Level reviews

"This backfired with those switches meant for the next level - not even the second map but the third one meant for the next game, and you could spend time trying here because things may be read as hints. That aside it's a decent level, I wish it resumed the location, and the parked train looked promising so maybe a transition level? I'd vary the pace a bit and cut some slower passages (maybe the latter would suffice?). Fixed sound effects would also be nice." - DJ Full

"A fairly standard and linear catacomb adventure. I suspect there'll be many more in my way through these old releases I skipped at the time, what with this being my least favorite theme, but this one has a few additional issues such as missing sound effects (having released one level in a similar state, I can relate, but I also have to admit the experience gets affected) and an excessive darkness that got quite tiresome on the eyes in the long run. I like how the author describes an underwater maze as a "puzzle" in his walkthrough, but it's not so bad in the end and the visual hints provided are more than enough to navigate it safely on first try. 30 minutes, 1 secret. 08/21" - Treeble

"This level is the precursor of a much more highly acclaimed level (Hanging Gardens of Babylon) that I played and reviewed years ago, and together they're the only two levels this builder ever released. That's too bad, as he shows considerable promise even in this first effort. He has also provided his own walkthrough, which includes much unnecessary commentary (just as I was guilty of in my early walkthroughs), but it's clear and covers all the bases in about twice the wordage someone like Harry Laudie would have used. Your goal is to open three gates in a passage so you can reach the final room. Along the way there are three level changes, but only two TR4 files, yet the gameplay flows unbroken and seamlessly. I recall finding a laser sight somewhere, but it was never used. There are very few enemies, much of the raid being devoted to puzzles and traps, and it took me about 30 minutes to finish. Another good-looking, underrated raid." - Phil

"This solid little Catacombs level has some nifty gameplay moments: some fun jumping sequences, a sand puzzle, some devious traps and a good "turning off the current" puzzle. The underwater maze dampened things somewhat, despite the clue given by the author, but that was the only dull part aside from lever fever about halfway through. Spotted some sound issues and the darkness was rather depressing, although realistic, but it's worth giving a go." - Ryan

"There's nothing especially wrong with these level (outside of some apparent script issues I'll mention later), but nothing that really sticks out either. Decent fundamentals are there, but the setting is cramped and lacks in any real identity to set it apart from other Catacomb maps. The gameplay is a decent variety of traps and puzzles, with fast pacing and nothing that difficult or obtuse, but it's quite short (I finished the levels in less an thirty minutes) and very linear outside of one part near the end. Something seemed to be wrong with the level script that resulted in some missing sounds and small visual corruption on the menu; it's nothing that harms gameplay but it resulted in me scoring sound lower than the rest. It might be worth checking out for a quick raid but it doesn't really stand out at all." - Mman

"Lara is on the move here in catacombs and searches an artefact called North-South The first part is easy and takes less than 15 minutes. The second part is already a little more difficult. Lara must put down here three levers to open three grid doors, coz they block the way to the artefact. Two levers are to be found easy. With the third lever Lara has to go by an underwater labyrinth. After she has found the artefact, it reaches again in the first part and to the level end. The whole one lasts no longer as 40 minutes. Opponents are bats and a few skeletons. However, they cannot cause really damage, because one finds explosivemunition Even if one does not find them, is also no problem, because the skeletons are only a very short distance behind Lara. Textures are processed cleanly. Result: Respectable average, which is absolutely play-worth." - Scottie

"I must tell I liked this two level adventure quite much. Lighting is pretty dark and good to my taste and I liked also the way textures are used. Despite this game looks good it looks still very comon and it's not very memorable because Internet is full of catacomb levels like this level. Maybe author could have used less textures from TR4 catacomb level and more other textures to make this level more unique. Actually this is not a big problem. Gameplay is much bigger problem because this level is really easy and it didn't offer any challenges for me. Anyway this was an enjoyable raid and if the gameplay is not very important for you, you will probably like this adventure." - Samu

"Two short interconnected levels that really made great use of the 35 minutes they lasted. There is a lot of darkness to these levels but that actually added to the authenticity of the tomb setting, and as there is only one spot where a couple of skeletons attack, the darkness instead becomes the ominous threat and I always expected something to jump out and accost me. You won't find yourself stuck as the game flows nicely and the handful of puzzles are not difficult but everything still worked together to be very effective and I enjoyed it very much. I do have to say the one secret, which if you miss near the beginning can be collected near the end, seemed odd as you'll never need to use it but as the readme points to there being more levels to come this may be helpful in the next." - Sash

"A great level, with plenty of good gameplay; but still some of the areas remain locked until the end, which will be revealed in next episode so waiting for next part. Good storyline." - Anurag

If a level is set in a Catacomb at night, you'd sort of expect it to be rather dark, wouldn't you? As there are plenty of flares provided, I don't see that the darkness should be a critical point in this instance. What annoyed me were all the unopened doors and, in particular, the multi-switch room at the start which begged the player to investigate, all for nought. Otherwise, this is a fun and fast-moving little two-level adventure filled with comparatively easy traps, mazes and (particularly) a good 'hunt for three levers' sequence, which was well thought-out. Some solid camera-assistance was helpful, and the use of flipmaps and sinks promised a potentially rising talent. Here's to more. - Orbit Dream

