| Reviewer's comments |
"Despite this being a decent length house level with lots of puzzles and traps it just
wasnt my cup of tea im afraid. if you dont have a walkthrough guide handy i think you'd
get lost and confused easily and be constantly backtracking even more than all the
backtracking you have to do already! and dont get me started on those tedious block
puzzles, wading water mazes or those long frustrating crawl tunnels or monkey climbs
there was few things that were nice to look at like the mirror room and the see through
floor displaying the room below, speaking of the mirror room theres a invisible key in
there thats not even displayed in the mirror how unfair is that? the fountains and pools
were nice to look around as well but it doesnt make up for the gameplay which i found
dull and boring most of the time. yes theres a few boulder and spike traps later on but
they are few and far between and most of what you have to to is find hidden jump switch
after hidden jump switch and run back and forth. i found that textures got better as the
level progressed and i enjoyed the camera work as well but overall i felt quite
underwhelmed unfortunately" - John (30-Aug-2021) |
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| "Doctor X, eh? At any rate, this is a somewhat standard manor level (although in this case it's a break-in) and even though it's an original layout, most of the assets are all too familiar so you'll feel right at home, pardon the pun. Gameplay is somewhat linear, as you search for levers and keys to proceed, with the exception maybe of a pushblock puzzle which took place in an extremely tight area (I eventually just glitched my way through the corners) and the terrible offender that is the unmarked monkey swing in the mini underground maze. I thought it was funny how the whole adventure eventually led to a key to open the trapdoor right in front of you at the level's beginning. 55 minutes, 2 secrets. 10/20" - Treeble (19-Oct-2020) |
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| "As in this builder's other levels, there
are signs of deviousness scattered
throughout this 75 minute long level.
Occasionally, it oversteps the mark
between puzzling and unfair a couple of
times too many: a few sadistically hidden
switches (could have done with a camera
hint to avoid so much running round) and a
tedious wading exercise illustrate that.
But there are a few wonderful touches
around with objects like the pillars being
utilised in different ways than just for
decoration and not in obscure manners. The
enemies are easily disposed of somewhat as
ammo and weaponry are plentiful. Not a
masterpiece, but it's a worthy choice for
something more challenging." - Ryan (04-Feb-2018) |
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| "It seems that the author designed the level so players can get stucked often. The hard-to-see moveable block at the start, the room with closed doors where you can do nothing and you must go back to the start to shoot an enemy and get a key (how the hell you can know you must go all the way back to the starting area?), the fixed camera when sliding so you can't see the ladder, the hard-to-see ladder in the basement, the hard-to-see keys in the mirror room hidden behind the plants you can oly see with binoculars and only from a certain position... All the game I was busy searching for hidden switches to open doors and look for hidden keys. Evenmore, the nasty maze with shallow waters where Lara moves very slow being shooted by numerous enemies located in strategic positions from above, only to look for a (one more) hidden jumpswitch. Not the idea I have for a funny level. Sorry." - Jose (29-Aug-2016) |
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| "This is an extended house level that starts off in a rather pedestrian fashion. However, new areas are constantly being opened (indoors and not outdoors), and you spend well over an hour here before returning with the required key to the beginning area so you can open a trapdoor to end the level. This builder is known for setting devious traps, and there are several of those sprinkled throughout this level. However, with the warnings given in Yoav's walkthrough most of the tasks can be accomplished with minimal effort. Not an award winner by any means, but still a worthwhile raid." - Phil (20-Mar-2014) |
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| "This is a really weird level. Using mainly House textures. At the beginning shoot a vase a door opens find a moveable block in the wall to a switch this took me ages to figure out. It's a big awkward looking house with a very strange sequence of actions oddly placed switches moveable blocks kind of like a load of stuff just thrown together for a laugh. Then again perhaps that was the whole idea! What sort of Doctor is X? I have to say shooting that pillar was incredible crawling through water (a first) walkthrough wall in the library turning the fire off in the kitchen to get the keys and what about that mirror room! I thought it was hilarious watching the armed guard and the thug with the bloodied club chasing each other round the room with the pool. But when I got out of the pool the guard started shooting at me and ignored the maniac with the club. Not fair. And in a lovely room with fire surrounds you shoot you shoot a guard in the corridor every time you renter this area the guard returns but you can't see him but Lara targets him again now that was weird. I couldn't use the savegame so I didn't get the scroll but I know where to place it and boy it looks like a nightmare. I think Rapetou is turning out to be a master of intrigue. What is he going to come up with next?" - CC (12-Jun-2003) |
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| "The Manor House of Doctor X proved to me to be a bit of fun. In fact more fun than all the other 'manor' house TRLE games I've played. There isn't much to it truth be told but there are a few puzzles and twists that will give cause for thought. I was completely stuck for more than an hour in one spot and went to the forum for direction. Not receiving any a problem of not playing a game when it is HOT I was forced to devote the necessary time to solving the problem on my own (add 30 minutes). The author plays much too fast and loose with logic even TR logic ;-> for the game to be enjoyable imho but there are enough real challenges to justify most of the time it takes to complete. Strange things do happen however. How about invisible enemies on the second floor! How about being killed by falling items even though they aren't close to Lara (the programming says Lara will die if she goes down aisle A regardless of the closeness of the spiked ball so Lara dies. DUMB AND EXASPERATING. TR skills not worth spit. Don't tell me the Matrix isn't real. Oh well. You play the cards (or code) you're dealt. Remember to use the supplied save game to begin the game or you are in deep poop." - Dougsan (05-Jun-2003) |
