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The Ordeal by Gromble

Akcy 7 7 7 6
Dimpfelmoser 9 7 9 8
Fairy Godfather 8 8 8 7
Freeman Porter 7 8 7 8
Gerty 9 7 8 9
Jay 8 8 8 8
Jose 5 6 8 8
Kristina 9 8 8 8
Lorena 7 6 8 5
Magnus 7 6 5 5
MichaelP 7 7 8 9
Momster 8 7 7 8
Necro 8 7 8 8
Nomad 7 7 8 7
Orbit Dream 8 8 8 8
Phil 8 8 7 8
RaiderGirl 8 7 8 9
Ryan 8 7 8 8
Sash 8 7 7 8
Sheevah 9 8 10 10
The Aussie Adventurer 8 7 8 7
Tombaholic 8 8 9 10
Tombraidergirl 9 9 9 9
Torry 8 8 9 8
Treeble 8 8 8 8
 
release date: 09-Dec-2001
# of downloads: 39

average rating: 7.75
review count: 25
 
review this level

file size: 20.10 MB
file type: TR4
class: Egypt
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
atarax1@excite.com

Reviewer's comments
"This level has withstood the test of time quite well compared to some of them. It's also definitely one of the longer levels of that age, managing to keep me occupied for an entire hour's net gaming time. There's a few sections with stretched textures around, but mostly the look is very solid and pleasing. Some of the tasks involved are quite challenging, with a few jumping sequences involving falling blocks ready and waiting to crush poor Lara, and a really quite tricky sprint/jump/grab ladder task that took me quite a few tries. The bulls in this level didn't actually prove troublesome for me this time around, but the little scarabs turned out to be on autopilot and followed Lara around for a long, long time. Despite that, this is well worth having a look at." - Ryan (06-Jun-2018)
"Nice level though I think it is on the overrated side (only slightly). It has decent length and gameplay flows in a temple complex that makes sense - you travel from outside to inside to outside and they blend well, both in a logical way and gameplay- wise. That is not very common in custom levels as areas often make sharper turns. Gameplay has nice touches, raising the platform above the pool so you can dive in over the spikes was a good puzzle and the timed run in the maze was fun. But downside is there are a lot of monotone rooms too, long empty corridors and bad looking parts (especially in comparison to the more impressive areas like the outside ruins) also too many underwater switches crowd the level. Not as good as ratings indicate, but recommended." - Nomad (14-Dec-2016)
"This is quite a decent older level actually. Despite having a few stretched textures in parts, overall the game looks solidly built and appealing. The gameplay is nicely rounded, with some (simple) puzzles, good agility tests and fun traps, even a little timed run. There's nothing overly challenging going on, but it does manage to entertain well enough for the hour and ten minutes duration (for me). Unfortunately, the flare bug makes an unwelcome appearance towards the end, but it's not too much of a problem. I was also rather amused to see just how persistent those voracious little beetles can be, when they followed Lara underwater for some way and then climbed out with her. Don't think I've ever seen them do that before. Well worth having a look at." - Jay (24-Nov-2016)
"Again surprised with the very high ratings for a level. Nothing special in the gameplay, where you only need to look for hidden levers and move some globes. The secrets are easy to find, and I missed some more enemies in certain areas; also the rooms are often very empty of objects or furniture. Cameras are well worked, and the rooms are usually well textured except in one-click surfaces, so I was surprised when I saw the very elongated textures in the ladder leading to the room with the obelisks. Anyway the level is solid and playable, but don't wait for great features." - Jose (23-Apr-2016)
"For a level (and an old one,at that)containing a mere 63 rooms,this shows just what can be done to provide a lengthy and absorbing adventure. It's generally all about finding a way to get across one large area and into the next,while performing some sort of task on the way.Each room tends to be large (and a little unnecessarily so),but the textures are well used and the good camera placement gives the whole adventure a distictly filmic look (something which also distinguished this builders only other level).There's a good variety of physical challenges on offer;plenty of devious traps,and a large menagerie of creatures waiting to pounce around every other corner;so the 75 minutes of gameplay is pretty nail-biting stuff.The only weakness is the preponderance of easy-to-miss underwater levers,which get a little tiresome after a while as some of the watery areas are pretty large.Lighting is also a little flat to begin with,and the flare bug kicks in near the end.Nonetheless,the sheer eventfulness of the proceedings is enough to compensate for any small irritations;and the splendid 'collapsing column' gauntlet and near climactic 'rolling-boulder challenge' provide classic adrenaline-producing moments,and are extremely neatly devised. This adventure is a veritable 'oldie-but-goldie',and it's a real pity that Gromble built no more." - Orbit Dream (20-Jun-2009)
"Although this level had me stumped in some places, I really enjoyed playing this. I found various gameplay methods to keep me entertained. The area was nicely developed and kept in with the theme. I love my egyptian levels and this one is no exception. I wasn't keen on the underwater sections and finding the switches was a pain in the butt. There was also a maze with a timed door which has me busy for a while. The puzzles are enjoyable and the various cutscenes were nicely done. Not quite top marks but certainly one of the best I have played in recent times." - Necro (17-Oct-2007)
"Gameplay has improved since the author's first level, there were a few cool jumps on pillars, and traps. Apart from that it's the ususal lever finding. Mostly nice textures, but because of the poor lighting in underground areas couldn't create impressive visual effect. All in all a solid raid, give it a go." - Akcy (11-Sep-2007)
