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The Usurper's Sword by Aza

Duncan 8 8 7 9
dya1403 9 8 9 8
eRIC 8 7 8 8
EssGee 7 7 7 7
eTux 9 8 7 7
Gerty 8 8 8 8
Gill 9 8 9 9
Jay 8 8 8 8
Jose 9 8 8 8
Kristina 9 8 8 8
MichaelP 9 8 8 8
Necro 9 7 7 8
Obig 9 8 8 8
Phil 8 8 8 8
Ryan 9 8 8 8
Sash 8 7 9 7
The Aussie Adventurer 9 8 8 8
Treeble 9 9 9 9
 
release date: 23-Dec-2004
# of downloads: 69

average rating: 8.10
review count: 18
 
review this level

file size: 23.80 MB
file type: TR4
class: Egypt
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
harryandgill@blueyonder.co.uk

Reviewer's comments
"Despite its age, this is quite a good-looking level, and I think several of the textures here are custom made but they work very well with the standard TRLE sets. The author also has added nice touches to small things, such as triggering flipmaps with boulders, a nice jumping sequence involving patterns on the floor, and I also chuckled a bit when I finally realized why a couple of lion statues were facing the walls. I was willing to ignore the second secret as it basically forces you to go through the entire level for a Crossbow and explosive ammo, when in reality it might be easier to just duck and shoot the demigod with your pistols, but I'm glad that I did because it allowed me to see the clever shortcuts back to the end. The one thing I didn't like was the room with the checkered spike pits requiring perfect jumps over the corners, going back for the secret made it worse as you could see the ninjas carelessly dancing over the spike tiles... 55 minutes, 2 secrets. 02/21" - Treeble (14-Feb-2021)
"This is a very smooth and linear flowing adventure with a few nice gameplay touches added in for good measure. The lighting is a bit too dark in places (although I didn't find it overly annoying), but the gameplay manages to be constantly enjoyable and is pitched at just the right difficulty level to not become annoying. There's a nice block puzzle, a neat little flipmap to divert a lava river and the always enjoyable addition of the elements puzzle, all taking place in a pleasing and solidly textured environment. The boss fight is actually easier than it looks at first glance, and the demigod can be taken down without too much hassle. Enjoyable gaming overall." - Ryan (25-Aug-2018)
"This level is no longer available for download here, so I got it from the Hungarian site. It's a fairly straightforward Egyptian level with moderately challenging gameplay involving three element rooms, and the builder has provided his own walkthrough which I found very helpful. In many places it's too dark for my tastes, but I manufactured unlimited flares for myself early on so that I could see my way around. After getting all the ingredients for the elements puzzle I found myself unable to proceed, as the torch simply wasn't where the walkthrough said it should be. I therefore could not light the oil to open the door to the final playing area. However, by this time I had played at least 90% of the level, so I feel qualified to present this review. The level provides a good raid, so even if you share my experience in being unable to acquire the torch, it's worth the time to play it up until that point." - Phil (08-Mar-2012)
"I enjoyed the quality of the gameplay of this Egyptian adventure. The dosage of difficulty was good, but there were some elements that could have been better, like the placement of the secrets and some more light in certain areas.I was disappointed it ended too soon. The atmosphere of game captured perfectly the feeling of exploring underground environments with danger lurking around every corner." - dya1403 (24-Mar-2008)
"What a fantastic level. I loved the idea for the story and the level was brilliantly executed. The gameplay was near perfect. there was plenty for me to do and the tomb was nicely designed. There were a few original ideas thrown in there too. I'm eagerly awaitng to play the next level by this author." - Necro (14-Jan-2008)
"This is a classic Egyptian tomb environment, only there is someone nasty lurking deep in the depths of this Temple. Your natural instinct might be to run away when you come face to face with this opponent. But your gonna have to face up and take him on if you wish to secure your prized artefact. Architecture is generally simple but well textured, and lighting is often used well to create a good atmosphere. The level is however too dark in many places and flares are in short supply. I know some dark levels create a true cavey atmosphere but please give the player some flares. There is also a flare bug towards the end of the level, but you should be past the need for them by then. You'll need to fight off red and white ninjas, scorpions and bats as you make your way through some reasonably tough challenges. You'll need to acquire the Eye of Horus, both Hands and two cartouche halves as you search for the parts for the element puzzle. Then its on to meet the final boss, but hang on this is Egypt.. what the heck is this fella doing here??? Hmm..... Evil works in mysterious ways. Make sure you explore all areas thoroughly as there are a couple of well hidden alcoves. Otherwise you may find yourself backtracking to locate these later. The green tiled floor puzzle was effective but the final jump seeemed a bit unfair as it really was only solvable through trial and error. The highlights of the level for me were the jump challenge across the lava room and the look of the main water room." - EssGee (10-Mar-2007)
