Level reviews

"I liked the original better because light could get away with the textures - the new ones would need lighting rework explaining how the light travels around the blocks. I also liked the activities and their order before, but the new ones are interesting as well. I'd suggest to play the remake after the original, as you'll have a comparison and new challenge indeed." - DJ Full

"A revised version of the level of the same name. In many aspects it is the same as the original, but there are enough differences for people to play this as well. The pushblock segment in pitch darkness has been removed (thankfully) and more challenging jumping puzzles have been added instead. A lot of the textures have been mixed around. There are few improvements in that department, but the changes are mostly bad as the author has decided to put random USSR base textures on his floating island level. The final room is a bit unfair with random fires popping out of the ground. I'd say that it's better than the original from a gameplay standpoint, but worse in the visuals. The first level wasn't exactly a stunning looker either, so I would recommend that people play this version out of the two if given the choice." - LuxQSD

"This time, the author tries his/her best to show off some building skills, but to no avail, it seems that this one has plenty of 'invisible' areas which you may never discover unless you refer to the walkthrough. Maybe that's an engine limitation, but I hadn't noticed such a thing in similar adventures. Thank you." - Mehrbod

"Have to say that this TR2 level from 2001 is a stand out in my opinion with lots of tricky jumping sequences and not bad game play in my opinion. For when this was released it was a stand out and I disagree with most reviewers that maintain this is a fairly standard level. Standard? By what terms? By today's standards possibly but for when this was made it was great and still holds up well. Sure, it is a variant of the floating Islands theme but done well. Unfortunately I did have the normal paper thin walls in this which seems to be prevalent in many of these TR2 unofficial levels as well as some texture fade outs here and there." - Torry

"This is pretty much identical to the builder's other Freezing Islands level, but only with some slightly improved texturing and very minor differences to the gameplay and enemy placements. I personally liked this Advanced version a bit better (excluding the unfair unmarked flame trap room), but unless you've only played one of these, that might not be enough to go through it yet again." - Ryan

"It's almost the same as the previous level. Differences are that textures have changed from original Floating Islands to snowy ones. And it's more challenging. Also, Lara's eyes have changed to blue, and there's an inspirational phrase on her backpack (Never give up!). Enemies are some knights that are killed quickly with the uzis, apart from 2 tough guys that throw knives. There's a timed run in a little and dark maze. This is better than the 'movie' one." - alan

"A revised version, this one is more in synch with the proposed title, although the change isn't generally for the better. I mean, yes, the ice and snow textures for the floating islands themselves look great, but the base like textures everywhere else didn't seem to fit as nicely in my opinion. Gameplay has few twists with one invisible bridge and a few more jump sequences, as well as a timed run, but generally it still plays out the same way. 20 minutes. 05/17" - Treeble

"A rather easy and simple level with lots of tricky jumps. The main issue here is to gather the two plaques and get out of the islands (?. Enemies were a few Xian warriors easy to dispose of them. Compared with the other level this was better." - Gonxii

"Wow, deja vu. If you played the earlier version, i.e. Freezing Islands 2: the Movie, you've pretty much played this one too. Gameplay-wise, not much has changed, although where it does differ, I personally preferred this update. It looks better than the earlier version too, but unless you absolutely loved it the first time around there really isn't a strong enough pull factor to play it again." - Jay

"This is a better version of the previous "Freezing Islands 2: Movie" level with better textures and puzzles. Has anyone else noticed Laras blue eyes????" - Nuri

"This is basically the exact same level as the prior, 'Freezing Islands 2' release, only with some simple level design changes here and there to make the game more challenging, some more enemies to fight and plenty of new textures(mainly from TR2 Gold's Cold War level.) So, if you haven't played the 'Movie' version of this particular release, I would recommend this one over it(if only for the extra challenge). Beyond that though, the same results still apply here(hence the identical score), so again, only worth recommending playing through once out of sheer curiosity, if you're not planning to test yourself in the gameplay department." - Ceamonks890

"Floating islands, do I need say more? Not my kind of adventure. Not far from the start you have to do some leaps of faith, I had to look that up in the walkthrough, as that would never enter my mind. For the rest there are some tricky jumps to do, better save frequently. I didn't like the timed run one bit but it is doable." - Gerty