"There are some missed sounds for certain actions: open door, pull switch, light flare,... There are no original puzzles, only the same old tasks: pull switches, climb, jump, ... The level is too much dark (yes, I already know that I'm into a catacomb) and there aren't a wide variety of textures, so the aspect is very monotonous. Puzzles are easy to solve and there are very few enemies, guns and weapons. The only secret was hard to find. Sounds and music are very poor, but cameras are well. What's the matter with the room with the door and many switches? I finished the game and not needed to open it. The level is not bad, but I get rather bored playing it." - Jose

"First off, the negative points: the overall darkness had me boost the gamma on my monitor to be able to play at all without constantly use flares, and there are too much unfinished business here (useless levers, closed doors...). I know this is supposed to be the first level of an upcoming series, but leaving those accessible looks like careless design to me. Apart from those down points, this is a nice little level, with interesting gameplay and good ideas here and there. Nothing extraordinary, though, and you won't feel challenged here, but interesting enough to avoid boredom and make you wait for the continuation." - Sutekh

"Not bad at all, it is however a shame that some doors stay closed, but I understand that is for another game to come. Sometimes I wish that builders do finish their levels and then release them because I am a bit skeptical as promises are made but a lot of them are broken. I have to say that I had a grand time even with that bloody underwater maze that had me drowning quite a lot before I understood the clue given by the author. Texture wise, with a bit more attention this could have looked much better. There are some nice traps in here and also some nice jumping. Do not forget to look up as some monkey climbing is also in order. Overall the level is gloomy leaning towards dark and although there are enough flares, I rather do not use them until it really is needed. Your main task is finding levers, so in that respect some real puzzles wouldn't go amiss. 21-03-2005" - Gerty

"A solid catacomb debut that mainly lacks in terms of effort put into lighting as it has mostly the same fairly dark ambience about it and the textures often seem very cut off from room to room. But it plays as a nice and easy and rather solid level (two interlinked parts) for just over half an hour with one secret to find (the Uzi which will not really be of use, as the only three enemies around are skeletons). I did enjoy the fast progression, the rather manageable traps and thought there were passages where it became a bit of a lever hunt and the underwater maze is always a big no-no, but this one wasn't too bad. The block puzzle was fun and the use of sinks and sand with flipmaps was well built. You return to the start to end the level. A solid debut and will be interesting what else this author will be having in store for us." - Michael

"We seem to have had a few traditional style first time levels lately and this is one of the better offerings. It's a bit too dark for my taste but otherwise well built, with nice fluent gameplay. It's quite short, but apparently there will be more instalments in the series which hopefully explains why I felt I'd left some things undone. There are some nicely different touches, such as sand pouring from one room into another to expose a crawl space and, although there is nothing difficult to accomplish, there is enough variety to entertain. I look forward to part two." - Jay

"There are some interesting ideas in this level but the setting and atmosphere suffer. It's too dark in most areas and the design of the rooms plainly textured with not much attention given to them. I could have used a camera or two in a few places and some bugs in the game plus things that didn't make sense. One was the door at the start with the many switches on the walls; I couldn't open it so I wonder why it was placed there. Then there was an invisible block where Lara can get stuck if she stands in front of the first gate after the moving blocks puzzle. Also in some places if Lara dropped couldn't get back up again like the room with the spikes and grate tile. The small maze and room with the water current afterwards that you need to change its flow was nice. Some jumps are involved, there's a nice area with burning floor and a long monkey swing in a very dark room though and both parts have just a few skeletons as enemies. The general idea was good but there are enough bugs in the level to stop progression, next time better lighting and more testing are in order." - Kristina

"This is quite a nice little two part adventure from this author's first attempt, but the only downfall was, it was rather dark which made it quite difficult to see in certain places and areas. The game-play is fairly linear, so you shouldn't get too lost here, and your objective in this mission is to find and obtain the blue jewel and the first part of the Ptolemy's weapon. Your only obstacles and traps that you will encounter during this adventure are boulders, solving and pushing a block puzzle, monkey-swinging over some spikes, doing a few sliding jumping techniques to avoid some fire traps, finding a way in turning off the water current and your only enemies are three skeletons, which can easily be taken care off, as you're able to retrieve the cross-bow and some explosive arrows. You will also need to find and locate many levers, swimming through a maze, which to me was not that difficult, as I always tend to work my way round mazes clock-wise, so I managed to get to the next room fairly easily and after achieving all this, your mission here will be completed and you will finish and will leave this little adventure. In general, this is a nice little level to play, textures and layouts were nicely done, but the lighting could have been a bit better, but saying this, for the author's first attempt at level building, I was very impressed with the ways things were done; there were some nice ideas here for some good game-play, which made playing this adventure, quite enjoyable. So I look forward to playing the next part of this adventure by Jon, and thanks Jon for giving us a nice adventure for us raiders to play." - Gill