Level reviews

"Once more Young Lara is visiting Angkor in the company of Werner von Croy. This time she soon reaches a point where she's left with no other choice than to drop into a hole, whereupon she finds herself in an altogether different world (this is the extent to which the level resembles Alice in Wonderland). The Angkor part is brief and perfunctorily designed; the bulk of the level takes place inside a - Big Chamber' (in-game title, and a bit of an understatement), which is wallpapered with bright, jolly, primary-coloured imagery of the kind commonly used to distract toddlers with (despite Young Lara being, as we all know, 16 years of age), although there are recurring intrusions from Angkor. This room, and the equally gigantic structures in it (a chair and a desk with a laptop) which Lara has to navigate, dwarf her - really, microbify her - in the same way that they do in GokuZ's later Toy Story (Demo), although the level under discussion here acquits itself better when it comes to gameplay. That's not to say that the gameplay is any good, necessarily.
The level's centrepiece is clearly the keyboard puzzle. It's okay. However, I was far more impressed when the screensaver on the laptop monitor switched from penguins to what looked like a refracted image of an Angkor interior, which later revealed itself to be not a 2-D image, but a 3-D series of ramps that Lara can actually run up. Stroke of genius, I'm tempted say. Alas, the rest of the gameplay consists entirely of uninteresting or outright annoying tasks, a whole lot of built-in backtracking, and even forced repetition of lengthy segments. This includes a ropeswing towards a frustratingly glitchy crawlspace, which you have to do twice, and the interminable monkeyswing all across the - Big Chamber' and back again - surely this, if nothing else, is beyond the pale. There's also almost no camera guidance, causing even more useless backtracking.
The builder gets one thing right about Alice, and that is that Wonderland, whatever else it is besides, is also a dangerous, at times disturbing place, so the presence of enemies (the mummies have one good scene, in which a bunch of them gang up on Lara in a cramped room, attempting to prevent her from operating a lever) or the spikes that suddenly pop up after a series of slopes aren't incongruous; they are, however, at odds with the cloyingly cosy onsie-bearsuit-bedtime-story fantasy that the texturing overwhelms you with, and the fact that the dangerous bits are all intrusions from Angkor smells like a cop-out.
In sum, I can see what the builder was going for but I don't think it works. It is essentially, as Treeble aptly put it, - Lara in a huge box'. - Oh, and in case you were wondering: Why is the solution of the keyboard puzzle the word - whale'? Sure, we've seen imagery of happy little whales earlier in the level, but we've also seen happy little tulips. It is an act of self-indulgent defiance by a Japanese builder whose site (now defunct) was named whaleeaters.org." - Mulf

"Despite being a young Lara style and an almost easy level to catch up, I've got some mixed feelings about this release. At first, I realized one of our builders back in that day managed to work with the messed-up AI of TR4 which served as a stepping stone towards using more AI stuff. Things changed, however, and it turned out that the level consists of weird-looking cubic rooms, out-of-nowhere textures, and blatant lighting. I assume the builder could use the power of Von Croy (!) to attract the attention of us, reviewers, towards a better point. Unfortunately, this didn't happen. Thank you!" - Mehrbod

"This starts out as a Cambodia themed level. Werner is useless at the start and he takes forever to kill the animals around, However, as soon as you fall into a hole you end up in Wonderland, and tbh I loved the look of this one and a keyboard puzzle. Overall this is a great design and I would recommend it." - JoeTheCrazyGamer

"This must have taken players by storm back when it was released in 2001. Even something as minor as colourful texturing must have been a treat and a welcome respite from Egypt. Having said that, although the textures made a nice change, they are wallpapered in almost every room and courtyard, giving a colourful but rather bland and sparse look to the level. Apart from a neat little keyboard puzzle, progression is very simple and linear, with some extremely long monkeyswings, a slightly annoying maze, avoiding some mummies, crocs and boars (Young Lara after all) and pushing a few levers. Not too bad, but the long winded nature of the gameplay does outstay its welcome a bit." - Ryan

"A level with a young Lara that first starts in a Cambodia environment and Von Croy to lead you through the little maze at the beginning. In the first section boars and crocodiles attack Lara, and Von Croy only stood there; at that moment I thought What did you come for if you're not going to save me? xD Then Lara falls into a well, supposedly the hole where the rabbit escapes and Lara arrives to 'Wonderland', a huge place with cute textures all over the place. I didn't like the long ladders, monkeyswings and the maze. It was a kinda funny level. I found 4 secret skulls." - alan

"This starts off as a typical young Lara at Angkor Wat level, but soon evolves into something quite different. This must really have seemed innovative on first release, with its bright custom textures and slightly dreamlike quality. Apart from a clever puzzle involving a giant keyboard, the gameplay is quite simple, involving a lot of monkey swinging and general avoidance of mummies, plus picking up ridiculous amounts of totally unnecessary medipacks. Given the kiddie friendly nature of the graphics, this could be a suitable level for young players, although the rather tortuous maze might put them off a bit, even if it is wallpapered with charming panda figures." - Jay

