Castle of Anxiety

by

QRS

Walkthrough by Moonpooka for trle.net

Health ~ Flares

Essential Items

Links

Story

An evil force is trying to prevent Lara from telling us about her continuing adventures in Egypt and Beyond, and all of a sudden she finds herself trapped in a castle. Unless Lara can find a way out of the castle, we will never get to know what finally happened in those far off lands. So, help Lara escape so that she can tell us her story.

Arrival

Essential Items: Sword of Fithos ~ Stone Cross x 4 ~ Skull x 4

Lara will slide down into the beautiful castle, and the Tomb Raider Anniversary theme will begin to play; relaxing you a little while you take a look around.

To start with, we will take a look inside the central pool. There is a closed gate in the south wall of the pool, a passage in the west wall, a hole in the floor of the pool (SW corner) and four central blocks that need to be lowered. When the blocks are lowered they will reveal four underwater ceiling levers. When the levers are used, a hatch will raise on a ladder high up on the north wall giving you access to the balconies at the top of the castle. 

Outside the pool there is a central column with a spike trap tile at each corner. The spike traps will be de-activated by using four jump switches hidden on the upper balconies. Now note the four odd tiles scattered around the ground floor. These tiles are connected to the spike trap tiles next to the central column. You will be placing four blocks on the odd tiles, and when you do so, each spike tile will produce a skull. As for the blocks, they are sitting up on the upper balconies and the battlements. How to get them down to ground? Well, you will need four stone crosses to do that. There are also four skull receptacles at the north wall with closed double doors between them. This is the exit gate and it will open when you have placed all four skulls in the receptacles. In the north wall over in the NW corner of the room there is a closed gate. This is a timed gate and you will be using it shortly.

Note: You can tackle the underwater levers, stone crosses, spike tile jump switches and block dropping tasks in different orders, but I am only providing the route that I chose to take.

Ok, are you ready to Raid the castle?

Opening The Gate In The Pool ~ Getting The Sword Of Fithos ~ Lowering The 1st Block In The Pool

Start by diving into the SW corner of the pool and swim down into the hole. Swim to the end of the passage, and then pull out of the water into a small rocky room. Behind you there is a balcony, but don't go there just yet. Walk towards the spike trap to your right and side jump over it to get to the small rocky room other side. Slide down the slope and use the lever on the west wall to open the gate in the south wall of the pool.

Return up the slope, side flip over the spike trap tile again, and then jump over the water hole and walk out onto a pillar on the west balcony. Drop down to the right (south) then walk to the end of the balcony and jump SE through the break in the railings to get onto the south balcony. Enter the doorway and head diagonally left (SE) into the south room.

Pick up the Sword of Fithos from the NE corner of the room and the Flares from the SW corner, and then note the lever on the south wall, but don't use it yet. Head out of the room and go diagonally right (NE) to get onto the next section of the upper south balcony. Jump diagonally right (NE) through the break in the railings to get onto the first of four central stone bridges. Run to the end of the bridge and spot the face on the floor. This is a floor lever (aka crowbar lever) and you operate with the sword of fithos (aka crowbar) Stand on the left cheek of the face, and then face the mouth and press the action key for Lara to use the sword of fithos on the lever Screenshot and lower a block in the pool (1).

Raising The South Wall Hatch ~ Lowering The 2nd Block In The Pool

Return to the south room where you picked up the sword of fithos, and save your game at the south wall lever. This lever is timed to the gate down in the main room (NW corner of the room, north wall) and you need to be very fast!

Use the lever and you will get a shot of the timed gate. While the shot is still active, back flip with a turn so that Lara is facing away from the lever and ready to run, and then hit the look key to kill the shot of the timed gate and Lara will be ready to run forwards. Sprint ahead then curve left (NW) and run towards the balcony doorway. Slow down just before you reach the balcony, and then run onto the balcony and take a curved running jump right (NE) through the break in the railings so that Lara falls into the pool below. Make sure Lara doesn't fall into the water hole in the pool or you won't have time to correct her. Quickly swim to the edge of the pool and pull out. Now sprint northwards to the timed gate in the north wall, and when you are close to the gate, run normally so that Lara can make two jumps into the gate Video Help

Run to the top of the passage and pull up into the passage to the left. Head through the passage, and then take a left turn into the next passage. At the end of the passage, pull up into a higher passage and make your way through until you arrive at the other end of the west balcony. Head left and enter the north wall doorway, and then go left to the end of the passage and find the wall lever to your left. Use the wall lever to raise a hatch and de-activate two spike traps up on the south wall, and then make your way to the end of the passage and walk out onto the north balcony. Jump SE through the railing to get onto the second stone bridge, and then run to the end of the bridge and use the sword of fithos on the floor lever to lower another block in the pool (2).

