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Level: TAKO Company back home search
Author(s): Baddy
total rating:7.42 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
Bex 6 7 6 8
CC 7 7 8 8
davep83 6 7 6 8
Dimpfelmoser 7 7 8 8
eTux 7 7 8 8
Fairy Godfather 7 7 7 8
G.Croft 7 8 8 8
Gerty 7 7 8 8
Jason 7 6 7 8
Kristina 7 8 8 7
MichaelP 7 9 8 8
Navi 8 8 9 9
Necro 7 6 8 8
Nina Croft 5 5 7 6
Phil 8 8 9 8
RaiderGirl 8 9 9 8
Sash 6 7 7 6
The Aussie Adventurer 7 7 8 6
TombRaiderFan 8 9 10 7
Tombraidergirl 8 9 9 8
Treeble 5 8 7 7
Whistle 6 7 7 7
category averages
(22 reviews)		 6.86 7.41 7.82 7.59

Reviewer's comments

"This level is a remake of TR3 High Security Compound - perhaps it should be renamed 'High Security Compund Revisited'. Almost everything is the same, except there's a lack of sound fx e.g. doors, switches, and there's no pushable block puzzle near the beginning, just a hole in the wall. You do start in a different holding cell, and there's extra rooms with computer equipment in, and the guards are different, they make a 'smack' sound when hitting you, literally. The other prisoners attack the guards when you release them, and they follow you everywhere, getting in your way, and walk through objects. 'TAKO' is graphittied on some computer screens. The bathroom seems to have been refurbished, perhaps they knocked through... You fill the room with water, turn off cookers, and then there's a cook with ninja skills who also goes 'smack' when hitting you! Straight out of a comic strip. More doors opened, and an area different to TR3 is entered, it's just wider corridors and more computers. More doors opened and an area with prototype rockets is entered. Lasers are turned off, and another room with rockets appears, this is probably the same one from TR3 which has a machine gun in it, another key is collected. There's a game stopper here - a set of lasers - this isn't supposed to be there when I read the walkthrough. More doors, monkey swing, deactivate more lasers, doors, then we find ourselves outdoors with a few trucks (no collision and they look too large to get through gates), back indoors, we enter an area that looks a bit like the beginning (but isn't), just more switches, doors and a jump or two, another outside area, switch pulling, pass collecting, then release a prisoner who looks different and he has a gun, you then have to get a door open but lasers lie in the way if you press it's switch, a trapdoor is the solution. Then the final area has another pass card in toxic water, a switch empties water and card opens door, the end. There are several camera shots when you press switches so you don't get confused, but only in the first half, second half seems to be lacking. The texturing, lighting, objects (other than some computer terminals) are exactly the same as those in TR3 but maybe not quite as dark, but this level doesn't have the same atmosphere as the original, there doesn't seem to be much life to it or anything interesting to do, the sound could be improved certainly, and gameplay is basically pulling switches, collecting keys and waiting for prisoners to get rid of guards. Objects are not bad, rockets, a machine creating soething (not sure what), computer terminals. 1 hour 18 net gameplay." - davep83 (19-May-2012)

"I personally like base levels, especially those based on the Nevada compound levels in TR3. I also don't mind Lara's having no guns, as well as having some help from other inmates who are kind enough to do the dirty work for her. But I haven't enjoyed this level, although the level is not so bad after all. It is decently designed, with textures and objects borrowed from TR3 Nevada levels, the lighting is good, and although you won't have a single flare here, you won't need any. The gameflow would be great if Lara found any weapon some time in the level, and if there weren't so much switches to flip. Lara's buddies, although very helpful, are buggy and they will always try to push Lara aside, to prevent her from picking up a key or using a switch, so you will desperately seek for any weapon just to be able to shoot them. But you won't find any. This make the level so much lacking the action and that is never good, in my humble opinion. They simply kill the game here, and make a player SO frustrated for having to outrun them each time Lara needs to use the Action button. I would have immensely enjoyed this level if the inmates of the prison hadn't been so problematic, if Lara just had had a chance to grab a weapon, if there weren't so many corridors, switches and doors to open during the game. Also, apart from some lasers that need to be turned off, there aren't many traps in the level, although it is logical for you to expect some barbed wires or burners or cables in a high security compound such as this one. However, in spite of many flaws and problems here, this is an interesting level and the builder obviously had some great ideas which I liked immensely. It took me about an hour to finish it, not because the level is tough (because it is not) but because I spent so much time trying to outrun Lara's friends who are following her around like leeches and push her aside on her every step." - Nina Croft (04-May-2010)

