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Level: The Rescue 7 - Djoser's Ziggurat back home search
Author(s): MagPlus
total rating:8.75 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
Akcy 8 9 8 9
Andi Croft 9 9 8 9
Bex 8 7 7 8
Boris 8 9 10 10
CC 8 8 9 10
Cuqui 9 8 9 8
Dimpfelmoser 10 9 9 9
eRIC 9 8 10 9
eTux 8 9 7 9
Fairy Godfather 9 9 9 9
Freeman Porter 10 9 9 9
Gerty 7 9 8 9
Ivan 9 9 10 10
Jose 8 9 8 8
Kristina 8 9 9 9
Magnus 9 9 10 10
MichaelP 9 9 8 8
Mytly 7 8 9 9
Navi 10 10 9 10
Phil 9 9 9 9
RaiderGirl 9 9 9 8
Relic Hunter 8 8 9 9
Sash 8 8 9 8
Staticon 8 8 10 10
TC14 7 8 8 9
Tombaholic 9 8 10 10
Torry 9 9 9 7
Whistle 10 8 9 9
category averages
(28 reviews)		 8.57 8.61 8.86 8.96

Reviewer's comments

"Here's one of the levels in this series that didn't make it into the Hall of Fame, but it probably should have. I think it's a good bit better than the opening quartet, but that's only my opinion. You start and finish in virtually the same spot, and it's not until the very end that you disable the spikes that kept you from accessing the inner courtyard at the beginning of the level. In between you have a complicated raid that involves some precise moves on the motorbike. The first puzzle, where you have to pull a set of chains twice in a certain order, is a bit obscure, but it's no problem at all when you have the help of the walkthrough. The secrets are somewhat sneaky as well, and I recall that you had to backtrack long distances over previously plowed ground to get at least two of them. Blowing up sentry guns is always loads of fun, and you get the opportunity to take out five of them here. Now that the series has been bundled into a single download, you can't play them individually. Therefore, there's no need to keep a savegame as you finish each level, as was the case in the past. By the same token, the secrets are now numbered cumulatively. If you're a seasoned raider you've probably played these levels at least once already, but if it's been a while you could certainly do worse than dusting off this grand old series and giving it another whirl. High recommendations." - Phil (11-Sep-2010)

"Lara manages to change her outfit in the couple of seconds it takes for this level to load. Not that I’m complaining, of course – the old one was torn, after all, and the new one is really cute.
The level starts out quite promisingly, with gameplay involving not only motorbike rides and jumps, but also ingenious methods for taking it almost everywhere with you. Unfortunately the fun wears off in the last third of the level, when because of a horrible savegame bug, you can’t load your saves, as either the game crashes, or you get a whole lot of game-stopping problems, including Lara catching fire! I had to positively grit my teeth to get through this part of the level. Which is a real pity, because without the bugs, this would have been one of the most enjoyable levels in this game so far. With some reservations, of course – I really dislike the numerous health draining tricks the builder keeps coming up with, like machine guns that keep firing at you, and swarms of beetles that you simply can’t shake off (fortunately, these come after you only if you go for one of the secrets).
The level uses mainly the good old Catacombs wad and textures to really good effect. The only negative thing I could find about its looks are the bright blue textures used in certain spots, which clash very badly with the pinkish-brown colour scheme of the level. The dramatic red sky really adds to the atmosphere.
Overall: And yet another ‘could-have-been-great’ level in this game, but for different reasons this time." - Mytly (26-Aug-2010)

"So far I liked this level, although it was a bit on the dark side. Not a fan of bike rides I dreaded this on and I had to ask a saved game from my Danish friend as I parked the bike in a stupid angle and had by accident saved over my old saves. But it was real great to see that you get back to the start of the level and yes… with help of that bike. More puzzles and the chain pulling one was the most frustrating one as I rather solve that on my own with out peeking in the walkthrough. There is however a serious bug in this level. Talking about the download where you get all the levels together in one huge game. It is in the room that has been drained of the water and where you have to do some rope swinging. Lara will not swing the rope. If you have saved there, leave the game and reload and DO NOT save in this room. Luckily the things to do in this room aren’t that hard so you can make it without saving." - Gerty (06-May-2008)

"A very long level with a complex gameplay with some tricky tasks; as usual you'll have to look for well hidden things and the secrets are hard to find. The best for me were the good location of the enemies and well placed musics. Good architecture and well applied lights and textures complete a good ambience. This time, the swiches without camera weren't too far from the actions they're trigger. It happened me some strange things at the end: in the final courtyard if I reloaded a savegame a dog and a skeleton appeared again and again after killing them a lot of times; in the final door where I placed the second Djoser's Pillar, reloading Lara burnt in flames (?). An interesting level anyway." - José (23-Oct-2007)

