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Level: Port Wladorsk back home search
Author(s): Agnes
total rating:8.15 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
Aims 8 8 9 9
Akcy 7 7 8 7
Bene 9 8 8 9
Bogey 7 8 9 8
CC 7 7 9 9
Duncan 8 8 8 8
Gerty 8 7 9 8
Jay 7 8 9 9
Jorge22 8 8 9 9
Jose 8 8 9 9
Kristina 7 7 8 8
MichaelP 7 8 9 9
Necro 8 7 7 8
Obig 8 9 9 9
Orbit Dream 6 7 8 9
Phil 9 8 9 8
Samu 9 9 9 9
Sash 7 7 9 8
The Aussie Adventurer 7 9 10 8
Yoav 8 8 8 9
category averages
(20 reviews)		 7.65 7.80 8.65 8.50

Reviewer's comments

"This small level have not fantastic features, but it's very nice to play and no very hard. Rooms are small, but well textured and ornated. There's a very good atmosphere according with the history and songs and cameras are well implemented. Only two different enemies, and the keys are not easy to spot, but gameplay is fluid with few backtracking. In the line from this author, another level worth to play." - Jose (15-Aug-2012)

"This is a very atmospheric Arctic base-like level that I somehow missed the first time around. I'm now playing a two-parter by Cowboy that's eerily similar, and equally fine, but that's for the next review. This level is of average length, around fifty minutes, but what made it stand out in my mind was the realistic surroundings that made you feel as if you were really exploring a Siberian outpost. There's a devilish timed swim near the end that nearly did me in, but I finally conquered it after several tries. These older levels are a delight to play. Even if you've played them before, many of them are worth a second look. High recommendations." - Phil (29-Nov-2011)

"A short level with interesting story, and a nice end cut scene. It's been stated as a shooter so I expected more enemies, with the powerful weapons we've got, they meant no problem. I liked the added music and the gloomy atmosphere. Promising starting area and fly-by, cool outfit, but later it became a bit boring with those mostly empty big areas. The room where the final showdown took place was okay again. The textures are fine, still the level didn't look impressive. The tasks are simple, running around to find switches, easily missed keys, as they blend in, to the floor. That trigger delay bug made all the timed runs/swims a bit tricky." - Akcy (26-Mar-2007)

"This was a difficult level with a lot of timed runs. One especially had me pulling my hair out but after half an hour of trying, I got there in the end. This level was remeinescent of London, although that is not where this is set. It seems you are looking for some paintings and there are a lot of bad guys out there to protect their hidden location. The mood is dark and so is the setting. The level is nicely designed and a few new moves are included for example the Death Slide (or more popularly known as the zip line). The end movie is fantastic. Great level if you can get past the timed runs which can be annoying." - Necro (13-Jul-2006)

“Only just finishing this level the impression I got of this level is that it was good nice and short. Although this was not quite up to the standards that was set from the Arctic Hole 3 levels it still was a nice game indeed. Overall the level design and layout were good however the switch bugs timed runs made me curse a couple of times though. Enemies were frequent and always keep me on my toes. I loved the addition of the MK47 weapon and man does it pack a punch. Well done for adding it. Lighting and textures were ok with some being out of place but not many. And to my favourite part which was the end cut scene. I have to give full marks to the author for creating an ending sequence that was well worth the wait. I'm not worried if the acting was below par no offense but it was the originality and the fact there was an ending which I was very impressed with. If I had to give this level a grade I would give it a B+ a fraction higher than a distincton.” – The Aussie Adventurer (01-Nov-2004)

“There were two things I particularly liked about this level: the Russian portuary city ambiance and the music nice music indeed well chosen for the game. I guess those two may count as ambiance... Apart from that it's a fairly simple game (or maybe it's just that I'm coming from a very difficult game) with lots of soldiers to shoot passages to open keys to find a zip line some timed runs and a place packed up with nice paintings and sculptures in the end plus a poster of some sexy girl in the middle of the game - who's she? When all is done there's a cut scene which I didn't fully understand... Lara picks up a phone and listens to the final argument and showdown between the evil woman and the evil man or is it some sort of an intercommunicator or what is it? Anyway nice game for a little Tomb raider relaxation... We need these in fact - if every game had a hundred big levels and left you stuck every five meters it would become not only fantastic but fantastically tiring. (August 11 2004)” – Jorge22 (11-Aug-2004)

“I think this level is good. Atmosphere and all places are so good. I will recommend this level.” – Samu (01-Aug-2004)

“Great look and storyline set in and around a European port city Lara must go on a quest to recover some stolen World War 2 artworks. The puzzling was maybe not as intriguing as I would have liked it to have been though given the environment but we are given a handful of timed runs and swims the first does have a slight trigger anomaly so you can’t move straight away which is not an easy thing to have to do knowing a timed run counts on not wasting time. I also had quite a funny first meeting with one of the thieves as instead of being on the dock as the flyby showed me I found him at the bottom of the waterway how he got there I’ll never know but the strangest thing was the ending cut scene as I had no sound at this stage (this happens sometimes) what appeared to be a musclebound green haired trannie hooker came on the screen and then got shot by what looked to be a disgruntled client I am still not sure what it was all about but it really gave the level a very Fellini feel and sure made this 50 minute level memorable for me.” – Sash (25-Jul-2004)

