Level reviews

"The level deserves its praise on everything but its gameplay. Which is absolutely enjoyable until the final area where it becomes an obscure puzzlefest. I can't enjoy a level if I have to look at a walkthrough to solve its puzzles. I guess one can solve it on his own but I am assuming it would take way longer than it should in an enjoyable level or they will randomly chance upon the solution shooting around in frustration or something. Why am I throwing a torch to a bush that I have no idea will somehow give me its ashes? How do I even know I want ashes instead of sand? Why am I randomly picking up a broken vase that has for some reason oil in it, and why is the same vase texture in another area not pickable? Why am I shooting at a normally unbreakable object to drain the water? Okay that last one makes sense as it sprouts water, but when you play custom levels for ages you have already ignored the textures and objects you are familiar with. If only the puzzles had some hints or a few custom objects, the level would not have these problems. An excellent atmosphere, very good effort, smart in idea, but very unfair in execution." - Nomad

"Temple of Time, the name itself is exciting, and this is a revamped version of the original level. It's a dangerous adventure filled with deadly traps and mysterious puzzles in the temple of time in Athens. The level is so enjoyable, especially in the first half, I actually enjoyed it more because it's designed and implemented perfectly, there are many traps, and the sound is well made that creates the required atmosphere. The second half of the level focuses more on solving puzzles, they are difficult and can be frustrating, the idea behind them is great but unfortunately I felt it could be done better. Same problem I felt in the ending, a brilliant idea but didn't feel that good to me and didn't leave an impact. There are also few things I didn't like, first is that I could easily find the hidden target to shoot after killing the bear, but I got no clue what happened, I got frustrated and had to see the walkthrough. I really hate this move, especially in some other wide open levels when you trigger something in the middle of nowhere then got to search around the level, it's a cheap and lazy way to make the level harder. Another thing I didn't like is using a broken jar object as an oil can, it doesn't make sense. The enemies are variant and well placed. There are only 3 secrets, the first and second ones are easy to find, the third is hidden better. Generally, even with a few downsides, it remains a very enjoyable and challenging level with much creativity that makes it highly recommended. (9/8/9/9)" - Mouayad

"Old review (7/8/9/9): The very same level plus proper ambience and more rooms in the later part of the map, which contain a seriously expanded final puzzle. But while the previous version was too easy, this time I failed without a walkthu because in the plant room the author requires outbox thinking without any warning given - at least a hint camera should be provided in such case. Then I got stuck again because I treated a broken vase as such... Another thing I was seriously missing was some larger location - something in scale of the volcano valley from the third chapter would be nice. And I somehow liked the previous crowbar setup much more. SUMMARY: Possibly a bit unfair but still very atmospheric and worth checking.
New review after I forgot I played it before and this time I enjoyed it much more: Bad beginning, mediocre middle and absolutely wonderful ending where every element appears unexpectedly needed. I did the last two puzzles by accident as they walk the tightrope between absurd and genious, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt since their room is very small and therefore sooner or later you will figure it out." - DJ Full

"Good heavens, how on earth did I miss this little gem of a level for so long? The atmosphere is excellent, with those emotive Streets of Rome sound files in the background and the gameplay is quite absorbing, if occasionally less than intuitive. It's not a long level (roughly an hour's net play) but it's chock full of interesting stuff and enemies (although, as always, I really hated killing that poor bear). Beautifully made and entertaining throughout, I can definitely recommend this one." - Jay

"This is a short level but packed full of fun. Set in a beautiful Rome environment, you get a variety of tasks to do; a hefty three secrets to find (managed to miss one), a couple of movable object puzzles, keys to find, buttons to press, a few traps and an elements puzzle. If you're looking for a short but fun level to play, this is highly recommended." - Ryan

