| Reviewer's comments |
"If you have played the previous levels in this series, you will probably enjoy this as it's
pretty much more of the same. For me, this fourth chapter wasn't quite as good as parts 1-3.
It felt a little dull overall, too similar to what came before, and therefore started to
grow a bit tiresome, but it's still a pretty solid level overall. Will eventually get round
to playing the final parts." - Passalaqua (07-Oct-2023) |
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| "Again not my cup of tea but this time shorter so I was less bored. I felt like it has everything but mostly isn't about anything, also it recycles ideas from parts 1-3 and has at least three design issues: a possible softlock, a barely marked ladder, and a multiple run through clangclang doors if you miss a pickup. The ending resolves nicely though." - DJ Full (27-Aug-2022) |
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| "Compared to the other two parts of the set this is only one level. It mostly follows on very closely from the first visuals with more overgrown temples and caves, although it feels closest to Hidden Valley (which makes sense as there's more Dinosaur action). While there are bigger areas it's also quite tight, and it almost feels like there was some experimentation to get as much content as possible in a small area. The T-Rex is the awkward one that dies in one hit with the right weapon, but I guess that's all that was available back then. The gameplay also follows on, although the focus is more on exploration here outside of one or two of the author's trademark gauntlets, there's also some emphasis on flooding/draining areas. It's probably the most varied part so far, with a bit of everything, and the tight settings make it quite intricate. One climbing wall was a bit badly handled as it looks the same as other walls, and I basically found it by accident when I could see no other way to access a certain area. Another good entry to the set, although there isn't much to add that wasn't said about the first part." - Mman (16-Jun-2022) |
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| "I've decided to play through the entire of this series so I can stick to my own savegames, and for the most part I could simply echo my thoughts from the previous part. Being more of the same is not entirely a bad thing however, as the same things that made the previous levels great are still present and in the same intensity, with lots of jumping and trap sequences. I noticed there were slightly more triggers placed under shatterable objects (ie. bones) and perhaps one too many pushblock sequences, but all in all this was still a fun raid — but one I probably wouldn't finish without the walkthrough. 65 minutes, 2 secrets. 07/20" - Treeble (14-Jul-2020) |
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| "I came here with many expectations, started the game , came to the point where i needed crowbar, searched my inventory, didnt have one, read comments and 'read me' stuff and realized i need to tranfer? my old save.Just couldnt, dissatisfied and then used martin's save..My complaint here why there is no link for the whole saga(maybe we expect another one) why no instructions to move previous saves??I noticed that in new game there are options to play other levels and previous levels from SA but they couldnt load,just crushing,only the specific game u could allow to play..Maybe my fault,cause i should suppose to know the way??
Apart from that although i enjoyed more SA 1-3 i will also give credits to the continuance cause it was what i expected and in the end i like the whole concept and tomb raiding.." - Petaludas (02-May-2020) |
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| "The fourth level carries on the fine
tradition of exceptional raiding. More
puzzles, great atmosphere, lighting and
textures and nostalgic sounds." - Ryan (04-Jun-2016) |
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| "Fantastic creation to the more pure style from this excelent builder. All his typical features are here: slides with deadly pits at the end, timed sequences, swinging blades, burners, lava rooms, a lot of spikes in all level, etc. The best for me was that he didn't let you advance so much if you don't get the items you need. The only detail I didn't like was the unmarked ladder in the first area; but rest of the level was to enjoy a lot, with many enemies to shoot, a lot of traps and interesting puzzles. For lovers of the classic TR games. Recommended." - Jose (17-Aug-2010) |
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| "I've never been as enamored of this builder's work product as other reviewers apparently are, mainly because his levels tend to be a bit too trap-intense for my tastes. That, anyway, was my overriding impression as I played the opening trio in this series a number of years ago, so I didn't continue with them. I do recognize that his later levels in the Legacy of the Gods series are true classics, and I enjoyed playing those a great deal even though they're also geared toward the more skilled raiders. I'm making it a point to play some of the highly rated older levels that have eluded me for one reason or another, so on a whim I fired up this stand-alone installment in the South American series. I was very pleasantly surprised. Even though there are traps galore here, they aren't over the top and even an average player like me can negotiate them. The gameplay seems to be confined to a comparatively small area, but the tasks within that limited space are so intricate that I could not possibly have progressed without Cher's concise walkthrough. The enemies are relatively few and far between, but they're well placed (except for the bats that plague you while you're shimmying, a tactic I've always detested). The lighting is too dark throughout, as at least one other reviewer has noted. However, there's enough here to keep you busy for close to two hours, and there's never a dull moment from start to finish. A level worthy of its place in the Hall of Fame." - Phil (11-Mar-2009) |
