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The Armor of the Pharao by Alexx

Akcy 6 4 6 5
alan 7 6 6 5
Boris 5 4 4 5
Ceamonks890 6 5 6 6
Dimpfelmoser 7 5 7 6
eRIC 7 6 8 8
Freeman Porter 6 7 7 5
Gerty 7 7 7 7
Jay 7 5 7 6
Jose 5 5 6 7
Kristina 7 6 7 7
MichaelP 7 6 6 6
Miguel 7 5 7 7
Momster 8 7 8 8
Mulf 4 4 3 4
Necro 8 7 8 8
Orbit Dream 7 4 6 5
Phil 8 8 8 8
RaiderGirl 7 6 7 6
Ryan 7 6 7 7
Sash 8 7 9 8
The Aussie Adventurer 8 7 7 8
Torry 4 5 7 7
Treeble 6 6 6 5
 
release date: 11-Sep-2001
# of downloads: 67

average rating: 6.36
review count: 24
 
review this level

file size: 30.41 MB
file type: TR4
class: Egypt
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
alexx.a@gmx.de

Reviewer's comments
"I think the first level would've been enough, seeing as there's a lot of climbing/running to do and then starting a second one which is just as long got a little boring. But at least it wasn't anything too complicated. The various music tracks added to the atmosphere so that's a plus. Cameras were well placed and so were the enemies and traps. I think I ran into a few level design mistakes where you can skip some parts but nothing that ruined the gameplay. My recommendation is: look closely on all the walls, you could be missing a lever. Found only 1 secret." - alan (12-Nov-2022)
"According to the notes I took after playing this for the first time back in the day, I was gearing up to give the builder a stern talking-to for being an ‘obstinate functionalist’. Maybe. Question of style, innit. Our resident functionalist these days, Osvaldo, won’t change his spots, so what’s the point of chiding him for being one; even less of a point of doing so with regard to a builder who produced this one-off double level 20 years ago, especially when there’s so much in here that’s just plain wrong.
Exhibit A, the ‘pyramid’. It is very obviously 2-D—just one flat wall of a large, tall room; it is segmented, but since that doesn’t work with walls above portals, above the entrance to the pyramid there’s a single texture stretched all the way up into the sky. It looks quite horrible and gives such a bad first impression that I deducted a point in ‘Atmosphere’ solely because of it. The impression isn’t entirely wrong either. The game contains very few things besides lever–door gameplay in oversized rooms, many of which serve no purpose. The usual annoyances that this kind of level design entails are all present and correct: redundant pickups in far-flung corners, a tedious monkeyswing, a long ladder which in this instance gets an ‘action’ tune of its own (it’s used more than once, never indicating an upcoming action sequence) and is followed by another long ladder, and then by a third ladder which is short. On occasion, the builder attempts to turn the very size of the rooms and their lack of purpose into an asset—as when he forces you to circle all around a very large room twice, once on each of two upper ledges, or when he sends you through an entire suite of empty rooms just so you miss an all-important lever stashed away in one of them. Some of the levers seem to have no function either (on one occasion, there’s two next to each other, neither producing any evident effect).
Yet every once in a while something happens that elevates the gameplay score to just below average: an occasional rollingball trap, a puzzle item that unexpectedly sets you on fire when you pick it up (water is nearby, but you obviously have to react with appropriate swiftness), or a room full of pillars that presents a mild slope-hopping challenge (this is what prompted my original ‘functionalist’ comment); you can skip a few, but there’s a rather cleverly hidden switch at the end. Add to this the moment when you need to be quick to use revolver and lasersight so as to prevent a ninja from setting floor tiles on fire. I suspect you could end up permanently stuck in this situation in more ways than one, but it’s a nice idea anyway. Otherwise ninjas pose not much of a threat. The outro flyby teases an epic battle, but the game ends in order ‘to be continued’.