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| "There was something about this level that really clicked with me. I loved the progression through the level the movable blocks that aren't just obvious so you can seem a little lost for a while some of the switches that were right in front or above your face but that you could easily miss the enemies that came in packs and gave a bit of a challenge and the nice placement of essential and non essential items such as having to backtrack to the start of the level to find a thug carrying something you need but with no indication that this was what you needed to do. This really was just over an hour of solid fun for me as I'm a sucker for levels that give me an exploratory feel although some others may not like this as much as me but I'm sure most people will find it enjoyable." - Sash (18-May-2003) |
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| "It is common knowledge that I do not like Lara's Home levels but of course this is something entirely different. The author kindly provides a savegame if you lost yours from the prequel (Tomb Garden) and you have to use it in order to have the crowbar and the scroll. This level is all about finding a series of very well hidden levers jump switches and crawlspaces and that really was a fun adventure to go through as the author has a couple of devious ideas. So keep your eyes open and expect also some well hidden movable blocks and objects you can shoot that you would normally not be shooting at. On the downside the wading in one room was a bit tedious and I could not really see that monkey swing being marked at all there but those are minor gripes. Quite a few enemies around and the hooligans are really cool. The uniformed guards dogs and bats are not a real challenge though. Three keys to find in this 1:15 hours trip through Dr.X's home. Enjoyable if you like searching for the next lever." - Michael (16-Mar-2003) |
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| "This is a proper level I recommend it to everybody. The beginning of the level is the end at the same time. The tramp enemy made from iron soldiers are interesting. You have to find many keys. Finding one of them was a hard task for me however I suspected that it should be seen in the mirror but you can see that only from standing next to the piano. There's a crazy rush chasing by the rolling stone and I had to reload many times and in the end at the Music Scroll I teared my hair again. :-) But I like this level and the textures are great. On the other hand I found an error: on the storey there's an invisible enemy constantly but he doesn't do any harm for Lara. The switches are placed well you have to look around carefully to find some of them. I don't know exactly how much secrets are in the level I found two. One in the library behind the traversable wall and the other descending into the steam-blowing room (it's not necessary to climb down the ladder). The added sounds are great. Only one large gate remained closed next to the kitchen in the long room. Will the level be continued from there? :-)" - Obig (14-Mar-2003) |
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| "I'm a sucker for a good house level and this is one of the best I've seen so far. It's nothing like the mansion we're used to - this wonderful author has built us a whole new house to explore and it's very well done. I had a good time searching for the correct keys switches and the crowbar there's a column to shoot a mirror puzzle a few retextured enemies a great swimming pool and don't forget to look for the panel to shoot in the library. If you like to explore like I do you'll have a lot of fun in this level." - RaiderGirl (28-Feb-2003) |
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| "This is a house level but not Lara's house. Finding keys so you can open doors. The levers are very cleverly hidden so keep an eye out for those. Be aware of some push blocks the best way to spot them is to use a flare or the binoculars. There were two things I didn't like that was the fixed camera in the beginning and an underwater passage were you can get stuck in a major way as the angles are not quite right. Enemies are re-textured horsemen baddies and dogs and some very pesky bats. I had a very hard time placing that scroll and although there are few traps this was the hardest one. I found only 1 secret in this level. There is some crawling swimming and if you don't know what to do anymore shoot everything in site LOL. 21-02-2003" - Gerty (24-Feb-2003) |
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| "This level does have many objects and even textures from Lara's house but it's not the classic house level. It has interesting puzzles like shooting unusual objects and some times well hidden jump switches. Back tracking is necessary so if in doubt try shooting around the room or go back. Many keys to be found and retextured horsemen and guards. A little swimming and raising a block to be able to reach the scroll area. Be sure to use the savegame provided in the download otherwise you won't have the scroll to finish the level. Another key is obtained from an underwater area and the trapdoor at the start area opens. Lara slides down and the level ends. It will keep you busy for an hour and forty five minutes at least that was the time it took me." - Kristina (23-Feb-2003) |
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| "Not sure about this one. Sort of a mansion level but missing some atmosphere unless you're a flower and plants lover: you can do more than a wee bit of gardening here! Gameplay consists of mainly finding hang switches. Definitely positive is the fact that at least you get a camera view after having pulled most switches so that you do not have to run around headless all the time. Camera's are well done which is mainly why I give it 5 for that category. Partly wading partly monkey swing section was very tedious (no difference in texture for the monkey swing + I could not do the second monkey swing - she just did not grab the ceiling - and used the position editor). Section with the scroll was annoying: still don't know what the purpose was there. In the end I just walked towards the place where you put the scroll but without placing it walked backwards jumped back in to the water went back up noticing the spikes were up this time and walked through them to place the scroll. The one secret I found was ridiculous in my opinion (the one in the library where you shoot an invisible wall which was a bit of a give-away because of the weakness of the TR-editor). At two instances something weird happened...totally invisible enemies (one outside the library): was this intended or a bug? Anyway: a little fun at some instances but not really my cup of tea. The author does know how to build and connect rooms though so keep building!" - bERT (23-Feb-2003) |
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| "A really nice level well done and entertaining. The Manor resembles a little bit Lara's house but is slightly different and much more dangerous! There a lot of enemies and they arrive together so it's very difficult to stay alive I ran out of medipacks very quickly! There are a few ammos but not enough. There's a lot to explore and a few puzzles but not too difficult I never got stuck only a bit uncertain about where to go. The textures are well drawn and nicely coloured no bugs or errors the atmosphere is relaxed but not boring there is always an enemy round the corner....The story is not very clear it seems that Lara is browsing in this Dr X house but I couldn't understand what she was looking for I didn't find any relic or ancient artifacts...Anyway a couple of hours of nice gameplay!" - Glow (23-Feb-2003) |
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