"What can I say that hasn't already been said about this level? I liked the originality of it in that Lara has no weapons which means that she has to rely on the various "friends" scattered throughout this level. However, in most places they proved to be a hinder rather than a help. I found it menacingly difficult to pick up objects and found myself many times pressing the spacebar key in tne hope that Lara would grab her guns just so I could take them out! Other bugs I encountered including being able to walk through solid objects e.g. trucks and tables. I guess someone forgot to add the no collision unless I'm mistaken. All in all, this is a challenging level and good if you want something different. I found the scenery a little boring after a while and going outside was refreshing. I was rather glad when this level ended. I have played better from this author and I salute him for trying to provide us with a new challenge. It's just a shame it doesn't pay off as well as it could have done." - Necro (18-Feb-2008)

I was pleasantly surprised by this level. Despite its relatively high rating, I felt some reluctance to tackle it for purposes of writing the walkthrough because of comments in the reviews (of which the negative ones seemed to outweigh the positive one, unusual for a level with a 7.5 overall score). However, once I got into it I found it to be quite challenging and unlike the typical custom level. The main difference is that you play the entire level with no weapons or flares (a condition I was unable to rectify despite my best efforts at cheating), so you're required to rely on escaped prisoners and mercenary soldiers to defeat the enemies (retextured ninjas and SAS) you encounter along the way. The action is mainly indoors, but I didn't find the lighting to be a problem until the very end, when I was forced to beg for Val's assistance to find that final switch that drained the pool containing the exit card. (I'm convinced I would never have found it, except through sheer accident, without its location being pointed out to me.) Much has been written about the horny prisoners who bump and grind against Lara without letup, but even though they become annoying at times, they never pose a significant obstacle to gameplay. I've found that Baddy consistently gives us fresh ideas and fun times in his releases, and I'm looking forward to the next one. Highly recommended. - Phil (09-Jul-2005)

If you've ever played Area 51 on the official tomb raider games and liked it, then you like this one too. It's pretty much the same including some of the level design. Lara doesn't have any weapons. All she has are the guys she sets free to help her. This level is different because of that fact, which makes for a good change. I'm no level editor, but it looks like the author used the Area 51 map and makes some slight changes to it. I have not problem with it because it's his first level, but don't expect to get high marks for originality. Take that aspect away and you have a solid level. Gameplay is not too tough even though Lara has no weapons. There are a few game save bugs in this level so watch out for those. They mainly include the red lasers. Overall, not a bad start, it looks ok and plays ok, so go ahead and give it a try. Just don't get too frustrated by having your friends getting in the way most of the time. If I had to give this level a grade, I would give it a B-, a low distinction. - The Aussie Adventurer (07-Jul-2005)

“Story: Lara has been captured and must escape a cell and then the building along with some friendly too friendly at times prisoners who will hopefully take out gallantly any enemy that stands in Lara’s way as she is unarmed. Downsides: For a start this unarmed business is just a pain in the patootie especially for 70 minutes secondly the other prisoners have this sick fixation with getting in Lara’s way whenever she has to do anything thirdly there are way too many copied or at least very similar areas that emanate from original levels and lastly what the hell is on the poor bitches head she looks like an extra from Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Upsides: Well um err I’m sure there was something I liked....hmm well it’s nice when a boy takes care of you by beating in the head of someone who tries to do you harm though that Neanderthal thing is getting a bit passé nowadays and a girl likes to look after herself. Okay it’s an alright level but it is too reminiscent of others and if I want to play unarmed I’ll look for a young Lara level.” – Sash (09-Aug-2003)

