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Level: The Legacy back home search
Author(s): Lexx
total rating:9.12 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
Aims 8 9 9 9
CC 8 9 10 10
Dougsan 9 9 10 10
Engelchen Lara 9 10 10 9
eRIC 7 9 9 9
eTux 8 10 10 10
G.Croft 9 9 10 9
Gerty 8 9 10 9
Glow 8 8 10 9
Ivan 9 10 10 10
Jorge22 10 9 10 10
Jose 6 8 7 8
Kitkat 9 9 10 10
Kristina 8 9 10 10
Loupar 8 9 10 10
manarch2 9 10 10 10
MichaelP 8 9 10 9
Mman 9 9 10 9
Obig 8 9 9 9
Orbit Dream 8 10 9 10
Phil 9 9 8 8
RaiderGirl 9 10 9 10
Relic Hunter 9 10 10 9
Sash 7 8 9 9
Scottie 10 9 9 10
category averages
(25 reviews)		 8.40 9.16 9.52 9.40

Reviewer's comments

"This TR3-Aldwych-style level was not so good like I expected reading the reviews. The first part in the subway station is very obscure, 'cause the only thing you do is to pull switches but you never saw what's triggered and you were forced to explore the same areas again to find the open doors. Also in the readme file I can't see that I must find some secrets to fininsh the game (not difficult, of course). Last part is a bit better, with a good atmosphere and good ideas, but there's not a hint so you can figure out the place where the tarot cards can be placed, the exact part of the chains you need to shoot or the gun you must use to do it. There are another good features and situations to enjoy, but not enough to forget the gameplay design." - Jose (07-Mar-2011)

"I accidently found this level and it was the hit, I think. I have never seen such a short level that is so much fun and I think I never rated such a short level that highly. What you get here is a perfect TR 3 Aldwych subway station with varied gameplay, rather linear, but great fun and with great tasks, like the big machine that gets nearer and nearer but you first have to shoot a box, or the great final battle against Jack the Ripper's skelett, or the great tasks for getting the four cards, very hard to get - the first one you get with an ultimative swim puzzle, reaching three levers. The walkthrough says you have to swim down five times, well - two were enough for me, but only with perfect movements. The custom objects and textures were worked out perfectly, this level even had some trains Lara runs into, maybe the dead was not as great as in the "Lara Croft Returns"-series, but it was still a nicely done thing. Sound choice was good, it made the end even more spooky and stunning. After around half an hour this little masterpiece was already finished, I felt really unwell, but the grand finale was satisfying enough. As a summary, I can say I have just finished one of the best-"atmosphered" levels ever, with great unorthodox tasks and great secret hunts. Thanks much, I had a great time!" - manarch2 (25-Feb-2011)

"Subways have been one of my favorite TR themes ever since Aldwych but are quite rare. This is probably the best custom Subway I've seen. The theme is creepy and foreboding from the start and there's a feeling of progression (and descending) throughout. The lighting colours seem a little extreme at times but it actually kind of works for portraying an "off" and unnerving atmosphere for the abandoned station. Despite the main setting there's also quite a bit of thematic variety without sacrificing the base atmosphere, and you keep descending into different areas that still fit the base theme, and the way it comes together even leads to a subtle storyline. The music and ambiance also fits well (especially in the boss area) I thought the Train objects were slightly overused, as at times you can dodge one and have another triggered as soon as you go down the tunnel it came from, making them feel like a bit of an artificial barrier. The sewer also felt slightly lower quality in lighting and detail (although still very atmospheric and a nice change of pace). Also none of the new items have unique names so they end up being called stuff like "load".
After a slightly rocky start with an obscure shootable and slightly irritating underwater switch hunt (and some backtracking after) the pack picks the pace and doesn't let up; almost every area provides some different type of gameplay, including an interestingly free-form platform area (that I've played multiple times and I'm still not sure on the "intended" way to do it), running from hordes of Rats in the sewers and a boss fight (although seemingly slightly bugged as it doesn't attack when you are on the upper half of the arena, but maybe that's intentional). There is an issue with getting stuck if you don't get the four tarot cards before the point of no return, but all except one (which is right before that point) are in plain sight. An essential play (especially if you liked Aldwych). With no room for a sequel the lack of Subway levels almost makes the fact this level's storyline creates a self-contained whole feel like a shame..." - Mman (26-Apr-2010)