"I've been trying to play some of the older levels that aren't as well known, and I was enticed (2/05) to play this competent Egypt level by the availability of Cher's walkthrough. There's a particularly grueling run down a slope near the end, where you have to elude a quintet of spike balls and jump over to a climbing wall before you get smashed. That's the only maneuver that required spilt-second timing, however, and the rest was a fairly routine but enjoyable romp past crocs and bats and scorpions. Recommended." - Phil (07-Feb-2005)
"The second level from the author is a minor improvement over the first one. We are pitted against 2 of those Egyptian bulls a varied assortment of traps and finding artifacts to pass this level. Most of the textures are used well expect for a couple which are out of place every now and then. Level layout and design were done well. Enemies were probably too and far between. Some of the traps are cool and prove a difficult task to pass. Camera work is good secrets are good as well. My only really problem is the fact that levers are hard to find and placed in poor places making them hard to see. If I had to give this level a grade I would give a B a distinction." - The Aussie Adventurer (24-Jan-2005)
"Ok it has an underwater and very difficult maze but I liked this level. Well ok there are some timed runs as well but I said before this level really captured me. The truth is I was searching forever for one underwater switch near the start that blended nicely with the textures. The dive was a nice idea but not as easy as it sounds. As we've often seen Turkish builders like to place their flag at Lara's backpack so expect to see that here as well. Over an hour of gameplay and definitely a good level." - Kristina (01-Jul-2003)
"This is a strange level where at times it borders on being boring yet at other times is fast paced and action packed and yet it blends together well. Early on you will discover the author's penchant for the overhead underwater levers and forewarned is forearmed. There were a few great spots in the level notably the jumps over the deep pit being chased by a wraith and dodging the falling blocks no rest in this section. The jumps over the lava pit had a few of these infamous falling blocks as well but by far the most difficult to work out was avoiding the two quite angry bulls and getting into position to crawl drop out of the bull chamber. Curiously I never stepped in any bullshit at all. Unfortunately the flare bug shows up late in the level but as the dark areas were few and far between you can get by." - Torry (28-Jan-2003)
"The rooms are attractive and interesting to look at without being flashy and the puzzles in this level are fun to go through without being difficult. There are a few devious traps timed doors scorpion and dogs attacking without warning beetles crocs and some other unfriendly natives that keep you entertained for the very enjoyable hour long level and the only 'ordeal' seemed to be locating some very well hidden underwater switches." - RaiderGirl (27-Jan-2003)
"Playing this with a buddy of mine simultaneously (on the Mac there was no sound) we both had a great time. Although I must admit that the timed runs were not that easy for me as it was for him but I made it anyway. There are some novel ideas in this level and finding the first lever took forever. It is a fast paced level with some tricky jumps some timed runs a very annoying wraith on Lara's heels and with the swimming we both barely made it. After pushing the last globe the one using the PC was thrown to the desktop don't ask what caused that but we got it running again. I think at that point the flare bug kicked in. The use of camera angles worked here very well although I am still not a big fan of those. Meeting the bulls is another story altogether I just froze seeing the first one. And then there were even two bulls I even made it to the end much quicker than my buddy J. I love playing simultaneous with another TR nut so when visiting me be sure to be prepared to play at least one level. 27-09-2002" - Gerty (27-Sep-2002)
"Right at the start the nice architecture and beautiful texturing catch your eyes. You have to find some puzzle items and pull some switches which are very often well hidden especially those ones under water. There are spike traps spike balls a timed door wraiths little scarabs bulls - everything that makes tomb raiding a challenge. Very recommendable but not easy." - Sheevah (01-Sep-2002)
"It's a nice level. Lasting about 1 hour the level brings Lara to a ruins place looking for the Sacred Viper. It has a good variety of enemies and I have to say that I took a long time to find the underwater switches. It is worth a download to enjoy its outside areas. The inside ones probably were nice as well but late on the level the flare bug appeared and the rooms weren't that bright. I also liked the fog in the pool very well placed :)" - Treeble (21-Jul-2002)
"The level starts with a camera sequence. Lara's top has changed a bit. This level is a collection of nicely designed yards many large rooms with water or lava and a lot of passages some of them under water. This is the first time where large rooms didn't look deserted it just fitted. You have to do a series of jumps some of them before you get hit by a rock. There is a timed door. Your opponents are dogs ghosts scorpions bats beetles and two bulls. The rooms are connected very well. There are some interesting lighting effects. The sound was used well especially with the timed door. There are cameras showing you what a trigger has done. You will meet boulders the riddle with the planet globes very simple in this case. I was very pleased to find the Desert Eagle in this level. You can have 1 1/2 hours of fun with this level if you like jumping and diving." - Tombraidergirl (21-Jul-2002)