"That was a fun our long adventure with a rather logical and smooth gameplay progression and only a few sneaky moments that make you stop and think. Plenty of objects to find and use and quite a few enemies as well bt nicely spread throughout the level and never very tough to battle. I played the 'lightened up' version and after a darker start, this is actually rather bright and I only needed two or three flares in the total game. There are burners, spikes, boulders and lava traps that keep you on your toes, the elements puzzle is always welcome and I like the flipmap where you redirect the lava flow. The infamous Usurper looked great but was a bit too easy to beat at the end, certainly the looks of the room had you anticipate a much fiecer battle. The backtrack to the second secret was a bit long and the first was a bit easy to find. All in all, a really enjoyable and well rounded experience!" - MichaelP (03-Oct-2005)
Here we come with the second effort from the author and be prepared for clever puzzles and the occasional enemy. What I like best about this level are the puzzles. Most are well thought out and some are hard to do. I liked the puzzle with the symbols and the lights. Gameplay resolves around alot of back tracking in order to gain certain items at certain times. So basically, it's a level centralized around a hub. The array of enemies weren't that much of a challenge, however the boss at the end did prove a good fight. Lighting seemed to be enough because I hardly ever used any flares. Texturing was good and the secrets, which I never found, are well hidden. If I was to give this level a grade I would give it a B+, a high end distinction. - The Aussie Adventurer (03-Jul-2005)
"An Egyptian level where the author strove to use new textures and imagery instead of the same old stuff. This is a great touch, except that the level is often too dark to really see it well. Gameplay includes some familiar stuff, but there is a lava room that is tough to get across. I thought the level had too much back and forth, and I wished there were more rooms. Except for the retuxtured demigod at the end (which was great!), the enemies are the usual lot, but not enough ammo to deal with them. If you like Egyptian levels, you should find this a very well done piece of work." - Duncan (31-May-2005)
"We are adventuring in Egyptian surroundings on this level that has a fantastic story. We have to find the Satan's Sword and kill the god that is guarding it. But before that we have many other things to do. We have to pass through fireblowers, rolling stones, until we can finally find the pieces of ba Cartouche. It is very important not to leave the torch where we find the second piece, because it's hard to get back for it. Meanwhile scorpions, skeletons, a crocodile, gunmen, ninjas and bats try to set us back, but they are no hard enemies. There's a little block-pushing on the level, there we have to pull the lever twice to finally push the block onto the sign. I found two secrets on this level, but for the second you have to go back a very long way, almost from the end of the level. But it worth the tour, because there we gain the Crossbow. The textures are fantastic, but unfortunately there are no added sounds. On the whole it is a neither so hard, but nor so easy level. I can only advice it to everybody. You can find a Hungarian walkthrough (as we don't have English version), savegames and pictures here: http://www.treditor.hu/15/the_usurper_s_sword.htm " - Obig (16-Feb-2005)
"The level has a lot of dark areas, but I've found few flares. I don't like levels too much dark, this makes the game more slow. And moreover, at the end of the level appears the flare bug, Aaaarg! This is the worst nightmare for a player in a dark level, and makes the gameplay even more slow. Original puzzles are the best of the level, geometry is quite good, perhaps the author gave few guns and weapons and it should be more cameras too, textures are well. A level which be worth to play." - Jose (07-Feb-2005)
"I believe there were a couple of problems with this level initially, but by the time I got to it the revised version was in place and I had no problems at all. Sometimes it pays to be a really slow raider. I got temporarily stuck right at the beginning as I hadn't spotted the crawlspace hiding the sun goddess. Note to self - look up more, stupid woman. Anyway once I finally found that I was up and running nicely. Well, until the room with the run over spike tiles, fire tiles and, oh yes, boulder tiles, that slowed me down a bit. Mind you, it was FUN. There's a good block puzzle, the three elements puzzle, a rather charming floor tile puzzle and a very well devised boulder run. Enemies are mainly ninjas and a skeleton or two, plus a demigod at the end, just to add flavour." - Jay (07-Feb-2005)
"A great showcase of creativity, clever design and challenge! With this one the mind boggles what can be put within a single level! It is not that lengthy - took me 45 minutes to go through, but the amount of clever tasks is quite impressive - though there are some fairly challenging rooms, namely, the lava room quite near the start - the challenge here mostly isn't based on the skill of your fingers, but the skill of your mind and that's a very good thing in my book. Where shall I start - the already mentioned lava room? The imaginative boulder sequences? The great use of flipmaps and objects, and sometimes both combined? Really, everything's top notch in that field, I maybe didn't want to cross the clever, yet bit tedious spike room to backtrack all the way to the crossbow secret, but I guess that only made my final confrontation with the Usurper (those who've played the game 'Dungeon Keeper' might recognize him >:-)) harder. I liked how all the Egyptian deity's were involved with various objects, symbols, textures and creatures of the levels, and those who remember the minimal addition of humour from the author's first level, might burst out with laughter here too, when running away from some nasty fire spirits and seeing 2 stone statues passing out some dangerous gas, LOL. The looks were ok, especially the final chamber is very atmospheric, but with some work on the lighting it could've been even better (not brightness - having played the updated version, I didn't seem to have any problem with that - more on the technical side - for example a sun bulb per room, that gives Lara a more 3D look, would've changed a lot, but maybe that's just my builders perspective). Overall - highly recommended fun for those who like a bit of a challenge!" - eTux (04-Feb-2005)
