Reviewer's comments |
"I found this level to be very enjoyable. The architecture was interesting to look at, and the platforming and exploration were engaging. This is a great debut level." - griffabee (16-Feb-2021) |
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"A pretty straightforward gameplay, which didn't need to
just go back and forth millions of times, craving for help!
In addition to this, the atmosphere reminded me of so many
old memories. I'm very satisfied with this game and best
wishes for the author. Thanks!" - Mehrbod (27-Mar-2019) |
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"An entertaining little level with all the typical components
of Cleopatra's Palaces. The author's first attempt as he
states in the readme file, and it is evident due to the
amateurish vibe overall. Still, a decent work has been done." - Feder (10-Dec-2018) |
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"Classic level Egypt, with textures sometimes stretched, mainly ladders and items.
The atmosphere and the lighting are correct. Some enemies with mostly skeletons and demigods. It is unfortunate that the pyramid is not well programmed, since we can take the mechanical one by having only one beetle and avoid the underwater labyrinth for the other beetle." - Drakan (09-Nov-2018) |
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"Another Egyptian level from the early days of Tomb Raider
Level Editor but this one is quite fun with the tasks you have
to complete, a quest for many puzzle items, climbing, an
underwater maze that I hated (I've never liked underwater
mazes). At first I thought the mechanical scarab was useless
as you can shimmy to avoid the spikes and completely skip that
part. But when you reach the top where there are walls at both
sides it's impossible to cheat there ;) The final room
was well built and the lighting used there was nice." - alan (30-Sep-2017) |
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"A nice little older level set within a
Cleopatra's Palaces setting. You get the usual
gameplay associated with this particular
setting: the Black Beetle pyramid, harpies,
skeletons, demigods, face on a stick and the
mechanical beetle/winding key combo. Bit dark
in places, but aside from that, it was fun and
it's a shame that it's a one shot." - Ryan (22-Jan-2017) |
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"This is a pleasant little cleopal level, with all the usual elements firmly in place - skellies, demigods, black beetles to collect (and their live counterparts to run away from), the always adorable mechanical scarab, even the gold Lara statue being attacked by harpies. Solidly built and packing quite a lot into its 45 minute playing time, it seems a shame this builder never made another level." - Jay (23-Apr-2015) |
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"As a first outing for this author, this is a pretty decent level. It is well-constructed, it has a few interesting elements, and it has ambition. This 30-40 minute Cleopatrian adventure has a lot of fun to offer, and it looks pretty good to. Now, there are a couple of what I would consider to be missteps. There was a real lack of flares at the beginning, and the darkness didn't wait for them to show up before it reared its head. The amount of demigods was a little too much, even if they were manageable. I just don't like sitting around for 3 minutes as I down another one. But everything else showed promise. It is really too bad that the author decided to not release any more levels after this one." - Xela (01-Sep-2014) |
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"What has the level builder written in the Readme: "We should expect nothing special and it would be more to learn". Nothing special? More to learn? I beg to differ! The level is really good. Lara investigates a palace of Kleopatra and needs two Pharos Pillar, two Horsemen Gem, four black beetles and the mechanical beetle. And occasionally she hits on Demigods, skeletons, harpies and a swarm of little beetles. Actually One never notices that this level would be a first work. Only once in a blue moon one sees stretched textures. Every room is well built and furnished attractively. And one finds enough weapons, ammunition, Medipacks and Flares. Moreover, the level has with about 45-minute playing time a good length. If you search for a very good Kleopatras for palace level, here you are exactly right." - Scottie (23-Jun-2009) |
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"The author said that this level wasn't anything spectacular as this was her first attempt at level designing. That was an understatement. This was a huge level and it almost mirrored Cleopatra's palaces. This was a very good level and whilst the deisgn wasn't very original, the gameplay was great, which is the main thing for me. I loved the quest for the beetles although I hated the underwater maze in order to get at them. there was plenty for me to do and it took me over an hour to complete. I hadn't even realised how much time had gone by which suggests that time passed whilst having fun. A must for any Egyptian level fans." - Necro (05-May-2008) |