"It's shorter and easier than the previous levels, except that fire corridor puzzle. New outfit, the old one worn away at level 6. Manoeuvering on small platforms with the motorcylce was fun. I encountered some bugs, the IFF of the machineguns were malfunctioning, and about the end Lara caught on fire without reason, that made rather difficult to finish the level, but other than that I liked it. On to level 8." - Akcy (29-Nov-2006)

"This level would have gotten a higher score out of me had it not been for a bug where none of the sentry guns would fire at me, which mainly seemed to spoil the fun. Still, I decided to play along as if the sentry guns were shooting at me, like the author intended to happen. This is a well done level which picks up right where Evil Spell ended, and now we see Lara wearing some new duds to continue her adventure. Surprisingly, one of the things that happens is that you have to use the motorbike through the entire level to get around, from beginning to end, which lately hasn't been happening much in the levels I've played. There are some good puzzles and exploration bits to do around here as well, like the chain puzzle and navigating through the water maze. I usually hate mazes (especially underwater), but Pascal does a good job at not making them overly ridiculous with no airholes, which actually make navigating through it quite fun. The level is bathed mainly in a catacombs type of atmosphere blended in with the outdoor ambience of the final levels of TR4, which in the end produced quite a nice result." - Relic Hunter (08-Jun-2006)

“This one is my least favourite in this series and I have the feeling the author was quite losing his inspiration and needed to make a junction level. Mind you the level is still quite top-quality but I feel there was something missing here. And if you add a nasty bug that prevents you from saving during 10 minutes if you don't want to be stuck well this is definitely the least impressive level of this great series.” – Thibault (11-Jul-2004)

“This one is slightly different from the others in the series as you are given the bike at the start and then through the rest of the level you have to lug it around with you this at times is great as you get a few really tricky but excitingly challenging moves and jumps over a thin path set in water but then on the other hand you have to make sure you take the bike with you the whole way and it’s on the bike off the bike on the bike off the bike. Puzzles again abound in this level but I was absolutely stumped by a 9 pull chain raising block puzzle that for the life of me was just too clever and I had to get some help for it but other than that the gameplay was fun as usual with a variety of things to do. Enemies aren’t a major part in this 100 minute catacomb like level but you will come across some SAS skeletons jackals and beetles as you make your way around only to end where you started with hopefully all 4 secrets in your backpack. Definitely loads of fun apart from the hopelessly confusing chain pulling puzzle but not the best of the series.” – Sash (19-Sep-2003)

“You've got the bike now and I guess it contained a medical box and change of clothes 'cause Lara's all cleaned up and looking great. Have a peek out the door and look at that red sky very dramatic if you go too far a machine gun starts. It starts in the Egyptian environment of level 6 but soon changes to a catacomb one. Into yet another huge room to drive the bike over the bridge. Unusual textures and great lighting in this level. A shorter easier and less confusing level than the last. And again a lot of stuff to do in each room. You're looking for beetles. I loved the 9 chains to raise the blocks puzzle. Driving the bike over the tricky jumps in the water room was great and finally into a room with machine guns and a drive around. I could destroy all the machine guns but after that Lara burst into flames no matter what I did on the mac. The solution to this bug is at the start of level 8. I don't know how much was left to do after Lara burns. Oh well on to the level 8.” – CC (24-Aug-2003)

“This is a classic catacomb level but of course no ordinary level. As usual the textures are well placed and lighting sufficient. We are after black beetles this time and with the bike we need to proceed. There are elevators to help Lara access a different level or area a puzzle with chains which gave me some difficulty although it’s rather easy and dogs sentry guns to destroy. The occasional toxic pool and boulder coming down chasing Lara are present in this level along with many corridors to explore. Be prepared for some serious jumps especially for the other inside the gap. Definitely an entertaining level.” – Kristina (22-Jul-2003)

“Lara starts level 7 with the bike and meets a few sentry guns which she can dispose of later. Again there are many puzzles (fire puzzle a small water temple etc.) and you have to think a lot also for those secrets. There were four in this level – my total is now 33. Lara finds three beetles and two artifacts which are required to end the level. Again graphics are designed with a lot of care. Very diverse. Lara is driving her bike quite a bit so watch out. Enemies were SAS this time around and some you know from the previous level :) Lots of running and a few nice jumps to master. This level is not as difficult as the previous one :) A must-play when you play those levels in sequence ingenious atmosphere. You never know what comes next – Pascal sure knows how to build up tension :)” – Navi (21-Mar-2003)