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| "Playing this level was a real pleasure for me as Jedimaster's levels
always are. Areas are well designed, lighting is good, textures are well
used and tasks are hard and interesting to complete, so the result is
wonderful. Similarities between this level and official TR1 are quite big
and I think that this level could be a part of TR1. I don't have much else to
add this review because other reviewers have already told everything
important about this level. Thats why I'm going to end this review and start
playing the final South America part." - Samu (23-Nov-2006) |
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| "There are lot of the usual backtracking in the first area of the level, to find gems, stars and keys, later become more lineal. Some of the objects named as Ignition Keys just like in the previous levels, that is the only negative about it. Otherwise the level is superb, the tasks are imaginative and various. The enemies are of the dinosaur kind, and a few bats who attack always the worst places, when on ladders or going through traps. Another great one from JediMaster." - Akcy (23-Nov-2006) |
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| "This level is the best in the SA series if you ask me. First of all the level never seems to end and I like long levels. It also seems that the graphics are better in this one compared to SA 1-3. Luis has almost overdone it this time..blockpuzzles, breaking floors, burning floors, raising platforms... new enemies including raptors etc. All of it put together with a huge main room and tons of different paths to take. This level was not so straight forward as the previous ones. The only bad thing was two bugs that happened during the level. One of them was when I moved a block and accidentally pushed it too far without resetting the spikes. After that I could not pull it back. Another bug happened when I shot a pot through some bars earlier than intended.. resulting in a non working trigger later on. Lucky for me I had saves that fixed it. Still I will give this level full tens. Great work! 2005/04/11" - QRS (11-Apr-2005) |
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| "I played the whole saga in one go and I think that this part fit right into it. As a stand alone it's also a very good game but I would suggest to play everything in one go. Be prepared for some tricky jumping timed jumping and exploring on a big scale. I guarantee you will have fun. 02-11-2004" - Gerty (21-Nov-2004) |
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| "More of the same but not too much this time. The first level was too long but this one is only fifty-five minutes which makes it more enjoyable than the previous one. Mostly because there's not enough time to get tired of the author's traps. The texturing is just as nice as in the previous level and the traps are just hard enough to not get frustrating. There were a little too many dinosaurs in one area though. And I got helplessly stuck at one point because I didn't push a block to one place before pushing it to another. Also the level is just as dark as the previous one. Overall I liked this level more than the previous one. Even though it's just more of the same." - Magnus (29-Jan-2004) |
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| "Let me just start by saying that I played this level for quite a while before I encountered a rather unfortunate bug which forced me to restart the level :( Suffice to say that I had by way of the explosive ammo for the crossbow accidentally destroyed something that was only meant to be destroyed later. So be careful where you point that thing! This map has a few very tricky jumps sequences brain-teasing block puzzles and quite a handful of enemies (mini-dinos dino-birds bats raptors and even a t-rex right at the end). It has to be said that some of the jumps will need to be tried many times before success (and dying each time you fail on a lot of them - forcing endless reloads). Still it seems this level has something for everyone. It took me 2 and 1/2 hours to complete this baby and I found 2 secrets." - gfd (01-Dec-2003) |
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| "Another great level to play. As usual in the previous levels there are lots of tricky jumps traps collapsing tiles pushing blocks timed raising blocks swinging blades slicer-dicer... little dinos and a BIG one at the end. Excellent. I loved it. I want more." - Cuqui (16-Oct-2003) |
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| "I'm currently halfway through the last three levels but I'd still like to leave a word about the fourth... First it isn't too complicated although it may be challenging at times (the traps what else?) and it's easily done without a walkthrough. I find that to be positive and a sign of a very well thought of game. Second I loved the little (deadly!) dinosaurs with their nice little squeaks! The T-Rex at the end well it's hard to kill only with your pistols but I kept changing guns and it finally fell down. Nice T-Rex too! All in all a very good level just like the previous three and I still had to give it four 10s." - Jorge22 (09-Apr-2003) |
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| "Sorry folks I don't know what the big deal is about the whole South America craze. I played 1-3 for the second time to remind myself why my notes said 'No second effort but great puzzles'. And realized I didn't like it then or now. I played 4 for the first time and did like The Forgotten World more than 1-3 though the puzzles aren't as good. The gameplay makes more sense to me. The flow is sensible in that I felt I knew what to do and how to accomplish the goal. The Forgotten World was a lot of fun but too dark for my taste (minus 2 points). (It seems 4 was darker than 3 was darker than 2 was darker than 1 - where does it end with Lara working in complete darkness?) The South America series has done me in. I played about 30 minutes of the following level but the darkness just depressed the hexx out of me and I blew it away. On towards the light! I do recommend the South America series. South America 1-3 has great puzzles and South America 4 is good classic Tomb Raiding action." - Dougsan (31-Mar-2003) |