Lowering The 3rd Block In The Pool

Go to the break in the fence and take a running jump down into the pool. Swim into the passage in the west wall of the pool, and then swim up and pull out of the water. Head left and walk out onto the central part of the west balcony. Jump SE through the break in the railings to get onto the stone bridge, and then run to the end of the bridge and use the sword of fithos on the floor lever to lower a block in the pool (3).

Lowering The 4th Block In The Pool

Go to the break in the fence and take a running jump NE down into the pool. Collect the pack of Flares from the corner of the pool and then swim to the east side of the pool and enter the south wall gate. Swim to the end of the passage (there's only one way to go) then swim up, face north and pull out of the water hole. Ahead of you now is a lava pool with a spike trapped passage on the either side. Wait for the spikes to pop up, and then take a running jump over the lava pool and run/jump again to clear the pending spikes. Walk ahead onto the outer south balcony and spot the raised hatch to your right. You de-activated the spike trap to your right earlier, so nip onto the hatch then face SE (the spike trap here is also de-activated now) and jump to the next part of the south balcony. Carefully enter the south doorway because there is a lava hole straight ahead and another one to the left of it. Jump around the corner to the left; taking care not to jump into the second lava hole, and then jump the two lava holes ahead to get into the north passage.

Take the SMP on the floor to your right, and then slowly walk into the passage. You will trigger a boulder in the ceiling which will come crashing down and roll in your path. Hop back and keep away from it until it comes to rest, and then just past the boulder head left (west) and walk out onto the east balcony. Face NW and jump through the break in the railings to get onto the stone bridge, and then make your way to the end of the bridge and use the sword of fithos on the floor lever to lower the final block in the pool (4).

Pulling Underwater Levers To Raise A Ladder Hatch

Now that all the underwater levers have been exposed, you can take a running jump SW through the break in the fence and splash down into the pool again. Swim inside each of the lever alcoves, and use the levers to raise the hatch on a ladder and de-activate a spike trap up on the north wall.

The 1st Stone Cross

You are now going to visit the upper areas of the castle and grab yourself a stone cross on the way. The other three stone crosses will be found at the top of the castle. Start by swimming to the east side of the pool, and then swim through the south gate again. As you did before, swim up through the passage, pull out of the water hole, and then jump the lava pool and spike traps to get onto the south balcony. Nip over the hatch again to get to the other side of the south balcony and enter the south doorway. Jump the three lava holes then enter the north passage and run to the end. Now go left down the west passage and make your way to the end. Turn left then walk out onto the north balcony and face SE. You de-activated the spike trap tile here earlier, so ignore it and jump onto the raised hatch on the ladder.

Face NE and take a running jump over the active spike trap on the small north balcony. Pick up the pack of Flares, and then jump back to the hatch. Face east, take a running jump to the east balcony and grab at the last minute so that Lara catches the edge of the balcony. Pull up and use the sword of fithos to prise the 1st Stone Cross from the east wall. When you take the stone cross you will get a shot of four stone cross receptacles on the castle battlements, but we're a long way off from there yet so just take note of it for now.

The 2nd Stone Cross ~ De-activating The 1st Spike Tile

Jump back to the ladder hatch then grab the ladder and climb to the north balcony at the top of the castle. Turn and look out over the room and spot the lever on the east balcony. The lever is for later on so leave it alone for now and head to the west end of the balcony. Face SW and jump down onto the central bridge, and then run to the end of the bridge and jump up onto the central column. Note the white tile on the ledge here because you will be lowering it later on, and then face SW, time the spike trap on the corner of the column and jump down onto the next bridge to the west. Note the lighter coloured tile in the west wall at the end of the bridge and the jump switch above it. The light coloured tile is a timed block and all will become clear later on. For now though, turn and jump up on the right side of the central column, and then face SE time the spike trap and jump down onto the south bridge.