“I found this level a little hard. But great as the whole game The Rescue. Nice gameplay and the puzzle with 9 chains is GOOD. Very tricky the way with the bie to get 3 beetles but exciting!” – Cuqui (07-Nov-2002)

“I am going to fly in the face of general public opinion here and say that this is by far my least favourite level from Pascal. Don't get me wrong it's very good it's very professional and a lot of people obviously love it. But I personally don't like sentry guns too much I absolutely HATE the motorbike (in any level) and I found much of this level way too dark as well as a bit dull-looking due to the colours. On the plus side I didn't get lost at all and neither did I have to resort to a walkthrough at any point. I'm also amazed that Pascal has managed to create yet another truly unique level using an Egyptian theme his imagination must be fantastic. Even so I was pleased to finish this and move on.” – Bex (10-Sep-2002)

“From all the The Rescue series this level was one of the hardest and very timing level where I spent lot of hours to solve it. And at last when the torch was found and other place have seen I say AT LAST :)))) Very good level with very good combination of fire and dark places in great area of ‘Pyramid life’.” – Ivan (15-Aug-2002)

“This level felt a little like Edfou The Kingdom of Horus after the full-of-action Secret Temple and what a relief after the Nightmares of The Evil Spell from Osiris this was! It still has a lot to do but is not so hard as the other levels and a bit monotonous I'd say. The colors mostly are varieties of the red and brown colors and made the level a bit boring for me visually. Also some parts have the Catacomb feeling I really dislike and I really would've loved to spend more time outside. Some of the bugs appeared but strangely disappeared just as soon as they appeared and I was not forced to use the author’s savegame. Lara's outfit has also changed even if I would like to know when ;) I don't think this is the best from Pascal but from the small glimpse of level 8 I got I see that the best is yet to come...” – eTux (29-Jul-2002)

“I am rating this one a little lower because the overall very Catacomb style setting was not that appealing for me and it was simply too dark overall. But gameplay wise this is yet another highlight as I spent more than 1:30 hours to take the bike on its tricky way through this level only to end up where I started which was a really nice effect. There are elevators to rise a very frustrating puzzle with 9 chains a few water tunnels to explore another torch puzzle a small block moving puzzle and more. I found the first secret (tough to get) and the second (tricky as you have to pull three dispersed levers) but missed the two near the end (ie only found out about them in the walkthrough afterwards). Enemies are nicely placed and you deal with red-clad-skeletons dogs beetles scorpions a few SAS bats and wraiths. In the first part of the levels a few more cameras would have been helpful. I was surprised to find a rope swing that takes you through walls and an got stuck in an illegal slope but I guess with levels of that magnitude I should not be too hard on the author. Great adventure! Try it.” – Michael (21-Jun-2002)

“This next installment of the series was not as tough as some earlier levels and had a few fun moments on the bike to keep you occupied. I thought that some areas were way too dark though but at least the flares were plentiful and continued to work properly. Overall a tough set of levels that has kept me bust for over 9 hours of gameplay to date.” – Torry (21-Jun-2002)

“A good level but less difficulty than the precedents tactically. Lara begins from the end of the level (Rescue 6) and she has to find in a little temple 3 black beetles among submerged rooms traps red warrior skeletons turrets and some enigma to resolve and then she escapes with the motorcycle. The graphic detail and the disposition of the rooms is marvelous as in the preceding level but the puzzles are much more easy. I have ended the level in 1 hour and 45 minutes finding 2 of the 3 secrets to disposition. I hope that this levels is only a passage and that the sequel (Rescue 8) is much more exciting.” – Boris (21-Jun-2002)

“Using the author's savegame for the beginning of the level I luckily encountered none of the bugs that some other reviewers faced. This is another masterful level from MagPlus. As usual it is beautifully designed and textured with an eye to detail. Puzzles range in difficulty from easy to quite hard but always seem to have an original touch. Lara uses the motorbike throughout the level including some tricky maneuvering in spots. The only downside was the enemies which pose little threat. On the upside I was able to find 4 of the 3 secrets!” – Tombaholic (21-Jun-2002)

“Although this level wasn't as difficult as the previous one I still did a fair amount of reloading with the tricky motorcycle jumps underwater mazes deadly water machine guns and SAS guards. I enjoyed the clever puzzles though that included pulling certain ropes to turn off fire in a hallway a movable block puzzle operating a number of elevators and the great overall use of the motorcycle. It's interesting too that you end the level in the same place you began. As in all the other levels of this series the enemies are used quite well and include guards dogs skeletons and a fire elemental. The download comes with a save for the beginning of this level but I used my own. I encountered a serious bug near to the end but thankfully the author sent me a save game from where I was. I suggest though that everyone use the savegame that comes with the level. The four secrets in this level were hard and I don't think I would have found them without using the walkthrough to locate them. Another great looking level that was exciting to play.” – RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002)

