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Majestic City of Vilcabamba by Ma.ximo

Blue43 4 5 7 8
Ceamonks890 5 6 6 8
eTux 3 3 4 6
Gerty 4 6 8 8
Jay 4 6 8 8
Jerry 5 7 8 8
Jose 5 6 6 7
Kitkat 5 7 8 8
Kristina 4 5 6 6
MichaelP 4 6 8 9
Mulf 1 4 5 5
Orbit Dream 1 6 8 8
Phil 6 6 7 7
Ryan 4 5 7 7
Scottie 7 5 7 7
Spike 4 7 8 8
Thorir 7 7 8 7
TimJ 8 8 9 7
Treeble 6 7 7 8
 
release date: 21-Dec-2006
# of downloads: 69

average rating: 6.24
review count: 19
 
review this level

file size: 12.74 MB
file type: TR4
class: Remake
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
ma_ximo@hotmail.com

Reviewer's comments
"Unlike the earlier Vilcabamba remakes, which tried very hard to be a paint-by-numbers job, this one was built, according to the readme, from memory. As a result, everything is a bit bigger (hence, presumably, the additional adjective in the title), which works better for the exteriors than it does for the interiors. Otherwise, there are more wolves, fewer bats, and the earthenware has been supplemented with imports from Greece. There is only one secret, but for the first time in a remake the bear is back. It is, however, not the dread beast that terrorised everyone in TR1, but a mere shadow of its former self, finding it apparently difficult to decide which paw to place in front of the other. Oddly, you still can’t stand on the pushable block; even more oddly, although the pendulum blades should be the same direct import from TR4 that they were in the earlier remakes, their collision is off to the degree that they shove Lara around (without harming her) even when they’re farthest away from her. One thing I liked was that the place looked slightly more dilapidated here, as the floors are sometimes slanted and uneven, although sadly this only applies to the initial area. Textures are the same old same old, lighting is disappointingly flat, and while the layout of the map is not precisely the same as in the original, the gameplay very much is: nobody who knows their TR1 (or has played any of the other remakes, for that matter) will be in doubt about what to do next at any given moment." - Mulf (26-Jan-2018)
"This is mostly identical to the original Vilcabamba level, with a few area changes that are hardly noticeable, but mostly it follows the exact same format. We've seen all this before and although the lighting and texturing is better than the original, we've seen it many times, so it loses a lot on its "originality". 20 minutes of been there, done that." - Ryan (24-Dec-2017)
"This is a competent, short (30 minutes or less) level that plays much like a demo. It would be even more interesting if you had no familiarity with the early levels of TR1. It's not an exact copy, but you get the definite feeling that you've seen all this before. You get to shoot a host of bats, wolves and a bear or two, but there's little to do other than that. Harry Laudie documents one secret in his compact walkthrough, which includes revolver ammo although there's no mention of a revolver then or later. Another level to beef up the review count." - Phil (13-Mar-2017)
"Much like the builder's previous remade level attempt(in the form of TR1's Caves), a lot of the same pros and cons from my review for that release still apply here(although the level design hasn't really been altered as significantly this time around.) So, go check out my review for that game, swap the Caves remake for this one and you'll practically know my full opinion on this remake as well. So, if you enjoyed Ma.ximo's Caves remake, you'll probably enjoy playing this release about as much. On the other hand however, if you're starting to get tired of all the TR1 level remakes, this one probably isn't for you. As it doesn't really add or take away anything truly noteworthy enough to justify a download, especially if you already own TR1." - Ceamonks890 (19-Apr-2014)
"This old school remake of one of the first TR1 levels is a nice and relaxing trip down memory lane. Most everything is familiar and there are only a few small changes in the layout. The texturing looked very cleanly applied and besides a few flat areas, the lighting looked excellent in most places. There is not really much else to say here, other than if you are a fan of the original you should not miss this easy and uncomplicated 20 minute raid." - Blue43 (17-Jan-2012)
"First thing that caught my eye when I started this remake was Lara's prettier face and the texturing that was much better and more accurately done than in the original Vilcabamba level. It's a pity that the builder didn't accentuate this nicer look with better illumination and lighting effects as Lara looks rather flat and lighting is all the same throughout the level. Some more audio files, especially some from TR1, would have helped the atmosphere as well. Architecture is a little different, but gameplay is very familiar, every TR1 player will feel at home when playing this 20 minute remake. Found 1 secret." - Jerry (19-Jul-2009)
"I have never played TR1 and, hence, also do not know whether maxim has merely copied the level, or has also used own ideas. But I have liked that what I have seen really well. The riddles were relatively easy. Well, up to the last door at the level end. I thought that I need of two Golden idols and had searched everything several times, but without success. There I was once more really glad that there are so many Walkthroughs. There were no difficult jumps, the diving distances were relatively easy and the various levers were quick to find. Lighting and sound felt well. The only what has disturbed me were the many wolves. A shotgun would have been very helpful there. Playing time was about 25 minutes" - Scottie (03-Jun-2009)