“Lara is in a familiar looking prison - again - and wearing an ugly cap that the other prisoners are wearing so she's one of the boys. The boys themselves are so enthusiastic to help her that they keep pushing her on and they’re not shy of slashing guards which is all very well because you don’t have any weapons. I laughed at first but then it became VERY annoying especially when I was trying to use keys and get pickups. You climb down into the kitchen just like before with a cook standing watching the antics of the other prisoners. You don't have anything to knock him out with and when you get down on the floor he turns and chases you so the suspense of the creeping up behind him is not there in this level. Unless of course I did it all wrong. I read the forum and reviews re that bug about the lasers and no matter what I did I couldn't turn them off so I ran through them and lost health released the prisoner and he killed the guard and found the room with rockets which I knew had to be raised but that is where I had to stop and couldn't finish the level. So I don't know how much more there was to do. What a shame!” – CC (12-Jun-2003)

“The idea was although not new great. But like all other players I had a problem with Lara’s so called friends. Boy and they were friendly. In real life I would throw them out the way they just seem to know how to get major in the way and also how not to show up when Lara needed them. High Security compound comes to mind playing this level. Be aware of a bug at least it was in my game just do not save in between disabling the lasers because after reloading they are on again and you can make it in one try just be careful at what you do. Although straightforward I had a good time getting through this prison as apart from the lasers the rocket movement and meeting the robot made it worthwhile. 17-01-2003” – Gerty (18-Jan-2003)

“I started this for the third time didn't save at all and still the lasers somewhere in the second half won't go away. Why always me? But since I played the first part three times I thought I might review this to warn the unfortunate of this irritating bug. I liked the concept of this but even I got fed up with those three guys giving Lara no privacy whatsoever. Meaning when ever you want to pick up a key or push a lever you have to run into the next room hide behind the corner until the merry trio has arrived and the rush back to have a few seconds in which to move freely. I found it quite funny that the guys wouldn't follow her into the toilet (such decent chaps) but I guess she would have drowned them then. I liked the atmosphere and thought the prison was quite carefully built and constructed and as it is so long ago since I played the original TR games it didn't remind me of ‘High Security Compound’. And about Lara's hairstyle; well that is definitely a woolen cap she's wearing. That makes sense really. Haven't you ever been to prison? Either you wear a woollen cap or you have to cut your hair. Well she could have taken it of at some stage I guess.” – Dimpfelmoser (24-Nov-2002)

“Well even though I enjoyed the beginning of the level a lot it became very boring after the first 30 minutes as all Lara without weapons has to do is to push some levers and press buttons to open doors and free men to attack the enemies. It lasted 75 minutes and I think the whole thing was in this way but the most frustrating for me was every action Lara had to take (eg. climb up on a crate) with those prisoners pushing her around. It's very like High Security Compound in TR3 and in fact I think the unique thing worth playing this level is the objects and guys from that level working here. And about Lara's new hair... well unusual and not really nice.” – Treeble (24-Oct-2002)

“At first I thought this was going to be just another base level but boy was I wrong! This was great! Lara starts out in a prison cell but unlike other levels where she's got all her weapons and the key to her cell is right next to her (how realistic is that?) Lara has no weapons and the first thing she has to do is figure out how to escape. There are quite a few guards around though so the next thing she needs to do is free her fellow prisoners so they can kill the guards for her. The prison itself looked very realistic and had some great new textures that matched the clothing that the guards were wearing though I had to wonder what was going on there when I saw the dead bodies encased in glass at the end. Though the majority of the level is spent opening doors finding keys and exploring the whole thing was set up in a way that I found very enjoyable. I only found one secret and spent about 90 minutes looking for my way out of this prison.” – RaiderGirl (18-Sep-2002)