"Lara is in the London tube because she was asked to look for the hiding place of Jack the Ripper. She accepted the job only because she searched an artefact which should also lie somewhere in the London tube. Jack the Ripper? Freemasons? Artefact? The story sounded interesting, but I was in the doubt whether the place of the story is as interesting. And after the first metres my doubts increased. Nevertheless, this looked everything very much after the original Tomb Raider. But as a TR player one is always curious what is probably behind the next corner, hence, I have simply further played sometimes. And I was surprised positively, because it became a very good and diverse level. First I have been angry something that there was for three underwater levers no flyby with a hint, but then it turned out that the three levers a door had opened which I had run past before. And because one had to go anyhow again along this door, the missing hint was no problem. How turned out, there were also with the other levers no flyby hints, but also with these levers the doors were always nearby. The duties to be solved were as a rule no big problem. A tricky place was the way where a drilling head moved towards Lara and it gave at the first sight no way out. However, the invincible skeleton at the level end looked worse than it was actual. Since as soon as one was on top on one of the platforms, one was not fired by the skeleton any more. Though after about one hour playing time Lara had found the artefact, but no hints to Jack the Ripper. Or possibly was the skeleton the dreaded murderer? Result: Very good level which one must absolutely play" - Scottie (06-Jul-2009)

"I've embarked on a course of playing some of the earlier, highly rated levels that I somehow missed the first time around. This is a nice one that will give you nearly an hour of gaming enjoyment. I suppose it's to be expected that a deserted, run-down subway station would be dark, but I found myself groping about aimlessly until I finally bumped up the gamma on my monitor to solve the problem. There are several nice touches here, sprinkled with a generous helping of five secrets. One memorable sequence is navigating a sewer system trying to open gates and throw wall switches while a horde of rats is nibbling on your heels. Recommended." - Phil (10-Apr-2008)

"This is a rather short level considering the size of the download but what it lacks in length it more than makes up for in content. Lara is in the sewers and abandoned train systems under London looking for a meteorite artefact but what she finds is Jack the Rippers ghost! Along with several members of the Damned. The drill and trains were wonderful additions too. I loved the tarot card pick-ups. Jack, on the other hand, I did not love. Oh, he looked great, but I hate enemies I can’t kill! But once I figured out how to open the exit everything was hunky-dory again. This level has a really eerie atmosphere, which the textures amplify, that really fits its setting." - Kitkat (27-Jul-2007)

“A great action-packed level though it was sad that it only lasted for half an hour. In this level Lara explores a subway system and then she discovers that the place isn't as normal as it seems. She visits a flooded part of the subway sewers and even a room with that blue chemical from 'The Lost Artifact.' This level has a great atmosphere to it and it even has some touches from TR3 such as the drilling sequence and the subway trains. This level was my cup of tea except for that flooded subway which cost me most of my medipacks. The sewer was a challenge as you needed to look for switches while rats nibbled at your heels. The end was a bit challenging for me as I didn't have the Desert Eagle so Lara kept aiming at Seth who was nicely retextured to look like a skeleton. The level soon ends after that and I do wish that it had been longer. However this level shouldn't be missed so you can play this if you're stuck in some long level series.” – Relic Hunter (13-Sep-2004)

“What a fun little level based in an underground tube station (similar to TR3's Aldwych). The story is that in the year 1888 when Jack the Ripper was alive he found another piece of the meteorite from TR3. He hid it deep beneath the London streets. A tube station has been built in the same area and still to this present day the piece of meteorite remains underneath London. Whilst researching Lara discovers the story behind JTR and his piece of meteorite. After finding the location of the piece she makes her way into the underground to obtain it but not without the help of a little someone who isn't very happy about it...I really enjoyed this level it did bring me back to the days of TR3. There is all custom music mainly TR3 and some new tunes. The enemies where the same as Aldwych's the men with sticks on fire or spiky! I like the idea of collecting tarot cards which you have to make sure you get it's easy to miss one and carry on with the game but you should be able to get them without any problems. The level was really short for such a big download but it is fun and even if it's to see the final enemy (you'll probably realise who it's meant to be) at the end. All in all a fun level about medium difficulty I recommend this to everyone!” – Aims (14-May-2004)