"This is a very nice level with excellent game play. While the layout of the maps is compact, there are tons of things to do and rooms to explore. Lots of areas have to be opened by push blocks, keys and tridents have to be discovered, things need to be shot and there is also a rather complex elements puzzle, which takes quite a bit of thinking and acrobatic maneuvering with the torch in hand until solved. On the enemy side Lara encounters a bear, a few tigers, some pesky bats. Several wraiths are also in the mix, but luckily a bird statue is never far away. There was some very good use of spikes, boulders and breakable tiles and some of those traps can be quite surprising when triggered the first time. The level had a good atmosphere with TR5 Rome sounds and I found the texturing nearly flawless. The lighting needs to be mentioned as it was excellent and one can tell the builder took the time to places bulbs everywhere. This is one of those older levels that are very enjoyable, has fluent game play and is without any frustrating sequences, so if you haven't played it yet, I can only recommend it! (50min, 2 secrets found)" - Blue43

"Like the first level this starts as a pseudo-re-imagining, this time of the Colosseum. However, it's somewhat more subtle now, and, after the half-way point, it suddenly becomes entirely original. The level is almost like it was made by two different people (probably a symptom of this being a heavily revamped version of an older map); the first half isn't bad looking but it's a bit drab and derivative of its inspiration, the second half has some really great looking multi-level rooms and is more atmospheric. Objects mostly fit, but the tigers don't really work and the oil-jar doesn't look like it's collectible at all.
Gameplay is good for most of the level (if a bit reliant on semi-invisible pushblocks and having a couple of lacking camera clues). It falls apart a bit at the end; I found all the element puzzle very vague and a walkthrough pretty much necessary for the various unintuitive tasks/interactions that needed to be done. It's too bad about the end but it's still a good level and a big improvement over the first map in the series." - Mman

"Excelent work. Lara will explore an underground roman ruins to look for the stone of time. She'll find it soon, but a lot of work awaits so she can escape. No difficult tasks in a scenaries with small rooms, but it's easy get stucked 'cause there are some no-obvious actions like the place where you must use the torch or the way to dry the pool to use the waterskin. Also there are a lot of artifacts to find, few enemies, wraiths, bats, a bear and a skeleton, but well placed and the three secrets are easy to find. Good atmosphere and an appropriate environment. A level to think and enjoy. Good!" - Jose

"I've been playing some of these highly-rated older levels, expecting to find myself unimpressed because of the recent advances we've seen in the Tomb Raider engine. It's just not working. I had as much fun with this one as I've had with the newer releases that have far more horsepower. This one-hour romp is as good as they come, highlighted by a nice elements puzzle at the end. I don't recall seeing many enemies here, but it's your mental agility that gets the most exercise. The environs are pleasing to the eye and the lighting is just about flawless. High recommendations." - Phil

"Lara is on the move in the subsoil of Rome and looks for both parts of a Gemstone. And, besides, she must solve many riddles. Most are understandable and no problem. But as for example should one get on that one should throw a torch in a corner with plants? The originating cinder belongs on a sandy scale. And that one can shoot a gargoyle broken, so that the underneath lying water basin will be emptied, is also not necessarily clearly obvious. But apart from the fact this level feels very well to play. Very nice it is also which there is hardly opponents. It was a bear and a few tigers, this it was already. However, the problem is which this level is actually part of a series. Exact said was Temple of time the middle section of a series. Though Temple of time v2.0 was extended, however, is real still part of the series. And so well this level also is, one should play maybe, nevertheless, rather the series to understand this level properly." - Scottie

"A super little level. Compact and fully utilised. There are some hiccups that would be frowned on today, but overall it's great. All very Roman in design. Texturing and lighting are superb in certain areas, objects and decor are authentic (except perhaps for the huge batterie), and it all looks very impressive. The fun factor is very high and Lara is constantly on the move. The backtracking is logical and not tedious. The traps are a shocker, but do-able. And there are plenty of pointers as to what will happen later on, i.e. shooting the gem in the lion's mouth, which keep you searching for the solution. But there are a few of those 'only the author knows' situations. Like two particular objects to pick up, one to shoot, one to move, and one to burn. If the player does not have the walkthrough to hand I'm not sure if they could figure these out themselves as they are not particularly logical. Tigers abound, litterally, and you could occasionally trigger a flock of bats(!) or the wraith guarding the lasersight. But it was nice to see the bear again. He's so cute, but also dangerous, and a pity that he has to be shot. So, in this type of level, we have the usual stuff happening like finding tridents, stars, gemstone pieces. Then there's the breakable floor runs, spiky boulders, hammers to smash moveable objects, good monkeyswing on a not so obvious ceiling, and searching walls to find moveable blocks. But the highlights are the excellent element puzzles and torch tasks, and that familiar taking the star and mad jump to safety before the floor collapses. One hilarious moment was standing beside a cross to dowse a wraith, but the wraith didn't bother Lara and went to another cross in that room, played about for a bit and extinguished itself on that one. The ending was a surprise and might have explained that batterie business more than anything else. So, all told, an excellent little level that makes the point, yet again, that these oldies are worth visiting, and a level doesn't have to be a sprawling panorama with a gang of enemies at every corner. Highly recommended." - CC