“As the title already says the level is located in a mysterious firm. At the beginning Lara finds herself in a prison cell. In between there are also short outside passages. She has no weapons but a couple of bodyguards who are sometimes annoying when they get in the way. What was funny was when Lara climbed or jumped towards the top they watched her. I found the outfit of Lara great. The textures were nicely applied partially also new ones. Later there were also some excellent colour effects. Lara saw also a robot that produced something. The atmosphere was exciting. Lara without weapons was not easy to master but she did it. The sound and camera were always used when needed. Three different keys to find. I found a secret. The opponents were newly designed but actually old acquaintances. But it pleased me. I would recommend the Level to everybody. But an evenings play because she starts also without flares. Also the atmosphere comes across better.” – Navi (02-Sep-2002)

“If I counted right you will meet some 28 enemies shooting at you in this 1:20 hours of net gaming in a base style environment. Doesn't sound too hard - well considering that Lara escapes from a cell and does not have any weapons (!) you need to make sure you get help from a couple of 'friends' who accompany you throughout the level - if you free them that is. I loved that new twist but unfortunately it becomes a little old quickly as does the numerous lever/door puzzles but thankfully towards the end there are a few minor diversions to the mainly very straightforward and linear progression such as meeting the cook the rocket movement the lasers a tricky long running jump movable blocks a short outside area and the robot dealing with well whatever that was... I had some not so serious collision problems with table and trucks and the custom sfx did not work right for me but that may have been my wrong installation. Bottomline you should be prepared for a few nice surprises alongside a sometimes tedious and repetitive gameplay but definitely this one is worth a look for being special.” – Michael (21-Jun-2002)

“The gameplay is pretty much linear and there are a lot of levers and doors to push and to open here. The challenge is that Lara starts off in a cell and she doesn’t have any weapons. After a short while she can release some other prisoners and they become her bodyguards - they are a little stupid but anyway.....they help her out. (Sometimes they get a little too close they could get sued for harrasment ;-) ). The goal is (of course) to get out which took me 1 hour and 15 minutes.” – G.Croft (21-Jun-2002)

“Help. No weapons anywhere for Lara. Prisoners and later some strange gunmen are Lara's bodyguards as she pulls switches to operate lasers and doors and escape from TAKO Company complex. The prisoners are rather too friendly with Lara when she tries to operate switches so it's best to run away and back to get there first. I found no bugs in my version so maybe I was lucky.” – Fairy Godfather (21-Jun-2002)

“Rather a boring level in the end as through out all you do is find switches and work out a rather linear and easily sussed route. No guns but some rather pesky ‘friends’ do the killing for you once you have released them as well as generally get in the way. However the level does have a good collection of scenarios from other levels well put together. The sound at times on my machine is missing and you only find out that someone is shooting at you by the blood splats. Beware of one tricky jump. One of those levels to play quickly on a wet Friday in the holidays.” - Whistle (21-Jun-2002)

“This level is not my preferred style but none the less it was pretty good. There were not what I would call real puzzles in this game most of this game consisted of pulling switches to open doors however there were some good ways of getting keys by the use of inmates that you release early on they kill the guards for you so you can pick up objects that some of them drop this is essential as you have no guns in this level. I did get a bit annoyed with the inmates bumping in to me as I was trying to pick objects up. I did like the little touch of the sound that the guards made as they hit you. The animated robot was also cool. I thought one of the areas near the end was a bit too dark but with a little trial and error you can achieve your objective in this area. The only major problem I had was at one point if you saved after deactivating a laser barrier it came back on. I had to do a five-minute section and get back past the laser before saving. I would say to most of you to play this level it is not my cup of tea but I am sure a lot of you will like it.” – Jason (21-Jun-2002)

