SUNSET RUINS

Level by Trinh

Walkthrough by Phil Lambeth (with assistance from Moonpooka for the fifth secret)


Begin at the crest of a dark slope. Step forward and slide down to the floor below. Run forward to trigger an elaborate flyby that gives you an overview of this area. However, don't be deceived; you can explore the floor area of the ruins to your heart's content, but there's nothing to do or gain right now unless you want to kill a couple of ninjas who are patrolling the grounds. Instead, step forward onto the rocky cleft between the sloped pillar to your left and the ramped surface to your right. Turn left, face the sloped pillar and side step as far to the right as possible.
Then back flip, jump off the ramp behind you and slide ever so slightly down the sloped face of the pillar ahead before jumping off. Curve to the left in mid-air and grab the edge of the balcony. Pull up, step forward and draw your pistols to kill the ninja who's awaiting you.

Run across the uneven floor and pick up the flares near the SW corner. Then light one of them and locate the jumpswitch on the adjacent pillar against the south wall. Activate it, and you'll hear the sound of a door opening. Turn right and return to the balcony where you pulled up earlier. Run across the corner to the right onto the ledge, then make an abrupt turn to the right into the opening in the corner. Run down the dark corridor and draw your pistols to kill the jackal you'll encounter when you make the turn.

Continue down into a basement area where you'll find a number of crates and a wall switch. Explore this room a bit before throwing the switch. Go to the east wall, turn right, push in the crate and pick up the ammo that was underneath it. Reverse roll, pull out the opposite crate and work your way around the vacated space for some more ammo. Now push the second crate back where it was, and pull out the first crate. Work your way into the vacated alcove for Secret #1 and the Uzis. Go out and pick up a small medi-pack beside a crate next to the south wall. Now you can throw the wall switch, but all it seems to do is open the nearby gate leading to the ruins area, where you began this level.

Turn around and go back to where you shot the jackal at the bend in the dark corridor, and look up to find the well-hidden crawl space in the corner. Jump up and go inside, and crawl a short distance until you reach an open area where you can stand up. There's a boulder dead ahead, and another one off to your left (which appears to be harmless). Hop down and make your way to the low central portion of this rubble-filled enclosure, and jump to safety as soon as you hear the rumbling of the boulder. After the boulder comes to rest in a depression, pick up the nearby shotgun and climb up onto the adjacent block. Line up for a running jump to the east, which rewards you with a really neat sunset glare effect, then jump forward to a flat spot. Step forward into the depression and pick up the flares.

Step forward and pull back up to a flat surface, and note the hole in the SE corner to your right. Safety drop down into the hole and turn around. You'll hear foreboding music as you step forward onto a ledge overlooking a dark and deep canyon. Locate the pillar on the wall down to your left, and take a standing jump to it. Turn to your right and take a running jump to the landing at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Draw weapons as you go up the stairs, as you'll be met by a welcoming committee of two ninjas (one on either side) and a jackal. After disposing of them, you can take a left and go down a ramp into a torch-lit room to investigate, but all you're going to find at the moment is the exit door and a nearby device to receive a portal guardian. As you don't yet have either of the necessary artifacts, go back up the ramp and follow the corridor until you reach a large indoor pool area.

Run along the ledge and scout out the territory. In the NW corner are piled up blocks that give you access to the monkey bars along the ceiling. In the west wall is an alcove with a closed door that you'll be opening shortly. Looking across the pool, you can see a large opening in the SE corner. Jump over to the ledge along the south wall and pick up the shotgun ammo, then jump into the water and swim around the corner to your right (under the opening to the SE) until you alert a pair of crocodiles. When they start to give chase, return to the ledge, pull up and shoot them from a position of safety. Now that the water is safe, jump back in and locate an opening in the north wall under the ledge, with a closed gate at the end. Take note of it for later.

Now swim to the east end and pick up the crossbow arrows on the floor near the north wall. Continue to the east wall and turn right. Enter a little corridor against the east wall and pick up the crowbar. Look straight up and locate the ceiling lever in the shaft overhead. Pull it, then continue swimming in a southerly direction along the east wall. Locate the opening, where you've just opened the gate by pulling the ceiling lever. There are plenty of air holes in this area, so go up and fill your lungs with air before tackling this underwater maze just past the south opening.

Come to think of it, there are more things that should logically be done here before we navigate the maze, so let's explore the large underwater area a little more fully. You'll find in the columned area in the SE a hole in the cobblestoned floor, but your progress through the connecting corridor is now blocked by a closed gate. Swim back to the open area where you killed the crocodiles earlier, and pull up onto the ledge. Run over to the NW corner and climb up onto the blocks. Jump up to grab the ceiling, then monkey swing over toward the SE corner. You need to drop down onto the block against the south wall. Don't go all the way to the end of the monkey bars, or you'll overshoot the block and drop down into the water. Release just a short distance from the end, then turn and take a running jump into the large SE opening. Kill the jackal, then take the 2d Cartouche Piece from the pedestal. (Yes, I know we don't have the first piece yet, but it's coming.)

