider but this is done so well I had no chance to hate it. The catamaran boat is so cool. And the puzzles are really great. Over all of it lies an atmosphere that makes you ask yourself "Will I ever get out of here?" in every step you take. Too bad that also in this level the author didn’t make use of lights everywhere and so the rating for that is not too high. Definitely a must play!” – WebKnight (21-Jun-2002)

“The first minutes I played this level I thought it will be a very good level impressive atmosphere and a very nice boat. But after a while this level is very boring and there are no highs and lows. Sorry but I played much better levels than this” – Seemeister (21-Jun-2002)

“In the beginning Lara is walking one meter. A gun turret is shooting on Lara and I think: Oh no a typical City-Level. But no. This game is very great. Nice textures a good lighting and a lot of guns and ammo for the many enemies. A ride with a motorbike and one very difficult timed-door and some good camera sequences a guarantee for a long and nice adventure. The best city-level I ever played.” – Andi Croft (21-Jun-2002)

“This is the best city Level I know. One tries to find the way to a submarine and the way is not just simple. Very well hidden levers and jump-switches in madly done surroundings do the level a pure pleasure. One sees places again which appear for a moment unattainably in which one comes however later. A time gate has demanded me very much but when I had it at last open there was not standing much in the way of getting to the final motorcycle jump. A classy done Level I can only recommend it.” – Xxenofex (21-Jun-2002)

“This has to be the best level I've played since ‘Beneath the Forbidden City’. As a fan of Tech/Base levels I've been disappointed in many levels but this has to be the best of them all! The puzzles are excellent what is really great for a base level the level was textured as good as no other the lighting was ok even if some bits were a bit too dark but there aren't many of them. The boat was made really great knowing all the limitations of the LE. Cameras were placed very well there were some great flipeffects like the canister explosion effects and the flipping bridge that allowed you to access different parts of the base. The only reason why I'm giving the 'objects' part a 10 is the absolutely beautiful secret after the elevator has been flipped. This secret allows you to access the ruins and see a really great blueish crystal and a large area to explore. I ended this level after about 1 hour and 40 minutes with getting stuck one time and finding 2 secrets. This level is just fascinating! I demand a sequel!” – eTux (21-Jun-2002)

“Hurray another level where I never got stuck. I usually don't like that many levers in a game but I don't mind them here. Isn't inconsistency fun? Basically you have to find your way round the base pull a few switches kill the dogs and guards ride the bike pet the mice until you finally reach the submarine. Rather simple but I love the way your course takes you up and down through the whole structure and that you can always see areas that you have to reach or where you have been 15 minutes ago. There are no big puzzles to solve or tricky jumps to perform it's really a matter of finding you way around but that's okay since it goes with the overall concept. I was slightly confused that I never found or needed the Power Petrol cause the filler cap served as a wall decoration in one of the rooms. Furthermore armed with a revolver and laser sight (and finding lashings of suitable ammo) I had hoped there were more sentry guns to destroy. Call me a bunny hugger but I really prefer the non living enemies and I like this sneaking around to get to the rear of the automatic guns. Well there are some of them here but they don't pose a threat anyway. Nevertheless an entertaining and authentic adventure.” – Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002)

“I've really enjoyed this level. It's a Base level and the principal work is to open the way to reach the final dock where the submarine is waiting. The game is easy except the movable bridge. When I first entered in the big room with the white structure I didn't know what to do because all my jumps were too short to reach the central pillar which I supposed climbable.... I got 4 secrets one of them the ruins area. My total time 2:15 hours. The enemies are enough and well placed. Like some other reviews I've done I've played this level without sound so I can't rate it but the rest of the ambiance is superb (maybe 10 with sound). Lighting in some places was too dark and not only in the places where it's normally dark. The ruins could have been clearer. Perfect textures. Really is worth playing.” – Loupar (21-Jun-2002)
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