Reviewer's comments |
"A short raid through a TR4 Library setting with a pretty good atmosphere. The lighting is nice, but the texturing needs a bit of help. Not only is it very wallpapered, but it is often the same texture used on all the walls, making all the rooms blend together. As for things to do, you have quite a few obstacles to avoid including a boulder, chains, some horsemen and a templar as you collect four golden stars. The rest of the gameplay is pretty lean and is mainly backtracking back and forth between different areas, especially if you miss one of the switches. Some of the switches are lacking camera cues. While it's not a very subsantial adventure, it's a pretty good start. Making the rooms more distinctive and removing the backtracking would go a long way. 30 minutes." - JesseG (08-Nov-2020) |
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"This pleasant little library level
provides almost everything you'd expect
from this format: lots of horsemen,
swinging chains, pushable globes, swimming
and raising blocks, so if you're fond of
these types of levels then you'll enjoy
yourself, as I mostly did. I definitely
think that the backtracking could have
been reduced a bit as more than once I was
thinking 'here we go back again'.
Environments are well put together
(although the lighting was a bit green for
my taste) and the Desert Eagle is enough
to dispose of the few horsemen you'll
encounter. If you can withstand the
slightly padded out gameplay, then it's
worth a go." - Ryan (28-Apr-2018) |
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"I honestly don't remember a tinman dropping the crowbar before. Could it be unique to this level? This is a solidly built library setting, complete with the usual enemies, and isn't at all bad in terms of gameplay. It would have been so much more enjoyable however without the ridiculous amount of backtracking. Still worth playing though, especially if you like the library settings, which I confess I do." - Jay (25-Jan-2018) |
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"This was a rather pleasant raid, in comparison to my two previous adventures. A standard, yet simplified, Library level which sets you on a quest for four Golden Stars. I could have used a few more camera clues, but ultimately it's a very linear level so as you make your way through the rooms you'll easily spot the newly opened pathways. Simple and straightforward, it's an enjoyable level. 25 minutes. 12/2017" - Treeble (04-Dec-2017) |
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"This is a pleasant enough library level that lasts about 35 minutes, although there's too much long distance backtracking for my taste. Your first objective is to obtain the crowbar from a tinman, an essential tool for acquiring the four golden stars that allow you to complete the level. The stars must double as secrets, as Yoav didn't document any secrets in his walkthrough. Other than the tinmen and an immortal knight, the only enemies I recall were some crocodiles. You certainly get more weaponry and ammunition than you need. A music scroll serves no discernible purpose. There's plenty of light, but no real puzzles to speak of. Playable but easily forgettable." - Phil (30-Sep-2016) |
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"A classic library level with no special features. Get four stars in different locations, the author forces you to run very long distances to do some tasks, and backtrack several times to the same places. I can't understand the reason for the grenade gun and the shotgun pickups, completely unuseful. Well placed enemies, the environments have a good appearance, but the rooms are often poor ornated. Sometimes there are cameras to show where to go but another times you can get very disoriented (ex: when you pull the last switch you can't figure out where to go to get the last star). Not a bad level but also not interesting, with a simple and obvious globe puzzle." - Jose (17-Jun-2016) |
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"I quite enjoyed this level. I was stuck for while until I found the crowbar and then I was on my way towards completing it. The design of the rooms were basic but that didn't stop the enjoyment of the level. I liked the puzzles but a few improvments could have been made. i.e. instead of 4 doors at the end, the use of the advanced skill of using one trigger would have sufficed. But not to worry. This level was realeased in the very early stages of tr level designing and this was a great game. Looking forward to more." - Necro (19-Jan-2008) |
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"A library level with the usual elements in it. That means you will have to open and search behind a lot of blue doors get gems and stars kill horsemen and some crocodiles well the last ones I think were a bit out of place. It's an easy level and if you just looks around there will be no problem collecting the desired items and finish the level after thirty five or so minutes. One of the classic levels out there." - Kristina (04-Jul-2003) |
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"With a little imagination you can't really go too far wrong with a library level scrolls gem-chested knights giant turning wheels (or cogs!) moveable globe puzzles double blue doors to push swinging chains balconies - you know what I mean. This is a very well put together level with all these things. Cleverly hidden stars you need 4 to finish. At one point you are in a large 'cathedral' style room which I presume is the 'dome'. You have doors to go through at ground level and high above access over beams and corridors around the sides. In one of the rooms on the ground level you get a blue gem and a dead knight. For the first time ever I noticed the sparks that fly from the knight's sword as he drags it along the hard floor - I was fascinated. In one of the rooms with water you see two crocodiles swimming above you through a grid there appeared to be nothing to do up there?! Perhaps I'm wrong. The last star took a while for me to find through the previously concealed door in the darker library room a bit of backtracking goes on in this level. I nearly missed the ball you have to shoot on the slope before the chain swinging maze. I liked this level and would recommend the download. It's not too difficult and I did it in just under an hour." - CC (07-Apr-2003) |