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"In this level you'll find all the features of the original cleopal WAD: beetles, black pyramid, scarabs, golden Lara, demigods, skeletons, harpies,... Gameplay was good, though I missed some more flares at the beginning and more guns and ammo to deal with the demigods. I only found one secret. Very few cameras and correct lights and tectures. Not very good puzzles, half-lineal but easy to play; don't wait special features from this work. Enjoyable anyway." - Jose (11-Dec-2007) |
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"This must have been one of the very first custom levels that I ever played back in 2001/ 2002, and I have to admit that replaying it brought back fond memories of my early TR days. I remember that I was absolutely enthusiastic about 'The Lost Oasis' when I played it first time around, and I have to say that all these years later I still think that it is an excellently designed custom level. And it's a really good-looking level too by the way; the textures are just brilliant. Admittedly gameplay is rather linear, and since most enemies (skeletons, harpies and demigods) are fairly easy to dispose of once you've found the crossbow this level certainly doesn't score very high when it comes to difficulty either, but, nevertheless (or maybe even because of that), I had a great time exploring this tomb and I promise that you will too when you give it a try." - Hedgy (28-Jul-2005) |
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"An old and interesting Cleopal level. The course is divided in 3 sections. In the first part, some good puzzling situations to find key pick ups, skeletons to keep you on your toes if you don't find the shotgun immediately, I also like when you have to find out what will be your next move. After entering a big room where two demigods are waiting, a section of underwater corridors where air holes lead to rooms in the search of four black beetles. The most difficult was to spot the crowbar sneakily hidden at the beginning of the water section. In the last part, many jumps, climbs and actions to perform in a room with ledges and harpies to go to the end. Conclusion: The flow of the game is excellent, the difficulty is average, neither too obvious nor too demanding, enough enemies to deal with and a decent atmosphere. The lighting is rather bad though, too bright in some places, too dark in others, flat in most parts of the level. With a few texturing errors and the occasional thin wall. The final room with greenery (the lost oasis Lara was looking for ?) is good looking. Entertaining level from beginning to end." - eRIC (01-Mar-2005) |
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"This was an interesting old level. Lasting about half an hour this Cleopatra's Palaces environment will provide you with every puzzle of that original level. You will start looking for the four black beetles (and find a broken one along the way) through several areas fighting a couple of demigods and then you will be given the Mechanical Scarab. You will use it to disarm several spiked traps and you will also meet the golden Lara in the level. My ratings may be downrating the level a little but it is an average level. My only complaint - if you want to build a dark level go ahead nothing wrong with it but be sure to give enough flares (not even one single flare to be picked up here)." - Treeble (20-Sep-2004) |
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"'This is my first level so don't expect anything spectacular this was more of a learning experience for me' the author warns in the readme file. She couldn't have been more honest we know precisely what to expect. The question is: should we rate and review the game as a learning experience or as a regular level? The answer may lie somewhere in between... As a learning experience it's perfect and I've played levels that were built with much much less care and whose authors nonetheless didn't even consider it fair to warn the players about bugs boring textures and gameplay etc. etc. As a 'regular' level well it would be only kind of good enough. The textures are without flaws but of course they're simply the classic cleopal textures so there's nothing particularly daring there. The gameplay is fluent but you can't expect to find anything you haven't seen before. It's all very clear Lara's path is easily findable and there aren't any devious traps like spikes coming off the ground whilst nothing would indicate it the kind of disgusting tricks that several builders seem to be tempted by in their very first levels. So the game is without flaws. Simultaneously there's nothing new about it. Finally it's good for relaxing a bit after some very tricky level. The word that springs to my mind when thinking of the game is 'correct'. Somewhere in between the learning experience and the regular game I enjoyed it in spite of its so Egyptian feel. Just one thing: where the hell is 'the lost oasis'? I'll be looking forward to new developments..." - Jorge22 (28-Jun-2004) |
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"This is a nice little level with good lighting and attractive surroundings. Your task is to find four beetles and use them to acquire the mechanical beetle that allows you to finish the level. This would be an excellent level for a beginning raider (although more seasoned gamers will enjoy it as well) as it's over fairly quickly with a low to medium level of difficulty. (I could probably have made my way through the level without the help of Gerty's walkthrough if I'd put my mind to it but we tend to get a mite lazy in our old age.) No timed sequences or tricky jumps although there's a nice exercise near the end involving three uses of the mechanical beetle. You find the shotgun in a pool at the very beginning to deal with the skeletons you'll encounter along the way. Other enemies are demigods and harpies with a horde or two of beetles thrown in for good measure. Not one of the classics but definitely a fun play which I recommend." - Phil (20-Jun-2004) |
