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Palace of the ugly Sphinx by Kjartan

alan 5 5 6 5
Ceamonks890 5 4 4 5
Daffy 7 6 7 6
Dimpfelmoser 5 4 6 5
DJ Full 6 5 6 5
eRIC 5 5 6 5
eTux 4 3 4 2
Gerty 7 5 7 6
Gonxii 7 4 6 6
Jay 6 6 6 6
Jose 5 5 6 6
Kristina 6 7 7 8
Magnus 5 5 4 5
MichaelP 7 5 7 5
Momster 6 5 6 5
Orbit Dream 7 5 6 7
RaiderGirl 6 5 6 5
Ryan 5 6 6 5
Sash 5 4 6 5
Staticon 7 6 6 5
Treeble 5 5 4 4
Xela 6 5 6 5
 
release date: 26-Feb-2001
# of downloads: 77

average rating: 5.47
review count: 22
 
review this level

file size: 18.57 MB
file type: TR4
class: Egypt
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
kjartan@tullekopp.com

Reviewer's comments
"Again, Lara wakes up after a hangover and ends up in Egypt. What's up with Lara? LOL. The level has some missing and repetitive textures. Some ninjas and scorpions as enemies. There is some climbing and jumping to do, find a star and ba cartouche, avoiding deadly tiles, a timed run. The sphinx was indeed ugly. OK no, it was just a bit small and poorly textured." - alan (26-Nov-2017)
"So, Lara had a good night and ended up with a raging hangover in Egypt, hmm? She needs to be more careful about her drinking then, doesn't she? I'm usually fond of eclectic texturing, but here it was far too patchy for my taste. The sphinx wasn't as ugly as I anticipated, but its nowhere near as attractive as the ones from TR1. Nothing really challenging apart from a couple of timed runs and spike avoidance that may tax beginners." - Ryan (17-Dec-2016)
"A very straightforward level that can be a bit boring. Few enemies and a lot of levers to pull. Just that. The only thing that can be of interest is one timed run. All in all is a very easy level recommended for those who likes easy levels" - Gonxii (07-Nov-2015)
"This is much better scaled than Tomb of Kjartan. The texturing is also slightly improved though sometimes its increased variety feels random. Same with lighting which became more pleasant but is sometimes overdone until the adjacent rooms are seen through pitch black walls. Gameplay got also more condensed and varied, though I would prefer: 1) the killer squares to be clearly indicated, especially if we're supposed to dive into lava in the same level; 2) the doors not to open on approach. But at least here we can learn about 1) and 2) without any pain, so presence of both things doesn't disturb much. Audio usage makes sense just like before. The ugly sphinx is included as expected. SUMMARY: Some new skills are here but in return for some over- or underdid execution. Nonetheless, it makes more sense than it doesn't. I noticed it's more enjoyable if played in a row with the builder's first level than it would be if attempted as a single level." - DJ Full (16-Aug-2015)
"Great title, although I thought the poor sphinx looked a bit unfinished rather than actually ugly. Anyway. This lasts just over half an hour and for the most part jogs along in an undemanding fashion with some very simple platforming. Then the last ten minutes throws in a timed run and spiked platform gauntlet just to spice things up a little. It's still pretty easy stuff, but might be a good one for a very new player looking for something just a tad more challenging. There are also a few ninjas and scorpions to kill, but plenty of fire power is provided." - Jay (09-Jul-2015)
"Not very entertaining this level; excessive levers to pull, only ninjas and scorpions as enemies, avoid some traps and a timed run. Texturization and architecture is not bad, but often the textures are stretched. I was stucked and confused in the pool room with the lava textures but finally I discovered that the water was not deadly. I missed some more cameras when pulling levers, but the triggered doors were not so far at all. The best were the flybies and lights." - Jose (18-May-2015)
"A few weeks after the initial release of the builder's debut and what do we get? Essentially the same game(albeit with different yet just as lifeless level design and some slightly more consistent lighting effects.) Beyond that though, a lot of the pros and cons from 'Tomb of Kjartan' can be just as easily applied here, including the texture utilization, gameplay design, enemy/object placement and overall atmospheric quality among others(leaving your general enjoyment factor of Tomb of Kjartan to ultimately decide, on whether this is worth investing time into or not). In my case though, not recommended." - Ceamonks890 (04-May-2015)
