Level reviews

"Lara starts in what seems to be Egypt, but soon she'll get into Atlantis and will face lots of dangers. This level reminded me a lot of TR1 Midas Palace by the lever puzzle and the rooms containing different key items necessary to open a door at the end. The place is quite dark but at least I had plenty of flares, so that wasn't much of a problem. There was this glitch in the maze where all textures disappeared, but I guess that made it a bit easier to get through xD. And now on to the final level..." - alan

"As always in case of a multiparter with a single plot I rate all parts equal but highlight merits and flaws of each part. Where do I begin... this levelset starts and develops great, has all the basics done simple and effective, and the sceneries are not so over the rainbow but consistently comfy, until the third level brings it on to the epic level and the interconnected canopic episode forms the peak of immersion. Unfortunately the more you play from there onwards, the more glitches and chances of softlock you encounter, especially in the the actual Atlantis part - so the game felt like worth playing the beginning, absolutely worth to play the middle and not so much pleasant to play the ending, which is the opposite and unfortunately worse variant of the same impression I got in Barkhang's Nostalgy. Both games were simply too good to be left in such a poor beta, or even alpha state, and would be absolutely immersive if only polished enough - why to design seriously organic bits and unique places to make a player struggle. Pleeeease, please, and it's aimed at every single builder... just don't leave your stuff half-baked because it takes very little to ruin a lot of effort, and unluckily there's a lot of little here." - DJ Full

"After the high points of the previous levels, I have mixed opinions about this fourth section. I liked the atmosphere in the Atlantis environment which was really helped by the animated, pulsating textures and the creatures that burst out of the pods. But, it was just a bit too dark in a few areas, not irritatingly but enough that I used quite a few flares. I also wasn't a fan of the earthquakes or the trial and error chain puzzle that I somehow managed solve using two blocks only. Nevertheless, it's still quite fun and now Lara has to get out of there!" - Ryan

"I couldn't enjoy this level at all because of its bugs, some of them mentioned in the readme. It was going well until the labyrinth part came up. I got confused because of the textures disappearing, but it was not that big of a deal. And then the irritating chain puzzle part emerged, which took me near an hour to finish and I still have no idea how I did it. Like the other reviewers said I tried to pull every chain until the last block should be lowered but the puzzle kept returning to its beginning. In the meantime game kept crashing and the correct chain was near always the last one possible to pull, I guess Murphy's law was all over me. I looked at the walkthrough but unless I couldn't figure out the written directions it still didn't do the trick. I kept trying until I made it, somehow. And on top of these I couldn't finish the level because I opened the door that led upstairs earlier and couldn't make it open again. Sadly bugs happen and it is nobody's fault. The level would be good had it been bug free, it had good level design, a spooky atmosphere and fun traps. Maybe less levers would be better, though." - Nomad

"Unfortunately, in my opinion and experience, Atlantis 4 didn't make things any better, if not worse in some aspects. I enjoyed the recreation of the Atlantis atmosphere from TR1, i was intrigued by it at the beginning but soon started to disappointing me. As we approach the maze, the textures start to glitch out. Now this happened a few times on Atlantis 3, but it was short and easily avoidable but here it was just impossible not to "activate it" and soon i started to get headache (at least you can solve the maze pretty easily as you can see everything when the textures glitch out). The lightening was horrible at most part of the level, i soon ran out of flares and had to resource to the binoculars a lot to see the completely dark corners with no source of light what so ever. I felt that most of the puzzles where "trial and error" ones, specially the one with the chains and boxes, besides bugging out if you do the wrong order, it requires random tries. Personally i don't mind having a few of them like that, mostly there's little room to combinations, but here you have 8 alcoves, with a lot of possible combinations, regarding either the chains or boxes. So to conclude i truly didn't feel any good experience when playing Atlantis 4, Atlantis 2 still remains my favorite so far." - Zhyttya