“Admittedly that was a boring level. At first it looked interesting and quite a challenge playing as Lara with no guns or flares or binoculars just some health packs. As I got further though all it was doing was push switches to open doors and use card keys as well as some ordinary keys to proceed. Let me tell you that the idea of some goons pushing me around all the time was very good and as you must have guessed by now they are eliminating your enemies. But when Lara must pick up something oh boy they are not letting her circling around pushing her not trying deliberately to prevent her for getting what she wants but it was pretty annoying. Speaking of enemies this is the first time I’ve seen the cook used from TRC in a custom level. I did like the way I had to avoid the lasers by finding other ways to enter the room but even so I did encounter a bug. At the first pair of lasers if I am not mistaken if you save the game after you disable the first one if you need to reload the laser is back on. It’s not too difficult to complete the certain area without saving there is only one enemy and a second one beyond the laser which of course your friend will eliminate for you. Nevertheless it is a little distressful. The room a little further contained rockets and a nice touch there by raising them to reach a ladder and therefore the next area. The last part or should I say right about the middle and further was quite good but again practically without puzzles. The outside area is one of the places the player will be visiting with tracks this time. It is enjoyable enough to justify the time you will be spending for it.” – Kristina (21-Jun-2002)

“I can't remember the last time when I were so angry to a TR level. The enemies and most of the allies were more annoying than threatening or helpful. The prisoners were rather horny than helpful most of the time (no wonder with those posters on the walls ;)) and mostly weren't around when you need them. Of course this isn't the fault of the LD but still it was quite hard to pick up something push a lever or button or move a box because of their 'nervousness'. Lara's new hair color wasn't nice too whatever it was meant to be I did not like it. This level also has some lack of originality I could swear that the first part of the level was at least a variety if not identical to the original High Security compound and some areas were very familiar to some parts of the original "Area 51". There was also a card in the toxic stuff that I didn't use but still could finish the level. This isn't a bad level and if you like challenges (playing without guns) you can try this level. Even if this is one of the type of levels I really love to play this was nothing for me.” – eTux (21-Jun-2002)

“NO GUNS......NO GUNS......NO GUNS......Yipee. I don't know how the author did it but I would really want to or if any other of the reviewers know could you tell me please? Anyway a good nifty level with some superb! objects and enemies. Lara is held as a prisoner at the TAKO Company and trying to escape but not alone the other prisoners help you as you have no weapons! Cool! The only bug about this is......well I wouldn't call it a bug it is just the authors fault that when you pick up an object it says ‘LOAD’ instead of a proper name! The gameplay is a bit linear but some parts are excellent. It took me 1:23 minutes to complete through the prison. All in all a good hour long level worth the 5MB download.” – TombRaiderFan (21-Jun-2002)

“Argh! Lara with no weapons! OK. I'm going to start off with the things that annoyed me about this level first of all. eTux has basically already summed it up but it bears repeating: Those prisoners are infuriating. I almost gave up on this level right near the beginning because those prisoners were bugging me so much by constantly getting in the way. The other major annoyance for me was as eTux said parts of 'Tako Company' are practically identical to the High Security Compound level in TR3 and one experience of that level was enough for me. This just isn't my favourite style of game and I personally found it a little boring. Additionally Lara also looks as though she's sporting a plastic bag on her head - I didn't quite know what to make of that! (Well it *can't* be hair... can it? If so I'd sue my hairdresser if I were Lara). On the positive side there are some interesting puzzles novel ideas and tricky jumps to contend with. In short it's worth a download if you're prepared to put up with a bit of tedium along the way.” – Bex (21-Jun-2002)

“This is one of the levels without weapons. The prisoners who were there to do the dirty work for you were not very helpful from time to time. They would stand in your way or always miss the baddies. You'll find a couple of medipacks so you should be alright. The author used some own sounds for baddies alas some of the normal sounds (guard shooting at you) wouldn't work. There were some nice objects like pipes and some good animations. If you liked ‘High Security Compound’ you are going to love this level.” – Tombraidergirl (21-Jun-2002)
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