“This is a terrific level. It's well plotted superbly built atmospheric quite scary and contains Gameplay heavily reliant on fast movement. That being said it is still bedeviled with small problems: If you fail to obtain all four cards (and you have no idea when playing how many you actually need) before descending into the Villain's lair your're stuck; there are no cameras to indicate the result of any of your actions (at one point I shot a breakeable Object on the wall of a Ticket Booth but have no idea what resulted); and the solution to defeating the Villain is obscure to say the least! You don't even destroy the menace but run away from it at levels end which is rather unsatisfying. It is also way too short to justify the large download in my opinion. That being said you can completely disregard my comments because it is still (as I said at the beginning) a terrific level.” – Orbit Dream (31-Mar-2004)

“One great ambiance undoubtedly one of the best I've seen so far! How can you transform one more underground/subway level into something else better spookier greater? Lexx has the answer in this shortish (and what a download for a short level about 30 MB!) but amazing game. From the corridor that's flooded with red light to the really flooded underground stations to the use of the tube as some kind of modified boulder the run for your life search for switches as the rats take away your health the finding and using of four different tarot cards and the final skeleton-ghost boss all topped with great use of the music and graphics everything in this level makes it great if not big. Only one severe minus: there's one place where you do need the desert eagle or you'll go on dying until you give up. What if you haven't picked up that gun? You can't go back to get it so I have to consider that a serious creative problem... Otherwise I would have rated it 10 instead of 9 in the category enemies objects secrets. Well in my opinion this game gets the Oscar for the ambiance. And some Grammies for all the rest. Download it now and just remember not to forget the desert eagle before you go down the shaft after the underground tunnel then you'll be fine.” – Jorge22 (18-Nov-2003)

“Wow what a great looking level brilliant underground train/tube station atmosphere. There is something familiar yet lovely and new about Lara's outfit. Or perhaps it was the amazing lighting. This is one of those levels that is so realistic you feel like you're watching real life as opposed to a game if you know what I mean. Details are that great new compass the correctly proportioned rats the flooded underground part of the station the warning music the run through the sewers chased by rats the wonderful tunnels with gigantic drill working it's way towards you and the very unusual final room where you place the five tarot cards. Ha ha I did the sprint along the track and the train passed by and I was convinced I was a gonner but when the train passed there was Lara standing behind the breakable door which I forgot to shoot out first. This was excellent. And after placing the tarot cards I didn't know whether to laugh or scream at the boss. Who would ever have thought of shooting chains in a level. You just HAVE to see this level.” – CC (07-Jul-2003)

“This is an absolute outrage. I don’t know to whom I present my protest but I protest to s/he who is in charge. It is a crime against all gaming to offer for our pleasure such a near perfect level and make it so short. All joking aside if you haven’t played ‘The Legacy’ do yourself a favor and play it first chance you get. The other reviewers in this chain have done an excellent job of describing the beauty and wonder of this unique game. The only shortcoming of ‘The Legacy’ is that it is over much too quickly but the last encounter is fantastic with a capital F for fun. Don’t try to kill your nemesis; he is indestructible. All you can do is put him off while you work to open the route to safety. Oh and keep in mind the TR adage ‘When in doubt shoot something until it breaks’. Loved the music camera work and set design as well as the story. Didn't like necessary items being categorized as secrets. A big well done.” – Dougsan (15-Jun-2003)

“Really the only downside to this level is that it lasted for me just over 35 minutes and as it is such an authentically eerie at times and beautifully made level it is such a shame. Set firstly in an underground train station at places submerged in water and then even further below ground in sewers and cave like areas your main aim is to pull levers target shoot a handful of things and collect tarot cards and 5 crystal secrets to make it to the final room where you come up against a very spooky adversary that you have no option but to run from. With the inclusion of moving trains that sometimes find Lara under their wheels a huge boring drill you must outrun and some nice moves to make this is great not overly difficult fun time that most everyone will love.” – Sash (18-May-2003)