"Buggy puzzles that are always crashing if you don't do in the correct order, and those puzzles are trial and error! And some triggers and stars if you don't catch on the first try you don't have how to go there any more,there is no way to go back and catch it and that's just poor level design. This level is a great plan with a awful execution in my opinion. There were buggy textures as well (even if wall-hack is welcome it really gives a big headache), the lighting was awful as well and to help there really is a lack of flares in the level. I'm playing all in order and this is, by far, the WORSE. The puzzles and mechanics are interesting but he's just trying to much and ignored who buggy it can get and ignoring the ability to fail in some cases.. you can get locked without any option to go back to get a star. Sound is repetitive, the atmosphere isn't there (i questioned my self if i was ending the game with some of the music he placed). So if you can just avoid this level" - Leeth

"I am of two minds about this part, not fond of earthquakes and hate those pesky locusts. There is also a very nasty timed run to do that had me reloading too much for my liking. There are some puzzles here and there is one if you don't do it the correct way, you get a crash. So do safe often and in different spots." - Gerty

"Another good work from Justin, but with some bugs. This level already show us an atlantean appearance, with pulsating textures, eggs, lava,... I couldn't find a clue to know the switches to pull in the beginning and in the room with the disappearing walls. I think the first timed run is very hard too. In the room with the three moveable blocks the game crashed when I pulled certain chains. But the level has another good things, danger, interesting situations and more. It's better that you begin from a previous savegame 'cause there are hard enemies from the very beginning and you have not powerful weapons." - Jose

"I've been having a good time replaying this series and polishing up the walkthroughs in the process. Along the way I experienced the pull-chain bug near the end (which I didn't encounter the first time around), so I've documented it in the walkthrough and explained how to avoid it. Other than that, this is another fine level in the Atlantis series that should give you well over an hour of raiding enjoyment. There are at least two challenging timed runs that will likely take you a few attempts to conquer, but once you know what to do they seem quite fair to the player. The overall ambience is rather dark, which is typical of Justin's levels, but I didn't find the darkness here to be annoying or distracting, as is the case when I play many other levels. Highly recommended." - Phil

"Lara arrives to Atlantis, to acquire its Core. A nice recreation of the Atlantis levels from TR1, I guess that is the reason for the less diversity of textures, which I get bored with after some time. The difficulty is less than of the previous levels, and I have to say the atmosphere too. Can't help it, but I expected more. Also in a level that has this much dark places, I expect the author to give out enough flares, I hate when I have to light my way by continuous pistol fire. Don't get me wrong, it's still an above average level, only in this great series it isn't." - Akcy

"Getting deeper into an Atlantean environment in some rooms seeing the 'spinal chord' that you can run along and a blood coloured maze. This maze was really annoying to navigate as everything disappeared into black as you ran through it. That four switch puzzle in the maze to open a door took me a long time to do. I followed the walkthrough directions still no joy. I just had to keep pulling and re-pulling the switches 'til the door eventually opened. Only problem was at this stage I needed three snake pieces and only had two so I had to retrace my steps through the maze and it was sitting in midair not on a pedestal. What a pain no wonder I didn't see it first time through. So this level is not so straight forward as it first appears. Then there is the four switch puzzle to open four doors to get four stars these didn't work so well either for me. Pulling chains too often resulted in crashes. So in the end I was really glad to get to the end. The big thrill was that terrible timed run I read all the suggestions and in the end worked it out myself - a backflip twist sprint directly towards the door run and jump off the edge and press action to land inside the closing gate. Dealing with the dragon was very interesting but those Atlantean mutants were just annoying especially when I killed them in the corridor I couldn't get past them. On to the next level." - CC

"My least favorite in the series so far the texturing is very boring at times even ugly and the lighting ain't so good either. It is quite entertaining for the time it lasts but even the gameplay has its flaws - I could perfectly avoid the keyguard (not the serpent!) quest near the dragon and finished the level anyway still don't know what it was for. The walls disappear in the fire maze which has to do something with the project placement (the bottom right corner of the level map causes this). The 3 secrets I found were not hidden too well but I like the idea of the golden skulls revealing secrets thorough the series. The final puzzle with the lever combinations was great but that didn't really make up the rest of the faults. The previous levels of the series were great and so are Justin's Dark Skies series but I don't think this was a good level in the series." - eTux