"After playing this author's remake of The Caves, I immediately jumped to this level. It basically follows the same idea: get the original gameplay into environments build from the ground up. The first half of the level felt substantially different from the original, probably because of the corridors layout. Even though remakes are not quite a popular thing in the TRLE universe, I wouldn't mind seeing a rendition of the remaining Peruvian levels by this author. 15 minutes, 1 secret. 04/09" - Treeble (04-Apr-2009)
"For me a remake is quite OK apart from the fact that this particular one has been chewed to death by now. There is nothing wrong with the level but I rather would have that Maxime would uses his talent on an original game." - Gerty (22-Nov-2007)
"Translation of my review for TRO-Online : Here is the remake of the second level of Tomb Raider I, remake by Ma.ximo ! This very nice level is a good continuation of the first one. It is a little bit more similar to the original one than the first remake. There won't be any surprise for TRI fans. Because Ma.ximo built this level according to his memory the level even misses two of the three secrets and some objects of the original level. We won't care about that : the level is magnificent. Scenery is well built and Ma.ximo really gives us a new City of Vilcabamba which is Majestic. The only problem is : the level is too short... as the original one. Enjoy !" - TimJ (20-Jul-2007)
"This is a dark, spooky version of Vilcabamba. Yes, we all know the puzzles and traps by now {the builder has altered them a little} but this level does seem more menacing than the original. It's funny, I was never afraid during the TR1 Peru levels {they seemed too bright somehow to be scary}, but I was apprenhensive as I made my way through this level. The lighting {or should I say 'shadowing' - the level is very dark} is done very well and the textures are great, both of these help create a very eerie atmosphere." - Kitkat (19-Jul-2007)
"Another remake, and yet again it doesn't add anything major to the gameplay department. The texturing and lighting is lovely, and gives it a much more spooky feel, and the scale of the rooms also seems to be much larger. However, the gameplay is the same as it always was (despite the new geometry of the rooms), and is nothing particularly special." - Spike (19-Jul-2007)
"Yet another remake, and as I've learned - they have that effect on me that they reduce my vocabulary and opinion-forming ability to the size of a bread crumb. Because, really, what else is there to say? Most of us have played the levels before - if not in the original games, then from other remakes like this. If there's a player reading this who has not - then I can say that it's faithful to the original level from the first game, and if anything is tweaked, then it's lighting to make Vilcabamba a more eerie and darker place (and I'm not entirely sure about the hidden room in the pool by the end - was it there before?), and maybe some tasks are a bit altered to keep the remake in line with the level editors limitations, yet still make it essentially the same experience as before. It proves that the author knows how to work with the editor on the whole, and if you're looking for a remake level this is probably one of the best choices to make. The lower marks are pretty much only because I don't believe that remakes can be rated by the same standards as original levels." - eTux (19-Jul-2007)
"I am tired of the remakes so I hope they stop with this one. The gameplay is known, the areas are a bit dark though, and everything is the same and not interesting at all since we've seen these areas many times. Just choose another level to play." - Kristina (04-Apr-2007)
"I don't remember how many remakes of this second level of TR1 have played, but I think a lot of them so, this can get you bored. The level is not exact to the original but essentially it's the same. The worst for me was the very dark ambience with no flares to use. The level is well builded, and the best are the textures, but I didn't find something special in it." - Jose (17-Feb-2007)
"This isn't quite identical to the original, but it's close enough that I have to ask 'why bother'? To be brutally honest, remakes have been done before and done better. I really hope Maximo turns his hand to fresh ideas because he's brought us some very good, entertaining levels in the past and I just know he could do so again." - Jay (20-Jan-2007)
"You know the level. You know the Gameplay. Not much else to say,really.It's a competant and faithful remake but,aside from a (intentionally) misleading moment at the end where you search ages for the 2nd pick-up only to find it's already in place,there's nothing of originality here. 20 predictable minutes." - Orbit Dream (14-Jan-2007)
"The best news here is that Maxime apparently will no longer continue building remakes of TR1 levels. Because frankly while he has such a talent for setting up these wonderful environments, it seems wasted on rebuilding these old levels that we all know by heart now. This looks as good as anything by Maxime and you get to battle plenty of wolves, bats and bears, pull a few levers, push a block around and manage a few breaktiles and blades, find one secret and you are out of here in less than 20 minutes." - MichaelP (06-Jan-2007)
"A remake level of City of Vilcabamba from TR 1, however, it is not identical to the original. The level seems bigger and you run around more in the area with the pool. It felt like there was a huge area to explore. Also, the lighting seems MUCH darker and creates a spooky, unsetteling, mysterious atmosphere. These differences make the level worth playing, even if you have played the original level to death. No difficult enemies or big surprises. It's a good looking level, albeit a little dark. Play it to see a more eerie version of Vilcabamba!" - Thorir (30-Dec-2006)