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| "Dinosaur levels are always cool. And they always include the one character that still makes me jump...T-Rex. Otherwise there are Compys Pterydactyls and raptors to keep you busy. Level design is great again not quite as hard as the previous South America levels but a nice flowing level indeed. I wish Luis would maybe start editing the names of objects as 'horsemans key' doesn't really fit in anymore etc. also the raptors are obviously based on a much weaker character than original as they fall with about 10 pistol shots lowering the challenge a bit (although in 1 they were about this level not 3 though). Excellent gameplay nonetheless." - JRaider66 (07-Feb-2003) |
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| "Another 1:30 hours in South America and while you get here the usual suspects in terms of traps and puzzles (slopes burners spikes timed raising blocks movable blocks) this part stands out for the excellent and very suitable use of enemies. The little compy dinos are awesome so cute and yet so poisonous and the bats raptors pterodactyls and the T-Rex near the end fit in just as well with the storyline. You need a Golden a Silver and a Bronce Key and two red and two blue gems and two stars to get through this adventure. Getting them is very entertaining and full of the diverse action we have come used to in this series. I liked the smart use of water that you need to drain and fill in order to access levers. Unfortunately I made my way through the blade traps towards the two red gem receptacles too early and had only one when I got there so had to do the trip another two times which was quite tricky as the collapsible tiles were gone but manageable nonetheless. I found only one of the two secrets (in the room with the big rotating blade) and had a great time here. Excellent fun!" - Michael (12-Jan-2003) |
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| "I hate to say that this is more of the same but that's exactly what it is. You'll find once again the same feeling of been here and done that but having played this one first before getting to its predecessors I have to say it holds a fresher feel for me though I write this review for players playing them in sequence. I am a bit of a sucker for lost world kind of feels and with the inclusion of the prehistoric creatures from the cute itsy bitsy green dinos to the spine chilling T-Rex this gave me the feeling that I had been thrown back in time which I just loved. Spending under 2 hours this is my favourite so far but I guess if you like one then you'll like them all." - Sash (05-Dec-2002) |
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| "Even if this level was released soon after part 1 to 3 I had finished that part and could easily go on I did wait for a while so my ratings wouldn't be affected by the unpleasant discussions (at least for me) we had a while ago. I've said this before and I'll say it again - if I say something that sounds like I would search for all the flaws on purpose remember it's only for the use of the author so he could make his next levels even better! I liked this level a bit better than part 1 to 3 but for me at least this level was not flawless too. The last three and also this level proved to me that the author is a master of traps spikes steaming fire swinging pendulums spiked gates slicer-dicer collapsible tiles you name it - mostly everything will be there and will offer you a pleasant challenge. I got through the level without getting stuck because if you finished the first three levels you already know how to deactivate some unwanted traps or raise some blocks (shoot a vase or bones). The new green dinos are great but from what they did to poor Lara I never hesitated to kill them when I saw 'em! Continuing through the same path the previous levels went (both texture-wise and gameplay-wise) is fine with me and makes all the levels feel like from the same series but then again even an Egyptian series (The Rescue for example) seem more interesting at some point. I also wonder how other players could push the block and use the crowbar without the big T-rex momma nagging on Lara. Lucky for me it got stuck somewhere and couldn't move anymore. The main 'downs' for the textures in this level are: a) the very first area where one of the pillars is climbable but looks exactly the same as every other pillar in sight. A bit unfair in my opinion and I still wonder myself how I found it without help. b) the last rooms - the T-rex one and the water rooms at the end seemed a bit rushed through and didn't look so interesting as the others from this level. My final words on this level - well if you got through the first three you could as well play this one too. I personally don't see anything so spectacular about this level but it's not a bad one and since it seems I'm the only one who's not in awe about the series get this part from them now don't let me hold you up." - eTux (08-Nov-2002) |
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| "The fourth of the South America levels is a good and entertaining level. Is full of good puzzles and challenges that are not easy nor impossible. It has a good rate in this point. A bit confusing because the general lack of light and the very similar rooms. I finished the whole series with 10 secrets (I didn't get the crossbow) and in a time of almost 11 hrs. Good work and very beautiful way to use the TR1 textures." - Loupar (07-Nov-2002) |
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| "Series of South America is continued and very good it is because every new level gets better and better. Thanks to Luis Martins for excellent work." - Ivan (05-Nov-2002) |
