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Level: Crypt Entrance (Demo) back home search
Author(s): Jantje
total rating:4.83 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
Akcy 4 4 6 7
Dimpfelmoser 3 2 5 5
eRIC 4 3 6 7
eTux 3 2 4 4
Gerty 5 4 5 5
Kristina 4 4 5 5
MichaelP 4 3 5 5
Orbit Dream 5 4 5 8
QRS 6 4 7 8
RaiderGirl 5 4 5 5
Sakusha 5 5 5 5
Sash 3 3 5 5
Scottie 7 6 8 7
Spike 3 4 5 5
The Aussie Adventurer 4 4 6 5
TheStig 4 4 5 5
Tombaholic 3 4 5 5
Treeble 6 6 6 6
category averages
(18 reviews)		 4.33 3.89 5.44 5.67

Reviewer's comments

"Not a bad first effort here. The level initially starts off based on the tutorial levels, but with individual lighting and flourish from the author. Some people might moan about this, but for me it’s promising because it means that the author has sat down and read the manuals rather than just launching straight into using the tools and hoping that it all hangs together. Texturing for the most part is good, but the central water room would have benefitted from a little more time spent on the lighting. That said everything is fitted together quite well with no water-thin walls or missing textures to be seen. A positive start, took me approximately 15 minutes to complete." - TheStig (19-Nov-2009)

"This level is an interesting alternate version of the Tutorial Level. For a demo, it's pretty solid and the gameplay is not too bad (with the underwater maze where Lara drowned twice and the sliding slopes with the spike pits). It was interesting to have to shoot the ninjas before they managed to pick up the small medipacks, and the lighting at the beginning of the level was more interesting than in the rest of the level given funky pinkish hue and the dark crawlspace that contained a secret. But the level was a bit bland given that the whole point of this level was to get an eye of horus and there wasn't much beyond the door." - Sakusha (18-Aug-2009)

"The author has taken as an example to himself here the Tutorial level, however, has deviated after the first rooms fast from him and then has used own ideas. And he has well managed this. Lara must find here both parts of the eye of the Horus. Though the level lasts only about 15 minutes, however, is well built and textured. Lighting and sound are also right. Opponents are Baddies and scorpions." - Scottie (16-Apr-2009)

"A good quality level with this short raid in Egypt where after the initial flyby we see Lara in the same first rooms than in the Tutorial level. After the long ramp with the predictable rolling balls hidden in the ceiling, it ceases to be a remake, and from this point you have to find the two pieces of the Golden Eye , by exploring an underwater maze , and a short visit outside the pyramid. The most interesting place is where you make a couple of slides and can get a well hidden big medipack. This level is very easy , but well made with good texturing. You can collect lots of pickups you don’t really need and the few ninjas I met here were more interested to collect items themselves than to kill Lara." - eRIC (29-Nov-2008)

"It's the third level in the list, but was released the same day as the second. Techically it's fine, the author learned well the tutorial and put together a fair little level. Nothing exceptional, nothing bad either, a short and easy raid in well textured Egyptian setting." - Akcy (08-Dec-2007)

"The first part of the level is a remake area of the tutorial level, which was nothing that I was excited about as I had seen it several times before. The areas after that are new, yet still not particularly entertaining. The fact that it involved an underwater maze almost at the start of the level didn't help things either, and the rest of the tasks were just as simple and boring. The texturing was ok, as was the lighting, and it did feel realatively egyptian. However, with it being a demo, there is not much to judge at all. Personally I didn't really enjoy this level, and there are many better alternatives." - Spike (06-Jul-2007)

"This is actually a very solid level. Even if it was released years ago and that it is only a demo. It is a short level but the atmosphere is great and the quest for the two eye pieces is a challenge! The textures and lighting is very good and this author has a nice way of making the player feel like they are in egypt for real! I really loved the outside area with two entrances to the tomb. Another thing that was cool was that you can clearly see that it was not only based on the tut1.wad but also the project. A much better version than the original tutorial level though." - QRS (10-Feb-2006)

"This is very much a tutorial level by the fact that a couple of rooms at the beginning are just modified from the original tutorial levels. Apart from the first couple of rooms the level is orginal. My first complaint would have to be the fact that there is way too much ammo/health for the amount of enemies there are. For an example, the scorpions which would normally use pistols, I had enough ammo to kill them all with the shotgun and still have heaps of bullets left over. The enemies consist of scorpions and ninjas which are no match for the mighty shotgun. Another problem is the backtracking from picking up and object to using it. Therefore, the level layout needed a bit of work. On a good note, the flyby was the highlight of this level. For this level to be given higher marks, there needed to be content in it to keep us occupied. If I had to give this level a grade, I would give it a C, a pass mark." - The Aussie Adventurer (15-Nov-2005)

“Thirteen minutes in what looks like a tutorial level. It starts exactly like it and then there is an underwater not difficult maze and the Eye of Horus to find. A few ninjas and scorpions to kill and one secret found. That’s all really.” – Kristina (27-Aug-2003)

