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LB Advent Calendar 2007 - Hunting for Ornaments 2 - Inside the Monastery by Igor

Akcy 7 8 10 9
CC 6 7 8 8
Cory 4 6 7 7
DJ Full 6 7 7 7
eRIC 7 8 8 7
Gerty 6 7 8 8
Jay 7 8 8 8
JesseG 6 7 8 8
Jorge22 7 8 8 8
Jose 6 7 6 7
Kristina 4 5 6 6
Loupar 7 7 8 8
manarch2 3 5 4 6
MichaelP 5 7 7 6
Orbit Dream 3 6 7 8
Phil 8 7 8 8
Ryan 6 7 8 8
Shandroid 7 7 6 7
Spike 7 7 8 8
Treeble 6 7 8 8
 
release date: 08-Dec-2007
# of downloads: 150

average rating: 6.93
review count: 20
 
review this level

file size: 18.30 MB
file type: TR4
class: Xmas
 


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email(s):
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Reviewer's comments
"The crowbar is bad but the most of gameplay is correct. Limited almost only to exploration for keys, it drags because of the monastery size. Shapes are too simple to handle texturing without it getting monotonous. Music is looped but less annoying than in the prequel. Getting the special items is satisfying so there's a chance for some enjoyment. Optional." - DJ Full (23-Sep-2024)
"Searching for a dozen of keys and other items is the only thing to do in this level, there are almost no other tasks (one mild fire trap and a lever sequence) and the backtracking really gets annoying after a while. On addition, there are absolutely no camera clues at all and the receptacles can be as far away as possible from the place where you find the respective items - even those are sometimes hard to find, as the microscopic key in a dark room or the almost impossible to see crowbar, so you might explore the whole monastery again and again (better follow the walkthrough here). The secret quest is more involved and actually the best thing to say about the whole level. The object design is decent and the texturing is actually rather nice (a missing one is visible though and few mistakes); the lighting is okay - not bad as such and not exactly dull, but also with too strong shadows and sometimes a bit unrealistic. There is almost zero work with cameras and sounds, there's only the eventually looping and thus fairly annoying background track (not the only thing to remind on Lara's home in here) and no other audio at all, several missing sounds, no camera hints and no flybys - only one nice fixed camera. The atmosphere is suffering a lot from that. A mild disappointment after the first level overall, lasting 15 minutes for me." - manarch2 (11-Dec-2017)
"This second part of this two-parter is even shorter than the previous part. I agree with another reviewer who noted that this bears an eerie resemblance to Lara's Mansion, although there are traces of the Barkhang Monastery from TR2 as well. Mainly a key hunting expedition within one big hub room and its many branches, so it's a rather easy but calming experience, thanks to the absence of enemies. I personally had no trouble with the fire jumps although I can see the banana jump putting people off. A pleasant raid." - Ryan (14-Jul-2017)
"In this level Lara hits a well-ornamented Tibet style hall that is textured and lit well, except the setting suffers from several dark shadows that had me squinting at the screen before I turned up the brightness. Decorative objects are well used, but unfortunately other objects have issues - mainly the very tiny roof key that is difficult to pick out (also swathed in darkness) and a crowbar that practically camouflages into a table top. The blue gems are also tiny, though at least you could spot them rather easily. There is not much to the half-hour gameplay except finding the next key or puzzle item (which I suppose is well suggested by the title). There are no enemies or puzzles, except an elaborate secret and an evil staircase of flame emitters that you can only dodge with some practice. Some camera cues would have been nice, but it isn't too hard to figure out which door you opened. Although the adventure is not too substantial, it will at least serve to bring a pleasant raid." - SSJ6Wolf (11-Dec-2008)
"We've climbed the wall and come through the gate into Barkhang monastery. Lots of familiar textures to be seen. And the result is quite good, if a little on the huge side, and a little on the dark side. But some rooms look lovely, especially the huge main room with grand staircase. There is a fair amount of to-ing and fro-ing, finding keys, diamonds and prayerwheels, with some nice jumping, climbing, and using switches. One 'find', the crowbar, is invisible, and the player will need to consult the walkthrough or forums to find it. The biggest delay in this otherwise straightforward level was, finally, discovering that Lara can climb through balconys. That was a surprise! Although there were no enemies, and one would imagine there was snow outside, this doesn't have a Christmas feel to it. Funnily enough I had no problem jumping the fires, I did it in one go and jumped back without a scorch. Perhaps it depends on where you stand at the start! It would have been nice to meet some friendly monks as we roam about. That would have made this a tad more interesting. Nevertheless it is a nice easy going level to play through." - CC (12-May-2008)
