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The Lost Compass by Dirk Wouters

alan 4 4 5 5
Blue43 4 5 5 6
CC 4 4 7 7
Dimpfelmoser 3 3 6 6
eRIC 3 4 3 6
eTux 3 3 2 3
Gerty 4 5 7 7
Gonxii 5 4 6 5
Jay 3 5 6 6
Jose 5 5 5 7
Kristina 3 4 4 7
Magnus 3 2 3 3
MichaelP 5 4 5 6
Mulf 4 5 5 4
Orbit Dream 3 4 7 7
QRS 5 6 7 7
RaiderGirl 5 6 6 7
Ryan 3 5 6 6
Sash 6 7 8 7
Scottie 6 7 7 7
Tombaholic 5 5 7 6
Torry 7 7 8 8
Treeble 5 6 7 7
vienna 5 5 6 6
Whistle 6 6 6 7
 
release date: 05-Mar-2001
# of downloads: 68

average rating: 5.27
review count: 25
 
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file size: 14.20 MB
file type: TR4
class: City
 


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Reviewer's comments
"This level hasn't got a whole lot of substance to it and essentially it boils down to gunning down loads of guards, accomplishing a few easy jumps across lava and driving the motorbike round a couple of times. The setting and textures aren't actually that bad, but the gameplay ended up being bland and uninteresting. Can't think of much to recommend this one." - Ryan (27-Jun-2018)
"Guys, no. I’ll give you the second motorbike, but the first one is superfluous as well? Nonsense! Lemme show you. (Exit. One minute of silence. Enter.) Well, what can I say. None of the two motorbikes you find in this level is actually needed for you to finish the level, and what’s more, the builder apparently intended it to be just so. (You’re supposed to pick up the shotgun in the trench that you can, but don’t need to, jump across with the first motorbike.) Well, the second one comes in handy for running over some SAS (though you can also choose to simply shoot them from a safe distance) and breezing past the pair of sentry guns (you were never in any danger of catching fire, eTux: just keep close to the far wall, like anybody would). Other than that, I have to agree with Orbit Dream when he says the jumps performed with the motorbikes were more trouble than they’re worth, and you’re probably best off if you simply ignore them, or at least the first one. (Incidentally, the train tracks set you on fire because they’re obviously electrified, Orbit Dreamâ€"as is the top of the concrete structure; it has ‘Danger! High voltage!’ signs plastered all over its sides. That’s how we did it in those days. Oh, I see your review is contemporaneous!) The rest of the gameplay consists in lame backtracking from levers to the doors they open and from which they are implausibly separated, followed by some random tasks mostly involving the killing of SAS (although there weren’t as many around as some reviews seem to claim) and a handful of bats, until after some 20 minutes Lara can reclaim the compass which she ostensibly lostâ€"even though it’s been in her inventory all the time. Makes you think, doesn’t it." - Mulf (20-Jan-2018)
"A level set in an underground with guards. I died several times with some unmarked deadly tiles. I found no use for the bike, but I rode it anyway till I couldn't continue anymore with it in the lava room. There is some backtracking, and you don't even pick up the compass because the level ends there." - alan (29-Dec-2017)
"Short and linear level for beginners. I found Uzis and shotgun. Atmosphere and textures are OK. There are a lot of SAS men and you have to kill them to finish this level." - vienna (14-Sep-2016)
"A very short and easy level located in the EuroChannel. You have to find a compass. In order to do so you need to pull levers, go back and pull another pass through the open door, kill a lot of SAS, deal with two sentry guns and that is all. Atmosphere and texture were OK. Recommended if you want to keep yourself entertainned for about 20 minutes." - Gonxii (12-Nov-2015)
"There's not really a lot going on in this short level other than running over a lot of SAS with a couple of motorbikes (although not, of course two bikes simultaneously - that would have been something to behold indeed). It could have been an interesting atmosphere, intended as it was to be a station, but it turned out to be a bit bland really." - Jay (08-Aug-2015)
"Not interesting this short adventure pulling a switch to open something go to a place to pull another switch and go back to the previous place to the open door. The bikes were unuseful for me, except for run over the soldiers. Few ammo for the shotgun and the uzis, poor atmosphere and the best for me were lighting and texturization but finally I didn't enjoy the level." - Jose (22-May-2015)