“Well this is a nice tutorial experience but there really is nothing extraordinary about it - a very easily avoided rolling ball trap some short action outside and in a tedious underwater maze to get the eye of Horus. There's no real challenge in here the textures are not bad but are not used any different than in other tutorial levels before. A nice try but not among the best out there obviously.” – eTux (29-May-2003)

“Expect nothing but the standard tut1 atmosphere. Not bad at all since this is just a demo and the first author attempt at a custom level. By the way it's an old level but I kind of enjoyed it. It lasted short 15 minutes starting with a fast camera flyby that shows Lara's way to the inside. The first room has the same shapes the first room in the Tutorial Level. Lara's objective is not find her way out of the tomb but indeed find her way to go even deeper into it.” – Treeble (30-Jan-2003)

“By cunningly calling this a 'demo' our Jantje craftily exempts his level from a detailed critique. I mean how can you critisize something that's purposely incomplete? Perhaps by asking exactly WHEN will it be complete? I notice from the date that this has been out a while yet so he's either crafting an absolute masterpiece or he's packed it all in. In which case this isn't a demo but a finished level. Oh well I'll get on with the review. The fly-by at the start is horribly wild and quite unnecessary and the first few rooms are copies of the tutorial. But don't despair; it perks up after that with a pleasant little quest for the 2 halves of the eye-piece involving an underwater maze (manageable) a good slide/jump sequence nifty shimmy to a secret and a rather effective outdoor area. This latter sequence while providing the player with some refreshing daylight also helps to give the level a sense of locale as the crypt is shown to be hidden inside a small desert mountain. The textures and lighting are well handled but I couldn't rate anything particularly high as there's simply not enough of it. Good little effort though.” – Orbit Dream (25-Nov-2002)

“Another level that came with nothing more than a TR4 file which means that now I have to find out in the level index what the thing is actually called. So what do I have to look out for when I scan the reviews about tutorial adventures? Dynamic fly by at the start; the first two rooms are copies of the tutorial level; there is an underwater maze only three ninjas (I think) you have to find the Eye of horus textures are not too bad if somewhat boring nice outside area and it lasts for 17 minutes. There is not much more to it I'm afraid. Do you sometimes feel like your review is not quite long enough yet you can't think of anything else to say? I reckon this is always a perfect opportunity to share some general thoughts about a certain genre of level. Like in this case the tutorial experience or beginners level or the meaning of life. Well I save that for a later occasion cause right now I believe this review has the perfect length.” – Dimpfelmoser (11-Aug-2002)

“With about 20 minutes this level was just too short and although it played nicely for that time it was nothing special. The aim is to find the two halves of an eye piece to open the large end gate along the way you come across a watery maze and a quick stop outside but other than that it was just plain easy and over before you knew it.” – Sash (21-Jun-2002)

“After a pretty wild starting flyby you realise that the first rooms are pretty much a copy of the tutorial level (with a secret added). Then it does open up a bit but it shows that it was an early attempt of a level builder who (at least) read the manual well. There are some ninjas some pick-ups some vases to shoot and a well designed underwater maze on your way to find the two Eye-Pieces to eventually leave the level through the Horus door after about 15 minutes.” - Michael (21-Jun-2002)

“It's titled a ‘demo’ but all this 15-minute mini-level demonstrates is that the author read the LE manual. Everything is done reasonably well for that matter with only the omission of water on the first tile of a water entrance in the floor. All the requisite pieces are there - textures lighting music two flybys - but nothing really of interest to the level-playing public. Too bad a full level never followed the demo.” – Tombaholic (21-Jun-2002)

“This is perfect if your looking for a short and simple but fun level to play. It started with a nice fly-by that gives you a little peek at what is coming up. Some of the first rooms reminded me of the tutorial levels then it opens up into newer looking areas to explore including a wicked water maze with a secret that I happened to find just as I was drowning for the third time. There are few enemies here and plenty of medi-packs to keep you in good health until the end and a nice little journey with a good slide/jump puzzle to keep you busy on the way there. Good solid level with no bugs but if you like the tough challenging levels this may be a bit too easy for you.” – RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002)

“The flyby wildly coming towards Lara shows you what to expect a little. You get an overdose of ammo mainly for the shotgun and you will use that as the few ninjas you encounter are also thieves stealing even a small medpack laying in a vase if you’re not quick enough. Found one secret in the beginning of the level and another in the tricky water maze at least I think it was but there was no chime. The jump spike puzzle had me boggled for a while pulling the lever you hear a grate opening but found nothing and going back was not an option. Taught me to look better LOL as I completely overlooked the way out. Main goal is to get the two pieces of the eye. Coming in a TR4 format it was a major download for such a small but enjoyable level. Hard to give points as Jantje calls it a demo. 24-05-2002” – Gerty (21-Jun-2002)
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