Reviewer's comments |
"I liked this Egypt level. It is very much a transition level, with some cool timed jumps and general labyrinthic map.
It was not spectacular, but the atmosphere and lighting made it work in my view. I'll be back for the continuation!" - MigMarado (02-Nov-2019) |
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"While I enjoyed the opening section to
this series considerably, this one didn't
enthuse me at all. The architecture and
setting is imposing, but the lighting is
far too gloomy throughout and as a result
the gameplay is nowhere near as gripping.
If you played the previous levels first,
then you should have plenty of flares, but
it doesn't make it any more enjoyable.
There were also a few too many mazelike
corridors and crawlspaces, and the scale
puzzles were a bit overdone although they
were nice to see again. The continuous
earthquake near the very end also made me
glad to finish this part. A bit of a
disappointment and I hope that the next
parts are more entertaining. I liked the
way the secrets were hidden, though." - Ryan (07-Jan-2019) |
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"My earlier hopes were completely crushed by this level. Besides the unnecessary darkness, there were so many little things that ruined the experience for me, such as the "one room" approach, where most of the rooms in the first half of the level share the same structure, resulting in what felt like more of the same upon every new corridor (and lots of backtracking trying to find my way didn't help matters), then the mandatory claustrophobic maze for the two waterskins -- it wasn't pitch black, but it was still quite tiresome to the eyes --, and then finally there were about 5 or 6 scale puzzles. I did, however, like the take on the mirror room, which was slightly out of the ordinary, but that was about it. Hopefully, the next two levels will be closer to the first part than this one. 60 minutes, 1 secret. 04/18" - Treeble (09-Apr-2018) |
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"Two things surprise me about this level: the relatively low review count after nine years, and the relatively low scores. This effort is a step upward from the initial release in the series, which ironically is rated higher. Although it's much too dark for my taste, and although I manufactured unlimited flares for myself so I could flick one at will during the many moments where my screen looked about the same as it does when my computer is turned off, it's a fun raid. On the positive side, there are a number of heart-thumping moments as you wind your way through this adventure. I don't recall that many challenging enemies, but the puzzles and traps offer plenty to keep you occupied. The best part is near the end, when you explore an immense temple and work your way up to the top and back down again. Very good stuff, and it's too bad this builder didn't keep at it after releasing the final levels in this series. His entire output spans a scant six months, and the few gems he has given us were way ahead of their time. Recommended." - Phil (19-May-2011) |
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"This time I've found some interesting ideas from this good builder, but the extreme darkness completely ruined the gameplay. After get disoriented more than half an hour in a huge labyrinth where you can see ANYTHING wasting the flares I had from the previous levels to finally find the waterskin and notice that all had changed and I had to look for the exit again in extreme darkness, I decided this is not a level for me and simply it wen into the recycle bin. As George Maciver said: "Where's the fun in looking at a black screen? I can turn my PC off and do that." (what a wise words!)" - Jose (14-Aug-2009) |
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"Lara has managed to find the passage that leads to an area under the temple, but she ignores the hidden dangers that it contains and even the route to follow because what she deemed as a mere legend is actually a reality, and she has no choice but to find the path that would lead (according to the legend) to the bottom of the ocean, where the city has been guarded by a mysterious monster. Even the slightest mention of the monster's name can make the most daredevil individual run away. The 'Forgotten Passage' seems to be a sanctuary for an Egyptian goddess that presents its hand to the right side (Isis?), and the main goal is to obtain the Amulet of Horus. I was quite surprised to see that this Egyptian temple is under a church (cf the church from 'The Caves'). The variety of gameplay and the fluid flybys have fascinated me. I have enjoyed the scales puzzles, ths sliding slopes at the beginning of the level, the timed jumps with the flames and the spikes and the mirror puzzle. Concerning the last scales puzzle, there was a hint that was written on the wall. I have noticed that by picking up the small waterskin on the pedestal, a flipmap would be triggered and completely reverse the maze. Enemies consist of crocodiles, giant scorpions and bats, and I have managed to obtain two secrets. However, the earthquake at the end of the level was a little bit peculiar because the earthquake didn't stop. I can't wait to try the next part of this adventure." - Sakusha (21-Aug-2005) |
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"The big menace in the Cave were the army of SAS. In this Egyptian level it's spikes blades giant scorpions crocodiles long climbs and swims but a bit more in the line of puzzles. Lara has another dramatic entrance into this level with a terrific slide down. Backflip to grab as you go down to get the secret. And you come to a magnificent huge tall room. In front of you are very tall columns with a transparent ledge atop each so this is the route hopping from ledge to ledge and a rope swing over to three green tall entrances that look like the interior chambers of pyramids. This is where I was totally confused the first time I played it months ago. I was looking for the small waterskin. As per usual I ran past an obvious crawlspace (one of many in here) and didn't see it. Now I found it and found the crazy labyrinth which was difficult enough but when you pick up the small waterskin there's an earthquake and the labyrinth completely changes. Oh boy! After another lot of hassle is a clever mirror room. You go through one glass panel a rat shows the way but I noticed this time that there's also little flickering lights around the walkthrough panel. Another long climb and swim and into an even taller room via a bridge and a tall column of water that the flyby shows has the amulet at the bottom but how to get inside? And here starts the three waterskin puzzles There are giant numbers on the wall is that the clue if it was it was wasted on me cause it was a case of trial and error. Save your game before doing each one and save yourself a lot of hassle. Finally I can now play the next level The Unexpected." - CC (19-Aug-2003) |