“From the start this looks very professional. Lighting textures and atmosphere are perfect. And even Lara herself great detail AoD face - have a close look. Much more realistic arms on Lara but her legs are very skinny compared to her more shapely legs which I prefer. I found the AK47 and medpack and revolver secrets which helped a lot. The opening flyby made me smile when I saw that blonde thug leaning against the wall just outside the room Lara is standing in. Very dark in places but this adds rather than detracts from the effect. It's a port with three harbours to look around. Very subtle placement of levers - that one underwater under pipes and the one on the roof that took me a long time to find. The zipline has assumed a more realistic look also. It's basically a key and lever finding exercise but done in a very sophisticated way. Unfortunately some hiccups ruin the overall effect that is after a switch the camera takes a few seconds to show what you did which threw me a bit and no camera at all for the long swim to an underwater gate. But I didn't really need it. Another thing was the long gates that open to the indoor canal I had no idea they were open until I started running around to find what to do and was surprised to find them open. It struck me as odd that when I shot out a crawlspace grid there was nothing in there and I made Lara crawl in anyway thinking they must be triggers as it is a different pattern to the rest of the floor. Were they triggers? And lastly it took a while to figure out the first climbable wall after that I spotted the other one. The jump from the wooden jetty beside the boat to the entrance in the building I found was easy enough I didn't need to grab the wall. The keys are hard to see on the floor so flares are definitely needed. Especially at the end when I didn't see the key one of the gunmen dropped in the room with the paintings. The end flyby of Lara using her mobile phone and the camera flys around to show a beefy looking green haired woman taking on the guards if it wasn't for the voice I'd say it was Von Croy in drag. Overall a very impressive looking level with great music. In a way you get the feel of a Venice level with all the harbours. It's a pity it wasn't longer.” – CC (28-Jun-2004)

“There's something about this level which to me just seems cold. Perhaps it's the empty Port itself; or the fairly pervasive darkness; or the somewhat enigmatic Gameplay. Perhaps it's the annoying 'timed door bug'..? Whatever it was it prevented me from particularly enjoying this. The switch for the lasers was hidden in a huge area; and with no clues given as to how to actually de-activate them coupled with the possibility of riding the zip-line prematurely and not being able to get back again the end result for me was 90 minutes of general frustration. But the finale was lovely and the whole adventure was beautifully constructed…so perhaps I just wasn't in the proper mood.” – Orbit Dream (25-Jun-2004)

“This is a short but very entertaining level. The timed runs are do-able and not overly frustrating. There is a delay with the switches - if you're too quick jumping away you'll find the doors never open. Although this is a known bug I forgot about it and almost gave up on the last timed swim. Once I remembered the swim was accomplished. A great outfit (check out the boots) by Blind Intention wonderful music by Michael Giacchino and Agnes' level design with one of the best cut scene endings combine to make this a must download. Thanks Agnes I didn't want it to end and I'm looking forward to the next one.” – Bene (22-Jun-2004)

“A very solid and entertaining level done while the author complained of being sick and gloomy. Well that didn't stop her from doing good work. I liked the setting and gameplay - including the spotlight shining on an inverted pyramid - especially the final section with the underwater timed door. I did not have any bugs in the game play and I have a Mac and it's usually the other way around. Well done.” – Duncan (21-Jun-2004)

“This is something of a departure for Agnes. She describes it as gloomy and it certainly has a much darker tone than any of her previous levels but it’s rather good. You’ll have to deal with a lot of thugs as you make your way around the dockside area and personally I was jolly glad to find the revolver and the AK47. The timed swim at the end I found very tight but otherwise there is nothing difficult. Quite a short level but I really liked the atmosphere. You can’t go wrong with an Agnes level they’re always worth playing.” – Jay (16-Jun-2004)

"Hm, so Agnes built this when she did not feel so well and thus it came up as a shooter? Two things are striking about this comment in the readme. One - would this have been an even better level if she had felt better than she did? Two - a shooter? With only about a dozen baddies to kill along the 45 minutes you spend in this city/harbour setting? Anyway, this short but entertaining adventure offers a few nice treats indeed with a cool outfit for Lara, great choice of textures, a few timed runs/swims and then pushing a few blocks, using a zip line and avoiding a few swinging chains and spikes. The gallery at the end and the cut scene are very nicely done indeed. On the downside it felt like there was not all that much to do to accomplish your objective, the 'trigger delay' on those switches is a known, but still annoying bug in TRLE and while there a few really well placed cameras, they might have been of better use for the timed sequences to give the player a hint. But, all in all, a thoroughly enjoyable romp - no to be missed.” – Michael (11-Jun-2004)