Part 7 from the rescue is a good and hard level, the goal is to make the way free to drive out with the motorbike and find on your long way 3 Beetles. Sometimes you have to search the area a lot to find your way, because you don’t know, what happened by pushing buttons and levers, so keep your eye open! The author has included 2 savegames because of some bugs; also in my game the machineguns just look at me, they don’t harm me. But anyway still a masterpiece for Tomb Raider-Professionals, I can’t wait for Part 8” – Freeman Porter (21-Jun-2002)

“This is a great level! The lighting is perfect the textures are perfect and you’ll just have so much fun when/if you play this level! However the puzzles are really hard at some points and I almost thought of giving up but there’s always a way to go (even if it’s hard to find it). And through the whole level you get to keep your motorbike! I’m only wondering about one thing: How did Lara change clothes between ‘The Rescue VI’ and ‘The Rescue VII’? I really liked when she had scars in her clothes it made it look like she had been raiding a tomb.” – Magnus (21-Jun-2002)

“This was a great sequel to Rescue 6. A motorcycle ride with a difference. Park your bike on a pillar and solve a puzzle somewhere else to open the way not forgetting to pick up 3 beetles on the way. The gameplay and puzzles were not too difficult. The flaming tunnels pull ropes and rising blocks were intriguing. I look forward to level 8 and more hours of happy raiding.” – Fairy Godfather (21-Jun-2002)

“Best level of the Rescue series yet. Less of a problem of the earlier wrong routes; yet lots to think about from start to finish. Puzzles varied and many dark corners with surprises and secrets. Liked the use of the motorbike especially the pit round the corner after the picture. Worst area I found to solve was the room with the pillars the trap door catch being accessible ‘the wrong way round’ through me. Eagerly look forward to level 8” – Whistle (21-Jun-2002)

“This is a good next level from the Rescue-series. I must walk some time and then I must drive with the motorbike. A short time later I must walk again. This game is a nice adventure. The textures are good and the puzzles are not so hard. The enemies are in the right places. This game is a 10-Level adventure and you must have a lot of time to play it.” – Andi Croft (21-Jun-2002)

“Oh yes. A most enjoyable level. Not as difficult as the last two levels but highly entertaining. The lighting was nearly perfect if a tad on the dark side in places. Textures atmosphere and cameras all worked very well. I took two and a half hours of game time and loved every minute of this one.” – Staticon (21-Jun-2002)

“Again the author has made a level very different from the others in this series. Most of the textures are from catacombs with also a mix from others wads and the result is very well done. I have enjoyed the little underwater maze and the submerged rooms and especially the huge catacomb room with the automatic guns and the pickups to find on the upper ledges enjoyable. The puzzles are less difficult than in the previous levels. The gameplay is very good and fluent but because of the bugs at the end of the level I had to use the author's savegame included in the zip file. The enemies are not a great threat in this one. The texturing gives a very good atmosphere the sounds have a real meaning for example to find secret2 the camera is very helpful to give clues at the end of the level: so maximum rating in this category. Not the best level from Magplus and not very difficult but very pleasant to play.” – eRIC (21-Jun-2002)

“This is my absolute favourite of this series so far. It features –Ladies and Gentlemen- the best puzzle I've ever encountered in a Custom Level. You have to work out how to operate 9 pulleys raising blocks and a lever to put out nine fires. Now the interesting thing here is that Tombaholic states in his walkthrough that there is only one way to do it but I did it in a completely different way. It's rather twisted and it took me 30 minutes to work this out (with pen and paper) but it's what puzzles should be like. There is a strange mix of enemies and when I encountered the first SAS guard in this series I was really surprised but they go so well with Lara’s trendy outfit (fashion police alert: turtleneck sweater with exposed belly button). There is a really brilliant mix of tasks and the first level that I can recall where you take the motorbike from start to finish (while leaving it ever so often in between). You have to swim a lot master some tricky spiked pits and maneuver the bike along some very narrow ledges. This being not as unhealthy as Level 6 and more linear than Level 5 (you also get a few more hints) it has a quicker pace and is more fun. Mind you I had to refer to the walkthrough on two occasions. The elevators are always welcome the course that brings you back to the beginning is simply awesome and even atmosphere wise this is my favourite of the first 7 parts. But then I'm a sucker for the sinister level so that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. In my view the most original and inventive from Pascal. But I haven’t played 8-10 yet.” – Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002)
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