“A good atmosphere in a subway station and sewers with some great effects and the return of the ‘damned’ thugs of Aldwych along with rats. On the downside key pickups are registered as secrets players can be stuck for good if they forget the laser sight or one the 4 tarot cards to end the game. The end itself was a bit of disappointment. Nevertheless the author has made a good work to create some new enemies and objects in a One hour level with a very fluent gameplay.” – eRIC (04-May-2003)

“When starting to finish this level I spent a lot of time looking to kill flying enemy who was very interesting and serious to kill Lara finally found what to do. Until now I did not see this kind of enemy and cannot compare to any other already seen. New all I mean skeleton has and very interesting. Not found how to open under water two doors and brother helped to me about finding desert eagle gun. Very good level and I recommend this to anybody who likes TR3 and some parts in metro!” – Ivan (04-May-2003)

“What do I remember most of this level.... the music and the train. Of course I took the wrong way and got hit immediately by that train. My heart was in my throat and I was hesitant enough to leave this level alone for a few days. Today I tried it again and instead of going down I went up what a level though. Finding 4 tarot cards and other items and even 5 secrets. Don't get my wrong I died many more times by that train but I wasn't that much in a shock as I was the first time around. Also the big drill......come on how many times does a person have to jump in his chair. Then there are the mice a nice change from the beetles but what a pest. Finding levers as there are quite a lot of them in this one. The last room had me puzzled for a while and that creepy skeleton well what can I say. Took a while to figure out to shoot the chains but after that there is an earthquake just to make the climb you have to do a bit harder. The game is almost over then and for me it was too soon. What a great level. 24-03-2003” – Gerty (31-Mar-2003)

“If I have a complaint about this at all then only because it was so short (I ended the game after 36 minutes) but maybe this was better than to stretch the level into length till it becomes boring. Maybe some more cameras would've helped since the doors (especially the ones activated by the underwater levers) were quite far away but the level is not that big so you can't get lost and eventually can find the stuff you need. But what shall I start with the moody environments? The metros that can run over Lara? The fantastic drill sequence and the one with the rats in the sewers? Or maybe the spectacular end room where Lara has to place the 4 cards to summon Jack the Ripper himself and find a hammer - yet another meteorite artefact? And not to forget the magical and at the same time mystical ambient music in the boss room! Really I have no complaints even if short this level really has a lot to offer and I'd recommend it to everyone!” – eTux (31-Mar-2003)

“It's a London Subway level better than the original Aldwych level it's easier and in some parts very beautiful. The platforms corridors and the sewers are perfectly built. The light is perfect because it's not too dark to annoy. The objects are very original (Tarot cards diamonds) the baddies are from the Aldwych level and the always terrible beetles have been retextured as rats and made a little less dangerous: great! The gameplay is not regular: at times very easy and confusing as well: I had to take a savegame before because I hadn't got the Desert Eagle and I was not able to destroy the box with the HK. Finally I got 5 secrets. The final room has one of the best music I've heard in a custom level: magic and spooky. I hope we’ll be playing soon the next part of this level.” – Loupar (23-Mar-2003)

“Although a little short it was certainly entertaining. The train stations and the idea of the danger sound with a train coming was great. I wish it was longer and had more puzzles. By completing tasks underwater the level starts. You need to collect four cards I also found a couple of gems by getting through the underground with a huge drill on your tail pass sewers with rats chasing you the whole time find the necessary switches to proceed and visit a few other interesting areas. The rats are also above in the station and some hooligans with big bats that have nails on. The last area has four cages that need to be lowered and placing the four cards half of a skeleton will appear and make Lara's life hard. When in doubt just start shooting around and watch what will happen. The level ended rather suddenly with Lara ready to go up some stairs I do hope that there will be a sequel as the first impression is very good.” – Kristina (22-Mar-2003)

“This level reminds me of the TR3 London - Aldwych level full of many witty ideas as the drilling machine and the indestructible wraith made from Seth in the end. Lara is wandering about in a subway even the metro can run over her. The textures aren’t particularly various -it's true what else could they be in these surroundings -but fit perfect to the level. You must swim well but after you have discovered the place where Lara can get some air things became much easier. In the end the shooting of the chains is also inventive it took me some time finding out the solution but it was funny. :-) The wraith is interesting in the end of the level however I couldn't kill him but shooting with the Shotgun pushed back him a bit. I love very much the added sounds sometimes even my back shivered hearing them. :-) But I hated the countless rats in the canal but what else could be in such places? :-) Many times only her fastness saves Lara both in the canal at the drawing machine or even rushing through in front of the metro. I found 5 secrets in the level however I managed to collect them at only my second play. So I recommend this level to anybody which is not particularly difficult but it was a great adventure.” – Obig (21-Mar-2003)