"This level showed up when as a random level at the home page and despite some mistakes that it had, i enjoyed it a lot. I usually like snowy levels. The gameplay is good for a TR2 level. You will find some excellent jumps and many slopes. Few, but very strong enemies. The level is too small, but you it may take some time because of many deaths. I didn't like the fires that were coming from nowhere and surelly the lighting was pretty bad. I think that there was no lighting spots. Anyway, it is a nice level to play just for fun. I liked it." - Ekrixi

"I'm playing this of the two Freezing islands levels first, so I only know a little bit how this compares to the beginning of the other level. On its own - it certainly fits the title in that everything is made of snow and ice. The USSR base textures look a bit odd with the setting, and the looks generally are not where this level is at its best. What makes this 20 something venture fun to play, however, are some rather exciting slide-jump-climb-jump-some-more sequences, measuring up with the Xi'an guardians and a few not too tight, but still exciting timed runs. I can't really decide if the hidden area behind the icy slopes is a clever touch or unfair to the player. On one hand, you do get to see one of the required Mystique plaques floating in plain sight but out of reach, and there are a couple of more hints, that would inspire you to explore more, but it is asking a bit much from the player to jump to the conclusion (no pun intended) regarding the means of getting there. I was also not fond of the flame-booby traps in the guardian rooms, as you are not given a chance to anticipate where they will pop up. It still is an enjoyable level to play, that should not keep you occupied for too long." - eTux

"I liked this level a little more than the Movie version of this level. It uses different textures, from Tibet and from TR 2 Gold, and texturing itself was better done; doesn't have that tedious block puzzle but a little tricky timed run (but still and even more in pitch black corridors!), a structure to climb to the second golden plate in the warrior room and a slightly different end fight with two warriors instead of ninjas. The first plate has to be found on some invisible ledges in the dark, but since it's obvious to see it isn't that bad. I only needed 15 minutes to play through since I played the movie version just before that." - manarch2

"From a gameplay point-of-view there's something ever so slightly unfair about a 'Slash level'.It's not that the challenges are too tough (although they are certainly on the more difficult end of the spectrum),it's just that they are a little bit too 'player unfriendly'.A classic example can be found in this level - a really unfair and sneaky 'leap of faith' in pitch blackness toward something which may or may not be there.This is the sort of trick which is supposed to be clever (and the builder no doubt thinks that it is),but which really shouldn't take place.As for the rest,it's a fun and often demanding 'jumping level'(some of the acrobatics are a little sneaky and need a degree of tenacity to get through);spiced up with a few tough enemies and a decent timed run.The construction makes no concession toward any sort of design logic - the various areas exist simply to provide a physical gauntlet;but it's textured competantly,has a fun ending and provides 30 minutes of somewhat aggravating enjoyment." - Orbit Dream

"Yes indeed - the main structure of the level is the same, but there is plenty of small difference that do warrant to play this one after playing 'The Movie' version of the level. As I generally knew my way now it took me only 20 minutes to get through - I guess also because the slow push block area has been replaced with a not too tight timed run. Still, for me it was just as much fun to go the the second round here, so I recommend playing these back to back - if only to see what a difference a different texture set can make." - MichaelP

"Short level. Methought it will be shorter. Methought after killing the guards of Xian there is the end of the level. Well not. Look at the \"texture error\" and go through, well there is the continue of the level. :) It was great adventure." - Obig

"A good introduction to this author that can be played in a half hour. The opening setting is somewhat confusing, and it is hard to figure out how to begin because of a sleight of hand that blocks players from seeing what is there. But soon one gets into clever traps and jump sequences, and the game becomes fun. This is the point of the author's work, as architecture tends to be crude. In "Freezing Islands 2: Advanced," there is a timed run to a door, and then another one through a dark maze. "Freezing Islands 2: The Movie" is an earlier version, from when the unofficial editor displayed transparent slopes. Its textures are taken from the "Floating Islands" level in TR2. Instead of the timed run, there is a push block puzzle that takes place in total dark, so that Lara must conserve flares. The "Advanced" version has more Xian warrior statues that come to life; "The Movie" version has knife throwers. The differences are interesting, but except for texturing and a few enemies, the two versions have almost parallel game play. The more recent "Advanced" version looks better, so I would recommend it, though "The Movie" version is maybe slightly easier. This approach is a bit like writing one review, and passing it off for two levels." - dmdibl