As you would expect from a functionalist, design is never more than serviceable. Although the wads as well as the texture sets are customised, the two levels never go beyond giving off a generic Tut1 vibe; the Eye of Horus door in level 1 sits in an insultingly boring roombox; there’s no lighting and a lot of wallpapering (but in fairness, the builder actually uses appropriate texture segments on ledges and the like). There are a few wafer-thin walls, a ladder that allows you to climb up into empty air, and the corridor by which you leave the pyramid at the end of level 1 is visible floating in the fifth dimension, but as far as debut levels go, construction is fairly solid on the whole. Perhaps surprisingly, there’s not a lot of built-in backtracking (apart from one occasion, after opening an Angkor rolling door in level 2), but as seen above, the builder still finds ways of padding out the gameplay. A single level would have been quite sufficient for the amount of gameplay on offer here, and with suitable pruning, it could have made for a reasonably entertaining game. One would expect an approach that does away with all the niceties in favour of gameplay would, by the same token, also strip the map of all redundancies; but as this case goes to show once more, the opposite is true, and you’re left to ponder the question why there seems to exist a bond of elective affinities between functionalism and bloat." - Mulf (09-Mar-2021)
"It's a bit of a shame that this double level was never followed as this was quite solidly made. Nothing difficult in the gameplay section (and if you're looking for a lot of puzzles, you might be disappointed as you mostly have to push levers or find items to open doors) but it at least flows along rather swiftly and has enough entertainment to make the 95 minute raid worthwhile, and the scenery is mostly attractive to look at. There's more of an arsenal than you could ever wish for, so the ninjas and scorpions threat quotient are reduced to a minimum. There are a couple of occasionally tricky traps, but mostly it's all very achievable." - Ryan (05-Dec-2018)
"A perfectly serviceable levelset by today's standards, that uses the stock TR4 assets of the era to craft an experience that doesn't leave much of a memorable impression, but it certainly made for an entertaining playthrough all the same(with the scenario in the second level involving you having to snipe a ninja before he activates the burner traps via a switch, being a real standout moment). Definitely something to recommend, if you're looking for a release that won't really push your skills too much. A shame the builder never made anything after this one, leaving things perpetually on a cliffhanger that will never get resolved." - Ceamonks890 (03-Apr-2018)
"You get a remarkable amount of gameplay (nearly an hour and 40 minutes for me) in this otherwise rather routine Egyptian level from the early years. It's an one-shot effort, even though the screen at the end promises a continuation. Too bad, because everything works well here, with good lighting and well-crafted scenery, and you get a great deal of weaponry to deal with the enemies that come your way. You also get a laser sight for which there's no apparent use. Gerty has provided a walkthrough that covers everything clearly and concisely. The eponymous armor consists of the greaves, gauntlets and plates that we've all seen before, and you get most of the pieces rather early and out in plain sight. Nothing particularly memorable, but a darn fun raid." - Phil (18-Nov-2016)
"This two part level concludes with 'to be continued' but it clearly never was. That's perhaps a shame as, although no masterpiece, this does show a certain promise. It's mostly quite well constructed and the gameplay jogs along nicely, albeit in a mainly quite simple fashion. There are a few traps and some rope work, but there are equally rather a lot of switches to throw and, if enemies are your thing, you won't find much action here as there are just a few ninjas and scorpions to deal with and far more in the way of pickups than you could ever desire." - Jay (26-Aug-2016)
"This levels are very long, but not difficult to play. Simple architecture and bad applied textures in triangular surfaces, excessive levers to pull and no puzzles, except move objects onto marked tiles. Only ninjas and scorpions (aren't there more kinds of enemies in the wad?) to shoot, excessive pickups and secrets very easy to find. I don't know the reason why there are not musics associated with the flybys, but the camera shots are well done. The best were the well worked lighting." - Jose (01-Feb-2016)