“The only real 'fault' of this adventure that it ends rather early after about 45 minutes and is a bit sequential in its progression. But it actually has so many great moments that these are rather minor gripes. Starting out in a subway you get the 'run over by a train' animation some bat wielding thugs to deal with and rats and little bat swarms and it all looks very real and authentic. The secrets are also a nice (load gems) and I did have a little trouble to shoot the box to proceed. You then get to pull a few underwater levers via a couple of breathtaking dives and a rail track area where you need to be quick. A jump/climb room that looks more complex and challenging than it really is and after that a little mine area with a threatening driller - wow!. The sewers are again very authentic and atmospheric with the nibbling rats following you all along and after a bit of monkey swinging you reach the highlight which is the room where you get to place the four Tarot cards you collected along the way (make sure you have them all before you slide down because otherwise you need to load a previous savegame). The atmosphere in this room is breathtaking the music choice brilliant and the final enemy a fantastic idea and you simply have to see it. Great level! A must play.” – Michael (20-Mar-2003)

“A great fun level starting off in a closed down subway. From there you have to find your way down into the underground. Enemies are a few baddies in the subway rats bats and the final ghost which guards the artifact Lara wants to put her hands on. Good traps and puzzles along the way and watch your feet for those hordes of nibbling rats......The ending scene is spectacular. I only wished that the level would have been a bit longer I didn’t want it to end!” – G.Croft (20-Mar-2003)

“This is an amazing level that anyone will enjoy but especially those of us with fond memories of the Aldwych level from TR 3 - the puzzles aren't quite as intricate but the atmosphere is just as good. First there's a train station to explore complete with club wielding thugs and crawling rodents. You'll find the ticket machines escalators turnstiles leading to the trains and the best part yet is the actual speeding trains when you venture too far into the tunnels! Next you make your way deep into the sewers with more rats and some nasty looking water. Your objective is to locate four tarot cards which trigger the final showdown and this is just something you have to see for yourself. It took me almost an hour to complete this very clever highly imaginative level and I wish it had lasted twice that long. A few more things to do and a little more camera work and this level would get all 10's from me! Secrets found: 4” – RaiderGirl (20-Mar-2003)

“I have to say that Lexx mananged to put the story to life really well. Better than the original TR3 (London subway). The puzzles are very good not difficult but Lara has to put her brain to work a bit. There are many levers to pull and I liked especially the underground cave with the rats nibbling on Lara’s feet and you need to hurry to not lose too much health. Textures and lighting were very good and everything harmonized very well. I especially found the atmosphere to be ingenious. For example when Lara runs along the railway and has to watch out to not be overrun by a subway train. Speed is important here. There are so many beautiful things but I won’t give them away because you should play it for yourself. Sound war great especially at the end when a surprise is waiting for Lara ;-). Enemies were those rats and a few baddies that we know from. There are 5 Secrets to find but I got only 4 of them among them the rocket launcher which you don’t get often in a custom level. At the end Lara can pick up the precious artifact. Compliments to Lexx – a top level built with a lot of effort and care! Please continue building like that .:-)))” – Engelchen Lara (16-Mar-2003)

“It's been a long time since I played such a good level! The atmosphere is brilliant so chilling dark you almost feel you're in the old underground station: fog water dampness are beautifully textured very natural. The music is very important and there are a lot of special effects: earthquakes a terrible big drill and a fantastic end with lights and sounds that make you feel like you're watching a movie! The enemies are not too many but the last one makes for all of them. You'll need a lot of flares and quite a lot of medipacks especially in the end...The textures are perfect no bugs or visible defects. There are a couple of puzzles that kept me stuck for a while but the gameplay is very smooth and fast. A Big CHEERIO for a very good level!” – Glow (16-Mar-2003)
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