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"Once I had engaged my brain and discovered that both small doors in the starting area were openable I had an enjoyable time. This was initially deceptive because I was convinced one of the tinmen had dropped a vital diamond somewhere and I was unable to find it. From that moment on the level developed into an enjoyable and quite well crafted variation on the Library Level. The old Crusader was a complete waste of time as he can't possibly harm you but he lent a certain air of ancient discovery to the place. The collonade pool room was rather elegant with a decent set of jumping maneuvers to negotiate the upper gallery and the decor overall was rather pleasing. Gameplay was all about searching out the four stars and it was quite well paced with none of the stars too difficult to find. The lighting could have been improved a little as it was rather flat at times but overall this was a pleasing and quite polished (if modest) effort." - Orbit Dream (02-Oct-2002) |
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"Short to medium level. Lots of running around from one area to another to get through gates opened from elsewhere. Main enemies seem to be chocolate soldiers who may or may not be carrying something vital." - Fairy Godfather (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This level is basically green. This is not to say that lighting is not among the strong points of this level; on the contrary. The atmosphere though fails in my opinion to get round to actually being gloomy. One thing which instantly ruins any effect that may have been intended is certainly the web address of the French site hosting this level displayed prominently in the centre of the room where you start; in addition to the modified legend and uklogo.pak both of which convey the same information (so no need to bother with the latter). Why do authors comply to such modes of advertising which are not only cheap; it's like having five pop-up windows at the same time all yelling: 'Get it here!'; but also manifestly disrespectful of the authors' achievements (not to mention the players)? Even worse the room where you start is also the room connecting the different sections of the level so you will revisit this momentous writing on the wall several times. But enough of that I think I've made my point. Now for something completely different: The level is basically green and it is not a dome by any standards whatsoever. Who is responsible for the English title anyway? A misplaced crusader doesn't make the 'dome' look any more gothic. The original 'caveaux' would I believe translate as 'The Vault(s)'; slightly more appropriate as there are some arched structures in the largest of the rooms although the sepulchral connotations of both the French and English words would be misleading; the level is it has been stated before a library clone. That said one needs to account for the fact that the level comes with a custom wad. What wad? Well: the library wad; unaltered but for an added undead crusader (superfluous) and the Desert Eagle which replaces the revolver (equally superfluous). Oh and crocodiles? Well in a narrow underwater passage you might get effectively chewed up by crocodiles if you turn left instead of going straight ahead but otherwise as is the case with the rest of your enemies Lara never quite enters the list of endangered species. (Aren't those tin men slightly...funny? Particularly the noises they make? "Uh-uh-uh"...) Vital things (jump switch puzzle holes) lie sometimes hidden in shadows but neither unfairly nor blatantly so. Textures are generally well applied albeit without too much variety; there is also the usual error of stretched textures above doors in high rooms. Nothing much has been made of either sound or cameras. The 'dome' certainly has a potential for spectacularity but you have to find for yourself a good angle to view it from. Are there any secrets? None that I know of...although one would expect that gate in the shadowy nook where you start to open some time; but then it doesn't really look like there's something behind it. Gameplay is basically linear but you'll have to run to and fro a lot especially when you happen to start at the wrong 'pushpull door'; for a while I was convinced that one of the tin men had left behind the second gem and that it had landed at an irretrievably awkward spot inside an object or so. Such objects as the library wad provides have generally been put to good use although there is perhaps a certain overabundance of lamps; and there is definitely an overabundance of pickup items (some flares would have done the trick); the scrap of paper with mystical dribble about feeding satisfied snakes in particular bears no relation whatsoever to this level. With regard to the amount of artillery you collect the ending is indeed a wee bit anticlimactic: big double doors open; another pair of equally big double doors opens; and behind them is...a room with a hole in the floor. End of level. Bottom line: not at all bad for a first try...if it isn't one I'd presume it was done to pay the bills. The author should refrain from showing off that he has mastered TRWest and concentrate on improving baddy placement devising puzzles and generally strive for a certain level of originality." - Mulf (21-Jun-2002) |
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"There are only a few crocs to shoot and you meet some horsemen (one of them holds the crowbar) and a knight templar but no other enemies. You can find the desert eagle the grenade gun and the crossbow but you don't need them using your pistols is sufficient. You have to find 4 golden stars in order to open the last doors. I think most of the players will find this level too easy and the gameplay too straight but if you have some 30 minutes of spare time give it a try." - Sheevah (21-Jun-2002) |
