Reviewer's comments |
"Another frantic level from Emoo, but unfortunately his worst work imo. This level was a
nightmare, and nearly unplayable for me. I get what the author was aiming for, and he did
create a very good chaotic atmosphere where you feel like you are trying to survive, and
look for your friend with explosions and tremors all around, like in those cheesy fun action
movies. It would all work if the technical issues didn't ruin the whole experience. Not sure
if these annoyances are the author's intention, his or the engine's shortcomings. Firstly
several times explosions don't fade away, and you have to arrive at a certain part for them
to stop. Problem is you can't see where you are going, and can end up going in circles while
your screen goes haywire though at least you can save and load the game which fixes it. Then
the triggers repeat whenever you pass through the same spots which is illogical, and kinda
annoying when you are trying to explore the area. Lastly the audio glitched like crazy in my
game (I checked a few Youtube videos of this level, and this issue was present in one of
them), and the constantly screaming alarm sound got really annoying, going offbeat and
changing its tempo which felt like the game was bugging out. Not fun. Without these issues
I'd probably enjoy my experience here. Can't really recommend it." - Nomad (06-Aug-2024) |
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"A rather brief level, but what a level it
is. Despite the brevity, it could be a bit
much for some players due to the constant
shaking and blinding explosions. It's not
really my favourite kind of level, but
it's undoubtedly effectively done with
Lara having to dodge flames, flashes of
lightning, steam blowers and earthquakes
as the building crumbles behind her. The
construction is also solidly done for what
it is. The lengths that girl will go to
save someone, I tell you!" - Ryan (28-Nov-2018) |
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"I have to say I'm glad this was a short level as the almost constant, nausea-inducing earthquakes and blaring siren were quite enough to give anyone a headache - and I don't get headaches. To add insult to injury, there was a constant loop of one of my least favourite TR tunes - at least I could do something about that and remove it, otherwise I don't think I would have continued. On the positive side, it certainly is action packed, dodging fires, electricity strikes and giant scorpions. If you fancy a tension filled level, this fits the bill. Personally, I now feel like playing something a bit calmer." - Jay (18-Jul-2016) |
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"This destroyed laboratory is well builded and the atmosphere is very convincent. I think there were too many earthquakes and flashing lights, sometimes turning you totally blind, but never a real problem for the gameplay. Enough guns and ammo for the bunch of only enemies: big scorpions; I found ammo for the revolver but never the gun itself. At the end it's heartwarming to find the lost soldier. Recommended but not for demanding players." - Jose (09-Dec-2015) |
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"i was waiting this level could be interesting but it was not. just returing for an companion left behind and having to survive alot of flash explosion which irritated me to the end.its not a bad level but is not a good one either." - janachorider (09-Mar-2015) |
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"This was a very epic and intense level. Lara is now in a
building that is about to collapse. The alarms and explosions
really added to the drama, although it was a little annoying
at times. The atmosphere was great and dramatic. Great little
level. Definitely recommended." - MegaGamer (12-Apr-2014) |
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"The level looks quite good. He is well built and is attractive textured. But I could not find more positive things here. The background music was annoying, the alarm sound was annoying, the constant shaking from the screen was annoying, the garish explosions were annoying and the screen was from these explosions too often too long too bright. And the many scorpions were also annoying. And the Sentry Gun was placed unfair. And what remains as a knowledge? Though the level looks good, but the whole rest is just annoying." - Scottie (19-Mar-2010) |
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"Lara returns to her previous adventure, (or she didn't leave in the first place) to extract one member of the original team she arrived here with. The place is in ruins, fires and explosions everywhere. So the flare bug kicks in very early on, also the binocular bug, don't use nightvision mode, or the game will crash. Basically you just have to run through this short level, and kill every opposition, mainly scorpions. Nicely redesigned heap of ruins rooms, end of the world atmosphere, that I liked. But the continuous earthquake and siren were annoying. You don't want to play this separately, but it has a rightful place in the whole Recon Labs series." - Akcy (07-Apr-2007) |
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"This short level reminded me of the author's Ultimate Test. Although the net gaming time was relatively brief there was never a dull moment braving the near-constant hazards along the way. If there was a secret to be found I didn't find it. What I did find were giant scorpions and lots of them. Notwithstanding the blaring horn and the annoying action music and the intermittent brillant flashes of yellow light the level was fairly straightforward. It's a fitting conclusion to the first two installments of the Recon Labs series and I recommend it highly." - Phil (06-Oct-2004) |