Shoot the box near the north wall for some shotgun ammo. You can also shoot the nearby vase for target practice if you wish. Go into the opening to the south, and you'll awaken two skeletons. Eliminate them by driving them into the water with your shotgun. Continue forward to go up the west stairs. You'll alert another skeleton in an alcove to your left, so deal with it. Then locate the nearby floor switch and use the crowbar to open the door in the west wall below.

You can take a short cut by jumping into one of the nearby water holes. Swim over to the open area surrounded by the ledge, and pull up on the west side. Enter the open doorway and kill three scorpions that come out to greet you. There's a switch in the north wall, but first go over to the SW corner and use your crowbar to open the crate. Go inside and pick up the 1st Cartouche Piece. Now throw the wall switch to open the underwater gate at the end of the corridor where you swam down the hole in the floor in the SE area. Go there, swim down the long tunnel and emerge at the base of a huge flight of stairs.

Eliminate the two skeletons at the top of the stairs. When you step up to claim the ornate handle, the pedestal it's on bursts into flames, so you need to do a little more work here. Go down the north flight of stairs on the right side, just past the torches, and turn right to face the concrete abutment. Jump up and grab the edge, and pull up. Step forward, between the pillars, and turn left. Take a blind running jump into the darkness and grab the crack in the wall. Shimmy to the right and around the corner until you come to a stop near the other end of the the east wall. Pull up into the crawl space and crawl forward a short distance until you can stand up. Turn to the right and take note of the spike gauntlet barring your way to the receptacle for the cartouche.

The easiest way for me to get across was to use the left side and sprint to the other side once the nearest bay of spikes had retracted. Combine the two pieces to form the Ba Cartouche and use it in the receptacle to turn off the flames guarding the ornate handle. Go back across the spike gauntlet, using the same side (this time, the right side), use the crawl space and drop down into the water. Pull up onto the nearest stairs and deal with the crocodile that was patiently awaiting your return. Run up the stairs and pick up the ornate handle, then go back down and jump into the water. Swim into the corridor in the east wall and return to the large indoor pool area.

Now it's time to navigate that maze in the south wall. Enter the maze to find that it inclines upward. That makes it easier to get your bearings. There's an air hole toward the back (on the left side) in case you lose track of time while meandering through the maze for the various goodies you'll find. Near the SW area of the maze you'll encounter a vertical shaft that leads to Secret #2. Claim the crossbow, two stashes of crossbow arrows and some uzi ammo, then make your way back through the maze (hugging the right wall as you progress from the main entrance) and locate another vertical shaft in the NW portion. Pull up into a small room and use the ladder to access the ledge above. Kill the two scorpions, then run down the corridor and throw the wall switch to open the gate at the end.

Enter a dark storage area with crates strewn all around and two grated balcony levels above you. Run forward and draw weapons to eliminate two ninjas who give challenge from an area near the west wall. Then locate the nearby moveable crate in the west wall and pull it out. Pick up the flares in the vacated alcove and shoot the wall behind them. Go inside and throw the wall switch, and you'll hear the unmistakable sounds of another alerted ninja. He's up on the second story balcony along the south wall, so climb up onto some crates in the middle of the room until he appears, then take him out.

Hop down to the floor and run over to the north side of the room. There's an opening there into another area, so go inside and shoot two jackals. Go into the small room to your left and pick up the shotgun ammo from the top of one of the crates. Then go into the opposite corridor and throw the wall switch. A gate opens nearby, so go inside and pick up the revolver. Climb up onto the crate to your left, turn to your left, and activate the jumpswitch on the wall to lower some ropes outside.

Return to the main storage area outside and climb up onto the crate that was directly in front of you when you first entered. Step forward and climb up onto the silver crate ahead, then turn to your right and take a standing jump to the single crate below. Step forward and take a standing jump with grab to a gap on the second story balcony. Pull up onto the balcony and turn to your right. Pull up onto the crate and note the crawl space to your left. Go inside and drop down the other side for Secret #3. Be careful not to slide down onto the central burner, and pick up the grenade gun, some grenade gun ammo and some uzi ammo on the corners.

Go back to the main storage area and retrace your steps to the same silver crate described in the previous paragraph. Then turn around and angle Lara slightly to the right, or SW. Take a running jump onto the second story balcony, then hop over to the balcony along the south wall and go inside the open doorway. Shoot the ninja who jumps out to challenge you, then run up the stairs until you reach the third story balcony. The author's apparent intent is for you to use the ropes to swing over to the north balcony, but you can also get there by using the crates on that side to reach the second story balcony, then by taking a running jump from a nearby crate to grab the third story balcony and pull up.

