Level reviews

"A bit lackluster of a start to a good series. It just doesn't have enough to make it really stand out from the original Streets of Rome level, while playing I actually forgot it was supposed to be Athens and I thought it literally WAS Rome from TR4. I still enjoyed my time despite it feeling more like a remix of TR5 Rome than it's own unique level, but it doesn't hold up to Tomo's later levels. Worth playing as part of the series or if you're a fan of Tomo." - Lorax

"As I am interested in how builders and their series evolve over time, I chose to play the whole saga before tackling the newest part. This is a decent enough debut level set in Athens which looks pretty much like the TR 5 Rome levels, and also borrows heftily from those in terms of gameplay design as there are no real new ideas presented here else than reimagined classic ones. While rather mediocre overall, this was still playable and the only thing I really disliked was the necessity to set Lara on fire in one room, but this was at least hinted with a medipack. The looks are rather solid with agreeable texturing (though some rather avoidable mistakes are visible) and okay, if slightly flat, lighting. Sounds are often messed up though, but the overall ambience was nice. A few scenes like the usage of the dragons as static objects already hint that the builder was capabale of (much) more. Found three golden roses that did not register as secrets in 15 minutes." - manarch2

"A fun little adventure that takes Lara to Greece in search of a "Stone of Time". I believe this is a series of adventures if I'm not mistaken. The puzzles weren't so complicated and were pretty easy to solve, mainly considering pulling some switches and finding keys to open certain doors. Enemies were decent, although I think they could have added a little bit more of them. The atmosphere (along with sound and cameras) was giving me the vibes of TR Chronicles and I liked that, while the textures and lighting were pretty good also. The duration of this raid was 1 hour (I believe I found all secrets too) and the difficulty was "easy". Whoever wants to spend their little time free to raid, then this is the level for you. A solid 7 in all categories!" - Rad

"This level is essentially a remix of the first Rome level from TRC. Some architecture is the same but there's a good amount of variation. Texture choices are good but there is a bit of stretching going on. Lighting has some good dynamics but doesn't have much coloring or variation between areas. Gameplay is pretty lean and includes some simple pushing sequences, combat against armed goons and dogs, and a few flame traps as Lara climbs around the city. It's not a bad level but it doesn't bring much to the table compared to the original game. 22 minutes." - JesseG

"Gameplay & Puzzles - I enjoyed here but maybe the use of so many switches maybe wasn't the best idea here. But overall I enjoyed the raid. I got a little stuck but not to worry as you can soon find your way eventually. The ending, I thought ended quite abruptly and left me feeling a bit empty. But I did have fun throughout the raid. Enemies, Objects & Secrets - I only found one golden rose, which was pretty easy to find. Enemies pop up randomly at times and they are missing sounds which was disappointing. The object usage is good here. Some collision issues here and there as well. Atmosphere, Sound & Cameras - Atmosphere I liked here because of the relation to TRC Rome but the title says Athens so I'm a little confused. Camera use is okay. No really need for so many camera hint as the level is quite small so it's hard to get lost. Some geometry errors which causes see-through clipping (Not very nice). Lighting & Textures - The lighting I thought was pretty decent here. The texturing however I thought wasn't as good. You can tell there is wallpapering and some textures are squeezed and misplaced. Overall a nice small raid that Tomb Raider Chronicles fan can enjoy." - StudBuddha

"Athens by name, but not really Athens by nature. Looks more like Rome to me. Technicalities aside, I thought this was an entertaining enough if rather simple jaunt lasting just around 20 minutes. The atmosphere and textures are attractive and the sound of bells ringing was a nice touch, despite there being no church in sight. Nothing difficult to achieve, but if you have a spare bit of time you could give this one a go for a bit of scenic raiding." - Ryan

"Not too taxing a raid (thankfully!) and I always enjoy the sound of Church bells. Quite user-friendly for the seasoned Raider. I was sorry to see it end. Good atmosphere and quite easy to bypass the fire-breathing dragons which was the only real challenge here for newbies :)" - High Priestess

"This was a very entertaining, relaxing adventure. Like stated, it is nearly identical to the first level of Chronicles (Streets of Rome) but there are enough differences to count it as a new level, and you will not get bored if you've played it before. The atmosphere is calming, the environment and setting are very realistic, puzzles make sense, for instance levers do not open doors that are on the other side of the map or do not cause magical things to happen, as should be the case in a city level. Recommended. The level is easy and short though, so if you are looking for a challenge you may want to look elsewhere. Looking forward to play the next one in the series already." - Nomad

"Call it Athens all you like, I know 'Streets of Rome' when I see them. Admittedly, the gameplay is hardly on a par with the official Rome levels, but for the just under 30 minutes I spent here I enjoyed myself well enough. The fabulous atmosphere and sound files are always a treat, so if you've been missing Rome and don't have a lot of time to spend, this could be ideal." - Jay

"The level has lot of common to Chronicle's first level by good-way. There are not hard tasks and enemies are balanced. I liked TR5-athmosphere because TR5s first level is one of my favourites. Level is short but you will get a very good half hour with this level." - vienna

