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Level: Nightmare Castle back home search
Author(s): StormChaser
total rating:8.30 Gameplay &
Puzzles		 Enemies,
Objects &
Secrets		 Atmosphere,
Sound &
Cameras		 Lighting &
Textures
Andzia9 8 8 8 9
bERT 8 9 8 9
Catherin 8 7 9 9
CC 8 7 8 8
Duncan 8 8 10 9
eRIC 8 8 8 8
G.Croft 8 8 9 9
Gerty 8 8 9 8
Jay 9 8 9 9
Jose 7 7 7 7
Kristina 8 8 8 8
Lady Lara 9 8 8 8
MichaelP 8 8 8 8
Obig 8 8 9 8
Phil 9 8 9 8
RaiderGirl 8 8 9 9
Sash 8 7 9 8
Sherry 9 8 9 10
Whistle 8 8 8 8
Xenutia 9 9 10 10
category averages
(20 reviews)		 8.20 7.90 8.60 8.50

Reviewer's comments

"In the line of his own style Peter offer us another castle level with a TR3 ambience. No difficult to play, only based about find a lot of keys to open doors and pull some switches, avoid some traps and few more. The castle is very big, with several courtyards, some water areas and empty; too empty with very few furniture or objects. The same textures in big surfaces make it monotonous to the players' eyes, but lights are well worked. Enough flares and ammo, secrets are very easy to find, and enemies will not disturb you excessively. Entertaining." - Jose (26-Mar-2012)

"I'm going back to play some of the higher-rated levels that I missed the first time around, and after I selected and played this one I was amazed to see that it dates back to 2003. The game is placed in a fairly typical castle setting, and the action takes place at night. That translates to a pretty dark level, but plenty of flares are provided and I didn't find myself drastically affected by the darkness. The gameplay is crisp and linear, to the extent that the builder often closes doors behind you to keep you moving forward. There are a number of nifty trap sequences, and a timed run that isn't hard at all if you map out the terrain before you start. Even with Dutchy's well-written walkthrough I spent well over an hour here, and I had a good time every step of the way. Even if you've already played it, it's worth going back for a second look." - Phil (16-Jul-2011)

"This castle is not that nightmarish. There is beautiful moonlit night, and pretty gardens and courtyards. However, inside castle isn't pleasantly, but isn't too difficult. Traps and puzzles very even easy." - Andzia9 (01-Feb-2010)

"A good level , one of the best from the author in my opinion. It can be divided into two parts, the first mainly based on exploration where 5 triangular keys have to be found before entering the castle, this is not difficult to find them all without any backtracking. Inside the castle there is more puzzles and mainly interesting traps with moving spiked walls and ceilings , ploughs , and others , without being difficult, these gauntlets provide good fun. A level which clocked just above one hour, always entertaining , and user friendly. It is hard to get stuck in this one if you pay attention." - eRIC (02-May-2009)

"I loved this level! Wonderfully eerie, and the lighting is phenomenal. The gameplay fell into that comfortable (but maddeningly narrow) margin that is hard enough to be fun and interesting but not so difficult that it spoils itself. That's very hard to achieve and it's rare to find, so I particularly liked that. Enemies aplenty in the form of angry Scotsman (built on the same premise as the tin-men from TLR, making them reasonably slow to die) and a few bats here and there. Unfortunately I couldn't quite finish it Ð I hit that annoyingly little rendering problem that makes shadows too thick to see the object I have to shoot Ð and I was really quite disappointed as I was enjoying the level so much. Although I wish I could have played right through, I still had a great time playing Nightmare Castle." - Xenutia (28-Apr-2007)

“On this level Lara is adventuring in a very beautiful derelict castle. Our goal is to collect the crystal called the Gem of Fear. The gameplay is not so difficult and absolutely linear you can't lose way here. The castle and its surroundings are wonderfully elaborated; a little bit dark in some places but it’s night eventually. Lara looks very good with her pinned-up hair and pink shirt. The enemies are some wolves bats ghosts and the tin-knights of TR4 were set up some kind of red-haired -bearded and monocled creatures; maybe they were scottish valiants once. After many pensiveness I will call them ghosts without much fantasy. I don't like to fight against such underworld creatures so I always looked for a rise so that they can't get me and I shot them from there. But with this method it lasted a little bit longer to kill them. Braver gamers will surely finish them off quicker.:) The charasteristic of the level are the closed gates and the searching for the gate-keys in order to get on. There are no puzzles or at least they are not difficult but there are parts that require some skills sometimes and there's a timed run too. I found four secrets these are smart: the items of the menus of TR1-TR3 (CD-player sunglasses passport stop-watch). You can find a Hungarian walkthrough (as we don't have English version) savegames and pictures here: http://www.freeweb.hu/treditor/12/nightmare_castle.htm ” – Obig (08-Dec-2004)

“Superb castle setting that is a lot of fun to play through. There are some rough types with beards who will try and stop you - but don't pretend they are Scots they are only retextured knights. Be sure to get up on the walls and spires to enjoy the view. Multiple moats raised see-through bridges and a tough little room with a drop-down spike ball - all add to the fun. Highly recommended.” – Duncan (06-Jun-2004)