However you get there, go inside the opening on the north wall of the third story. Kill the jackal just inside, then look around at the boulders poised here and there. It's a pretty nifty trap, because there's another pair of boulders lying in wait down the ramp to your right. Here's how to beat it. Sprint down the ramp and trigger the three boulders behind you. Dash into the opening on your right, reverse roll, and as soon as the first boulders roll by, jump quickly back onto the ramp to your left to avoid the next pair of boulders. When all is quiet, go into the corridor where the second pair of boulders came from, turn right into the opening and follow to a ramp. Slide down the ramp backwards, grab the edge at the bottom, and keep the jump key and an arrow key depressed when you release, causing Lara to back flip over the deadly burner until she reaches one of the corner flat spots. Pick up the revolver ammo, then jump over to the opening in the south wall and pull up inside. Use your crowbar to open the door, then slide down the ramp into the ruins area. Pull up onto the ledge and shoot the barricade if you didn't do so during your earlier explorations.

Go into the opening on your right, shoot the jackal, and pick up the uzi ammo in the NW corner. Go back outside into the ruins area. There are two more ninjas in the area, so make short work of them. Then run all the way back to the point where you began this level, and repeat the jump sequence that brings you up to the balcony. Get onto the outside ledge and run around the perimeter in a counterclockwise direction until you're at the NW corner facing a tall sloped column. Take a running jump and grab the edge, shimmy to the far right and pull up. Slide down the other side and jump off to the next sloped column ahead. Slide down, jump off and swerve to the left in mid-air to land on the flat column near the west wall. Take a running jump and grab to the gray block against the west wall, and pull up.

Step forward, aim for the middle of the tiled patio ahead, and slide down the slope. Jump off at the last instant and land on a flat surface in front of the patio. Vault up onto the patio and shoot the jackal to your left and the ninja to your right. Use your crowbar to open the door in the east wall, and go inside. Turn right and run up the corridor. Turn left onto a ledge overlooking the room below and run to the other side. Jump over to the opening in the east wall and drop down the other side into the alley. Shoot the ninja and the jackal, then go around the corner of the alley. Climb up onto the blocks on the right side, then turn to the left and face the sloped surface on the other side. Turn around and back flip to the sloped surface, jump off and grab the ladder ahead. Climb up the ladder and from the top rung take a rolling back flip and grab the edge of the roof. Shimmy to the left until you're able to drop down to the balcony for Secret #4. Pick up the small medi-pack and the laser sight, then drop down to the alley floor and enter the room from which the ninja emerged.

Throw the floor switch in the SE corner to open the nearby gate. Reverse roll and pick up the Gate Key in the SW alcove, then find the revolver ammo around the wall to your right. Shoot another jackal that comes to investigate, then climb up the pole and back flip to the south ledge. On the way down the ramp, light a flare and note the crawl space overhead. Pull up into the crawl space, go forward a short distance to alert a pair of scorpions, then immediately back up and lower Lara to safety. Shoot the scorpions while jumping up from the ramp, then resume your crawl until you reach Secret #5. Pick up the small medi-pack, the shotgun ammo and the uzi ammo for your trouble, then return via the crawl space and lower Lara down to the ramp.

Go across the patio and use the Gate Key to open the door in the west wall. Go inside and go down the hallway to your left. When you reach the opening, drop down and make your way to the crowbar door that appears to be out of working order. Turn around and note the boulder at the top of the ramp. Go about halfway up the ramp and shoot the barrier that's holding the boulder in place. The instant it shatters, take a side flip to the right while the boulder rolls down and shatters the door. Go back down, enter the doorway and run up the ramp. Make a hairpin turn to the right when you reach the top and climb up into the crawl space. Crawl forward until Lara is able to stand up, then turn to the left and pull up into a new area.

The ominous music hints of some frenetic activity in store for you. Ahead on a ledge overlooking a huge room below is a demigod, so draw powerful weapons to eliminate him. When you step up to the edge of the balcony you're standing on, you can see another demigod prancing about on a central platform below, guarding what appears to be another artifact on a pedestal. There are sloped pillars of various sizes surrounding the central platform, and the greenish-colored water will kill Lara upon contact.

Step out onto the network of ledges so you can draw a bead on the demigod below. When you do so, a third demigod comes out of hiding from behind you and to your left, so turn around quickly and run forward to get out of range of the demigod now shooting at you from below. When you've dealt with the third demigod, turn your attention back to the second one. (If he cleverly stays out of range, simply combine your revolver with your laser sight and zoom in on him.)

Make your way across the ledges to the other, much darker side, and you'll hear the gutteral sounds of a fourth demigod coming from an alcove down below in the west wall. After you've dispatched him, take a running jump with grab from where you are to the balcony below. Turn around and face the central platform. Take a running jump to one of the two sloped pillars ahead, slide down its face and jump off at the right moment so you'll land safely on the edge of the central platform. Step forward and take the Hathor Effigy from the pedestal. Go to the edge of the central platform and look down, and you'll see that the water below is now safe. So jump in and locate the opening in the east wall.

Swim along the corridor until you reach a gate, which opens as you approach. Continue forward until you emerge in the indoor pool area you explored earlier. Pull up onto the ledge and run to the entrance at the NE corner. Run all the way to the end of the corridor and down the ramp to the torch-lit room. Combine the Hathor Effigy and the Ornate Handle to form the Portal Guardian. Use it on the pole device, and the door to your right opens silently. Go inside and slide down the ramp to end the level.