Level reviews

"I consider this builder among the more interesting ones, and he proves it again here in this more toned down Karnak than you normally know. You'll run back and forth but in organic and cute scenery so it won't matter (that) much. But you will be stuck with THAT ladder, and I see new textures so one could be put there if the author really wanted to keep the color. I'd also add some secrets but the hidden shotgun does well." - DJ Full

"Lara's task in this temple is to get the water system running again and grab a little trinket as a reward. In about 1h of gameplay, the adventurer needs to find a few well-hidden buttons and obtain a handfull of items to open all the doors of the temple. Once repaired, the water system connects all the major areas and makes it easier to move between them. There still is a good bit of climbin involved, too. There are a couple scorpions lurking in the sand, crocodiles in the flooded tunnels, and a few bedouins who do not take nicely to the intruder. Equipped with dual pistols, a shotgun, and a revolver, Lara leaves these enemies in the dust. All in all this game is well-made, altough I would have wished for more camera hints as some switches activate things further off so that Lara has to double check the area a number of times. Still, this is a solid little adventure that I found quite enjoyable. :)" - Sponge

"Quite an impressive level. The map feels very small but it is very solidly designed, took me an hour and half to finish it. It is sometimes confusing, but the gameplay is quite intricate and requires a good attention and memory because you need to retrace your steps a lot of time, with some flipmaps included. There are enough varieties in the tasks so it keeps being interesting to the end. It felt like a genuine adventure, good job!" - Nomad

"A solidly made Karnak style level with quite a lot of exploration going on. Despite the backtracking that ensued, I mainly enjoyed myself with this one and I always like revisiting areas after flooding or draining as the experience is obviously quite different. Nothing too difficult to achieve and just enough fun stuff going on to make it worth a look." - Jay

"My final stats for this level might actually be very deceiving. I have a lot of customized wads, so it's still somewhat joyful for me to run tom2pc and build standard levels using a handful of the infinite outfits available on TRSearch, but for some reason this created an anomaly with this level. So, about half an hour in, when I reached the first canopic jar, I couldn't proceed. I reverted to the standard wads and started over, knowing where and what to do, and reached that same spot I came to a halt before in less than 10 minutes. With that being said, this is a lovely Karnak level, and the level design is just as ingenious as it is organic, with the temple areas overtaken by mounds of sand -- plus it looks even better when it gets flooded. Gameplay is vastly about exploration and platforming, generally on the easy side all things conisdered, which made this quite an enjoyable raid for a lazy afternoon. 30 minutes. 03/18" - Treeble

"This is quite an intense and complex "little" level. Although the game map may seem quite small and compact, it's actually more sprawling than you would think. The gameplay mainly revolves around finding your way around huge areas, with a couple of fun timed runs thrown as well as flipmaps and a few gymnastics. It's quite good fun, but occasionally a little confusing so reference to the walkthrough may be necessary. Good fun, though for those who like these types of levels." - Ryan

"This has to be one of the most confusing levels I've yet played! It's beautifully put together in every respect,and full of clever gameplay touches;but to say that it's convoluted would be an understatement.I genuinely lost count of the number of times I climbed one particular pillar in order to retrace my steps to various parts of the level,but I would be surprised if it was anything less than thirty.As you can probably guess,the gameplay is all about retacing ones steps from one part of the level to another,in order to push various switches which cause things to happen in (inevitably)the furthest corners of the level from where these various switches are located.Backward and forward you run,becoming increasingly familiar with all the various landmarks,until you eventually find a way to access the final area - only to discover that you're one item short and have to go over the entire area one final time! Even with the walkthrough,I found it a thoroughly confusing excercise.Nonetheless,it all looks terrific (I noticed one compressed texture - but that was only because the gameplay had caused me to run past the damn thing several dozen times);the enemies are entertainingly placed;and cameras are helpful in pointing out which distant corner you're required to retrace your steps to.There are no tricky jumps nor baffling puzzles to overcome;but if this were a real place,your blisters would be killing you come the Finale.Patient and even-tempered players will get around 90 minutes of entertainment out of this;and it's purely for those people that I recommend this level." - Orbit Dream

"For all of you out there who might feel that a level released back in 2002 is passe and unworthy of a download, I urge you to give this one a try. It's a free-standing level that should give you at least an hour and a half of gameplay, even if you use the walkthrough (as I did). And the walkthrough reveals a touch of laziness near the end, so expect to wander about a bit before finishing the level. I showed good timing in playing this Japanese level, as we've recently been blessed with a level from another Japanese builder who hasn't been around in years. Anyway, what we have here is a fairly complex game map that will have you going back and forth as areas are flooded and have to be revisited, but I had a good time and would recommend this adventure to anyone." - Phil