"A simple and fluent adventure, with some easy jumps, lever pushing, too few enemies, many empty big rooms, one obvious secret. Towards the end of the second level gameplay becomes lot better though, with some traps and more challenging enemies, like the ninja who ignites the floor. The usual Egyptian textures, they nicely chosen, but lot of them are poorly placed. There are too many shortcuts, too many 'end of the world'. With some more testing, and care for details this could have been really good level, as it is just an in between." - Akcy (30-Aug-2007)
"This collection of two levels appeal to me straight away as they are set in egypt; well, at least they are egyptian in setting. The first level was slightly boring at first as there were a lot of maze areas and it was difficult at first to know where to go. The second level was the most challenging and it took me quite a while to finish it. I'm sure that there is even a section of the level I have yet to explore as there is a choice where you can either jump to grab a rope or slide down to another section. I grabbed the rope but I did see that there was something down at the bottom as well as another passage. A secert maybe? The final cutscene said that there would be a sequal so I'm looking forward to playing. This was a nicely done level. There are better designed and better puzzles but that didn't matter as I enjoyed playing these." - Necro (28-Aug-2006)
"Having only just finished this level I was quite impressed with it. It was fun relative easy and very enjoyable. I really liked some of the areas which were well done and had a good looked the part too. The Egypt theme was consistent as well as looking good. Textures were well used and placed accordingly. Secrets were a bit too easy to find there was too much ammo and health packs for this level as I had heaps to spare at the end of it. An addition of a few more enemies and harder areas would have made this a better overall level. I thought the layout was superb and the level had a consistent flow so you never got really stuck. I would really recommend this level for anyone who's looking for a solid game with nice scenery without the super difficult level of hardness. I only wish the author made the sequel because of the ending that you get. If I had to give this level a grade I would give it a B+ a higher end distinction." - The Aussie Adventurer (07-Jan-2005)
"A good and easy double Egyptian level with a very fluent gameplay and a realistic setting. Lara will raid a pyramid and then a temple to retrieve the golden armour. The progression is rather straightforward you can expect almost everything of a classic raid: switches raising blocks the jump room flip-map traps an elevator etc... In some interesting rooms you will be busy for some minutes other places are only there to connect the whole thing together. Those places are pleasant to visit with too many medipacks to pick up. The author has made some efforts to build some innovative situations like when the ninja runs to flip a switch that will set the ground on fire. 1h30 of middle-of-the-road raiding suitable for beginners." - eRIC (11-Nov-2003)
"A typical Egypt level. I felt if I had missed something at beginning - so much rooms - but never came back there...In the load picture you will see some texture errors - later you get more. But instead of this there are good rooms - even a bit too huge and too much way to make. Enemies: Spikes rolling Teeth spikes scorpions. A room with a lot of Stones - (my first thought - there will be a lot of jumps...) but what you see is not what you get ;-) A rope - I didn't use it - nothing happened. A lot of Goodies you will find on your way. And then you are in the 2. Part - with crocs and baddies. Use Ropes see fire-traps a lot of Level - and another time huge rooms...I found good ideas but the realisation was not so perfect - the effort is counting. In one of the last Rooms there is fire on the floor and the place to put it is even higher was not tested it seems...2 Hours of Gameplay - for Egypt fans - the rest is average." - Miguel (17-Jul-2003)
"An Egyptian like level that didn't appeal to me. I've had enough of the classics by now and they look the same unless there is something new added which isn't the case here. We have the usual puzzles hands cartouche the Eye of Horus of course the pieces of the armor as the title suggests and very few enemies just mummies and scorpions. The gameplay is simple and all the level straight forward finished in an hour. Take at look at it if you like the classic levels." - Kristina (01-Jul-2003)
"A double level that takes 90 minutes to complete that is as boring as hell. The puzzles are non-existent enemies sparse and then only those white clad ninjas and a few scorpions. You proceed from one room to another searching for levers and switches to open yet more doors to find yet more switches and levers. The object here is to get the five pieces of armour. Four in the first level and the last in the second but truthfully I was wondering how much longer I could take it. Two interesting points cropped up. Mummies lying down having a nap wake up and arise when Lara approaches. Neat. There is a trap. If you flick a certain lever you cannot get out of that particular area. Nasty considering if you did not have a recent save you had to traverse a section of boredom all over again. Honestly with a little bit of thought this could have been so much better." - Torry (22-Jan-2003)