"Someone remind me again why I started playing the Atlantis levels. It's even more complex than the third level with a lot of timed doors especially at the end stars a maze and mutants harpies as enemies. It's very dark something I don't like and not the usual textures but organic lava around and guardian keys and serpents to collect. I didn't bother with the secrets except one at the maze I was frustrated and wanted to finish it quickly but I have to say I needed the walkthrough for that. Cages and moving blocks have to 'work' together so that Lara can solve some puzzles. There is the dragon and locusts but it's so brief you can pass through without a problem. Not to my liking but maybe it is yours." - Kristina

"This level has truly earned the right to bear the Atlantis name and of the levels I've seen so far comes the closest to capturing the look and feel of the original Atlantean levels. You'll find the pulsating fleshy walls; tricky jumps over lava and nasty boulder traps; giant eggs that hatch mutants plus timed doors and multi-switch puzzles. The latter could have been pretty tough but I took the easy way out and used the walkthrough. There are a number of objects to collect and use along the way with the last four golden stars opening the exit door where with a final slide down you're treated to the sight of a boulder falling after Lara. Is this the end for our fearless heroine? You'll have to see my review for Atlantis 5 and find out..." - RaiderGirl

"Atlantis 4 also starts in huge caves which reminds a lot of TR1. Various lever puzzles to solve here. There were a few useful hints which was good or my Lara would still be running around there ;) Graphics had changed a little versus previous levels. Camera guidance was sometimes missing but my Lara is already used to that :) Sound was suitably added. Enemies were mainly mutants. I liked part 4 :) Now on to part 5." - Navi

"In my opinion the best of all the Atlantis levels are the Atlantis 1 and 2 these are the best balanced in enemies and investigation. Atlantis 4 is very original in atmosphere but has too many faults and it's also very dark. The gameplay is the way between a trap and the next one and this is not good. The use of textures and some elements of the Atlantis levels from TR1 is very nice and also the background sound from the Xian level from TR2." - Loupar

"Brilliant and difficult level. There are some timed runs really hard (like the one to enter a door in a room where you find the lasersight). Atmosphere is excellent and textures quite perfect. A bug in the maze but on the other hand I didn't have this problem with the four chains. Good puzzles and impressive rooms. Some passages are very tricky: after the earthquake the passage with boulders the dragon and locusts and then the lava room with these slopes phew!! There are a lot of levers too and final rooms where you get four Golden Stars aren't easy. I enjoyed this level and I recommend the whole game. I'm going on the 5th part." - Cuqui

"Atlantis 4 has a more threatening atmosphere than 1-3. Alas there were some bugs in this level. Besides some graphic-bugs my game crashed in a room with 4 chains I had to pull. Of course I would have died anyway but crashing games are very unnerving. My boyfriend playing the same version didn't have that problem. You had to find a couple of golden stars to continue. There is a maze with a lot of pick-ups and some levers you had to use in the right combination. There is also a nice collection of traps crumbling floor plates boulders lava. Some of the doors were timed and you had to be very very quick and then you would still be too late. You have to use all of Lara's moves to get through. Your opponents are giant scorpions mutants harpies locusts and the 'City of the Dead'-dragon. There are some very nice objects in this level for example a serpent. The textures are nothing special but very fitting. Not my favorite level of this series but certainly the most difficult so far." - Tombraidergirl

"This level is quite difficult to value. On the one hand it is extremely well in the technical execution nevertheless on the other hand the frustration factor is quite high. There is there e.g. a room with a very logical puzzle. Until one has found out the logic however one might already have smashed the Level into the corner. If one has solved the puzzle however one must have respect again how wisely it was built. A timed door let's you despair almost but the sense of achievement afterwards is enormous. Good certainly by this sort of puzzles I must give away 10 points (puzzle) but nevertheless the enjoyment in the game suffers very much under it. The atmosphere was beautifully represented for me quite perfectly. Because of the texture choice certainly but also sound and lighting did wonderfully add. In opponents there was not so much but the existing ones were well placed and particularly with one the hairs raise on your back. The level is really at a high technical level but nevertheless the degree of difficulty is very high. Therefore the pleasure in the game is not so good!" - Xxenofex