"A Romake level where you feel like home, but the effort is subpar to the original in all considerable aspects, with whole geometric structures, large gameplay chunks and even pickup locations copied from the first level of TR5. Anytime I wished for something unexpected, it didn't happen save for the short catwalk part (the one you cannot jump off) and the flaming floor I'm not sure if I passed legally by hopping into the nearby water. Certain usage of transparency is quite remarkable either. SUMMARY: A stroll down the memory lane, could also be wasted time, but the author has a clue..." - DJ Full

"Nice to play this Rome-type level with no hard tasks, secrets easy to find and well balanced enemies. The environment and objects are similar to the TR5 levels; usually the areas have a good look, but there are some bad applied textures in irregular surfaces. Perhaps there are too many switches to pull and I also missed some puzzles, but the level is entertaining anyway." - Jose

"For 20 minutes you get a very enjoyable Rome level using a few key rooms from Chronicles but offering a different progression. The only thing I'm not too fond of gameplay wise are the rats - they did add some action to the pushblock puzzle though. Otherwise it offers lots of variety - pushblocks, platforming, swimming, combat. I found three golden roses but they never registered as secrets so that's kinda weird. Lighting and textures are okay but could've used some more work - it's still has the classic Rome look though. About the atmosphere - it's like playing a TR5 level which in my opinion is not bad at all because I love the game. Sadly it all ends too fast but for that time I definitely had fun and that's all that matters." - misho98

"This level is practically a reimagining of the first Rome level in Chronicles; various parts like the fountain area, the backstage rooms and the temple with the battering ram are here in vaguely similar positioning. The lighting and texturing and object usage is all decent although nothing special (although the final temple entrance looks pretty good), the big blow against it is in the sound; the script files seem to be really broken, resulting in having no music (not even ambience) outside of one part and strange sounds (like doors making breakable sounds).
Gameplay is okay, as with the overall detail there's nothing really special but it all comes together okay. The only strange part is a flame trap you have to take damage from, which seemed completely unnecessary. Apparently the series gets better as it goes on so I guess I'll see." - Mman

"After the exhilerating experience of Last Saga 1, I must admit that I expected something more from the initial segment of the series. It's not a bad little level, but it seems a bit too short (the walkthrough is all of one page, and my playing time was about a half hour). I don't recall anything particularly noteworthy, unless it's that monkeyswing past an array of flameblowing dragon heads near the end, but the lighting is good and the gameplay is challenging enough to offer a nice raid when you have some time to kill." - Phil

"This isn't Athens of course but just a replica of the 'Streets of Rome' from TRC. There are hardly any enemies just a couple of guards and dogs the areas are exactly like the original level with minor changes hardly noticeable. There still two symbols to find and a key but as soon as you open the main garden doors and walk upstairs the level ends. I found two golden roses. If you liked the original then load this up." - Kristina

"A very strong sense of deja vu here - hasn't this been done before? That said it was enjoyable with a few new touches. Very straight forward and beginners should enjoy it very much." - Sherry

"This was a very quiet(possibly due to sound files that I'd not converted)and pleasing little level with a few really good puzzles and interesting choice of enemies. However I ought to draw attention to a couple of observations I made during my little quest. 1) the textures although very well applied in most places were occasionaly distorted. This of course seems like nit-picking but when everything else has been textured so well the dodgy bits seem all the more glaring and (more importantly) 2) several chunks of this level appear to have been 'borrowed' wholesale from 'Rome' of TR:C. I know levels using specific texture sets are bound to bear some resemblance to the originals but not to the point where potential plagiarism sets in. Putting those points aside this is an ingenious and atmospheric little quest and I proceed now to part2. I promise to send a postcard from wherever my travels take me." - Orbit Dream

"Why was this level called Athens when it's obvious right from the start that it's the Rome level from Chronicles or very similar to it. I liked that Rome level and I liked this one too. There are differences like the hydra head flame emitters the invisible platform and some pushing block puzzles. It took me a while to figure out the jump to the red and white awning but apart from that the gameplay is not difficult. You need to find the crowbar and the lasersight to shoot a bell. And the ultimate aim is to find the discs to open the gate to the temple/church/palace whatever it's supposed to be. I found all golden rose secrets not that difficult to find actually. Enemies are the odd thug who shoots at you dogs locusts/bats I'm not sure and very peculiar looking rats that gnaw at your ankles. The reason this level is so easy is because you do exactly what you did before in Rome i.e. the swinging battering ram the tank monkey swinging hopping onto the forklift truck etc. in the warehouse putting your hand through a face tile in the wall pushing the shelf blocks etc. I was going to give a low score for atmosphere textures etc. because they were obvious copies of the original game then I thought hey the guy went to the trouble of building this level so I had to put aside my gripes and give credit where it's due." - CC

"The Rome levels were my favorite from Chronicles so it was great to see some of the same elements again in this level. It's got the training area fountain area with shops swinging battering ram the water tank the dragons heads on the wall and the beautiful building at the end is from Chronicles but unfortunately the level ends just as your running into it. There are two golden disks to collect and three golden rose secrets along the way as well as some switches and doors to find." - RaiderGirl

