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Northern Mastabas by Walrus

alan 4 4 6 6
Blue43 5 6 6 6
Ceamonks890 4 5 6 7
Dimpfelmoser 3 5 6 6
Gerty 5 5 5 5
Jay 5 5 7 6
Jose 1 3 2 6
Kristina 1 1 7 7
MichaelP 3 5 5 7
Nomad 4 4 7 7
Orbit Dream 5 7 6 7
RaiderGirl 7 7 7 7
Ryan 5 5 6 6
Sash 4 5 4 4
Torry 2 6 7 4
Treeble 5 6 7 6
Wendee 6 8 7 7
 
release date: 28-Oct-2001
# of downloads: 48

average rating: 5.31
review count: 17
 
review this level

file size: 15.47 MB
file type: TR4
class: Remake
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
arogia@libero.it

Reviewer's comments
"I never played the original TR4 level but if it looks like this then I surely don't want to play it! It's full of mazes, mazes and more mazes. Every little "cabin" or whatever made of stone you enter there's a hole and yes, it's another maze you have to get out of. Good thing is that many of the puzzle items you find are useless, or else I'd be obligated to find them all in those mazes." - alan (13-Sep-2020)
"It's been ages since I last playe d the original Mastabas level and from what I remember of it, this isn't an exact copy. I do remember the labyrinthine passageways as well as finding the waterskins and other items (not needed). It may not be entirely original, but I enjoyed the nostalgia rush." - Ryan (01-Dec-2016)
"Even though it uses the very rare Mastabas style giving a different feel from the other levels, I can't say I liked this one. It is essentially just mazes in which you find keys and water bags you will never use. Besides the continous mazes I got tired of shooting dogs and various critters too. I can be wrong but I remember the original Mastabas had more things to do in it so it is not even a good remake never mind an original level. The atmosphere and textures were okay at least." - Nomad (18-Sep-2016)
"I may well have awarded this level slightly higher marks than it actually warrants simply due to the good old nostalgia factor. True, most of the action takes place in underground tunnels, but when Lara does get to emerge the atmosphere is so reminiscent of the original Mastabas level, with the thundery skies and lurking giant scorpions and ninjas. It does feel like the introduction to what should have been a longer level however, as the 'stones' are never placed and there is no waterskin puzzle to warrant the finding of both items. Nevertheless, I gleaned a certain enjoyment from it." - Jay (16-Sep-2016)
"I really didn't find a sense for the gameplay from this level: running through underground labyrinths shooting a lot of enemies and once in a while go outside to shoot ninjas and back again underground to more nasty mazes and shoot more enemies. That's all. I didn't know what's the reason to place the waterskins and the stones; the only item you really need is the crowbar (you can easily miss). The worst: not enough flares to light the underground passages, not extra weapons with enough ammo to shoot all the enemies, no puzzles, no cameras, no musics, no objects to ornate the rooms... At least the texturization is not bad, but that's not enough to recommend a level." - Jose (01-Mar-2016)
"Now, I don't recall if the original TR4 version of this level is like this completely, but I found myself instantly bored at around 5 minutes in, with this release. If that's not enough of a warning sign that your level isn't very good, I don't know what is. Anyway, for most of the gameplay time you'll spend playing through this 'remade' level, is via maze-like underground catacombs for several key items such as two unused waterskins and a few various special stones(which can unfortunately wear out their welcome very, very quickly and turn into more of a monotonous affair than anything else.) Lighting, texturing, enemy use and object use is about as good as what you've come to expect from Walrus, at this point in time. So, there's not really anything more I can bring up, that I haven't already pointed out in my previous reviews for the builder's earlier releases in these respective categories. All in all, may be a fun time for some players, but it simply hasn't stood the test of time very well in my eyes. Approach this release with caution, if still curious." - Ceamonks890 (05-May-2014)
"Not really a remake but definitely very similar to the TR4 level, the builder definitely captured the atmosphere of the original game very well. A big part of the game play consisted of running through fairly dark and almost maze like tunnels and picking up quite a few items. There were water skins, which were never used, and tons of ammo for weapons never found. No puzzles had to be solved, so it was mainly about orientation and trying not to get lost. Enemies were well placed and took Lara sometimes by surprise, like the brown dogs that seemed to lurk behind the corners in the tunnel system. Other than that, there were a few small and a few giant scorpions, a couple mummies and ninjas and some bats. The atmosphere was decent and probably realistic for that type of environment. Texturing was fairly repetitive with rather dull and dark lighting in the tunnels, but pleasant to look at in the outside areas. If you haven't played TR4 in a while and wanted a trip to memory lane, this one might be a good choice. (30 min)" - Blue43 (09-Feb-2011)
"One of the advantages of ageing is that your memory isn't what it used to be.In my case,I have no recollection whatsoever of the original Mastabas level from TRLR,but considering it's been 9 years since I played it I suppose that's hardly surprising (and quite a few levels have passed before me 'twixt then and now).Consequently(and taking into account a few construction and gameplay errors) I am willing to give this builder the benefit of the doubt that this isn't simply a straight copy. I left the adventure without having collected all the pick-ups as progress is often a little confusing (it's all based inside a cramped labyrinth),but the enemies were well placed (I was completely taken by surprise with the giant Scorpions)and it was all very fast-paced and quite undemanding(provided you keep your bearings),with a pretty realistic atmosphere.An enjoyable enough little quickie." - Orbit Dream (30-Jan-2008)