"To be honest this is one of that levels I was whishing to finish after 15 minutes of net gameplay. There is a big effort creating new and colourful textures, fruits, animals, flowers... but all applied always in a repetitive way covering huge floors, walls and ceilings with the same texture tile. There was an interesting pad puzzle in the giant keyboard, but the remaining tasks were tedious and bored: the kilometric monkeyswings, the nasty pandas maze... Also you can avoid a part of the gameplay if you're lucky and don't look for the secrets (you won't need them); and there are some flipmaps where you'll see things appearing/disappearing in front of you. Not a level to replay." - Jose

"What to say about this level? Well, I liked the way the level was designed with all those surrealist environment as I thought Lara was in some kind of dream. Gameplay is rather challenging, you have to think a lot rather than to explore. Enemies coming from thin air thing that I hate, this time didn't bother me as everything can happen in this kind of "dream". Atmosphere, lighting and cameras were very good." - Gonxii

"Everything So nicely brightly coloured here. Actually, this is Young Lara-Level. Indeed, he could also go through as a Joke level. It begins, in any case, with the fact which Lara and von Croy stand before a big rolling gate in Angkor Wat. First it goes quickly outward in a big inner courtyard. From here Lara must continue alone. First the surroundings does not change, but this changes fast. Quite differently. Since suddenly Lara is in a gigantic room. The walls are decorated completely with flowers, in the middle of this room is a building in which one sees whale textures. And tomatoes. And even more flowers. And fishes as climbing textures. In next rooms one sees in a labyrinth pandas everywhere. In another room fierce Pac Man visions. Another room is provided with stars. One cannot accuse the level builder, that he would have no ideas. The only what has disturbed me in this level were the crocodiles, mummies and wild boars. Now it was not in such a way which they irritated Lara constantly. Though these were always only short moments, but, nevertheless, such a thing fits not necessarily in a Young Lara level. Nevertheless, apart from that it has given a lot of pleasure. Result: If you look for a level, which is something beside the track, than you are exactly right" - Scottie

"While the beginning looks fun, set in Cambodia, soon after you go down the well things get very weird, and sorry to say, boring. You're young Lara in a huge box and you have to work your way around through tedious climbs and monkey swings and some switches to push along the way. After thirty minutes, I was glad I was back on surface again and rushed for the end. I didn't like the textures either, maybe because they were either stretched or had that wallpaper look we all hate. You wanna see how deep the rabbit hole goes? Look up for the book, maybe the movie or even go and watch the Matrix, your time will be better spent that way. 30 minutes, 4 secrets. 01/07" - Treeble

"I seem to persistently play these 'crazy' levels despite the fact that I've never really liked the concept of sending Lara 'out there' into the realm of dreams. This one has done little to change my opinions but it IS very well planned out with a cunning gameplay which has you criss-crossing a monstrous room at different heights each time. The way for progression was frequently confusing (and the typewriter puzzle although cute was far too obscure) but I enjoyed the over-all daffyness of the excercise; and it's important to remember that the age of this adventure means that it prefigures all those levels of a similar nature which have followed. Nagae has a lot to answer for!" - Orbit Dream

"I played this level (10/04) more than three years after its release yet I found it quite enjoyable. Since we're dealing with a Young Lara there are no weapons or flares but they aren't really needed. The central room which gives the level its subtitle (Big Chamber) is rather cartoonish but it's no waltz through Romper Room. The gameplay is challenging but fair and with fellow raider Stephen's help I located five secrets. (Rumor has it that there may be six so anyone who knows the location of an additional secret is cordially invited to post the information in the walkthrough thread.) I've been conditioned over the years to dread any of the so-called 'Japanese levels' but I can recommend this one without reservation. It's better than its rating score would make one think." - Phil

"Wow - this is an old game but the author did the impossible - made a young Lara game that I liked! Very colorful and lots of fun. Some puzzles lots of jumping and avoiding spike traps along the way. But everything progressed at just the right pace for me. Only one room in which there was a crawl space that I couldn't access - not sure where that went. Very inventive and smartly done. Knew I had to play when I heard Tux was in there. If you like unusual and colorful levels play this one! I'd play this again." - Lady Lara

"Young Lara accompanied by Von Croy arrives in an unpleasant area full of mummies and crocodiles. She escapes to a colourful childlike wonderland whose textures aren't anywhere near to what you have seen in other levels. Strange yet original idea. An additional challenge is that Lara is unarmed so she has to run for her life several times most situations are more jump-orientated though. Probably most players prefer to play with a grown-up Lara. But sometimes you need a change and this is really different indeed. A matter of taste - I liked it." - Rüdiger