"Entertaining this one, but the gameplay is not very clever, leading you often to dead ends and sometimes forcing you to go from place to place several times placing triggers very far from the objects they activate and when you go there, another trigger to activate another door in the place where you came from; also a lot of buttons to pull for my taste. Few enemies to shoot, perfect design with good architecture and cameras, the best for me was the very well texturing. Nice to play with no much difficulty to finish it." - Jose

"This was quite an extensive level and it must have taken me a couple of hours to finally get through it. Fairly challenging although I feel the setting is a little plain. Very enjoyable though. Worth a play when you have a few hours to kill." - Necro

"A recent raid through the author's more recent levels raised my appetite for other works of his, so I've been systematically giving the levels I hadn't played a go and this Karnak style game seems to be one of the last left. And it's a very decent level at that - the setting seems authentic (though as always with the author's levels - some more complication as far as lighting goes might have helped the level's overall feel and atmosphere, as it was a bit bland here), the tasks nicely set up and the enemies keeping you going throughout the whole time spent in this rather compact desert temple. What I didn't enjoy so much though was that the temple wasn't so easy to maneuver through - you were required to take some of the rather more complicated routes multiple times till all was said and done and it eventually got a bit tedious, though the water flipmap made things easier. The climbable pillar for one of the canopic jars was not all too obvious as well, but overall all these are just minor nuances to what otherwise is an excellent little gem of a level well worth a try." - eTux

"From the get-go two of the important objects required to complete the level are visible but inaccessible which is a nice change to general running around and not knowing what to collect behind the next door and where to place it. The author was thoughtful to allow many windows in to other areas which helped to know where objects could be collected from and to see changes to other areas due to your actions. The puzzles were simple and tasks straight forward the only difficulty was finding some objects or where to place them. There is a small amount of backtracking which wasn't bothersome as it's not difficult to move between areas. The lighting and textures are very good though a little dark in some areas. The enemies weren't numerous but worked well for what was happening in the level (some didn't appear at all yet did the first time around possibly as their trigger may have been missed). Overall it was an excellent level that was very enjoyable to play. I look forward to more of what the author can offer in the future." - Jenni

"The rooms look architectonically: Nice texturing nicely-placed objects. The atmosphere is good. And the gameplay is ok. I hate to move too long to go from A to B and back to A again. Actually this is not a hard level. The hall with 5 star-drawn square seemed to be hard at first but players can easily figure out the solution: The number of rounds on the star indicate the sequence number that the fire on pot will be burned. This meticulously-designed level need to be work more with to have a good gameplay. Harder puzzle if possible." - Deathmelody

"I thought this was a very good level well made Karnak temple complex and although the usual things happen like finding two canopic jars vraeus and amulet swimming fighting ninjas and climbing about the ruins it's all very 'new'. The only time I was lost was trying to remember where the pyramid key was and the revolver and with all the doors to open a good memory is needed to save on endless backtracking. That was a good tease the first canopic jar I mean where you try to think how to get it and later you find flooding the area is the solution. Very well hidden switches especially those two behind the sitting statues and the one behind the jar and enemies only ninjas crocs and two scorpions were well placed and some gave a shock. The part I really liked was the very end with that fire puzzle in the outdoor amphitheatre like place then down below with the transparent ledges and how to make them appear. Even now Oct '03 it's still a very good level and highly recommended." - CC

"I have to admit I find it all a bit tasty when you're playing a level and the things you need so much are visually on display to you from almost the get go but aren't accessible and that's when the fun begins as you go on sometimes epic adventures to acquire them. In this one this is the case with especially one canopic jar that leads you to having to flood an area and do all other sorts of things to get it. The setting you find yourself in is one of those ones that you can just lose yourself in because of the great authentic outdoor Karnak areas and the intricate path you have to take inside the ruins but some may find a bit of the backtracking a little tedious for me this was fine. I really enjoyed this hour long level a whole lot and am really in the end just pleased that I could finish a level that came from the mind of a Japanese author that hasn't been to the Masashi Ito school of evil moves and tricks!" - Sash

"I was set on the wrong foot with the remark of Matthias about the original wads. You have to use the revised wads but I do understand what he is talking about. It probably was me as I couldn't proceed the first time starting this level. I found a button to push after a monkey climb and was stuck. Finally got the guardian key and didn't know how to go on. I even got to do some swimming but that was not the way I got there way too early. So time to call the big strong boys and from then on it was OK. Just not having my day that is all. You need the canopic jars guardian key and a Vraeus. One jar is in plain sight and the second one you'll see pretty soon as well but how to get them. Well climb jump find your way as it is possible not obvious but afterwards it will make sense. There is some target shooting so the revolver and laser-sight are a must. Enemies are ninjas crocs and scorpions. 22-12-2002" - Gerty