"After a seemingly impossible trap in the beginning of the level and giving up several times, I finally read the walkthrough and got past it. A bit cheap! Anyway, after that trap, the fun exploring begins. A wonderful level with lots of puzzles and exploration to do! Some enemies, none too difficult and nice custom objects. Takes a bit under an hour to finish. Reccomended for a nice little adventure!" - Thorir

"Strongly based on the Colosseum levels from TR5 for starters this game develops and unfolds to the point where it earns a life of its own and that obvious wink of the eye is forgotten and even eventually appreciated. I believe the best adjective to classify this version of The Temple of Time is 'clever'. Very clever indeed and I was puzzled and stuck quite often as the end came near as the game gained momentum and became more puzzle based. The final rooms are simply great if not for the well done but quite 'normal' textures certainly so for the solutions found for using the different items Lara acquires as she progresses in her quest. I specially loved that thing in the fire room and that other thing in the water room...... Wait a minute look it up in the walkthrough if you really must but I refuse to reveal the secrets of these great puzzles or you'll be missing all the fun when you play it. Better to find it all by yourself even if it makes you sweat a bit. (November 18 2004)" - Jorge22

"What a great level! Very similar settings to TR5's Colosseum level. This is the 2nd part of a trilogy (a remake of the original tls2). Lara needs to reach the Stone Age so she can obtain a powerful piece of meteorite. This level can transport her to the Stone Age so she needs to travel through the temple to reach the transporter hence the name 'temple of time'. I thought this level was better than the original tr5 colosseum. The music was taken from tr5 with tr3 music added too. I did think some of the enemies where out of place like the tigers. Tigers in a roman temple didn't seem right would have been better if they were lions. But other than that is was great. There were a few wraiths and skeletons as well so not many extra enemies. It's mainly a puzzle level so it's recommended for fans of puzzles. All in all a great level I recommend it to everyone. Play it!" - Aims

"This is a wonderful updated version of the original level with everything you have found in the first plus a couple of new areas that have fairly lengthy and detailed puzzles. What is a bit disappointing is that with these new areas it would have been great if Tomo had just included them into a fully new level. As others have said you get to meet Mr. Bear in this and it is a great moment as he is so underused in other levels combine this with the beautifully authentic texturing and this makes it a very immersing experience. I have one actually two bones to pick with this level and it all happens to do with the element puzzle there is a pick up that is so not obvious as something to be picked up and something that has to burned that could only be accidentally found. Sure I love a puzzle to make one scratch their head but being totally unfair is another issue and I happen to feel it was a little unfair. At least this gives credence to the brilliant and necessary function of the help forum! If you liked the first version then this 55 minute update is something you will really want to add to your levels played check list." - Sash

"One of my favorite levels in closed areas. Excellent work and not boring what is most important. I enjoyed it when playing and was very glad when I found new tricks with ash water and some hidden blocks for moving-pushing. Great for playing and if you not played it yet I recommend it to you!" - Ivan

"I was glad to see Tomo add to the original as I really enjoyed it and enjoyed this as well even though I had to visit the help forum to solve one of the puzzles (a little more camera work would have been helpful). The textures lighting music and enemies (tigers and a bear) are all used together to make an atmosphere that itself is the highlight of the level. There are also three golden rose secrets to collect and some really cool puzzles like the hallway with collapsible tiles over lava." - RaiderGirl