"This is a huge set of levels so expect a lot of running around as you search for first two complete cartouche and then a number of levers and switches that will allow you to collect the five pieces of armour a hand the Eye of Horus and another cartouche towards the end. Much of my time was spent running from room to room with a lot of stops in between for rope swings raising blocks killing soldiers some climbing and a small maze thrown in for fun. Just when it looks like the action is about to start the series is suddenly over with a promise for more." - RaiderGirl (14-Jan-2003)
"More than 90 minutes of uneventful fast paced and healthy raiding in a very ordinary Egyptian atmosphere. It starts out very easy and straightforward and only in the last 30 minutes things get more interesting. All through the game you find every weapon there is (save the grenade launcher) and as you continue to collect more and more ammo along the way you expect a big show down towards the end. Unfortunately the credits roll in before the army of warriors can attack. There is one outside area in the first level where you can actually climb into the sky and admire the end of the world from there and there are a few thin walls but otherwise the setting is solid tutorial standard. The rooms are a bit boxy though especially in the first part. But all in all I have to say that I enjoyed this from beginning to end as you can't get stuck and though there are a few tedious climbs in the beginning the author made sure that there is a big variation of tasks. The boulder trap you can sense from miles away but the spontaneous combustion after picking up one piece of the cartouche caught me completely off guard. I think that was the only time I died here. So although it never gets really exciting it doesn't become boring. Well that's more than you can say about some other levels isn't it?" - Dimpfelmoser (15-Sep-2002)
"Part 1 - The Pyramid: (1:10 hours) Right off the bat you go wandering in a tiresome maze. Enemies you encounter are a couple of easily avoided mummies and some scorpions. Once thru the dreaded maze your objective is to find 2 cartouches and both halves of the Eye of Horus. This level is not terribly difficult or arduous consisting mainly of a lot of long climbs and make sure you put on your walking shoes. There is one rather strenuous sloping block jump that proves difficult. After collecting 4 pieces of armor you move into the temple. Part 2 - The Temple: Another hour spent in this impressive second part. This author has definitely improved as he has gone along. There are some maneuvers done in this level which are to my knowledge unusual. One in particular is a ladder climb to a shimmy on a ledge. Usually Lara needs to climb around a corner to stand on the ledge. I don't recall ever seeing this before. Baddies as you move along became more numerous in the form on Ninjas with guns and a couple of mummies playing possum. Still a lot of climbing jumping and switch pulling never really being at a loss. If this author had just made key pieces a little more difficult to locate this could have been a higher scorer on the review list. As it is need a Hand of Orion - look around the corner or dive into a pool and you will find it. To wrap it up this is a decent 1st offering and I would hope we are going to see the continuation. Alexx where are you?" - Momster (13-Aug-2002)
"I'm sure you all know the joke. This plane crash lands in the desert. One of the survivors staggers out to hunt for food. When he returns he announces: 'Well I have some good news and some bad news'. The other passengers decide they want the bad news first. 'The bad news' he tells them. 'is that there's nothing but sand to eat'. Full of hope they ask what the good news might be. 'There's plenty of it!' he replies. That's pretty much what you get in these two levels. There's very little gameplay but you get two levels for the price of one and they're both pretty big. I completed the set in a little under two hours and (apart from a fairly tricky semi-invisible rope jump) found the whole thing easy and very fast moving. The textures were rather basic (and often very flawed particularly in the outdoor areas) but what the heck. The author tried hard to create an epic and managed to come up with a fast moving and lengthy gameplay; for which he deserves credit. A mark deducted for the daft use of a flipped room sequence involving a misjudged rolling door but a point added for the brilliant finale. When all is said and done it was a lot of fun." - Orbit Dream (11-Aug-2002)