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"Short and eventful follow-up to the first Recon levels. I believe players should play this immediately after the first Recon levels playing it later on won't have the same effect as now you see what has happened to the building. There's that swimming pool this time empty. Up to a room with explosions and fires and more scorpions. It took me FOREVER to find that key that was right under my nose. The offices now have been destroyed in the explosions but the scorpions are still running around. You're making your way back to the elevator to rescue one of the soldiers that helped you tackle the mutants before and that's where the level ends. Short little level to bring you to I imagine Recon 3. And I'm glad because during the 10 minutes run through (leaving out the time I spent looking for the key) we have to suffer earthquakes yellow blinding light explosions the 'danger' music and that alarm. Enough is as good as a feast. BTW I never saw a machine gun and I did look everywhere a lot of areas are now blocked off because of the building collapse." - CC (02-Feb-2004) |
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"That was handy getting some of the WAD files and not knowing where to get the rest. Well you have to get the rest from Recon Lab 1-2 and after converting you can play this. So take notice as there is no readme to explain things. Also in none of the reviews did one person mention this so I am a bit peeved at that. This is indeed a follow up of the above mentioned level as you find yourself in the same offices but after the earthquake. Not sure what the shooting of that box on the wall did anything as that did some doing. The whole down floor is infested with scorpions big ones and for fun you encounter also a sentry gun. The empty pool was still empty but there is a lever in there. Getting together with the soldier who stood guard in the elevator the level ends there. The flare bug however does kick in the explosions that take place are probably the culprit. 30-01-2004" - Gerty (01-Feb-2004) |
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"I am so glad this is over. It lasted fifteen minutes and it was a nightmare. There were annoying explosions and especially the yellow light all over the screen wasn't blocking the view and I couldn't move Lara at all I had to blindly turn left and right hoping I will get out of the room. Also that alarm sound was making me want to turn off the music and sound very irritating. Sometimes by reloading the fires had changed and the scorpions disappeared which was a good think because I hate big scorpions. A few switches to pull and a key to find so you can end the level. I wonder were the soldier was because I never saw Lara rescuing anything let alone a soldier. I wouldn't play this in daylight and certainly wouldn't play it again." - Kristina (17-Aug-2003) |
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"A short and action packed encore to Recon Labs with earthquakes constant explosions a piercing alarm sound and some stroboscopic lighting along the way. So you are really relieved when it ends after only 15 minutes cause you are on the brink of developing a serious headache. It's a rather straightforward trip through steam and fire with many big scorpions to kill (but you get some powerful weapons) and one nasty sentry gun to rush past. I liked the corny storyline of going back into the base that is on the verge of blowing up only to get out a friend and it was great to see how the Recon Labs have changed after the Big Bang. I only wish I had been able to play this immediately after the main part." - Dimpfelmoser (06-Dec-2002) |
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"Now I see why Recon Labs 3 takes place in a different building than the first two levels - the whole building's been destroyed though I'm not sure by what. You start out standing in the same hallway that you end the first two levels in only to realize that you left that soldier behind in the room near the elevator. It's not very far to go back for him but it's not easy either with all the giant scorpions and beetles explosions fires earthquakes and traps along the way. I found the crossbow revolver laser site grenade gun uzis and plenty of ammo and health packs to get me easily through this 20 minute level and the atmosphere itself was brilliant - it was fun to go back through what was at one time impressive modern looking offices and seeing them now in ruins. I only wish I could have gone back into the dark underground maze." - RaiderGirl (24-Sep-2002) |
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"This really was a great epilogue to the fantastic Recon Labs and should be added to the end of that great level as was intended. The labs are now a burning ruin and the scorpions have taken over. Your job is to get out and a friendly SAS bloke is waiting at the elevator for you. Naturally getting there ain't all that easy. It took me some time to figure out how to open the door at the start of the level sheesh. Unfortunately the level is tainted with bugs. The flare bug appears immediately and also the binocular bug will crash you to the desktop when you go to use them. Such a pity as this author knows better. I have had to decrease the gameplay score due to these failings." - Torry (02-Sep-2002) |