"This was less an ordeal than a long fun and not so difficult journey. What you'll find here is a lot of swimming lots of jumps and finding lots of levers above and underwater which took me 80 minutes to complete with one secret found. There are also some nice looking large rooms that you come across but they don't seem to be used to full advantage in all instances. As I said before though I had quite a bit of fun with this level that is except for when I became intimately involved with a couple of bulls and had to take time to place a key pick up with them around me I never realised how slow that process was until then and then try to exit through a crawlspace this also seemed to take longer than I remembered...shudder!" - Sash (21-Jun-2002)
"Well not sure what the name of the level refers to as this 1:15 hours adventure was definitely not an ordeal except maybe the continuous search for the next well hidden underwater lever. This one is not quite as linear as Ali's first level but still progression is quite straightforward but enjoyably crafted to keep you entertained. I liked the good use of camera angles the timed door the jumping in the lava room and the room with the two bulls near the end. I found three secrets and left the level with the 'Sacred Viper' in my possession hopefully waiting to be used in a third work by the author." - Michael (21-Jun-2002)
"My expectations were raised a bit by all the advertising on the download page: 'New Textures New Objects New Puzzles.' Well I guess that's all true to certain extent but don't raise your expectations too much and you'll probably enjoy this well-made level. Gameplay was not terribly hard but did flow nicely through the 1.5 hours level. At one point Lara must do a move which I don't think I've ever done before and it's really very cool. I'll also mention a well-designed trap which caught me totally off-guard the first time. Enemies are generally well placed for maximum annoyance and there is one hair-raising encounter with 2 bulls. As promised there are some original textures and the overall eye appeal of the level - design textures and lighting - is excellent." - Tombaholic (21-Jun-2002)
"Good level but the puzzles are very easy also the enemies were just some dogs and scorpions and bats. The desert eagle is a nice pickup but you don't really need it. Most of the time you are searching for levers to open doors lots of them are hidden underwater. If you want to play a typical Egyptian level with nicely textured big rooms download and play it." - Freeman Porter (21-Jun-2002)
"In this level you have to find lots of levers that in some cases are very well hidden. The level is very linear with obvious ways to go but it's not always so easy to get there. Nothing special about the gameplay or texturing either. Also some of the things looked too small (for example some of the palms and pillars). Overall the level was pretty good though. I've ended it in about 55 minutes and I found three secrets." - Magnus (21-Jun-2002)
"Early on in this level Lara performs one of the most beautiful jumps I have ever seen. Later on there is a timed run through a maze and some fast swimming is required in some water tunnels. Near the end Lara must avoid two bulls whilst placing a guardian key before running up some steps to the end." - Fairy Godfather (21-Jun-2002)
"This is a game for the kind of people that like to search and search switches and after moving five switches finally one door opens. It has good things as the jump to the swimming pool using a special jump that nobody uses. There are some hard jumps and some timed doors. Textures are wrong worked in some places as ladders that look really ugly. There aren't lights in game and this produce a nasty atmosphere." - Lorena (21-Jun-2002)
"As far as underrated levels go this is not a second Big Church/Underground but it's not that far away. It's a really great gameplay with some timed jumps a good chase a few underwater errands and a move that I've never done before (the running swan dive). Actually I was stuck there so I asked the author for help and while I was filming away at work I got this idea that I shall try this move (it was the only thing that was left to do) and indeed it worked. Great moment. There are too many hidden levers for my liking (alright they are not that hidden) and the moving globe puzzle was kinda simple but on the whole there is a good mix of tasks that correspond with the beautifully textured setting. The course is pretty linear and the cutshots give you the information you need. The rooms are not that spectacular but the atmosphere is real enough. I particularly liked the camera angles at the spiked boulder trap and the lava cavern that you had to jump through as it seemed that there was more than one way to the other side. When I finally found the second piece of the cartouche and got back to the gate where I had to place it there were four persistent beetles waiting for me. I lead them out into the sun. Play this it's great fun. Hey that rhymes. I'm a poet!" - Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002)
"I had been trying to play this level off and on for about 6 months always not getting very far of course because of 'The Dive'. After several attempts of both trying to play and trying to contact the author I was successful. Everyone refers to this as the running swan dive but to my way of thinking it was more of a 'jackknife' dive. Still with the author actually sending me a picture with directions I was on my way and was not disappointed that I had persevered. A well done level which I enjoyed playing and finishing in about an hour and 20 minutes carrying an item which I hope will lead to another level from this author" - Momster (21-Jun-2002)