"Who should not wish to return raiding in a location with the beautiful TR5 textures of Rome (in fact this story takes place in Athens)? You will not be completely a stranger here a couple of rooms will be familiar to you if you have played TR5. This said this level is very original there is plenty to do new areas and rooms to discover many puzzles to solve and the graphics and atmosphere are great. The puzzles at the end of the level are quite logical but not obvious at all. It is the first time I see this pushable machine of the TR4 level 'street bazar' in a custom level. Enemies: a bear I did not kill (I have pity of bears) some tigers skeletons and wraiths little mice and the black little birds of TR5. This is a beautiful level of 1 hour 30 of net gaming with interesting puzzles." - eRIC

"I could never have finished this level without the forum's help. It's a good level but it has some 'evil' things in it that a simple mind couldn't possibly guess. For example who can guess that you can pick up a broken vase or that you can light a plant by throwing the torch not me. It is gloomy and tigers a bear and wraiths are your enemies. There are quite a few movable blocks and a couple of keys. That's the whole game play so I wasn't that excited with it. It lasted a little more than an hour but only because of the things mentioned above I was running around for a long time trying to find what to do. It could have been a little longer with more puzzles in it." - Kristina

"It took me a long time to tackle this level. Stunning is how I describe it but also disappointing. I played for 1:13 and it felt like 3 times as long. Even with informative threads that torch/scale puzzle was just unbelievable and I'd like to know if anyone figured it out on their own. For this I've rated gameplay a little lower than I'd like to for the rest of the adventure was interesting and fun." - Momster

"After a fantastic opening scene with the crucified skeleton and the man eating bear (he's back from Tomb Raider 1 at last) we dive into a marvelous world where things are not as they seem. The tigers looked great as did so many of the objects in this level. It took me a good 90 minutes to complete as after a relatively easy beginning this became a nightmare at interpreting the cryptic clues that the author left and I'm sorry to say that he failed miserably. The whole puzzle system late in the level was just too ambiguous. I realise that it is more the fault of the editor with it's limitations but I firmly believe if you cannot bring off a certain idea so that it actually 'takes' with a player then you should leave it out. The oil can being a pottery shard was disgraceful the sand being 'ash' that was acquired by doing a Moses act and burning a bush was far too etheral for me and when you are required to shoot objects to proceed place them so that they are at least noticable. Look this was a great level but it left me feeling let down. Because of this difficulty I have down rated the gameplay score somewhat." - Torry

"From a great starting flyby with nice background music you do start with a sense of dejà vu if you played the first version but it quickly becomes a whole new and rather engrossing adventure. Texturing and lighting are excellent and after a linear beginning there are two main puzzle areas which are a lot of fun. One is a three level area which you have to explore for a trident and a key to one part of a gemstone the other is a three elements puzzle which is logical if you know what to do but rather tough to figure out without help. You get the other gemstone piece and the other trident here. Along the way you will also find and use a star and some temple keys run across collapsible tiles and battle a few tigers a bear small bats (remeshed locusts) and some wraiths. Keep a good look out for movable blocks which blend in well with the environment. There is one simple and one rather clever torch puzzle to master some gems to shoot out of lionheads mouths and three golden rose secrets to find although only two actually register as such. All in all a fun adventure of 1:10 hours in a great setting - play it!" - Michael

"Good level in technical aspects. No bugs and medium difficulty. But the gameplay has two weak points: some puzzles from TR5 and the last part of the level very confusing." - Loupar

"Another typical Tomo level perfect in all ways. Tomo's series is great because the levels suggest reality and you forget you're playing a game. A very detailed level I really liked playing it. :)" - nite_traveler

"Whew! Another awesome level that builders present to players. If the first version of the level lasted only 15 minutes this one changes everything lasting 1 hour! Major modifications have been done by adding a huge hall that features a lot more puzzles and our beloved TR1 bear! It was so nice to see it again that I refrained from shooting it. I had to solve puzzles that I've never seen before like the oil placement to burn and burning a plant to get an ash. This level MUST be downloaded! In its huge zipfile there are a lot of audiofiles that created a better atmosphere. I just didn't give a 10 to the textures because there were some places that it didn't fit fine but otherwise great lighting great puzzles and excellent objects! Edit: I just finished The Last Revelation (yes I am very late at this!) and when I was in the final Egyptian levels I recognized most of the puzzle elements here such as the oil and fire puzzle. So forget the 10 I give it an 8 not only because of this puzzle but as well as the Colosseum (TR5) ones." - Treeble