"The compass must've had sentimental value for Lara to go through all the murder and mayhem to retrieve it (the SAS squadron could not have possibly have been too bright to take it from her in the first place, though I can't help but feel pity for the poor lot as they, one by one, learnt how badly Lara can NOT take a joke) and one can't help but wonder if it was worth it. Personally, I would've reconsidered if being this materialistic pays when approaching the radiation pit the latest, but even earlier on - the looks just meet the most basic of requirements, vaguely resembling the underground sections of TR3 Gold's "Shakespeare's Cliff", the camera-clue liberal back and fro is not very inviting, but I suppose at 10 to 15 minutes of net gaming it's not too much to ask to persist. The definite highlight for me was attempting to pass the sentry guns on the bike without catching fire, and I suppose if there is only thing worth playing the level for, this would be the one." - eTux (28-Feb-2013)
"This short raid with textures from TR3 Lost Artifact has simple game play, straight forward but with some back tracking and multiple encounters with gunmen. There are two bike rides - the first one is helpful to climb a hill, the second one is highly recommended to run over the enemies and dodge sentry guns, saving yourself the headache for a prolonged gunfight and lots of health loss. Besides that there is not much to do, other than finding the compass, which also ends the level. The textures are ok, but repetitive and wallpapered in the larger areas and the lighting is quite flat for the most part. A quick romp for in between - just don't expect too much. (15min, 0 secrets)" - Blue43 (07-May-2011)
"Is it really worthwhile to look for the compass? The level is quite short and the duties are quite easy. Is it worthwhile to play this level? I should think so. One sees a few well built rooms and can go for a few smaller spins with the motorcycle. With the shotgun and the Uzi's the SAS-Soldiers are easy to defeat. This level has no heavy places and one always knows what is to be done. All together this is a small, but fine level which the inclined player should play absolutely once." - Scottie (18-Feb-2010)
"A short 15 minutes mission for Lara in this level made with the city Wad and textured from a TR3 gold level. Lara finds herself in an underground station , and has to use the motorbike, kill some SAS and bats and avoid a couple of sentry guns. All the rest you have to do in there is pretty simple. Lara can be stuck with the motorbike. There is many missing sounds but the setting is well made despite a dull lighting." - eRIC (10-Nov-2008)
"Kind of sad that this author has stopped making levels. They only get better and better and this one was also a bit harder than the previous ones. I used my last medipack passing the sentry guns *puhh*. A LOT of SAS to shoot in this short level. Nice layout at a train station. Great level! 2005-05-28" - QRS (31-May-2005)
"At the start beside a train in an underground station this looked like it was going to be good. And it was to a certain extent. Textures and lighting were good. We're again in a tunnel/base/lab/warehouse setting killing guards getting a bike which you have to abandon as you enter a huge room with lava make your way around and swing from a rope only to find another bike for another short drive and you find the compass. And that dear friends is that. What a pity it wasn't a larger level because Dirk has the creativity to do it." - CC (24-May-2003)
"Another one of those without a loading screen so the gameplay is seriously hampered and gets rated accordingly. You start in a well designed subway station have to run to and fro a bit (including a very short ride with the motorbike) then there is a rope swing over a lava pit a second motorbike some SAS guards to kill and finally a couple of sentry guns to pass. A bit of swimming shimmying and climbing; that's it more or less. It won't take you too long. I liked the setting which brought back fond memories of the excavation site level from TR3 (was it?) but I hated the trench that will trap you with the motorbike and the illogical cause and effect of the levers." - Dimpfelmoser (24-Jul-2002)
"This level has a nice atmospheric feel as Lara begins her journey in a subway then has to hop on a motorbike to make a jump but it seems to lose something it just started with more promise although it has a great feel most the way through it just isn't that challenging and is more a try not to get shot level that's fine but being too linear it takes away a sense of accomplishment and I finished this level quite quickly." - Sash (21-Jun-2002)
"Well the 10 minutes of gameplay in this one simply did not overly impress me. The atmosphere is reasonably well set (with a nice start in the train station) but gameplay is rather straightforward and does not justify the walkthrough provided in the readme. There are even two motorbikes provided both of which you do not necessarily need. About a dozen SAS to kill and a few bats around. The lava room is well done although the lava textures could do with some animation." - Michael (21-Jun-2002)
