Level reviews

"This was a great four-level adventure featuring surrealistic environments and lots of action. Gameplay is mostly linear involving plenty of engaging timed runs and traps, none of which are too difficult for an average player. I was also impressed by how inventive and fun the puzzles are, especially considering the limitations of the TR1 engine. Combat is quite fierce sometimes when you are fighting against several Atlantean mutants at once, but luckily, the game provides you loads of ammo and medipacks. There are few instances of backtracking that felt unnecessary, but ultimately, none of this detracted much from my overall experience. Environments look great with skillfully used textures and light effects, although the majority of the areas are perfectly symmetrical, which can make the room layout somewhat repetitive. Altogether, playing this level set was a blast, and I recommend it for all players." - Samu

"This four-level set starts as an Atlantean theme, but gradually breaks down into even more surreal and alien themes that cover a variety of textures. The lighting and texturing makes great use of the Tomb Raider 1 engine, as expected of this author, and plenty of modified objects support the theme, creating some original looking enemy types. Organic surreal geometry and good use of open voids also work with the nature of the set.
You start off with no weapon, and this is used for some initial tension with the various frozen Atlantean enemies, but you eventually get plenty of supplies. You don't actually have Pistols for a decent portion of the set, but there's more than enough other ammo to make up for that, as well as a lot of Medikits, which makes up for a few pretty brutal combat scenarios where you can get swarmed. While there's occasional intense combat, most of the set is exploration, along with some original puzzles that make creative use of various objects and traps, as well as some situations that require avoiding combat with enemies rather than fighting them. Various messages are used to communicate the story and provide hints for less obvious puzzles, and, despite the surrealism, it's mostly clear what you have to do. While you can cheese them a little, the only issue I had is a couple of fights that seemed unfair in a way that seemed there to guzzle Medikits, even if you get so many that it's not a major problem. This kind of abstract horror theme has become a mainstay of pre-TR4 releases at this point, and this is another great execution of it amoung the other excellent releases in this style." - Mman

"A really well made horror TR1 horror level with some pretty nice tasks. Gameplay wise the only things I would mention negatively is that sometimes there's a bit too much of backtracking, specially during the first two levels and (probably) during the last level too if you miss one of the keys, other than that I don't have any complaints. The puzzles are well made and they are really creative, would remark those in the second level. Obviously the strongest point of this level is the atmosphere which is flawless from beginning to end, its really unique and it conveys the horror properly. The sound usage improves the atmosphere greatly too. As for texturing its pretty good too, my only complaint here is that some switches in the first level blend too much with the textures but that's pretty much it. Custom textures are really nice and this is one of the few instances where I see that blue saturated water actually works. Overall a really good level that benefits from its engine in many ways, recommended for horror and TR1 fans." - Neltharion

"Now I know. A horror with proper suspense. Nicely written, cinematic and more forgiving than it declares. Not even bad to start your horror class adventure with it, but better around the first five. I'd reduce symmetry, shorten the prologue and give water visuals more contrast as those things induce fatigue." - DJ Full

"Really a very good work from this builder, the architecture is not very good but I enjoyed the ingenious puzzles and the tasks are not very hard, even the timed runs are not too tight. I found plenty of pickups, the secrets are not too hidden, the enemies are well balanced and the cameras will usually help you, as the notes too. Perhaps I missed some more musics here and there, and the texturization is a bit monotonous in big surfaces, but altogether is a solid creation worth to play. Recommended." - Jose

"What a delightful piece of spookiness this was, and carried off really well too. I'm not normally hugely fond of TR1 levels, but I must say the past few I've played have been of encouraging high-quality, including this one. The atmosphere manages to be brilliantly unsettling and in the case of the floating islands sections, strangely beautiful. There's some interesting usage of re-coloured textures and spooky lighting (if a bit too dark in places) that add to the setting. Having Lara start off weaponless is an interesting premise, but the enemies aren't too difficult to evade and soon enough Lara comes across some high-powered weaponry to take down this entire army. Gameplay also has a few interesting twists and turns including some neat timed sequences, some rather unique boulder traps and a cool sequence where you have to "keep on running" (but I'll let you find that out for yourself. My only gripe is that a couple of the dark corridors were too long, and there was a bit much climbing up and down blocks for my liking. But it all ends in a tense boss sequence that gives a whole new meaning to the term, which is certainly an exhilarating ending. Definitely worth a look." - Ryan

"A great, great custom, creative, scary. One of the best levels I've ever played with the limitations of TR1, the puzzles are interesting and really make you think (that's what I like) and the gameplay keeps you engaged in a balance of exploration, combat, puzzles and platforming. the editing of the textures was very good,and the flipmap tricks enhanced the gameplay making it something unique,the idea of the diary being a flipmap room like i saw in blackwolf's custom i always thought was clever. i enjoyed my time here and i'm sure many others will enjoy it. highly recommended to all...."" - PedroCroft_