"In Atlantis 4 there is a gloomy atmosphere seems like you are in hell. Lava everywhere and animated red walls. Anyway a good level but again too dark for my taste. Enemies again these hell creatures (ahmets) giant scorpions and harpies. But different like in other levels here they come out from cocoons very good idea. Some lever puzzles difficult timed doors and a maze with the animated red walls are not easy to solve. I didn't like so much the permanent red colours and the never ending earthquake gave me a headache. But anyway this is one these must-have-played games the difficulty is high. Let's go to the next part!" - Freeman Porter

"There's no mistaking you're in Atlantis in this installment of the series as you make your way through this level and find Atlantean egg sacs lining the walls of most rooms ready to explode and spew forth some unearthly beast as well as the wonderful textures that will transport most players back to the Atlantis level of TR1. This 70 minutes level played the easiest of the series so far in 2 aspects the first being the 3 secrets which are fairly simple to find unlike the preceding levels mainly Atlantis 1 and 2 where I barely found any and the second is that the game play is very straightforward with a lot of exciting battle scenes a really cool timed run that nearly drove me insane and puzzles that revolved mainly around lever combinations thankfully though Justin has put a few wonderful hints around to solve a lot of them. As like the others this is a very atmospheric at times creepy level where enemies Atlantean beasts golden birds large scorpions locusts and the fantastic giant lizard are used brilliantly making each new step a cautious step there are however a few bugs that Justin talks about in the readme as well as one he didn't a game crash after pulling a chain but it is only a small glitch that won't happen again if you pull the chains in a certain order so it didn't detrimentally affect the flow of the game. Again this is another great level in the Atlantis series and I can only imagine where part 5 will take me but I'm sure looking forward to finding out!" - Sash

"Another 90 minutes of net gaming time in a brilliant level overall. The atmosphere is truly amazing with all the animated pulsating textures and progression is fast-paced even if a little too sequential in sometimes rather box-like and repetitively textured rooms. Enemies are not too many and spread throughout but the effect of them being 'born' from the eggs is cool. You meet remodeled ahmets banshees and a few giant scorpions. Several enjoyable puzzles make this a worthwhile experience like the water scales and the dragon puzzle but there are also a few (well certainly one) very hard timed runs and several multi-lever-puzzles where I could only once find a hint about the correct solution in the game and had to solve the others via trial and error which becomes very tedious when you have 15 possible options. I managed to claim two secrets with golden skulls collected from previous levels. As in Atlantis 3 you have here the 'disappearing walls' bug which actually comes in handy in the maze area as it allows you to see the objects you want to get to. Towards the end you then have to collect four stars one behind each door and come to the room where you will have to save and try which of the chains does not crash the game - annoying but manageable. On to Level 5..." - Michael

"A mixed level with action and tactics acclimatized in the depth Atlantide very beautiful what reminds me of the ending of TR1. Lara has to find an artifact and succeed to run away with it but will she succeed? However there are enigmas to resolve gates on short timers labyrinths various traps a lot of objects and monsters to kill and avoid. Apart from the described bugs from the author I have found others not to underestimate for example Lara stuck in the angles of some block and the program goes to crash when she pulls some chains in a room near the ending. I have ended the level in 2 hours about with middle difficulty." - Boris

