Burn the Midnight Oil

February 2003

To Install: Open the Oil.zip. Backup all your original Tut1 wad files contained in the graphics/wads folder, and replace them with the new Tut1 wad files (.CD, .lar, .raw, .sam, .sfx, .SWD, .TOM, .TXT .WAD, .WAS) from this zip, then convert the Tut.1 Tom to a tr4 file using the level converter. Now backup your original Script.dat, English.dat, Strings.h and load.bmp files in the TRLE root directory and replace them with the new ones packaged in the Oil.zip. Then run tomb4.exe, select new game and choose 'Burn the Midnight Oil'.
This custom level uses the following original TRLE wav files - 000, 007, 027, 032, 033, 040, 041, 056, 085, 094, 098, 104. There are no custom sounds. Make sure you have them all installed in your audio folder, for full atmosphere.

This is my first attempt with the TR level editor and represents the results of my first month of level editor noodling. Yeah I know I'm a late starter, but better late than never. What a great tool for self expression. It started off as reproducing some of the Tutorial rooms and grew from there. I apologise for the inclusion of the Tutorial-like rooms near the start, but it just felt right in context of the game play. I know you've all played heaps of "First-timer" Tutorial based levels and hope this one is a bit different. I skipped the custom sounds etc. to keep the download to a minimum.

I guess with this level, everything was a big learning experience. I just wanted to see what could be done within the limitations of the standard Tut1.wad and I need some feedback as to how others feel about my level design, so I can make improvements in the future. 

Yes there are some dark areas, but there are sufficient flares to get you through.


Raid on

EssGee

Any problems or constructive comments please email me: essgee@tpg.com.au
Web Page: http://users.tpg.com.au/scottgg/Ess_Gees_home_page.htm

Rooms: 93
Secrets: 2
Booby traps: a couple - unmarked and marked
Bugs: Only one minor one. At one point in the game, the background music drops out after a door trigger is activated. Save and reload and the background music will be re-established.
Net gaming time: ~ 40-50 minutes - getting all pickups and secrets. Hopefully it will keep you amused for a bit longer than this.

Story:
This level is proposed to be the first in a series that involves Lara in an adventure where there is a struggle for possession and control of a mysterious oil supply that is supposed to exist deep under the tombs of Egypt.
Rumours abound of a secret oil supply that is hidden beneath the tombs of Egypt. Local authorities wish to keep the oil for Egyptian domestic use and have been laundering the profits from small scale oil sales using a derelict tomb as a Tomb-style theme Nightclub as a front. However there have been some strange things going on. There appears to be more than meets the eye with this oil. The talk on the street is that the oil "gives life to the dead" and locals are now quite spooked about visiting the nightclub. An international organisation has muscled in on the nightclub and is trying to get its hands on the oil source and Lara has been called upon by the Egyptian authorities to halt the company's investigations and unravel the mystery of the true source of the oil. We join Lara as she enters the tomb/ nightclub for the first time....



HELP - only read on if you're really stuck.


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You've got the two eye pieces, but where to next? Make sure you've got full health - back flip out of the second eye piece room to the second angled tall column, grab the edge, then drop down into the darkness.

So now you're deep down at the base of the tall columns, there's a trapdoor but how do you open it? - Use flares or get Lara down on her knees and look carefully for the fire room. You may also find Secret 1 using this method.

Do you really need to get back up from the darkness? OK, near the first column that you jumped to - there's an unmarked climbing area (sorry), it's just there as a backup, you shouldn't need it if you've followed the linear progression of the game or unless you just want to go back to party with the mummies.

The Red Fire room - a couple of unfired squares and a sort-of unmarked monkey swing.

Trapped in the small tomb with the 2 lever rooms. Yep, you're trapped...back to the last save, then make the right exit move.

Secret 2 - it's in the sandy rubble and ruins excavation section.

Pushable Object Puzzle - Look at the walls for a clue - fill in the missing space in the column stack.

You're down the bottom of the big cavern and can't get back up to the ridge - make your way to the "oilfall" - climb the column where the heiroglyphics are oriented differently.

The checkerboard puzzle - come on, it's only trial and error - my twelve year old son can do this one.

Missing a star key, can't finish the game? Oh dear, the slippery dip ride was more than a bit of fun, go back and look more carefully once you've finished the ride.




Thanks to Torry and MiniGee for their creative input and testing the level for me and Palo for his valuable technical advice.




This level was not made and is not supported by Core Design Ltd. and Eidos Interactive.

The level must be distributed free of charge. Neither you nor anyone else
may sell, rent, lease or commercially exploit these levels in any way. You
may only exchange them at no charge to licensed users of Tomb Raider
Chronicles.

If you distribute this level this readme file must be included.