"Truly a fun and unique experience. Lara finds herself in a liminal realm that feels in turns uncanny, grotesque, and awe-inspiring with saturated colors and sharply angled architecture. The navigation alone stretches the physics of Tomb Raider to its limits and creates memorable topsy-turvy jumps and falls that send Lara into further depths of this netherworld. The eerie soundtrack, featuring a mix of horror games and some sped up/altered Tomb Raider classics, enhances the spooky atmosphere. With Lara's bloodred tank top and the intensity of blue flames and shocking red water and stone, all you would need is a single screenshot and this level would be instantly identifiable. Beyond atmosphere, the level's greatest gameplay strength is in its puzzles: these involve real logic and planning ahead, as some of the helpful notes scattered throughout the levels will remind you. One boulder room that involved infinite boulder spawns was especially fun since it required both timing and traversal skill. Warnings for timed runs were also helpful, although there were more timed runs than I like. Some of the weaker gameplay elements present in Tomb Raider 1 are found here too, like the recurrent encounters with Atlantean Pierre that felt tedious rather than fun. Similarly, one puzzle involved pixel-perfect landings and necessitated the walk-to-running-jump move for me to complete. One suggestion I have for the future would be to reduce the number of slopes and low ceilings in places where they are not necessary or to be expected, I would have liked more predictable maneuvering so I could focus on the more interesting task of completing the clever physical and mental challenges. There are four levels to complete to return from the "Unknown," and I found myself enjoying each level more as the game went on and I learned more about how to expect the unexpected. Some of the sequences, like the look of the level itself, are instantly iconic (especially one sprint through darkness with enemies literally dropping behind you). Some of the new enemies were gross (flesh bats!) while others looked full-on H.R. Giger (I would have loved to see more of those "raptors" and "gorillas"!), and I looked forward to seeing what new horrible creations would come to attack Lara out of the shadows. This all culminated in some satisfying action in level 4! I thought perhaps a certain event from earlier would be revealed to have been merely a dream, but... I guess Lara decided to go beyond the freezer solution and solve one household problem permanently. A highly recommended journey into the surreal! 1/3 secrets found, ~3 hours to complete on first playthrough." - Cbl

"A very entertaining level. The best aspects are its clever puzzles and the atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed the puzzles in the second level. There’s a good dose of traps and timed runs with generous time limits, although the platforming sections are less inspired. There’s an ample supply of ammunition to face enemies, and as usual, the action is concentrated towards the end of the game. The atmosphere is mysterious and at times unsettling, but it’s suitable for everyone, even for the more squeamish. While the final scenarios are more oppressive, the sense of vulnerability is greater in the first two levels due to the lack of weapons, a wise choice by the author. In summary, a highly recommendable level that meets the expectations of all who enjoy works made with the TR1 engine. Both the duration and difficulty of the game are moderate." - requiemsoul

"I'll be brutally honest- this has been one of the most unique, polished, enjoyable and full of life projects I've played in my life due to how it injects the personality of the builder, crafts its horror world and refuses to abide by the general TRLE standards. Without needing to draw out my review I consider it to stand out humongous due to its presentation and art style. [][][][][] Firstly, the story and graphics can be both put into its own group- they are fantastic and stand high amongst the best in uniqueness and draw factor- simple but extremely effective for how the horror gameplay works. It's not outright unfair but the difficulty cements the horror and the hopeless nature of where you are. While I wish it was harder, the addition of save crystals make it so much more tense to make any of the needed jumps across the caves, voids and such present in this level set. I do not want to spoiler anything, but you'll genuinely enjoy the varied gameplay here. [][][][][] The atmosphere, lighting and audio are superior to many, and I mean MANY TRLE levels as it's impossible to not compare it to the high-quality TRLE's released, even despite the colourless lighting. Its ability to use the resources in TR1 to create an oppressive atmosphere cannot be denied, I myself found it to be perfect and I wouldn't change any of it. The only issue I've got with the audio is the usage of minecraft cave sounds and the sensation that TR1 tracks don't quite fit here. Otherwise, it's all truly perfect. [][][] [][] I could go on and tell you how good this level is. But it's useless, without a point, as to see the truth of this level you need to go inside of it yourself, experience what it has to offer on the Halloween night and immerse yourself. It shows determination and resilience throughout the suffering that comes with how the engines work, working against the limits that don't budge in the engine, such as the dreaded pushables. Really, you should just play it and stop listening to me yap. Right now." - OblivionJaw

"Mahetus has created a truly excellent and unique work that is very atmospheric and consists great gameplay ideas. There are 4 levels and each of them is eerier than the previous one. The choice of ambients and soundtracks is very fine and makes the game really unsettling. The gameplay has pretty much everything you want in a high quality game. Lots of interesting puzzles, plenty of traps and platforming sequences, intense combat, scary moments and some awesome flipmap work too. I only wish the two last levels were a bit longer because they are really unique. The design is top-notch and every area is properly taken care of. I loved the violet tones of the third level. Overall, this level is in the elite of the best TR1 custom levels. Very unique and highly enjoyable. Definitely recommended." - BlackWolfTR