Head to the break in the railings to your right and line up with the outer south balcony. Take a running jump through the break in the railing, grab the south balcony and pull up. Head west to the end of the balcony, and then jump over to the outer west balcony. Locate the wall lever to your left, and then save your game for a timed run.

The lever is going to activate the block at the end of the bridge that you noted earlier, and of course the block is timed. The block also has two functions. 1/ You will get yourself the next stone cross. 2/ You will be able to use the jump switch above the timed block. This will de-activate one of the spike traps on the ground floor of the castle. So, you are going to be doing the timed run twice. Ready? Let’s go then.

Use the lever to activate the block, and the back flip with a turn so that Lara is ready to run straight on northwards to the end of the balcony. You will see the block sticking out of the wall to your right (NE) so jump to it, and then quickly face NW and stand jump up onto the other side of the west balcony. Run north to the end of the balcony, and then jump over to the north balcony and prise the 2nd Stone Cross from the west wall.

Jump back to the west balcony, and then make your way back up to the timed lever. Use the lever to activate the block, and the back flip with a turn so that Lara is ready to run straight on northwards to the end of the balcony. You will see the block sticking out of the wall to your right (NE) so jump to it, and then quickly face the west wall, jump up and grab the jump switch and pull it down to de-activate one of the spike tiles (1/4) on the ground floor.

De-activating The 2nd Spike Tile ~ Dropping The 1st Block ~ The 3rd Stone Cross

Nip back up onto the central column and face NE. Time the spike trap, run around to the other side the central column and drop down onto the east bridge. Run to the east end of the bridge and jump up to SE onto the outer east balcony. Pull up onto the block to your left (north) and then climb to the top of the east wall ladder. Pull up onto the block to your left (north) and then drop down to the lower north balcony. Head straight on then pull up onto the north pillar and drop down to the next lower north balcony. Run out to the left, and then run SW onto the upper stone bridge. Run to the end of the stone bridge and jump onto the two raised hatches below the ladder. Face NW, jump to the next stone bridge and make your way to the end. Nip onto the north balcony, and then head left behind the railings. Look up to see another jump switch on the west wall, and use it to de-activate another spike tile (2/4) on the ground level of the castle. 

Turn from the jump switch and head straight on to the end of the balcony. It's only a short way, and then you will see a block sitting between the wall and the railings to the south. Push the block (1) over the edge of the balcony and it will land on the ground level of the castle. Turn left (east), run past the black guardian statue and pull up onto the east block. Pull up onto the next east block, and then drop down to the left (north) onto a lower outer balcony. Pull up onto the east pillar, and then drop down on the other side and prise the 3rd Stone Cross from the east wall.

De-activating The 3rd Spike Tile ~ The 4th Stone Cross

Make your way back over the pillar and return to the inner balcony. Drop down to the right (west) then run past the  black guardian statue and face SW. Take a running jump over to the stone bridge and then head to the central column and jump onto the two hatches. Jump to the next stone bridge (NE) and then jump to the next stone bridge to the south. Make your way to the end of the stone bridge then nip onto the east balcony. Run behind the railings and use the jump switch on the north wall to de-activate another spike tile (3/4) on the ground floor. Leave the balcony and head left onto the south balcony. Run behind the railings to the right and prise the 4th Stone Cross from the west wall.

Opening The Hatch To The Battlements ~ Placing The Four Stone Crosses

Head back out to the stone bridge, and the make your way to the central column and jump over to the west stone bridge. Run to the end of the bridge and enter nip onto the west balcony. Go behind the railings to the right and pull up onto the pillar. Drop down on the other side and use the floor lever to lower a hatch up on the battlements. Return over the pillar and head back onto the stone bridge. Run to the central column then jump to the north stone bridge. Run to the end of the bridge and nip onto the west balcony. Run behind the railings to the left, and then make your way to the end of the balcony. Climb the blocks to the ladder on the east wall, and then make your way up to the battlements.

Note the movable block to your left, and then head to the north wall and place the four stone crosses in the receptacles. Four things will now happen.1/ a block will lower in the battlement wall to the left of the movable block. 2/ a hatch will rise behind the movable block. 3/ a pillar will lower in a wall below the battlements and reveal another movable block. 4/ a hatch will rise behind a movable block on the top of the central column.

Dropping The 2nd Block 

Make your way back to the movable block at the west wall and jump onto the raised hatch behind it. Push the block onto the balcony then jump back to the balcony and pull the block back four times so that it is sitting in front of the lowered block. Pull up over the battlement wall to get behind the block, and then push the block from the battlement and send it crashing to the ground floor of the castle.