"Apart from the author pinching a few ideas from Chronicles (and what's wrong with that?) this was a great fun level to play. It was sufficiently different to keep you on your toes and some extras were included that made it stand out above the rest in my opinion. The attack of the rats had never been seen before (eewwuuuu) and the outdoor balcony settings were great. Can just imagine Lara and myself sitting down to tea and muff(ins) LOL. The level was a plethora of bright vibrant colours and well lit for a change. The search for the two golden stars to open the large gate was fun even though they did vaguely resemble the star of David. This was 30 minutes of enjoyment but I wish there had of been more background music present." - Torry

"Although this was a fun level to play I had to give it lower scores in some aspects that I thought I wouldn't but I just couldn't overlook them some of the reasons were because the game play and look of the environment was very reminiscent of the opening roman level in Chronicles so much so that each area in this 40 minutes level was familiar to me and even one or two places were almost if not a mirror image particularly the area with the large water tank. Also there seemed to be a continual loop of threatening music that just got on my last good nerve and I finally had to turn down my speakers. Don't get me wrong though this still was an interesting tight level and I especially liked some of the objects used in it such as the 3 golden rose secrets although they didn't register as such some shootable windows movable shelves and a couple of not as yet seen in these levels guards who have a slower and more dramatic way of dying which I was only too happy to help them with." - Sash

"30 minutes in Athens? - well it seemed more a mixture of a warehouse complex with Rome and Venice settings. I found two of the three secrets (roses again) found the cameras ok and liked the custom movable objects and thought the nibbling rats were a good idea. What annoyed me a bit were the many deja vus when you meet areas which seem so familiar from previous TR games." - Michael

"Incredibly Tomo again got my attention until the last second in another great level! This 30 minutes level is set in a small city with a lot of levers to operate 3 golden roses to be found and many doors to open. This level finish exactly where the Temple Of Time begins. Even if I played this level without any sound (well actually there were very few) I think it surely is great and I can only imagine how great it would become with background sounds. Tomo yet another time put TRC objects into his level and this level is surely a must play for all TRC Streets Of Rome level fans! The level game me deja vu feelings as there were rooms that are identical to Streets Of Rome!" - Treeble

"Rating this level raises some issues. On the one hand the level borrows heavily from the 'Streets of Rome' level of Chronicles (to the point where it is almost a scaled down version of that level). On the other hand I actually enjoyed playing the level and it introduces a number of new objects and puzzle opportunities to the LE world. The design and textures are also quite good. However even though there is no rating for 'originality' I did have to deduct something for this in an otherwise fine and enjoyable level." - Tombaholic

"Everything of this level is almost perfect! New objects new enemies and excellent lighting. The only 'problem' are the textures but not really bad. Anyway worth a download! All that I can say just download it!" - Leandro

"Luckily for me I have a very selective memory so I only vaguely remember the Rome level. Still a nice level to play. Main goal is getting the two stars. Enemies are some guards and they die slow falling on their knees some dogs some locust (looking like bats) and instead of the beetles you get some rats. The medpacks you'll find although very sparsely scattered throughout the level are a dead give away that you will need them shortly so be prepared. Nice flow of the game with some backtracking to do nothing major though. The revolver you need for some practice shooting and that is all you do with it. The only negative remark I have to make is although I made it with the medpack I rather have some spare ones as I'm not that quick with Lara's trigger finger. 16-06-2002" - Gerty

"This short level reminded me very much of the first level in Tomb Raider Chronicles. In fact some places seem to be copied from the original game. That doesn't mean that the level is a remake many places are new. The texturing is good and the lightning too. I ended the level in about 23 minutes and found three secrets (at least that's what I think they were)." - Magnus

"This level is a kind of remake of the TR5 1st Rome level. You will recognize the market place and the little streets around. You start with only three small medipacks in your inventory and that makes playing not too easy as you meet some guards with guns and a couple of dogs while running through the streets. I found the revolver rather late so I had to save Lara's life with her pistols only. But eventually I made it found the two stars and finished the level in 40 minutes. To my opinion it could have been a bit longer." - Sheevah

"Great level only a little too much copied from original TR levels and personally I did not like the TRC Rome levels that much. But he certainly built something nice out of the puzzles." - Silent Viper

"A nice but also a short level. Unfortunately it didn't shine with much originality cause some of the areas were identical to the ones from TRC -Streets of Rome level. The new objects enemies were nice but all of them didn't have the proper sounds so I didn't give the objects a 10. If you want to play this level don't expect too much of it but don't underestimate it either..." - eTux

"Another Quickie. When I opened my eyes to this new world I thought I must have gone off at the wrong stop cause everything looked suspiciously like the place I visited in Rome last year. Well I reckon all those ancient cities are the same aren't they?!. Still I half expected someone to shoot at me from the balcony when I entered the square. This will take you half an hour or so and it's as straightforward as they come. There is nothing particularly bad here but nothing outstandingly good either. What the heck it was fun all the same and you don't have to cover long distances. Please yourself." - Dimpfelmoser