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"You have 2 possibilities when starting this level - if you want to go to the elevator by the soldier step further but if you don't give a damn about him roll and dash up. I thought nothing's ever gonna make me go back into that building but for a reason I don't know I did return for the soldier. I don't know what Lara did but this place really looked different... and I liked it even though I'm still afraid of it and didn't dare to go near the dark office maze but luckily I didn't have to go there. The atmosphere is truly amazing it reminds me a lot of the sinking submarine level but maybe is even better. I spent about 23 minutes in this level but not because I'm not capable of finishing it earlier but because I'm a fraidy-cat and also cause of the good spot I found to take out at least 7 scorpions. All in all a nice level but it could've been longer (even if I don't know if I could take it if it was so)." - eTux (22-Jul-2002) |
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"This great epilogue to Recon Labs finally answers a couple of questions I know some of us have especially about the one unopened door near the lasers. This level starts where we last left off but now the labs have been wonderfully destroyed and Lara must get back to the elevator to meet up with the title's soldier while a droning alarm rings overhead and countless giant scorpions attack. I don't think I have ever played a level where I was on edge for the whole time but the atmosphere and sound gave an urgency to the level that had my heart racing and had me checking my back constantly which I loved. The only down sides were that it only lasted a little under 25 minutes and that I would have liked to have explored the ground floor again but hey we can't always get what we want!" - Sash (21-Jun-2002) |
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"As a standalone level this is really too short at 20 minutes of net gaming time although I could probably not have endured the constant alarm sounds explosions earthquakes and music playing dramatically for much longer anyway. So I would recommend to play it as the epilogue it is intended to be of the two Recon Labs levels. That way it gives the plot a nice twist and climax and rounds it all up nicely with a few more giant scorpions to take care of and a real sinister chaos environment to walk and run through." - Michael (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This was a sequel to the Recon Labs great minigame which only lasted 20 minutes. Lara get inside the empty office building again but now it is completely on fire rooms were exploded and there were again the giant scorpions but this time they were not friendly. Lara has to get to the elevator that takes her to the first floor where a soldier awaits -- a soldier that I accidentally killed :). There was an annoying alarm sound that was present through the whole thing lots of explosions that didn't let you see anything other than the fire color on screen and unfortunately the flare bug. But there's other thing that still makes me wonder: who closed those office doors?" - Treeble (21-Jun-2002) |
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"And again some cold shivers guaranteed but unfortunately much too short at 25 minutes. In this level the brilliant Recon Labs offices and environment are completely destroyed; everything is burning and you hear Alarm sounds everywhere. Huge chaos and right in the middle of it Lara and the scorpions. Thankfully there is no need to climb down into those cellar rooms again I am not sure I would have been ready to do that. Bottomline a nice epilogue to the two Recon Labs Levels which sort of brings it to a decent ending." - Qwendo (21-Jun-2002) |
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"Ahhh back to hell. ;-) Great idea to use the same project modify it and give it the look of "after the war". Too bad that it is so short. Even I did it in 25 minutes and I hope the author will build a sequel to this where you can go back to the first floor. The 7 for gameplay results out of the quick end. If it had been longer it would have been a 9!" - Webknight (21-Jun-2002) |
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"Okay so I played this level an hour after I had played the first levels but it's still too short. It lasted for less than ten minutes but it could have had something to do with the fact that I already knew my way around the building. This is despite the shortness a good level with good texturing and a great sense of 'chaos'. It really feels like the building could collapse any minute. The enemies are much easier in this level since you get explosive arrows for the crossbow but instead you get to meet a lot of them at the same time. Worth downloading but if you've just finished the first levels I suggest you play some other levels before playing this one (Recon Labs 3 maybe?)." - Magnus (21-Jun-2002) |
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"I believe the level was a little short. The textures in the vents were not applied well and the enemies sparsely distributed in the whole level. 20 minutes net gaming time is really too short. But the chaotic atmosphere was excellent." - SilentViper (21-Jun-2002) |
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