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Level: Scarabs Temple back home search
Author(s): M@ster
total rating:4.96 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
Dimpfelmoser 3 4 5 5
Doug E 3 4 8 6
eRIC 3 5 5 5
eTux 3 4 3 4
Gerty 5 5 5 5
Kristina 5 5 5 5
MichaelP 4 6 5 4
Momster 5 6 5 5
Necro 7 6 7 6
Orbit Dream 4 6 6 7
RaiderGirl 5 4 5 5
Sash 5 5 4 5
Torry 2 5 5 6
Treeble 5 6 6 6
category averages
(14 reviews)		 4.21 5.07 5.29 5.29

Reviewer's comments

"If you include trial and error puzzles that kill Lara upon failure to succeed in your level, then having no load-screen is a mortal sin of custom level gaming. Other than the 6 jumpswitch 'puzzle' it should, however, be possible to get through... well... alive without much added trouble. The tasks are simple enough and with about 10 minutes of net gaming doesn't really give you that much to sink your teeth into. You encounter darts, a couple of harpies and the titular scarabs for some excitement, but if you watch out and pick up the shotgun and crossbow the author has generously provided at the start of the level, it should be a breeze. The looks are solid, but don't really offer any memorable vistas and are more on the simplistic side. If not for the load-screen sudden-death experience, this could be a neat level to try if you want something short, simple and cleopal." - eTux (03-Oct-2011)

"A very short Egyptian level , under 10 minutes , where what you have to do is always obvious , except at the end with the ominous choice of the right switch amongst 8. The enemies (harpies and scarabs) are not much of a threat , although they are well used by the author. Solid setting textured with a mix of different tga files." - eRIC (06-Dec-2008)

"Another short and sweet level from this author with little to offer but enough to keep me going. The most annoying thing is the death and then straight to desktop. Someone needs to remind him about the LoadCamera in the script, it would save us all a lot of grief; espeecially when it comes to trial and error puzzles (which I dont like) which kills you whenever you make a wrong decision and then sends you to the desktop. On a lighter note, the area was designed nicely even though it was fairly basic but it kept with the mood. Nice if you have twenty minutes to spare." - Necro (23-Apr-2008)

“Yes that blasted Load screen is absent again (what are my fellow designer's thinking of when they release a level in such a state? Any screen will do even a black one. But having to re-load from the Desktop every time is so annoying) and the game is certainly very slight; but it's well lit and textured and is saved (in my opinion) from mediocrity by the brilliant little chase across the maze-like floor with the scarabs in hot pursuit. That was totally inspired! It's a pity the Designer couldn't have saved the idea for a better level.” – Orbit Dream (12-Oct-2003)

“I have nothing special to say for this level. Three gems to collect obviously as the title suggests there are a lot of beetles around throw in some harpies as well and I get annoyed if you need to reload because you will find out about the missing loading screen. A last guess the solution puzzle and the level ended not long after it started. Move to another level with more action and real puzzles.” – Kristina (04-Jul-2003)

“Again a level that throws you back to the desk top when you die. This became particularly annoying in the 6 jumpswitch room where you had to find the right switch. Died 3 times before finding the right one. Other than that aggravation this is a promising level if not for length (11 minutes) and degree of difficulty. Find 3 blue gems to move to new areas and be attached by those exasperating yellow flying thingees and of course scarabs scarabs everywhere.” – Momster (13-Aug-2002)

“As the name says this level contains those oh so wonderfully annoying beetles a bunch of deadly golden birds and a myriad of spike traps. Sadly though I couldn't rate this quite good level any higher as it lasted only 15 minutes and it had so much more to offer had it lasted longer.” – Sash (21-Jun-2002)

“Now that was indeed a very short and linear level at about 10 minutes playing time. A few gems to find and place a nice battle with a few banshees and a few beetles to run away from some darts and some spikes and a ‘find the right lever’ trap. That’s it.” – Michael (21-Jun-2002)

“This is another one of those annoying levels that drops you to the desktop every time you go to load a save. Hence the low score in gameplay as it REALLY does interfere with the flow. This level will take you around 10 minutes and as the title suggest there are beetles beetles beetles everywhere. At the end there is one of those ‘guess the lever’ traps but I got lucky as the first one I pulled opened the exit door (thankfully).” – Torry (21-Jun-2002)

“This is a nice standard Egyptian level. Lara is inside a temple and must find her way through it finding gems and opening doors -- and of course dodging hundreds of scarabs. Actually there aren't many scarabs on the level. It lasted 10 minutes and it was good. I just wished this level was longer.” – Treeble (21-Jun-2002)

“Although I don't like beetles this was turning out to be a promising level until it was suddenly over after only 15 minutes. For being so short it kept me extremely busy with the beetles four banshees rope swings and many spike traps. I enjoyed one large room that has you run around in an exact path or be killed instantly by spikes all while being chased by beetles. You'll need to find three gems to open assorted doors and I found a room with six switches and a door. I assumed that all but one were booby trapped but after I pulled the first one the door opened so I guess I just got lucky. Fun while it lasted.” – RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002)

“Of course the title says it all beetles. They are the pits and annoying as they won't give you any time to have a good look around while nipping at your heels. It was a short level and that was a shame the author could have done much more with it.” – Gerty (21-Jun-2002)

”This is a simple level with no complications. The rooms were quite good and cameras used well. Those scabby beetles always annoy at any time, as do the overgrown golden budgies that appear when low on ammo. I think future offerings from the author should be worth waiting for if the difficulty level is much increased.” – Doug E (21-Jun-2002)

“A Cleo quickie for a change. Haven't seen many of them around. Remarkable in this one is that you'll stumble upon the crossbow rather early in the game and you'll find 40 explosive arrows but you won't meet a single skeleton. Isn't life always like that. But maybe I can persuade Lara to keep it for the next catacomb adventure. You'll step over lots of beetles though. I guess the quick run through the spiked room while being chased by those perky insects is the most thrilling and original moment in this linear and fairly easy TR routine. Otherwise it's more or less a matter of placing three blue gems in the nearby slots. Wait a minute this is one of those levels where death and reloading is your express ticket to the desktop so when I reached the room with the eight jumpswitches I thought to myself: This are better not be trial and error instant death when flicking the wrong switch kind of thing or my rating revenge will be merciless. Strangely enough the door at the end of the room opened after my first switch. As it is with those E-levels you are generally pleasantly surprised when there isn't a maze or too many paper thin walls so while you won't find anything new or extraordinary here it's still a solid effort.” – Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002)
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