"Well after just short of 20 minutes of gameplay and a lot of two wheeled hi-jinks I found that darned compass. The level is not overly difficult but the ingenious use of the motor bike to reach areas made this a step apart from the norm and (surprise surprise) a whole lot of fun to play." - Torry (21-Jun-2002)
"The aim in this 20 minutes level is to find a compass. There are two motorbikes in the level both of them I had to ride on because the first one was necessary to make a hard jump to activate a switch then you would have to go back to enter the opened area. It has a great atmosphere set in a subway station and right besides the train is a closed area but a hot area! Full of lava! A rope to jump across it and then after some killing and getting the second bike the end of the level: the compass." - Treeble (21-Jun-2002)
"The fairly nice atmosphere of this level is unfortunately wasted on the easy 15 minute game itself. Texturing is well done but ambient lighting effects are completely absent lending a dull gray look to the whole level." - Tombaholic (21-Jun-2002)
"I can see why this train station is so deserted. It's the first one I've ever seen with it's own supply of lava machine guns and SAS guards. Your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to find the long lost compass. You will find two bikes to help you on your way. I didn't use the first one - I found it easier just to go on foot but the second one makes it easier to get by the machine guns. Even though I have the revised wads I came across the bug where I couldn't climb any ladders or swing on the rope so I had to use the dozy cheat for just a few seconds but no big deal. There are some menacing guards with heavy artillery but overall a fairly easy level. No difficult puzzles or tricky jumps and hardly any pickups though there are a lot of good spaces to hide some. There were some good textures used here and a little camera work to help you along. I enjoyed this level but mostly found myself just dodging bullets and bats." - RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002)
"As this was not such a difficult level I finished it although I was tempted several times to chuck it. Must have done something wrong with the installation although I used the revised wads but every time Lara died or just simply by reloading it threw me back to my desktop. And dying she did as there are placed she burned to a crisp without any warning. Also my driving is very rusty and got stuck sometimes and needed to reload. So I was very annoyed and couldn't enjoy the game. So my marks will be according to my experience with my desktop as I couldn't enjoy the gameplay. 18 april 2002" - Gerty (21-Jun-2002)
"I can understand why Lara is so eager to get her compass back without it she can't cheat! Eh not because I ever cheat - No! Anyway this is a short level that really isn't worth playing. The closest it came to have real gameplay was in the room with lava and a rope and even that wasn't any hard. There are quite a lot of enemies but they're no threat especially not if you find the motorcycles. The texturing is very grey and there isn't any real lighting. I finished the level after less than seven minutes and I was just glad to not having to play it anymore - not glad that Lara had accomplished her mission." - Magnus (21-Jun-2002)
"A short level but with enough in it to keep the player interested. SAS soldiers abound and there is some tricky bike riding to master. The puzzles are really non-existent and rely on sorting out a route back and forth." - Whistle (21-Jun-2002)
"Interesting TR:LA textures and objects make up for the rather uninspiring gameplay. I found the motorbike jumps more trouble than they were worth and why would the top of low buildings as well as railway lines set Lara on fire? I won't even begin to ask why the villains stole and secreted Lara's compass but it lent the finale a touch of quirky humour." - Orbit Dream (21-Jun-2002)
"Except for the compass there is something else lost here and that's objects but most importantly puzzles. I have no idea where they were hiding but I did not find either of them. No that's not your goal in this level to find the missing objects or create puzzles I was being ironic. Starting it someone might think that it's interesting because of the train you might think it involves a station further along or caves to explore well think again. All you have to do is use the bike to reach a few levers get a little wet and pass many guards and two sentry guns at the end. While you get ready to pick up the compass the level ends. Congratulations to you." - Kristina (21-Jun-2002)