"You are young Lara there's Von Croy so naturally you start to follow him in this sort-of Angkor setting out into a very big courtyard. You can run straight to the rope over the well and go down or stick around a bit and watch Von Croy killing the warthogs but unfortunately he doesn't kill the mummys or the crocodile. Funnily enough they're not bothered about him either - bad meat I suppose! So this is what I thought the level was about until I slid into an enormous indoor room with extraordinary textures and structures all panda bears strawberries dolphins and daisys like a child's playroom. But it's not an easy task to get about with enemies that get in your way like crocodiles that float down from above! There's a nice little computer puzzle. Just like Alice in Wonderland you get the feeling that Lara is dreaming with Von Croy and enemies she has met in her many adventures and dangerous traps interfering with her childhood memories. Looking at the age of the level this is like a forerunner of certain types of levels that go from reality into the surreal so it must have been very unique at the time." - CC

"I am guessing this was created for kinds since the textures in most of the level have animals on like pandas penguins and others. The Angkor Wat was used and although hat first looks like a normal level suddenly Lara leaves Von Cory and some crocodiles behind her and enters a totally different world. Obviously with young Lara there are no puzzles just levers to push and a lot of climbing and monkey swinging. Mummies and crocodiles plus wild boars followed her to that strange world making her run all the time. A different level for sure mostly for children." - Kristina

"This was like a big amusement park or obstacle course for Lara to play on. But it wasn't all fun. Lots of tricky jumps spikes and hidden surprises. If you jump on this beam a crocodile drops from the air in front of you go that way and you are beset by wild pigs trying to knock you off the ledge. I was in such a hurry to get away from the mummies (having no weapons) that I dropped down into the huge panda bear maze without using the lever first so had to reload and do it again. Not a great level but it was fun and tested Lara's skills very nicely but I wouldn't make a habit of playing this type of level." - Momster

"A very original level not a favourite of mine but definitely very original and a good young Lara adventure. I can't remember every detail cause I always forget to write a review for this level and now I think about 3 or 4 months have passed and I'm not sure if I still have the level. But anyway - not a bad level and worth a try if you have an hour free." - eTux

"Suddenly as if stepping through the looking glass young Lara finds herself in a magically cartoonish world where things do not always follow the rules of the real world. With strangely placed enemies a huge keyboard and screen that makes you feel two inches tall interesting gameplay and five beautiful golden skull secrets this was a fun 50 minute level that has to be seen to be believed." - Sash

"A well earned 9 rating for the absolutely weird texture set which really lets you feel like Alice (Lara) in Wonderland. These huge penguins and the keyboard are just hilarious. Apart from that the gameplay is not overly complex and sometimes the enemies appear out of nowhere in all the wrong places (well ok this is Wonderland after all)." - Michael

"A very original and funnier level. A kind of mix between 'Alice in Wonderland' and the Mummies crocodiles wild boars. I have enjoyed especially the Wonderland part more than the 'Angkor' part. The use of the textures in the 'real' part of the level is too much uniform and its funny to see Von Croy walking in the bottom of a pool. Other point that I have enjoyed is the Computer puzzle there are visual and acoustic clues. In few words: Funny and original." - Josep

"I enjoyed Nagae Takanori's 'Garden of the Twin Arch Bridge' so much I couldn't wait to play this level. Completely different setting with one similarity: it looked deceptively simple at the beginning. Then I got killed on that first set of spikes and realized I'd better watch my back. This is a crazy environment and I was never sure what was going to happen next. It was a lot of fun though certainly a unique level. Not a lot of pick-ups in this game or a lot of baddies but they were easy to out run. What I remember most is the bizarre environment and the bright fun colors. One puzzle consists of what looks to be a giant laptop computer with a picture of the linux penguins on the screen. There's a maze filled with faces of giant pandas and a huge room filled with red blocks in which I was wondering just what I was supposed to be doing (as far as I can tell there's only a few pick-ups in there). Overall a bright fun level to play with a few surprises." - Raider Girl

"The light and textures are not from the world of Lara. It is great to see what one can do with some imagination. This is certainly a weird level. Apart from all the bright colours I did wonder at the enemies and their purpose as they hardly harmed little Lara but then she has no weapons so.... It was very funny to see uncle Werner (what looked like) having a conversation with a skeleton. I played this on a Mac and sadly there was no sound. Still don't know why it sometimes happens. On the PC the sound was fine." - Gerty

"Lara goes Pop Art. This features our teenage heroine in a surreal and colourful setting that would suggest it was designed for kids but actually it's not that easy. Some medi packs are better left alone but you won't need them anyway. Basically it's one big room you have to climb swing slide jump shimmy your way through and that is nicely constructed. It is very unreal and intentionally so yet you are engrossed to some degree and once you moved away the big stonewall that barred the access to the final slope you feel as if you had accomplished a proper mission. You have to give the author credit for coming up with something new and creating a level without any battles that is quite exiting. The secrets although fairly obvious add a nice touch you have to master the giant computer puzzle and bumping into van Croy in that room with all the fires really freaked me out. So just to experience something different you should take a trip to Wonderland and don't worry you won't bump into the wicked witch. Raised marks for being different." - Dimpfelmoser