"This is probably one of the uglier levels I've place -- and not really due to the sphinx itself. Texturing is...bizarre, leaving too much blank space and eliminating any potential atmosphere. And the gameplay isn't much to write home about either, being incredibly easy and fairly dull. Enemies posed zero threat, once I got the revolver. Jumps were predictable, for the most part. Still it was laid back, and might be a nice time, if you have a raging hangover like Lara. If not, it might be best to just skip this one." - Xela (10-Aug-2013)
"A level of relaxation in an Egyptian decor cut enough at the level of colours, on the whole it is black and golden who prevail, it gives a dark type to level. The gameplay is rather simple and asks for a little of research. I just met a problèmatique jump or I have the cheating to continue. In part the small group by the beginning, the enemies are not very intrusive. This level gives an instant of entertainment which is worth playing it." - Daffy (24-Aug-2009)
"With Seth of tomb's textures, this simple level is built with the tut1 Wad. No puzzles as such , levers to find , it becomes more interesting as you progress towards the end with a good variation of jumps, a timed door , and a room with jumps and spikes while being shot by a ninja. The level does not look pretty good , although the author has tried and rather succeeded at times to mix the textures in a good way. I like the high room with ledges , obviously it became more difficult for him to create an harmonious texturing when the architecture is not square. It is a pity that the lighting is not that good. The flyby with the appearing of 4 enemies is quite good. 32 minutes. Entertaining." - eRIC (25-Dec-2007)
"Pretty much like the author's previous work in terms of texturing style, except on this one you get heaps of untextured spots which render the atmosphere poorly. Other than that, it's pretty much a standard tutorial level revolving around a quest for the pieces of the cartouche to escape. Oh, yes, before I forget, if you see some lava lakes, don't be afraid to take a dip. 20 minutes. 01/07" - Treeble (30-Jan-2007)
"This is an easy level. This is a short level. This is one of those levels you just want to end. Luckily, it does after just seventeen minutes. I don't know what it was about this level I didn't like. Maybe it was the bad texturing. Maybe it was the boring gameplay. Maybe it was the ugly sphinx. Overall, though, this level is better than the previous level by the author. However, that level managed to charm me with its textures, which always remind me of the time when I first started downloading custom levels. The textures from"The Tomb of Seth" don't remind me of that time, and therefore, this level doesn't offer anything of value. At least not in my opinion." - Magnus (29-Jan-2004)
"Another fairly enjoyable level. I wasn't so impressed with this one though; it had a hurried feel to it. There were lots of missing textures but on on the whole the rooms were pretty well designed and the puzzles just challenging enough to make me think. One thing I found frustrating was at the end of the level you were transported back to your starting point but all the gates were open and the puzzles solved. I spent a while running round to see if there were some door I had missed or that there was anything more to do. I couldn't find anything so I presume I had finished it. Certainly not the best of this authors levels so far but a good 30 to 45 minutes of entertainment." - Staticon (19-Aug-2003)
"Yes I know that texturing style (the one where you leave half the squares blank) is rather arty but I still find it irritating; mainly because it helps to prevent an immersive atmosphere (at least for me). Other than that this is quite a fun (distinctively Kjartan) romp through some interesting Tut1 puzzles and challenges (I particularly liked the timed doors) in a quite well designed playing area. The Sphinx wasn't ugly so much as basic; and the non-deadly Lava was a bit cheeky especially as I only discovered it by accident when I slipped and fell in. All-in-all this is a rather enjoyable 30 minute adventure in a familiarly Kjartan environment." - Orbit Dream (18-May-2003)
"A classic Egyptian level with not many puzzles I am afraid except a hand a cartouche and levers to pull. Nevertheless it's nice there are some nice traps like jumping on high blocks with a burning floor down and spikes coming down from the ceiling I had a suspicious about this that they might have been placed backwards but I can't be sure spike balls coming down and scorpions ninjas for enemies. The red water in the room with the cartouche was a nice trick. Twenty minutes to get through it." - Kristina (20-Mar-2003)