"Although this is a charming level and it does scream for traps and enemies, there is just one flaw, NO cameras, as you do a lot of running around, back and fro and up and down and that is no sinecure as it is a vast monastery. Again not really an advent level as such" - Gerty (09-Mar-2008)
"Part 2 also lasts about 25 minutes - if you are lucky and have a good memory as the gameplay essentially revolves around searching keys and other objects in a fairly big house (monastery?) and there is some serious backtracking involved and some of the keys and the crowbar are very hard to spot in plain sight. You will recognize a few elements taken out of the BtB2006 package. What I liked most was probably the part where you get the secret." - MichaelP (09-Feb-2008)
"This isn't a Christmas levels and the title is totally irrelevant since there is no such thing as hunting Christmas ornaments in the level. Lara is searching in a monastery for prayer wheels, many keys and uses some switches. It's a simple and easy level for beginners and without any challenge for the other players. I am not sure what the main idea was but it didn't come out very, if at all, Christmassy." - Kristina (26-Jan-2008)
"The monastery here looks suspiciously like Lara's mansion, but the environs are scenic and nicely Oriental in appearance (which I haven't seen for a while in a custom level), so I'm disposed to be charitable. It's a short level as well, just a bit shy of a half hour, and your tasks consist of going up and down the stairs from this room to that in search of keys and other things to open doors so you can progress. No enemies, of course, as this is an Advent level, so consider this as a pleasant time-filler while you're resting between your more ambitious raiding adventures. Recommended." - Phil (18-Jan-2008)
"Continuing from where the first part left off, this time you are inside the monastery. It's not as large as it seems, although until you get the first key you come across a number of keyholes. That said, it's a given the gameplay revolves around finding keys to unlock doors and proceed, and with the exception of the crossbow which IMO was a tad not obvious (would have never found it without help from the forums), gameplay is pretty starightforward. I liked the Croft Manor song from TRA, thought it was fitting. Happy holidays! 25 minutes, 1 secret. 12/07" - Treeble (23-Dec-2007)
"Among the half dozen Advent levels of this year, this is the one I've enjoyed the most so far. Good TR2 texturing and objects with a bit of BacktoBasics2006. A pity that the lighting although technically good, is not that pleasing to the eyes, and that there is no sound for the doors. It ends also after only 30 minutes. It was quite enjoyable the timed it lasted , nothing really complicated here , and nothing difficult (just make these jumps over the railings with a straight running jump with a dive and you succeed at your first try), it is all about finding TR2 artefacts and many keys and where to use them, but the author has managed to design this simple hunt in a very pleasant flow. I enjoyed the jumps over the burners (it is easier than what it seems) and the secret requires some work before getting it. I am thankful to the author for this level that brings back reminiscence of the Barkhang level , and without all this"Christmassy" atmosphere. Well done !" - eRIC (23-Dec-2007)
"This was one of those 'not clicking with me' levels,which failed to appeal almost from the word go.It wasn't so much the lack of an Advent theme that was at fault,nor was it the round-the-houses "pick up a key,find the door that it opens" gameplay,it was the generally 'all down to luck' jumping sequences which most put me off;Viz. the banana jump to get to one of the keys;the jumps through the non-shootable balustrades;and the jumping over the three rows of flame burners which (the latter particularly) required pixel precision and luck,in equal measure.Not fun. As for the rest,it was well made and lit and reasonably atmospherical, but those who want to be cheered up by a stress-free experience should definately look elsewhere." - Orbit Dream (20-Dec-2007)