Dropping The 3rd Block To A Lower Balcony ~ De-activating The 4th Spike Tile

Note: You will drop the 3rd block twice. To a lower balcony, and then to the ground floor of the castle; but you won't drop it the second time until later on, so you will pick up the final instructions for the 3rd block later on.

Make your way to the south battlement then head east to about half way. Stop here and look right and see a ladder over the edge of the battlement. Climb down the ladder, find the next movable block to your left, push it over the edge of the balcony and send it down to the lower balcony. You will need to move the block again and will do so later on, but for now, hop back from the block tile then drop down to your left (west) to the lower outer balcony. Pull up on the pillar ahead and spot the final jump switch over on the west wall. You can't just jump to the switch or Lara will hit the over-head beam and miss it. So, stand Lara central on the back of the pillar, and then face slightly left. Take a right curved running jump around the over-head beam, then grab the jump switch and pull it down to de-activate the final spike tile (4/4) on the castle floor. 

Dropping the 4th Block For The First Time

Note: You will drop the 4th block four times in all. 1/From the top of the central column to a hatch below. 2/ From the hatch to a ledge below. 3/ From the ledge to the bridge. 4/ From the bridge to the ground level of the castle.

Pull back up onto the pillar then drop down and pull up onto the following pillar. Climb the ladder back to the top of the battlements, and then head to the west battlement and climb down the ladder. Drop down to the left (north) and make your way out to the stone bridge. Run to the central column then jump onto the two hatches and climb the ladder to the top of the central structure. Jump onto the hatch behind the removable block, and then push the block over the edge of the central column. The block will land on one of the hatches below the ladder and you now need to lower the hatch to drop the block further.

Dropping The 3rd Block To Ground

Drop down the ladder on the right hand side so that Lara doesn't land inside the block below. Note: If Lara does land inside the block then simply side flip left and she will jump out of the block land on the other hatch. You will drop the 4th block again later on, but for now we will move on to the 3rd block and finally drop it to ground.

Face NE, jump to the stone bridge and then run to the east balcony. Head through behind the railings and pull up onto the pillar to the right (south). Drop down south from the pillar then pull up over the following south pillar and drop down onto the block below. Drop down the ladder to your right (west) and then drop down to right (south) onto the east balcony. Run to the end of the balcony then jump over to the south balcony. Run to the end of the balcony, and then face NW and jump down to the lower bridge where the 3rd block is sitting. Move the block to the break in the railings, and then push it over the edge of the bridge and send it down to ground level.

Dropping The 4th Block To Ground

Nip up onto the central column, and then time the spike trap to get to the other side of the column. Drop down onto the north bridge and make your way to the end. Jump through the break in the railings to the north balcony, and then make your way over to the floor lever on the east balcony. Use the lever to lower the hatch on the central column, and then the block on the hatch will drop to the ledge below. Also note that the ledge beside the fallen block has lowered.

Use the floor lever again to raise the ledge beside the block, and then head south to the end of the balcony and jump SW onto the bridge. Nip up onto the central column again and pull the block onto the raised ledge. Now drop down onto the north bridge and head to the end. Jump through the break in the railings to the north balcony, and then make your way back to the floor lever on the east balcony. Use the lever once more to lower the ledge and drop the block onto the bridge, and then head back to the block on the bridge. Shift the block to the break in the railings at the end of the bridge, and then push the block from the bridge and send it crashing to ground level.

Leaving The Castle

All of the blocks are now on the ground level of the castle and await your arrival, so let’s go down and take a look. Jump up onto the north balcony and then climb down the wall ladder to the hatch below. Face out over the pool below, and then either take a running jump down into the pool, or practice your swan dive skills and fly like a bird down into the pool.

Pull out of the pool and locate the four movable blocks and the four odd tiles. 1/ NW corner of the room. 2/ SW corner of the room. 3/ South side of the room. 4/ North side of the room. Place a block on each of the odd tiles, and then each time a block is placed you will see, and hear, an explosion on the corresponding de-activated spike tile by the central column, and a skull will appear on the tile. Collect the Four Skulls from the de-activated spike tiles by the central column, and then place them in the receptacles on the north wall to open the north wall gates. Head through the gate, jump the lava pool and slide down the slope to finish the level.

The End