"Finally got my hands on this level, there has been a long time since I played the three previous levels of this series. I do remember the previous levels though, and this is the first of the series that features the Atlantean crawlers (well, sort of). The enemies were crawlers and harpies in this level, and a dragon deeper in the level. I liked it really much, and most all of the puzzles had Lara to find the multiple puzzle pieces to open the blood like doors. The tight timed runs and earthquakes are a trademark of justin, so I won't say they are present. One hour of pure fun, with some ingenious lever puzzles (like the labyrinth one) and a puzzle to each star in the end. The one where chains should be pushed are reported to crash the game. Yes they do it. But, there's a special order to push them, so the blocks will be lowered, then you move the blocks to the correct places and get a star. After using the four stars in the final room, sliding down the ramp, I have to wonder if Lara is still alive, because a big boulder fell in her head! Also, Lara found in this level what she was looking for (since level 1, I think) - the Atlantean Core. Well worth playing!" - Treeble

"There's a lot to like about this level not the least of which is the amazing other-worldly atmosphere that Justin has created. Then there are the custom textures objects and a new monster. Enemies burst from sphere like cocoons suspended on the walls plasma flows through invisible pipes and many of the walls seem to be alive - amazing stuff. The gameplay doesn't disappoint either with many good puzzles skill sequences and a couple of very tough timed runs. Aside from the maze bug I also ran into a bug involving some chains to pull which crashed the game. I suspect that some secrets or pickups were missed that had something to do with the skulls collected in the prior level. Unfortunately I had to start this level from scratch with just the basic inventory. Overall though this is one you won't want to miss." - Tombaholic

"What can I say - amazing level as usual from Justin! It really gives you the creeps as it feels you're entering the inside of a huge organism. Many good puzzles and tricky passages but not too hard - it gives you a flow in the game that brings you forward all the time. You just have to play this one! (As well as the other Atlantis levels)" - G.Croft

"I'm back! Okay I didn't start playing this level immediately after I had finished the previous one but at least it didn't take me a month before I started this time. This is once again a good level but although I liked the texturing very much I didn't really like the gameplay. There are a lot of levers which have to be pulled in a certain order or in a certain combination and that isn't one of my favourite puzzles. There are however a lot of well-made hints but sometimes there aren't which I found very frustrating. The level is very dark and it's a shame when the texturing is so good. There are quite a lot of enemies and timed runs but neither the enemies nor the timed runs were very hard. There are a couple of bugs that the other reviewers have already mentioned and they are very annoying but at least they don't make the level impossible to finish. The level took me just over 45 minutes to finish and I'm looking forward to play the next part. (5 June 2002.)" - Magnus

"The gameplay as the joy while playing this level is very low. The enigmas are often frustrating and boring to be solved. New custom objects are not that good they seem all a mixed and confused work taken from different TR levels and re-textured in a not so pleasant way. There is a nice enemy and only one special effect I liked but apart from this it is a bad level :( The atmosphere does not give you the idea of a return to Atlantis. So in my opinion it is one of the worst levels by Justin." - Miya

"This level sticks very well to the original spirit of Tombraider. Justin has managed to recreate a level with the excellent atmosphere of the Atlantean levels in TR1 with a good choice of textures sounds and enemies. The mutants are there but they are less dangerous than some in TR1. Only the centaurs are missing but they have been replaced by large scorpions harpies and a frightening dragon. The puzzles are quite better than Eidos sometimes very subtle and the gameplay is quite more various in my opinion with timed runs good jumps puzzles with combinations of levers with different colors. On the downside points too much darkness for my taste and 2 bugs: 1/ walls disappearing in the little labyrinth however this is not bad as you can better see what are the tasks you have to do in this place. 2/ the game crashes when you pull chains in the rooms with the 3 blocks (or is it a new kind of end-trigger?). I did not finish this puzzle but have been able to pickup the star by another way and end the level. This work is globally really a success we can congratulate the author I guess it was not obvious to make such a creation." - eRIC

"My least favourite part of the series for a number of reasons. I'm not a big fan of the earthquake and the locusts some of the tasks are mere variations from the previous parts too many levers for my liking the texturing is a rather monotonous affair here and when the game crashed on my way to the fourth star I just wanted to get out of there. However you get some tricky timed runs a great jump sequence and the elevators are always welcome but there simply is not much of an atmosphere. The lava is a bit overused and the pulsating flesh doesn't come together with the less organic textures." - Dimpfelmoser