"This level was very basic in which you collect keys and slot them in doors, the water-pump key was easy to find and obtain, and the secret was the only hint of it being a christmas level. Other than that it seems like a level that is released as an advent level for no reason. Gameplay could be tedious at times especially with the flames in which i had to rapidly gulp dowm medipacs which i think is unfair. texturing was good, not great, not bad and the atmosphere was quite good. Overal, a very short level only lasting about 30 mins. This is a level i would recommend because it isn't bad. Well, look on the bright side, it's better than Cain's Tower ;D." - Cory (20-Dec-2007)
"More short and simple than the previous, this second part is more easy to play; you only can get problems with the fires in the star room. All the game you'll have to run looking for keys, prayer wheels and some gems, with few puzzles. Your goal is to find the Seraph in the final room. There are some dark areas and the only pack of flares I found was insufficient for me. As before, simple architecture but nice textured and few objects. Nice to play but not much interesting. Enjoyable anyway." - Jose (19-Dec-2007)
"Here's part 2 of a Christmas level that has nothing to do with Christmas. Ornaments part 2 is a fetch quest with no puzzles to speak of and not a hint of anything Christmasy. The level is serviceable, however, as a return to Barkhang monastery. Again, the author forgot to include wave audios or a converter, so audios were useless to me. I didn't enjoy this level as much as the first, but it wasn't bad." - Shandroid (18-Dec-2007)
"Another key-fetching adventure here, but with enough varied gameplay elements to make it enjoyable. Despite not being exactly the same, several areas reminded me of the original 'Barkhang' that I visited all those years ago, and it was nice to return to these partially familiar surroundings. Texturing was nice, as was the lighting (despite seeming very red at times) and the large hall and side rooms were nicely atmospheric. Puzzle items and objects seemed to be mainly those from the original level, but with a few new additions. It was a shame, however, that this level mostly lacked Christmas spirit of any sort, which isn't very fitting for a Christmas level. Either way, it's a fun romp nonetheless and a worthwhile download." - Spike (16-Dec-2007)
"Another non Christmassy level. This time Lara enters in Barkhang Monastery and finally she gets the Seraph (the Christmas ornament that she had been looking for). I've loved the textures and atmosphere of the original Barkhang and only missed the monks. The gameplay is relaxing because there are no traps or enemies. I played only 40 minutes and got 1 secret. I've enjoyed this original and nice remake. Good." - Loupar (14-Dec-2007)
"As with part 1 of this level, there really isn't much spirit of Christmas, but it is nice to visit Barkhang again and at least there's no shooting so it is peaceful - not even any monks (helpful or otherwise) to stop you exploring for prayer wheels, gems, a star and lots of keys. Very short, straightforward and solidly built." - Jay (13-Dec-2007)
"The second part of Barkhang and once again it's a bit hard to imagine how come this level was classified as Christmas except for the one secret present which is a bit hard to find. Once again the level doesn't have a start me exe and the author forgot to disable DOZY, not that I've used it. The music goes on a never ending loop from start to the end but it's less irritating than in part 1. Basically easy, certainly easier than part 1 because there are no traps and no real puzzling moments, everything seems to fit perfectly. That having been said, I couldn't see any flaws here. It's a pleasant little level and I certainly do appresciate the effort." - Jorge22 (09-Dec-2007)
"The inside is just as impressive as the outside was, very good texturing and effective lighting. Too bad the two levels can only be played separately. Some place were reminders of the original Barkhang, the textures on the roof, the pool in the nicely done secret areas. Again, the continous music was very good and the atmosphere was so calm and pleasant, I really liked it. Gameplay is on the simplistic side, consists only finding keys and the places to use them. It was nice to explore the place but I would have liked to see some real puzzles. There was one cool banana jump, and a hidden in plain sight crowbar. At the end we get the Seraph, which supposed to go on top of Lara's Christmas tree, knowing that was the only thing Christmassy about the level. Anyhow, nice addition to the Advent Calendar." - Akcy (09-Dec-2007)