“I love Agnes’ levels. They are nor easy nor too hard and what’s more they are humane. The enemies are not gods and monsters but the story takes place in the real world. This level reminds me to the Venice level from TR2. Although there are a couple of timed runs and swims involved but they can be solved. The only enemies are armed men. You wander in houses and sewers between beautiful textures and the added sounds give much plus to the experience. I found 2 Secrets: the Revolver in the end and the Medi Pack and some Ammo on the roof. Your objective is finding ID Card and Keys as well as pushing blocks. Unfortunately I had to use a Medi Pack when I dropped into the water on the spikes. But there are quite a lot of Medi Packs on the level and you will also get the AK47 in the room with acid. Don’t miss this superb level! I found only one small bug which is not annoying but makes the things easier. The first switch doesn’t open the underwater grate unless you climb out of the water and run through the floor-tile in front of it. This way I managed to reach the timed closed underwater grate. :) You can find a Hungarian walkthrough (as we don’t have English version) savegames and pictures here: http://treditor.hu/12/port_wladorsk.htm ” – Obig (11-Jun-2004)

“Here is a very cool level from Agnes. Very original but a little short. The story goes that there were some valuable artefacts that went missing in Germany during the second World War. They were smuggled from Russia to Europe where they were sold. Lara has a lead pointing to Port Wladorsk where the location of these artefacts may be. So starts her journey... As soon as I started the level I liked it Lara's outfit the surroundings and of course the flyby of the guards in the port. The enemies were retuxured as the ones from TR5 something nice to see instead of the same old guards from tr4. There were a fair few which can be a pain but when you find the AK47 gun they are no problem. I also liked the custom music nice classical music that went well with the level. It was a bit too dark but there were plenty of flares about. There were a few timed runs in this not too bad as long as you were fast only the last one annoyed me a bit I'd get to the door and not be able to swim through then it closed; a pain but I eventually did it. The level was fairly short it took me just over 40 minutes; so it's just a mini level but a fun one. I liked the ending as well it was a cool cut-scene but I won't spoil it you will have to see it for yourself. The game wasn't too difficult it was only the timed runs that were the hard parts for me. So if you want a nice original level from the very talented Agnes I suggest you play this!” – Aims (11-Jun-2004)

“I liked the look of this level the atmosphere and the outfit. Loved the first flyby with the enemy leaning nonchalant to the wall. Here you are looking for the stolen artifacts and you'll see in the last flyby who stole them. Very well done. I was a bit peeved as the first two timed runs didn’t had any camera work so that took a bit to see where opened what and I am a bit puzzled with some of the push blocks as there was no purpose for that at all. But better push them all as they will hide crawl spaces or goodies. There is a bit too much back and fro for my liking but all in all the gameplay wasn't much frustrating because of that. Keep building Agnes. Found 2 secrets 03-06-2004” – Gerty (06-Jun-2004)

“The level is set in a city harbour area with docks channels and storehouses. Lara is searching for the hiding-place of some contraband works of art. You should find switches and keys and there are quite a few gunmen to fight. However once you have got the Kalashnikov they won't be much of a problem. Ammo is rather plentiful but often hidden away. This weapon (by Silent Viper) is perhaps a bit too powerful yet it has a certain appeal. For good measure one can also find a revolver but I never used it. There are a few timed runs two of which took me quite some time to master. Lara's torn outfit by Blind Intentions is very fitting to the level. A curiosity is that a jump can sometimes be done both directly and via a climbable wall without any significant difference in difficulty. One might be a bit worried about the artefacts during Lara's final shoot-out but I guess she is a pretty good shot and the enemies don't get a chance. The level ends with an elaborate cutscene which nicely rounds off the story.” – Bogey (05-Jun-2004)

“We change scenery in this level from the icy environments we go to what looks like warehouses. Lara’s outfit was great I must admit. There is a problem with the blue switches unfortunately most of the runs are timed and the bug that occurs makes the doors not to open unless Lara waits for a second after using it before she can start running. The problem with that is that unless you realize the problem you think you’re stuck with no way out but most importantly it becomes very frustrating when there is a timed runs involved since a second more and you won’t make the run a fraction of a second less and the door doesn’t open. Apart from that everything else was very well done nice textures and areas with spikes as an obstacle and deadly water. In the last scene we see a blonde woman who I must say looked very muscular talking with a soldier. I liked this but I also got very frustrated because of the bug also I would prefer more puzzles. I found one secret and ended the level in forty minutes.” – Kristina (04-Jun-2004)

“Wonderful level in Port Wladorsk many guards trying to stop Lara from finding few keys hidden behind boxes or just on the floor. A couple of timed doors also underwater. In general similar to city (for me) the second port.tr4 is a nice flyby camera. Looks good - another excellent level from Agnes.” – Yoav (04-Jun-2004)
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