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"Well thought out Cleopatra-style level with some beautiful rooms. At the very beginning it doesn't look promising. I actually thought it was going to be a quick level as I got the pillars very quickly. But it grows and grows. I really liked the way you have to get the four beetles the use of the mechanical beetle was original and of course the well hidden crowbar. I found all the beetles before I found the crowbar it's among some jagged underwater rocks. There's a good underwater maze and in there is the winder for the mechanical beetle. Enemies are very well placed demigods beetles skeletons and two harpys in a room with a golden Lara statue. If you get the crowbar in time progress through the level is good fun." - CC (19-Oct-2003) |
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"I liked this level with the classic cleopal wad. The textures are nicely placed and lighting is well done. The game play is simple but enjoyable. A portal guardian two pharos knots two gems and four beetles to place on the pyramid. The underwater maze with many openings is the main area which you will be searching for the beetles. Blocks raising spikes and fire traps are spread in the rooms as obstacles. Skeletons and demigods will try to give Lara trouble as well. There were two doors un opened and I believe it was just for a secret as I finished after fifty minutes without a problem. I really had fun and the fountains looked very nice. Play it - I am sure you will like it." - Kristina (31-Mar-2003) |
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"The Lost Oasis based on the Cleopatra wad is very attractive with a water maze that's actually fun good spike traps and some beautiful rooms - my favorite was the last one with the fountains and foliage around the room. There's also some fun exploring with two pillars the Portal Guardian four beetles the well hidden crowbar (it's in some water) the winding key and a gem to find along the way. There are quite a few skeletons to fight off at first and a few demigods later but enemies are not really a problem and this turns out to be a fun straightforward level." - RaiderGirl (14-Feb-2003) |
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"Lara's task is to find the scarab. Puzzles are diverse and Lara had a lot to do: monkey swinging collecting beetles diving through a water maze and finding a few more artifacts. Textures were solidly applied but some areas were a little dark and Lara could have used a few more flares ;-). Enemies were mainly skeletons and a few demigods as well as health depriving harpies. Very fluent gameplay - recommended." - Engelchen Lara (11-Feb-2003) |
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"This was another level I played way back when. At the time I thought it would be another 30 minute job because amateurs build more with enthusiasm than with skill. You'd think after Heroic Manliness I'd have learnt something wouldn't you? This is actually rather hard for me to review because at the time I found the setting and gameplay quite original. A Cleopatra-type tomb; golden Lara; screeching birds; mechanical scarab; how very interesting! If I'd played it for the first time today I would almost certainly have marked the gameplay down due to lack of originality but 18 months ago the Cleopal wad still seemed fresh to me. So first impressions will be the ones that count in this case. And they were certainly good. It took me the best part of 90 minutes to complete and aside from a few texturing errors it was a really solid and promising first level. But ...why no more?" - Orbit Dream (21-Oct-2002) |
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"Good level. Simple but not easy. Enemies are hard and you had to save medipacks. The story flows freely and step by step you can advance into the level and solve it without help or solutions. Textures and enemies are from TR4. There aren't cameras and animations. I liked it." - Giulio (14-Oct-2002) |
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"What a nice little level. Typical cleo wad but very nicely done with nice textures. Lara must find 2 gems the portal guardian and 4 beetles to exit the temple. Enemies include skeletons banshees demigods and you've got to have the dreaded scarabs if you are looking for beetles. None of the enemies are overpowering there is a well-hidden crowbar and a good water maze which gives you plenty of places to take a breath and accomplish another feat. Culmination of the level comes after a hazardous trip upwards while protecting a Lara clone from various enemies." - Momster (16-Jul-2002) |