"The interactive nature of how the rooms in this tomb level are set out was really nicely designed and this is most apparent when you have to go back and collect the second of the two secrets opening up a thankfully easier path once the secret has been collected so that you do not have to attempt a horrible spike jump room for the third time. Now this spike room would not have been so bad but as it is a pitch black room and the flare bug happens to occur right here it almost drove me crazy especially as I knew I then had to go back through it to collect said secret I almost decided not to get it and am sure some raiders wont. The enemies on the whole ninjas skeletons fire wraiths are well placed and I absolutely loved the Usurper you meet near the end a demonised version of the demigod in a well placed hot setting. I did however finish the level without the sword as I just couldn't see it the flare bug mixed with darkness but when I went back to check it was surprisingly in an obvious place and I was amazed I missed it. So to sum up this is a really well made 80 minute level but I have to say the flare bug almost ruined the whole experience." - Sash (26-Jan-2005)
"A good underground Egyptian level with some beautiful new textures a bunch of flipmap effects to turn red deadly areas into green safe ones allowing progression. Some interesting puzzles like the one with a combination of a movable block and two raising blocks an interesting lava cave with a red herring where you will have to move fast to escape fire burners sneaky traps with combination of boulders and burners or spikes and element puzzles not often seen in custom levels. Progression consists of finding artifacts to open the next areas and exploration to spot a couple of hidden openings. Too much backtracking if something has been overlooked a lot of darkness plus the flares bug at the end have decreased the fun for me. Also the lighting quite good most of the time is completely absent at the beginning in the first caves and too bright in the corridor leading to the lava cave. Many enemies to deal with mainly bats little scorpions and ninjas with some skeletons a fire wraith and a modified demigod at the end but not enough ammo. All in all a well made level with pleasant texturing and interesting ideas." - eRIC (24-Jan-2005)
"This is an interesting and very challenging level it had me thinking quite a few times. In the beginning I first thought this level would be easy but how wrong I was especially when getting across the lava room with the spikes fires a rope and dodging a boulder at the same time to retrieve the torch & a puzzle piece. Your mission in this adventure is too retrieve some sand find the waterskin the gasoline can finding 3 stars and some puzzle pieces. Your main enemies are crocs ninja's skeletons bat's and a fire wrath. And then there was the block/pushing/lever puzzle to solve I always seem to forget that you can pull a lever twice. For the life of me I just had no idea how to turn off the spikes in retrieving one of the stars I spent ages trying to figure that one out I was running around the whole place thinking there must be a jump-switch or another lever somewhere it was only when reading the help thread did I realize how to retrieve it. I did encounter the flare bug though but that was fairly near the end of my game when I was in some pits jumping my way across this room and trying to avoid some more spikes in the process. On the whole this is a great level and I thoroughly enjoyed the game-play not too many enemies to deal with just some great puzzle solving and a few tricky jumps. The layouts and textures was just to my liking and the only downfall for me the level was rather dark in places but this did not spoil my enjoyment. So d/load this level now and enjoy another Lara adventure. Thanks Aza for a most enjoyable and challenging level." - Gill (09-Jan-2005)
"This is completely different from the first level by Aza and I am glad I had the revised version as this one wasn't that dark. The flare bug however did kick in in the last room with all the fire emitters but you do not need flares here. Found two secrets one very clever hidden and for the other one you need to go back to almost the beginning of the level. But then you get rewarded with the crossbow but I never used it. It is no walk in the park and Lara died many many times. The artifacts one need to gather are Hands the torch waterskin and bag of sand. Enemies are some bats scorpions a lost croc (that scared the hell out of me) and ninjas and at the end a nice re-textured demigod. If you are up to some good jumping sessions this is for sure the game to play. 31-12-2004" - Gerty (04-Jan-2005)
"I liked the gameplay very much in this level by looking at the setting it seems Egyptian but somehow it didn't feel like it and I am glad because I am tired of the tombs. The puzzles are quite good to mention some of them we have the element puzzle the Eye of Horus and nicely placed traps. Everything seemed well done in this level with a great atmosphere and a nice game flow. In general it's a level that has what I'd like to see in a game traps and puzzles that keep a player's interest plus enemies at the right places. The last demigod which seemed like the devil creepy was a nice touch although the ending was abrupt. I hope there will be a sequel. I found two secrets that weren't very hard although cleverly hidden. I have high expectations now from the author for the next level and I am sure we all have so give it your best to give us one more such fun and wonderful level like this one." - Kristina (28-Dec-2004)