"I'd imagine after a night of heavy drinking that you wouldn't want anything too terribly difficult and indeed this level is straightforward without any hard puzzles though the boulders and other deadly traps may have you reloading a time or two. There's also a timed door but you should have no problem getting through it before it closes. This is one of the very few levels that have you diving into lava on purpose and it is necessary to get the second half of the cartouche. Soon after placing this object the level ends suddenly." - RaiderGirl (29-Jan-2003)
"It seems like this fast paced level has been put together a little haphazardly in design and textures but it really has an effective quality making it feel quite cosy for a settomb level. There's the obligatory boulder trap timed run and tile jump that although not rocket science still pass the time nicely and make it a worthwhile diversion if you have a spare 25 minutes to blow." - Sash (06-Dec-2002)
"This level was entertaining if a little simple and very linear. Some ninjas and a scorpion or two are the baddies. Gameplay consists mainly of getting 3 sets of double doors opened collecting a Hand or Orian and 2 cartouche halves. Pretty standard stuff jumping climbing sliding and lots and lots of switches doors and gates. Nicely done textures and atmosphere with water that seems to be deadly but is not." - Momster (06-Sep-2002)
"I really appreciate the humour here. I suspect that the author couldn't get the sphinx as monumental and detailed as he wanted to so he simply named the level accordingly. This is a very typical Tutorial beginners level with an easy and linear gameplay missing textures too many levers and not many surprises. The biggest one came when I slipped on a platform and dropped into the lava only to discover that Lara could swim in it." - Dimpfelmoser (05-Sep-2002)
"'Lara wakes up with a hangover in Egypt' says the caption at the start of the level maybe that's why she sees her environment with very patchily applied settomb textures and a lot of blackness where a sky or a ceiling should be. You are managing your way around rather easily avoiding many deadly floor tiles along the way and battling the occasional ninja or scorpion. A hand and a cartouche help you to advance further. The ugly Sphinx looks actually sort of cute and I really enjoyed the jumping and climbing and platforming action as well as rather solid camera work supported with some standard sounds. Certainly too many levers and overall too easy but given its age this level still works as a nice diversion for in between - took me 25 minutes with no secrets found and remember that with a hangover swimming in lava is really not a problem. (Note to eTux: instead of dozy why not use a simple long running jump without grab - tsk tsk tsk...J )" - Michael (03-Sep-2002)
"Gameplay is straight forward in this level although the jump into the lava threw me off for a while till I just did it as I couldn't find the second half of the Cartouche at all. That was the only thing left for me to do as I searched high and low. The searching gave me some more ammunition like the revolver and even one secret a small medpack. Apart from those I found the uzi and the shotgun as well. Main goal is finding a Hand and the Cartouche Battling ninjas and a lost scorpion or two. The four ninjas waiting for you were a thrill to battle with. For the rest it's pulling levers a lot. Some jumping and swimming a boulder trap spikes and burning tiles you will encounter. I liked the textures though although at places the work wasn't finished. Could have used more flares as some places were rather dark. For me the ugly sphinx looked rather endearing. 03-09-2002" - Gerty (03-Sep-2002)
"I'm not sure how ugly was the sphinx but it can't be uglier than this level. Missing sometimes stretched textures and not really much to do here. Just a lever here a lever there 2 pieces of a cartouche a simple timed run the same old rolling balls you have to avoid while they come rolling down towards you. The few fly-bys were nice and the part were you have to jump in lava was not so obvious at the first moment but still there's almost nothing you wont be able to manage (except for a jump behind the rolling ball room where I dozied back to the right way because I couldn't find the right way back but the pistols were enough and I didn't use any medipacks so I don't think it actually matters) and no place to be stuck here. Also the ending we see here has been seen at least a hundred times before. No bugs but I don't know if you should bother to play this." - eTux (03-Sep-2002)