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"Darker than the Caves levels this starts with a long slide (don't forget one of the three secrets here) and you end up in a dark huge cave where you have to do a few jumps and rope swings to get into the level. Nice idea to light the tiles with fire under them. This level is more Egyptian inspired by the Cleopal Wad and you need to watch out for spikes swinging axes many bats and crocodiles and a few giant scorpions if you get those waterskin puzzles wrong which is likely as I did not really find any hints other than maybe for the last one (2+3=5-1=4 written on the wall?). The downsides here are a dark maze and lots of crawling and climbing but overall the 75 minutes of gameplay are very diverse and entertaining with a few good jumps across fire tiles and spike tiles and a fantastic mirror room being the high points." - Michael (27-Dec-2002) |
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"Unlike some of the reviewers I enjoyed this level far more than the previous Caves 1 & 2 level. More dedicated gameplay to my way of thinking with the initial puzzles in the first 2 rooms over the transparent burning blocks all the way to the last water puzzle which did give me some fits. Playing this much later than most of the members I relied heavily on the one thread I found and the reviews. I used a lot of flares in this level and luckily I slid into it from the previous level so I had my weapons from it. The mirror room was very nicely done in a way that I'd not ever seen. Some good jumping sequences and lots of spikes to avoid although some of them you must walk through losing health. Enemies are bats crocodiles and giant scorpions. I played for almost 2 hours and found 2 secrets." - Momster (05-Oct-2002) |
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"After playing his last level I was quite excited at playing this continuation only to be disappointed. The level opens with at least 30 minutes of scrambling around dark mazes crawl spaces and tunnels before you emerge into the level proper and from then on it is brilliant. That first part was way too dark and confusing. Claude uses the waterskins in this level but I think he went a bit overboard as it became tiresome. The black giant scorpions were great but they didn't pose much of a threat usually getting stuck somewhere without bothering our heroine. The textures were nice the mirror room a classic and the water tunnel you swam down to get the Ankh a nice touch but I must say overall a tad disappointing." - Torry (21-Jun-2002) |
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"I enjoyed Claude's cave levels so much I couldn't wait to get started on the sequel. As with all his other levels he's added some nice touches and memorable rooms to this one. The burning tiles that light your path the mirror room and the vertical column of water were probably my favorite things plus I'll never forget dropping into that underwater room filled with crocs the giant scorpion that surprised me the earthquake the swinging axes the timed fire platforms or the spikes. I found two secrets one that I literally slid into and I think the third one may have been under the second movable casket in one of the last rooms but I'm not sure. There are a few puzzles that have you using the waterskins and I didn't really see any clues to how much water to use but in most cases using the large waterskin (5 liters) did the trick. I personally did not enjoy the dark maze or the dark passages at the beginning but when the level opened up some I really got into it. Overall an extremely enjoyable hour long level." - RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002) |
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"The ideas Claude has are outstanding. This is a very big level. He has a lot of nice touches like the big swinging axes spikes you have to walk through a tricky burning tiles jump. You start with figuring out how to handle those burning columns and jumping the first one gives you a nice surprise. Main goal is to get the Golden Serpent and the Amulet of Horus. You need to get the two waterskins. One is hidden in the maze. There were two things in the maze I didn't like first the darkness it was too dark. Although Claude provides flares it hinders (in my opinion) the gameplay. Secondly you never knew which spikes never pop up or which one will kill you. In this game when in doubt don't pick up the goodies. Other spikes you have to walk through but they hardly give you damage. Not many enemies apart from the odd big scorpion but there are some crocs so save some medpacks as there is no way you can shoot some off them. The mirror room was a nice surprise never saw it being used like in this game. The earthquake was a nice touch but could have been a bit shorter. Although it is an Egyptian level I liked what Claude did with it. Very pleasing to the eye. Found one major bug (apart from invisible blocks in front of doors). After the big room with the water column you have to make a rope swing. Everything went black so I couldn't see where Lara needed to go. She did jump but everything stayed black and I had to reload. Didn't find the gameplay that flowing as I got stuck quite a few times thanks Matthias for bailing me out. 17 april 2002" - Gerty (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This is a nice level. For me I found it started off a little slow and puzzling but as the game continued it got even better. Some of the rooms were quite outstanding in the quality of textures. Claude has got plenty of style and imagination. There are a couple of minor bugs with spikes but apart from that this is well worth playing." - Doug E (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This is a very good Egyptian style level with some new ideas. In the beginning you have to jump over a lot of invisible floating platforms each one lightened by fire tile below them I haven't seen that in a TR game before very good! Later on a nice mirror room also something new: There is a entrance to the other side of the mirror so look carefully. The game is very dark in some places especially in a big labyrinth but later on in the game it gets brighter. The earthquake at the end was a little bit too long. I like the levels of Claude Gross he has a special style of level building now I will start the next one. Recommended!" - Freeman Porter (21-Jun-2002) |