"What's the point in remaking a TR4 level in the TR4 engine? Besides which, the Mastabas are pretty much a series of underground mazey tunes where you'll end up locating 3 stones plus the two waterskins, and you'll leave the level without using them. It was generally dark, too, and even playing at night, it didn't feel easy on the eyes. In the very first outside area you can reach the end of the world, too. Not sure if that was possible in the original. 25 minutes. 08/07" - Treeble (31-Aug-2007)
"I couldn't play this level as it was intended to because the author forgot to place all the necessary files in the zip and only provided a TOM file. After all this time and knowing the problem he should have fixed it but he didn't so I have to rate it accordingly. It looks like the original with a few changes but I can't tell you exactly because of all the 'butts' in the level. Lara could pick up a scroll and some of the 'butts' but it seemed ridiculous so I gave up. Stay away from this level because it's unplayable until it's fixed." - Kristina (16-Sep-2003)
"As it is with most cover version they just make you wanna go back and revisit the original and Nothern Mastabas is no exception. First I had do adjust the set up cause the level is way too dark and there aren't enough flares provided to light up the underground caverns. Being attacked by the dogs is quite a thrill especially since you won't notice them until it's too late. You find a lot of ammo but no weapons (at least I didn't) and I was hoping for a clever puzzle when I found the two waterskins but before I could use them I slid towards the finishing trigger. The setting is thruthfully done and above ground the atmosphere is almost as good as in the original adventure. Unfortunately Walrus has left out the sophistacted bits of the gameplay so all you do here is run up and down the dark corridors with brief errands to the surface. But before it can get too boring it's over." - Dimpfelmoser (24-Aug-2002)
"Another of Walrus' memorials to a Last Revelation level this one of course being the Mastabas unfortunately again there isn't enough original ideas placed in it to really set it far enough apart so that I could rate it higher. Here you will find 30 minutes of running through tunnels or finding your way above ground to the entrance to other tunnels searching for 4 stones (metal crosses with gems embedded in them) as well as one secret and killing the odd dog ninja or giant scorpion that decides to get in your way. At the end of this level though it felt like not much had been accomplished and sadly I will be putting this in my 'not replaying anytime soon' pile." - Sash (21-Jun-2002)
"Yet again a 'been there done that' level as Walrus continues to basically copy what we already know from TR4. Not much to add to the other reviewers comments and I mean how can you possibly forget to put a crowbar into the level when it is needed to reach the end - very annoying." - Michael (21-Jun-2002)
"I was quite excited about this level reliving some of the finer moments of the Last Revelation but what a disappointment it turned out to be. The atmosphere was as good as LR and the search for the 4 artifacts the Stone of Maat Stone of Khepri Stone of Atum and Stone of Re was fun. I also found one secret and two waterskins but have no idea what they were for. The problem here was you got to a lever to open an overhead door but there was no crowbar. I mean the author forgot to put it in the file so I spent over an hour carefully retracing my steps looking for the blasted thing to no avail. It simply was not there. This has been confirmed from the author by the way. So what is the point of releasing this level in such a state? Hence the low gameplay score. Now what you need to do to play this to the end is rename the file to tut1.tr4 use the scripts that come with the editor and upon loading the level use DOZY. This will amongst other things give you the crowbar so you can at least finish the level." - Torry (21-Jun-2002)
"I was excited at first because this level reminded me of the mastabas level in The Last Revelation. At least the short time I spent above ground did. The majority of my time was spent underground in a vast set of tunnels (mazes really) that looked completely the same no matter where you went. I got bored very quickly with looking at the same texture. I ran through the tunnels and above ground through the mastabas shooting scorpions dogs bats and a few ninjas along the way. I found three artifacts the Stone of Khepri the Stone of Atum and the Stone of Re - along with the large and small waterskin. I'm not really sure what the waterskins are for maybe they are going to be used in the next level. The outside areas looked great though the mastabas looks as good as they did in The Last Revelation." - RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002)
"Looking forward of playing a Mastabas level this one did disappointed me. The time you spent above ground was so short and underground the only thing you did was going through tunnel after tunnel after tunnel. They were so alike that after a while I got bored. The dogs also got on my nerves. Enemies and you guessed right: dogs and dogs some bats and scorpions small and big ones and the odd ninja (I think). Found 2 waterskins and the Stones. Still no idea what the waterskins were for. 24-05-2002" - Gerty (21-Jun-2002)
"This was a remake of a prior level with some interesting new twists and baddies. It begins in a dark underground maze where you need to kill some doggies and progresses to above ground where you have to avoid some nasty beasts. You continue with the above/underground theme trying to avoid pitfalls (and spikes!) while finding pickups and the occasional secret towards the ultimate goal. My only true complaint is that I wish it could have been in WAD form instead of tr4 form which took forever to download." - Wendee (21-Jun-2002)