"Set in the underground and hidden temples of Rome this is an impeccably textured and lit piece of work. The atmosphere and architecture seemed authentic and credible for the setting. I liked the fact that there was great deal to do within a relatively limited area - so much better than the 'run through the enormous room pick up the small medpak and proceed to the next enormous room' style of level building. There are some good compound puzzles here but the one really original puzzle was so arcane I'm not sure how the player is supposed to figure it out other than by random chance (maybe I missed some subtle clue). Anyway thank goodness for the help forum! That aside this was an enjoyable hour well spent - check this one out." - Tombaholic

"Fun level with a lot of puzzling. It was also great to see the bear again. The 'end' puzzle kept me busy for a while as there is some unusual stuff to be done." - G.Croft

"This level have awesome graphics and the gameplay is very fun. It also has nice puzzles and traps but it has a very bad problem: no creativity! The good puzzles and traps are nothing less than copies from the puzzles of Colosseum from Tomb Raider Chronicles. So if you have already played this level you won't find much new things here. Great level indeed but the creativity is zero." - Leandro

"Version 2 in a way it is Tomo added quite a lot to the original one. Complaining that his first version was way too short this was too short as well. That only says that I liked it a lot. Minus points would be that if it weren't for the forum I would never have found that moving block in the room with the 3 lions and also wouldn't know that you had to burn a big banana tree. Also getting the ash is a mystery how on earth anyone should know about as the minute you want to grab you grab the now extinguished torch. I still wonder at that small passage with the boulder at the one side of the fire room what does it do ..??? as you don't need it to get high and dry across the water to light the torch. Just jump that water. Picking up the oil was just pure luck as I thought there was something else there. Some inclination would be appreciated. Tomo added also some nice traps. Boulders white lights and spikes. Not many enemies tigers bats and I hated to shoot that bear and it even stood on his hind legs poor bugger. There is also a skeleton but blowing its head off was great. This level will show you what to do with lightning a level. This one is superb. Enough light in some places and sort of gloomy where it should be. 18-06-2002" - Gerty

"A very good-looking level with some new objects and textures the design is great. Puzzles and a lot of searching around is the main theme in this game not many enemies around but it's the first time I saw a bear in a custom level. The game starts easy but later on it gets more and more difficult you run and search around in many different rooms on different floors to get further. Sometimes the solution is so near...After 1:20 hours I finished this nice piece of work. I have found 2 secrets. Recommended for puzzle-freaks and graphics enthusiasts!" - Freeman Porter

"This level really is an updated version of 'Temple of Time'. Some areas are the same but most areas are new. In the end it's just a more lengthy level. The start is promising (once you get past the areas that already were there in the first version). You get to see the beloved bear and meet a couple of tigers. The end of the level however is very illogical and I was stuck for hours before I managed to find out what to do (okay so maybe it was my fault too). There should have been more cameras showing what had just happened when you pushed a button and such now you have to run around and search for the doors. The texturing is nice and the lighting is good not too dark. Overall this is a quite good level despite its flaws and it's worth playing if you've missed the bear (although it almost doesn't hurt you)." - Magnus

"What a great level! I liked the level design which is so very detailed. Puzzles are not too hard and not too easy to solve (although I needed a little help) and you find some nice effects and objects that are not so often used in custom levels like e.g. the balances and Poseidon statue. It's a nice atmosphere throughout which proves that a level doesn't need to be darkened past recognition in order to get into the right mood. Well worth downloading!" - Sheevah

"What a fantastic level! With new enemies which were not in Tomo's enemy WAD like the TR1 bear and a few other cool effects. Gameplay was perfect well balanced. This time the level took me 90 minutes instead of the 20 for version 1. Puzzles were difficult and medipacks scarce if you did not watch out. There is new sound which fits well the only disturbing thing for me was the yellow wall colour at times. You have to play this if you are a fan of Tomo's levels.!" - Silent Viper