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"When I started playing I thought it was again only one of those standard Egypt levels and again one of the very dark ones. But the longer I played the more I was surprised that it turned out to be a really good and much entertaining game. It's so long ago that I've seen a mirror room in a custom level - and there is one again in here. The colours of the level lighting is well chosen throughout (except for the darkness at the beginning as mentioned above). It was 1'20'' of good fun." - Sheevah (21-Jun-2002) |
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"The beginning of this level is excellent; I like the glass tiles with flames underneath that light to guide you in the right direction. This reminded me of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. The textures were good but some of the puzzles I was not happy with. The first spike tile that has a target behind it was strange in that the only way to pass it was to run through the spikes not quite the dignified way to do it. Luckily for me I found both water skins upstairs which would enable me to place the correct weights of water on the various scales that you will come across by combining the large and small water skins in various ways. However another player informed me that he only found one water skin (the small one I think) and was able to balance each set of scales. This level is worth a play even if it is just for the textures and lighting." - Jason (21-Jun-2002) |
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"An Egyptian level yet again. Basically structured with the usual textures for that kind of level. The only puzzles are the golden serpent and equaling the scales with the right amount of water. I can though add as a puzzle the half an hour I wasted to get hold of the first waterskin within a maze that almost drove me crazy. There is no way you won't be lost in there and after that finding the way out will be less difficult but not less frustrating all that with no real reward. One thing I liked is the jumps between the fire blocks but with an invisible block on them preventing Lara to get burned and also point the way. In fact the same invisible blocks are used further in the level with a clever way to open a door there. Watch the mirror carefully and the flyby. I must admit I am troubled by one thing and i can't be sure if I completed this level correctly. It looks like you can pass through a spike trap or two after the spikes pop up. Either it's a bug or I haven't searched enough those endless crawlspaces. The enemies apart from a few crocodiles are big red scorpions only if you fail to solve correctly the scale puzzle but at the final point you will have to pleasure of killing a couple of them anyway. Some switches are very clever and easy to miss as they are the same as the textures on the walls. Practically the place is huge and if you don't count the maze there is nothing else too difficult that's preventing you from playing it and have some fun." - Kristina (21-Jun-2002) |
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"At first nevertheless the darkness has frustrated me very much. Certainly there were some interesting jumps and rope-swinging actions but so correctly there arose no enjoyment. Then however this soon changed luckily. Jump combinations how I like them and very strong puzzles beautiful textures and complicated ways cared for an exceptional game pleasure. I found the end with the water-hoses particularly well done. This time the opponents consisted of scorpions and bats what I liked after the constant shooting in the previous Level 'The cave 1+2'. Recommendable." - Xxenofex (21-Jun-2002) |
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"This is the sequel of 'The Cave'. So if you have made a savegame at the end of the previous level the enemies only animals won't be a great threat with all the weapons Lara is carrying. An Egyptian temple just under a church why not? The overall texturing is good even if I have seen some thin walls but the lighting is too much dark in some places. I must admit that 'The Cave' was an entertaining level but I have been a little disappointed by this one. The atmosphere is very good but the puzzles could be better! This author can make better levels than this one because he is gifted to make some original things with the Editor. Make a savegame for the next level: 'The unexpected'." - eRIC (21-Jun-2002) |
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"Claude just gets better and better me thinks. Outstanding in this are the timed jump combinations (neat) the big coulorful rooms (awesome) the not so often employed waterskins (unfamiliar oh well couldn't think of anything else) the omnipresent fly-bys (impressive) and the fluent gameplay (always welcome). Once you've spotted the first crawlspace (which isn't really hidden but for some reason easy to miss) and mastered the maze the pace picks up and most of the time you get cutshots that tell you which door has opened. The Giant Scorpion will give you some trouble if you don't bother climbing down to get the grenade launcher and there is a nice chase with the crocodiles otherwise you won't encounter much resistance. I could have done without the earthquake at the end some levers were kinda pointless and the final room you had to jump through was a bit of an anti-climax but otherwise it's an original and highly enjoyable level that once again proves that the Egypt style is here to stay. I particularly liked the rooms that you passed twice by different means the translucent platforms the little temple that was guarded by the crocodiles and the overall construction of the course. So you better start downloading straight away. There is one secret that threw me back right to the staring point and I think a doorway that I then would have had to pass again was blocked by spikes so I gave it a miss." - Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002) |
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