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| "I don't know if there's going to be a South America 5 or not but I don't see how he could possibly top this. Tomb Raider I has always been my favorite TR game but Luis puts even that to shame with part four of this amazing series. The atmosphere is so believable - it almost seems like Lara has gone back in time to a land filled with dinosaurs. Best of all are the baby Compisognathus which are a new enemy in the Tomb Raider world and so cute you don't even want to kill them. They are very small and make little chirping noises. Later there are larger dinos including pterodactyls and even a T-Rex. Thankfully there were fewer obstacle courses this level so I enjoyed it even more than the first three and it's hard to believe but Luis can even make pushable block puzzles that are actually fun! You don't want to miss this one - it's definitely one of the 'must play' levels of the year!" - RaiderGirl (27-Oct-2002) |
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| "Level four of the South America series carries on the fine tradition of exceptional raiding. Here in the Forgotten World you will be set upon by poisonous baby dinosaurs raptors pterodactyls and the King of The Jurassic is waiting for you near the end. Again you are on a quest for two ignition keys and two horsemen's gems and the road is long and difficult. The level took me an hour 45 minutes and in that time I ran the gauntlet of timed blocks lava pits teeth slashers and a host of other death traps and god it was fun. That's the whole point to these levels of Luis'. They are bloody well fun to play and he so rightly deserves top scores." - Torry (19-Oct-2002) |
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| "Phew! What a level. So many slides/jumps over lava swinging pendulums raising blocks clashing doors spouting fires you name it this game has got it. From the start it is one almighty challenge of skill and brains and you cannot afford to get too complacent. Having done South America 1 and giving up on number 2 this was an absolute joy. I was so keen to carry on with this one that I made myself an absolute pest of myself on the forums. Thanks to Momster I was able to continue. Loved the little dinos and adored Mommy Dino at the end. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed myself and cannot wait for SA5 to be released." - Tortoise3 (19-Oct-2002) |
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| "This is a worthy follower to levels 1-3. Here you also have all the great puzzling and jumping and searching you had in the earlier ones. The concept is pretty much the same - one big room in the centre and then areas off to the sides with items or levers to find. Lots of pickups - look everywhere. Enemies are dinosaurs of various kinds small and BIG!" - G.Croft (17-Oct-2002) |
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| "I found the levels traps a bit easier than South America levels 1-3. A big huge fat THANK YOU must go to mainly Momster who really helped me out when I couldn't find the way to the last star and big thanks to Bex as well for helping me out. Regardless of that I absolutely loved this level (as I do the other South America adventures). Even though I got stuck in several places that didn't detract from the sheer fun of it all. The textures and ambience of the level was ideal really evocative of TR1 as well as MesoAmerican ancient culture. The enemies were appropriately placed not too many and not too little. The little dinos might look cute but they have a nasty bite! As well as raptors and crocodiles. The gameplay though not wholly linear doesn't confuse you and flows well. A few hints for the less experienced raiders: pay attention to the flybys they always reveal important locations and if in doubt find bones or pots to shoot or a moveable block and explore every nook and cranny.... that's another great thing about this level the intricate exploring! I highly recommend this as well as the other South America levels you'll be most certainly addicted." - Litepulsar (16-Oct-2002) |
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| "This is another great one in this series. Having played the 1-3 levels I was expecting something good and I got it. The play takes place from a central area and involves exploring nooks and crannies to obtain various goodies and pick ups. Great traps and jumps are there in abundance (as usual with this author). I got stuck with nowhere to go until I was told to look up and found a pendulum and some switches nicely hidden up a wall. That will teach me to look closer. A bit later there are raptors to make extinct and their offspring are good fun to shoot as well. All in all another great level. Play it now." - Doug E (14-Oct-2002) |
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| "The fourth part of the South America series is brilliant like the others. Everybody who liked the other parts will also love this one. As usual traps pushing block puzzles timed puzzles with raising blocks the well known slide-and-jump-over-lava sequences flooding and drying up of some places and many more in the typical JediMaster style. The atmosphere as always is brilliant the level design very complex and the sounds appropriate. Outstanding in this level are the prehistoric enemies. The baby dinos look so cute that I didn't like to shoot them in the beginning but after realizing that they can kill Lara with poison I had to change my mind. Later on you will meet the bigger red brothers and at the end you have to run away from the big daddy the T-Rex. A worthy sequel from this outstanding series the difficulty was a little bit easier than the other levels. Absolutely recommended!" - Freeman Porter (13-Oct-2002) |