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"This is definitely an above average Egyptian level with a wonderfully solid look that incorporates organic textures throughout which reminded me a little of another level Black Palace to give it a great feel. The game play is constant and there always seems to be some interesting thing to do with the usual outcome being to find certain key pick ups which there were quite a lot of including 4 beetles a mechanical beetle pharaoh's knots and blue gems while at the same time fighting a whole bunch of enemies from the deadly Demigods to the annoyingly persistent swarms of beetles. All in all this is a really well done 45 minutes level." - Sash (21-Jun-2002) |
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"If you enjoy the Cleopatra's Palace levels this one is a must for you. The author has virtually put every puzzle object and enemy that is in the WAD also into the level ie you find the demigods the banshee pecking Lara's statue skeletons a-plenty and beetles. The gameplay starts off quite linear and then becomes a little more challenging when you go searching for the four beetles for the black pyramid that holds the mechanical scarab. The overall setting is very consistent and solidly built with a nice underwater tunnel system but of course the atmosphere is so very much known from the previous TR games and does not hold many surprises. While there are many enemies the placement of them and also of pick-ups in general could be improved and little relevant use has been made of cameras. All in all an entertaining level which will keep you busy for a good hour or two even though my net gaming time turned out to be only 30 minutes because I had to replay it when I got stuck in the room with Lara's golden statue." - Michael (21-Jun-2002) |
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"Now don't get me wrong this is a very fine level and the feeling of being in an oasis is almost tangible but this is another 'yawn' Egyptian level and I gotta say that I have seen enough of these." - Torry (21-Jun-2002) |
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"I liked this level. Lots to do lots to explore. The maze kept me busy for quite a while. There was lots of ammo to find to get rid of the enemies (I still rather use Lara's trusted guns above anything else). The downside of using the guns you will develop a health problem. Not many medipacks although I made it. This game gave me no problems on the Mac." - Gerty (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This is a really good level. There has been a lot of work put into the design of this and it shows. This is easily as good as a core design offering. Plenty of getting wet and drowning bits! A real tombraider style level. Great stuff!" - Doug E (21-Jun-2002) |
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"Great just Great! This one had to be on one of the original Tomb Raider games. The ambience is magnificent the rooms are just beautiful the underwater maze is great the puzzles are fine and the textures are really good. All things fit together." - Henk (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This level is very well made. The texturing lighting and the structure of all the rooms is superb. The builder has used all of the objects in the wad very wisely and the level is quite fun and enjoyable to play the enemies were well placed and made me jump in some places! Well done!" - John (21-Jun-2002) |
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"I just can't figure out why the level is called 'The Lost Oasis' because Lara never gets outside. At first the level starts a bit boring. But as it goes on it gets better and better. The game is more or less straightforward. One has to look very closely to discover everything in the underwater tunnel. The rooms are well made and some are really beautiful. The goal is to collect four black beetles to get a mechanical one as a reward. Plenty of skeletons and Egyptian guards also golden birds and the little life consuming beetles. There is enough of ammunition to cope with them. The objects are there where you need them. I found one secret. I think it is a well-made level with not an extraordinary degree of difficulty. After the slow start I really enjoyed playing the game." - Monika (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This is a very nice Cleopal-Level. You don't find so many health-packs and ammunition. There are some skeletons and you don't find the grenade-gun. I had found the explosive-crossbow later. The textures and the atmosphere are great but the puzzles are not so hard. I have played 55 minutes for this game and I had a lot of fun. A nice work for a first level. I hope there is more work coming from this author." - Andi Croft (21-Jun-2002) |
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"Cleopatra a gogo. I know what you're thinking and you are right. Not much innovation to be found in this ancient walls and yet I quite like this little quest. It is your standard Cleo adventure (I never cared much for the original) but the reproduction here is well done and no task is tiresome enough for you to lose interest. You get a bit of everything some jumps swims climbs and crawls; here you have to shimmy and there you have to monkeyswing; fight the familiar foes as you go along and don't be dissapointed when the only reward for all your efforts is a broken beetle. I reckon this is the perfect diversion if you are stuck in some other level; just make sure you have that winding key before you slide down the big slope." - Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002) |
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