"For a moment I thought 'Temple of Time' was a follow-up to the Rome-levels of TR5 (which have always been among my all time favorite levels). Well it turned out it wasn't but it was nice to have all those skeletons again the Rome textures and the the 'Tollin' sunday bells' in the background. Temple of Time is divided into two parts: In part one Lara has to make her way to a 3-level room where she has to solve some lever-puzzles of medium difficulty shoot some tigers and ... a BEAR! Yes it's true old brownie from TR1 showed up and if it was only for some seconds (until he was sent to Nirvana by Lara). The room was lightened carefully and logically very rich of details and it was pure fun to explore it. In part two Lara has to solve some 'fill this into that and throw that into this'-puzzles. The problem was the puzzles were completely illogical and I never got what was going on and why she had to do what. How could she get water and oil from the same basin at the same time? And who would have pictured Lara has to throw a torch into a room to solve a puzzle? And has really any player found the 'ashes' she had to pick up (and that were very barely visible)? I never would and I was glad I found some help in the Forum. On the other hand this part was also textured and lightened very nicely and still it was fun to play it. The download was 25 megs mainly because of many wave-files and I spent 3 hours playing the level (that's almost exactly the time I spent downloading it with my 56k modem ...). When will we get a level that has the first 3 Beethoven symphonies as high-quality wave-files to make a proper background sound for a 30 minutes level? And when will anyone have the idea of making a real follow-up to the Rome-levels?" - Percys

"Well I'll start with the fact that I'm not such a fan of level remakes and levels with versions/upgrades but this one is a really nice one. Just like the first - this version is also set in a Rome level type setting which I dislike with passion even if the story tells that this 'The Temple of Time' is in Athens - the first level of 'The Last Saga'. The Rome setting here is a bit different don't know how to explain what's the difference but this level is nicer than most of the other ones. The puzzles ain't too hard but not too easy. There are a lot of things a player like me couldn't figure out like picking up the 'oilcan' which is just some remains of a vase I think I picked it up by mistake because I thought there's something else there. Throwing the torch in the plants in the fire room wasn't too obvious too I think it's not obvious at all. This doesn't mean I like a level to be straightforward and Tomo has the chance to make something different not like the most of level designers. This isn't anything bad it makes his level unique in a way but please don't try to repeat things like that too often Tomo :) The bear was nice almost too bad I had to kill him :( But the enemies didn't have a big role in this adventure; it was more based on puzzles. This is a level I recommend to play even if only to meet the bear. This isn't the best level of Tomo but still a great job from him." - eTux

"I find this very hard to rate as the gameplay is great in some respects but there are a couple of ideas nicked from TR5 and at the end things get a bit illogical. For instance the vessel that contains the oil is not much more than a shard (How are you supposed to know you have to pick that up? It certainly can't hold anything) and who would have thought that you have to drop the torch in the Fire room? So let's start with the easy bits. 10 points for enemies. No question about that cause you encounter the beloved bear again. So cute it moved me to tears that I had to kill it. The atmosphere and added sounds are brilliant lightning and textures used to maximum effect. The gameplay starts out quite simple but gets more difficult by the second. The three leveled room is beautifully designed and cleverly constructed. You can see that you have five different tasks to complete and you know once you find the starting point it will all fall into place. I'm not a big fan of unmarked movable blocks but for some reason I found the obscure object of desire fairly soon. But once you're through with this area things get a bit messy. New spaces open up without much logic and I never found out what the Jump-over-the-Lava-pit-and-release-the-spiked-ball was good for. So a bit of an anti-climax at the end but otherwise a wonderful adventure." - Dimpfelmoser

"This is another great level. It really gives you something to think. Nothing is as it seems. I went into two areas the wrong way around and was surprised why it wouldn't lead me anywhere. Also riddles are not like in the original games. For example think about what you can also set on fire you will be surprised. Some of the pushable blocks are a bit hard to find. All in all a very enjoyable level if you have a bit of luck and try everything that might be possible." - Tombraidergirl