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| "The forgotten world follows its predecessors. The same perfect texturing the same kind of gameplay and puzzles with breakable panes bones to shoot movable blocks swinging blades timed runs on raising blocks. But there is never a feeling of deja vu all seems fresh and new. Again Luis Martins offers a level with more than 2 hours of excellent raiding. Here Lara will fight raptors pterodactyls and a T-Rex. There is also the green baby raptors and the traps of The Palace of Midas that I never saw before in a TR4 custom level. Also I have never seen before a timed block to push. Plenty of very good ideas in this not too hard level. Congratulations!" - eRIC (13-Oct-2002) |
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| "Another one of this sequel in a very short time I would say. Not that I am complaining I found myself enjoying these levels although I don't like dark ones these have a great atmosphere how can you resist. The style is the same with the previous levels flooding an area spikes and lava traps the so familiar traps with the skull textures and so on. Getting two red gems and two blue ones along with keys this is a very challenging level and long by the way. Whenever in doubt look for something to shoot a crawlspace or a movable block. What is really concerning though is that now after four levels the style is well known and I think the next one must differ I would like a surprise or two something that will make you say that's new. Dino's and a big Rex which is really a pain are going to give you a few bites or more I loved the little animals well I have no idea what to call them they looked like birds not flying ones with long necks. I laughed when I heard them and seeing them going around like mad well I didn't laugh when I realized that their bites are a little.... poisonous. About that Rex I don't know if it is deliberate or a bug but when in that room I stepped on a ledge thinking that I can shoot a vase and trying to avoid being its launch after saving there thinking I am kind of safe the Rex disappeared. Of course I was so glad for that but I am also curious if anything like that happened to others. Swinging axes back flipping from ladders everything that can give you a nice feeling and a couple of hours of fun is in this level. If you haven't played this series yet you don't know what you are missing what are you waiting for!" - Kristina (12-Oct-2002) |
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| "Make no mistake this is of the same top quality than the first three parts; it's just that atmosphere- and texture-wise this strikes me as a mere re-run of a well tested formula and near the end a few rooms are designed rather listlessly I thought. However this will by no means spoil your enjoyment of this 2 hour+ adventure. I found it fascinating that by now I'm so tuned in to the author's way of level building that I almost knew immediately what to do whenever I stepped into a new area and found three secrets without trying very hard. This doesn't mean that it's an easy level or that it is a mere copy of the previous parts. However most tasks are variations of the ingredients that made the South America Adventures 1-3 such a delight in the first place. Bones and vessels to shoot blocks to push pools to flood and drain pillars to rise a torch puzzle tricky jumps collapsing tiles spikes swinging blades and fire emitters. But they are again so well put together that the gameplay is utterly satisfying and I liked the way this starts out very non-linear with lot's of sideways to explore and gradually becomes more fast paced. And what makes this an absolute must are the little baby dinos which are so cute that it seems really cruel to kill them but once you found out how deadly they can be encountering them becomes a really creepy experience. I had a wonderful time playing this and look forward to part five." - Dimpfelmoser (12-Oct-2002) |
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| "WOW! I didn't think I could enjoy anything as much as parts 1-3 but I believe I liked this one even better. Fluent gameplay enemies placed just so and not overly done so you could really get into the fabulous exploration and gaming aspects. Great selection of music keyed in so very appropriately depicting the mood very kind lighting and superb atmosphere. You will start a quest to obtain 2 golden stars 2 horsemen's gems and 2 red gems or 'ignition keys'. Hindering your adventure are many prehistoric creatures and of course the ever-present bats. There are areas to be flooded and drained pushable block puzzles monkey-swinging sliding and jumping. JediMaster stays on his pattern of shooting bones and pots but not overly so in this segment. I got stuck for a while after taking the 1st ignition key and finding where to go next. Thanks to Tombaholic (again) for showing me the way. Near the end there is a particularly devious timed raising block exercise that had me tearing out my hair you'll know what I mean when you get there. I kept thinking after each area that this was going to be the end and didn't want it to be when I finally finished after 2½ hours I could have played another 2½. Don't miss this one folks even if you didn't play 1-3." - Momster (12-Oct-2002) |
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| "If you played parts 1-3 of this series you'll know what to expect from this one. Luis has stuck firmly to his winning formula where traps and puzzles are concerned; expert raiders will be in TR heaven with this level because it's just as difficult and as compulsive to play as his three previous outings (if not more so) and the atmosphere is as unique and engrossing as it gets. There are some wonderful surprises here too not least the little dinos that look so cute but which are actually pretty deadly. Luis has excelled himself with this level in all respects. I just can't fault it so from me it gets a much-deserved perfect score. The only thing that would make me happier than playing this level again right now would be playing part 5. Hurry it up please Luis! :-)" - Bex (11-Oct-2002) |
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