"This a double leveled game with the first taking place inside a large pyramid and the second in a temple with a lot of outdoor areas although the temple aspects of the level aren't all that obvious where the goal is to locate the 5 pieces of the Pharaoh's armor. I really enjoyed the game play in these levels with the uses of trapdoors raised blocks elevators levers in and out of water rope jumps and a really nicely done 2 part cartouche puzzle near the end. In the first which takes around 45 minutes you will find barely no enemies besides a couple of mummies and a few scorpions but in the second which lasted an hour there are all kinds of enemies with some never seen before lying down mummies that raise to their feet when Lara approaches. I found only one secret and one bad design flaw that allows the player to crawl past a large rolling door before pulling the lever to open it but otherwise this is a really well put together level that has a great ending as Lara leaves the temple and a camera pans the outdoor area as half a dozen or more ninjas leave their jeeps behind coming for her then the screen cuts to the words 'to be continued'. I hope so!" - Sash (21-Jun-2002)
"Quite a large set of levels here with a very fast paced gameplay that will hardly have you stop to think a lot. I spent about 30 minutes in level 1 ('Pyramid') which starts with a maze like area where you need to find two cartouches. It has many empty and huge rooms with standard texturing and not really any puzzles as such but progression is still kind of fun. A few poles a lot of climbing stairs and raising blocks used and many levers. Only two mummies and a few scorpions are the enemy here and you find the Eye of Horus pieces and then four pieces of that armor you are after in that game. Level 2 ('Temple') is a little longer (about 45 minutes) and gets better especially towards the end in terms of gameplay and puzzles. Again many doors to open with levers a few ropes make an appearance and you find many weapons. I liked the revolver next to the skeleton under water. Find and place a Hand use the gate key find and place another cartouche and throughout fight about a dozen ninjas before you make your escape with that final piece of armor to find out that this adventure is 'to be continued' - well still waiting for that." - Michael (21-Jun-2002)
"A double level easy with some graphic imperfection. Lara has to find the pieces of the armor of a Pharaoh in the first level (PYRAMIDE) she finds 4 pieces after she has activated a lot of levers and killed some scorpions in the second level less boring (TEMPEL) she finds the last piece of the armor among ninja to kill and traps to avoid. I have ended the level in 1 hour and 10 minutes (30 minutes the first and 40 the second) finding a secret." - Boris (21-Jun-2002)
"These two levels took me one hour to play. They are simple standard old Egyptian levels. There's nothing special in them that I haven't seen before and the textures were badly applied in my opinion. In the first level there was a boring maze inside the pyramid but I know that the real pyramids have mazes to avoid tombraiders - nothing that Lara can't do. In the final flyby there it was 'to be continued...' I only hope that the author will have improved his skills with the editor." - Treeble (21-Jun-2002)
"A very easy download and you even get 2 levels for that. I got stuck twice in this level once because I didn't look properly and missed a lever (thanks Mulf) and one time at a jump sequence you don't have to jump at all. Just climb over a wall and you can access that lever very easy. Had a hard time getting the monkey climb to work after the rope jump. For the rest it's a easy straight forward game. Found so many goodies it is a shame I can't take that to any other level I play. As I found a lot of flares and thought: oops a dark level I was quite surprised that you only need them in the maze so I had more than a hundred left. As for enemies shot in the first level 2 or 3 scorpions not sure though lost count and two mummies. In the second level there are some scorpions as well and some ninja's (hardly ever alone) and also two lying down mummies that will rise after you pick up the goodies behind them. The firepower is more than enough. The author made some nice hiding places and I found one secret. Almost every move Lara learned through the years are in it. There is a bad flipmap and a useless flyby and a ladder you can climb all the way into the sky. But that aside I had fun playing this one. 22-06-2002" - Gerty (21-Jun-2002)
"Two standard levels nothing special but nice to play maybe a little bit too easy for TombRaider-Professionals. In the outside areas the graphics are not that good but that doesn't harm gameplay. The camera-sequence at the end is very good I played about 2 hours and found 1 secret." - Freeman Porter (21-Jun-2002)