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"The level consists in the central issue of running. You run trough the rooms which consist mostly of the same texture. Sound is like zero camera trips are also not existing. The opponents are totally simple to defeat and for it one also still receives all weapons but you need only the pistols. I get stuck for a short time but actually the level is very simple." - Xxenofex (21-Jun-2002) |
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"There is nothing special about this one but I enjoyed playing it all the same. It starts really promising and so I felt slightly let down when nothing extraordinary happened. The most difficult jump in this short adventure offers no reward whatsoever and you never have to fight the reptiles that are kept over the pool. Find a few stars shoot a couple of crocodiles avoid the rolling ball rush past the swinging chain and push the odd lever. That's it more or less. The rooms are nicely done but most things look a bit too familiar. No big puzzles or tricky jumps to speak of yet if you don't observe carefully you have to run to and fro a lot." - Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This is a cute level using the library textures that didn't have me scratching my head wondering what my next move would be. There are a few horsemen and a few crocs which could give you a slight challenge but the one templar knight here was just useless I mean as soon as Lara first saw him across the room she sat down painted her nails read Vogue from cover to cover and grabbed a quick nap and still the poor knight had only crossed half the room! There is some nice architecture that you come across as you look for the 4 stars you need to open the end gate but it could have been used in a little more of an interactive way as you get a taste of it jumping across some arches. All up this is 30 minutes of easy fun." - Sash (21-Jun-2002) |
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"Not much to add to the other reviews. A rather standard but solidly built library setting. Uneventful gameplay which lasted 40 minutes for me mainly because the author sends you back and forth from one main area of the level to another. 4 horsemen and 4 crocodiles killed and 2 gems and 4 stars placed and off you go to the next adventure." - Michael (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This 45 minute level will see you often retracing your steps between two main rooms looking for newly opened doors. As it is built on the library wad you will have many horsemen to defeat and whilst some carry essential items most do not so look carefully. The object here is to collect 4 stars and I wasted time looking for the last one as I must have waltzed passed it three or four times before I finally saw it so take care. This is a neat little level with good graphics that is quite fun to play." - Torry (21-Jun-2002) |
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"An easy short level that is nice to look upon. You have to find four stars to open the finishing doors. Meanwhile searching you fight horsemen and crocodiles." - G.Croft (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This level is incredibly beautiful. Not perfect in all aspects (in some room the lighting isn't perfect) but in most of then it's superb. The puzzles are nice and very similar to The Lost Library. But this level didn't looks just as a copy of Core Design's level it has its own aspects (good aspects!). So I think this level deserves your download. It's not a classic but you certainly will have some fun with it for a while." - Leandro (21-Jun-2002) |
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"From the name of the level I wasn't really expecting a library level but it's always nice to see another one. At least it would have been nice if I had been able to see anything. This level was so dark I finally had to use the game editor to get myself more flares and kept one lit almost constantly. The level was well done and interesting but I would have enjoyed it more without the darkness and a little less running back and forth. The puzzles are not difficult but at times it was hard to figure out what a switch had done so I spent a lot of time looking around as I searched for two gems and four golden stars. Like Gerty I jumped over the balcony but even after reading her review never found the ball I was supposed to shoot. This was a good level though that kept me busy for over half an hour." - RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002) |
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"Playing a level with all the lights off is tiring on the eyes but I had to as this level was not dark but gloomy and I wouldn't want it to look any other way. It had me wandering around a lot as I thought that I made an illegal jump over the balustrade and didn't see the ball I had to shoot to open a door. Also looked past the brackets I had to put the stars in not once but many times. I loved the knight dragging his sword over the floor showing little sparks and the eerie sound he made. It was also funny to shoot him. I liked the big brass rings on the wall and also the huge cogwheels. Too much ammo always let me believe there will be a big battle coming up but alas not in this one. You only have to use Lara's trusted guns (my favorite anyway)." - Gerty (21-Jun-2002) |
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"A typical standard library level very easy to play. Enemies are some crocodiles and some horsemen one of them has the crowbar in his luggage :) The most time you are running around also a lot of backtracking is necessary so that the level shall get longer that's boring. A lot of weapons which you don't need and no secrets to find. The atmosphere was not that bad I finished after 39 minutes without needing a medipack. A short and easy level give it a try." - Freeman Porter (21-Jun-2002) |
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