"Heathen Temple is a quick download at 56.6 and a good 90 to 120 minutes of playing time (at least for me). I enjoyed playing the game but didn't find the puzzles particularly challenging. Yes they were thought provoking but after the first 30 minutes the designer's logic struck home and from there on the game flowed quite well. The logic for me was quite sound and while I had fun playing the game I must admit it felt a bit too repetitious after I acquired the first jar. Again I enjoyed playing Heathen Temple but only up to a point. And it was MUCH TOO DARK in too many spots." - Dougsan

"Always refreshing to play such a good level built from a standard WAD. 249 rooms (!) which I guess is partly due to some rather involved flipmaps like the excellent one where you flood most of the area which gives you access to one of the two canopic jars you need. There is also a guardian key to be had to eventually get to the vraeus and finally the amulet before you escape after a little over an hour. The setting is very smartly constructed always allowing you to find a way forward or backwards and very few but useful cameras point you in the right direction. Have a careful look-out for buttons to press and reach-in switches. Enemies are suitably included (crocodiles ninjas and scorpions) and if you care to work for them there are quite a few pickups. Go there for some fun raiding." - Michael

"I really loved the game play in this level. The atmosphere is great semi dark at times brighter outside and quite dark where the buttons are hidden. You guessed right there are many of those but it's not boring at all the player has to climb jump slide blocks and flood areas to get the puzzle items which are a golden vraeus a guardian key and two canopic jars. The enemies are ninjas and crocodiles although some bats would be nice too in the sort of cave area. This took something like an hour and forty minutes to finish its difficulty is above medium. There is a bug though one of the buttons after placing the vraeus doesn't work but if you step onto the raised cage you can proceed anyway I guess the same goes for the rest of the cages you don't even need to push the other buttons as well. The textures are common but you are too busy finding ways to open doors and go further so that won't be a problem. A little backtracking is required and although the flyby in many occasions is very useful you must remember which door is unopened yet. Obviously a level worth playing." - Kristina

"Heathen Temple is a very well planned and designed level that will have you exploring most areas twice at least because there are quite a few buttons and most of the time not enough camera work. The level itself isn't too large but usually checking a door requires a little climbing and a lot of footwork. You see the canopic jars early on but don't get them till later and I had a hard time getting the second one because I didn't bother to look up and see the opening that led to it. I was also a bit confused at the end where there are five buttons to push to lower metal cages and I could only push four of the buttons. When I stood on the last cage I could see that the door I needed was now opening. There are few enemies in the level small groups of ninjas that attack near the end and quite a few crocs which usually attack in small underwater tunnels. Overall a very clever level that will take some thinking to get through." - RaiderGirl

"A level which takes place in what appears to be a small area, constantly going back and forth between areas. For me a distraction as in the beginning climbing the same wall and jumping to get to two of the areas, became boring. Crocs and Ninja are your foes, often in groups. The windy ruins atmosphere was used to good effect (although by now it is standard), and the 'burning Canopic jar' room had superb lighting. The rest was average, and the swimming was again standard. A level to play if you want a shortish one." - Whistle

"Another fine level from Japan. The setting is well done and original the lighting is good. Lara must find two canopic jars to get the golden vraeus and a guardian key to get the laser sight for a shooting puzzle at the end...then she will grab the amulet. Seeing the canopic jars is easy how to pick them up is another story. Exploration and some special jumps are necessary. The puzzles are good and the gameplay is very clever. The player will become familiar to this place as some backtracking is sometimes necessary but the mapping of the rooms is not too wide and in the end appreciate the author's work. Whatever the route chosen the player cannot be stuck. This level is like a big puzzle containing little puzzles to solve like the timed runs to flood a room or the logical puzzle with the 5 tiles to stand on. A clever and entertaining level." - eRIC

"Tremendous strides made by Blacksheep here. This is a nicely put together Karnak adventure which requires some back and forthing but it's by no means boring. Everything makes perfect sense as you continue your exploration. There are a few ninjas and some crocodiles to contend with but nothing devastating. The essential things to acquire in this delightful adventure are a guardian key 2 canopic jars the revolver and lasersite. Some well-hidden switches make gameplay interesting and you will need to flood one area and empty the water out of another. I played for about 90 minutes and could have played on." - Momster

"A great leap forward for Blacksheep and yet another proof that you can create excellent levels with nothing but the original wads. Although the gameplay requires quite a bit of backtracking and searching for the right way to proceed the whole area is so cleverly constructed that it never becomes too frustrating or boring. The rooms interact beautifully and I found it rather clever how flooding the area (and draining some pool) gives you a whole lot of new options. It took me 77 minutes to reach the end and I enjoyed this traditional TR adventure immensely. The few fixed cameras make perfect sense the enemies are placed well and I thought there was exactly the right balance between exploring action jumps and puzzles. Ok there is nothing out of the ordinary here but the way the whole thing is put together seems rather original and due to careful texturing and atmospheric lighting the place feels very real. I particularly liked the way you could see the two canopic jars long before you were able to pick them up. A great setting and a great soryline. Can you ask for more?" - Dimpfelmoser