“Well now I am absolutely sure that I need to play all of Peter's levels. He is so adept at creating fluid yet interesting gameplay. Traps take thought and attention but are not impossible - I like that. Lots of fun things here. Big wonderfully gloomy castle (those Lost artifact textures look so much better when tinged with blue) scotsman and dogs after you (bats and wraiths too but never w/o water handy) and plenty of keys (of various sorts) and a gem to find. There were sliding traps and squishing traps and spiked traps and fire traps - oh. and boulder traps too. I really enjoyed this environment and I found 3 secrets - walkman glasses and stop watch. I think I missed a passport somewhere though. All in all really great fun. Oh and thanks for the flares. Play this!” – Lady Lara (30-Dec-2003)

“A good level with plenty of variety of scenarios including some puzzles to solve mazes to run and all the usual jumping swimming etc. And beware as is usual these days you will need to back track. Don’t get drawn in to one of the ‘look at’ hints you will get back to that trap door above the ’cooker flames’ in time. Enemies are bats dogs and foot soldiers. The graphics are well in keeping with the title giving a sound atmosphere without being spectacular. Well worth a play.” – Whistle (27-Nov-2003)

“I can always expect a good time when I play one of Peter's levels and I wasn't disappointed here. There's lots of exploring to do for many keys and some switches with lots of careful searching required and some puzzles to solve and tasks to accomplish. Look around carefully so that you don't miss anything it seems like every time I was stuck I had just missed a key receptacle or a key lying around somewhere. There are some boulder/blade/fire traps and some great spike walls in one area plus a timed door and lots of careful jumping to do so it's a good idea to save fairly often. This adventure was fun and exciting from start to finish there was always something to do and it never got boring. It's obvious too that Peter put a lot of thought and attention to the details of the rooms and the textures - everything looks great. Secrets found: 4” – RaiderGirl (07-Oct-2003)

“Well let me start by saying that I used exactly one single flare in this one hour adventure so if you are afraid this level may be too dark rest assured it is not - it conveys very suitably a bluish night atmosphere in the outside areas right from the start as you slide into the moat of the castle under a starry sky and are welcomed by a bat. Featuring another nice outfit by Litepulsar you then enagage into a busy raid for many many Gate Keys Guardian Keys and two vraeus and a gem as well as four not hard to find secrets. The course is fairly linear and not too taxing but in this setting it is still a lot of fun and very entertaining. I found some of the inside areas maybe a little bland and empty but you anyway won't stay around for long in a room so it is not all that bad. After the initial quest for five guardian keys you are then going inside and are treated to a variety of traps: darts blades of different sorts spikes and spikewalls a squishing block and a few boulders as well. There is one timed run but it's quite easy. Enemies are the occasional wraith very funny bearded tinmen some bats and some wolves and of course the locusts when you pick up the crucial gem near the end. So if you liked Peter's pervious Castle's you will most certainly enjoy this one and if you didn't well maybe you should try this one anyway - it's worth it.” – Michael (11-Aug-2003)

“All I can say is; keep building castles Peter as you are very good at it. This one is no exception as you start with a slide into what looks like a moat. Don't know what you all did but I swam for safety as fast as I could as one never know what is lurking there. Then I reloaded as you need to jump to the right to get the first secret. Main goal is to gather at least 5 Guardian Keys for the first half and then some more. Get keys and some Vraeus and also gather up 4 secrets. The castle is big but there is a nice progression. I simply loved the way the guards looked with their red beards. The traps were very well set not too hard but not too easy either. You need to push some blocks as well and I got stuck at the weirdest places as levers or even a receptacle did blend in so well I just ran past it a couple of times shame on me. 21-07-2003” – Gerty (05-Aug-2003)

“This is a great level by one of my favourite builders. This is how a castle should look - no crocs swimming in the basement etc. Got stupidly stuck once but Sash helped me out on the forum and I managed the rest of the game without help. Found the four secrets and got the prize. Gameplay was very interesting but doable without a coronary. The tinman was refurbished into a wild looking Scot but was easily taken out. I really enjoyed this level and I think you will too.” – Sherry (05-Aug-2003)

“What a fantastic castle! You get the impression you are really exploring this castle and its environment as Peter Tedstone cared very much about even the smallest details. When you start the level you’ll see a great castle at night with a wonderful big moon. Lara has to fight enemies like brilliant textured Scotsmen dogs and bats. She also comes upon boulders wraiths fire emitters a timed run and lots more. Her main quest is to get the ´Gem of Fear´ but beforehand she has to find loads of other keys (Guardian keys Gate keys vraeus) which are well hidden. But you’re able to find them all when you have a close look. It’s not a hard level but it isn’t easy either. It’s great just give it a try.” – Tinka (05-Aug-2003)

“This author sure knows how to build a castle and not just any run of the mill fairy princess castles no no no he builds them so enormous that you have to pack a spare pair of Reeboks a spare pair of warm woolly socks and a GPS (Global Positioning System) just in case you get lost and I’m not exaggerating one wing of this castle was set in Scotland and another was set in Wales okay I’m exaggerating but it’s big! Along your way through this massive environment you come across a new enemy well to these levels I think a red headed and bearded Scotsman between you and me I’m sure it’s Will Gell before the buzz cut but don’t tell him you also meet a few doggies a water sprite or two and a swarm of locusts but what you want to meet along the way is 9 normal keys 6 guardian keys 2 vraeus and a partridge in a pear tree....I couldn’t help myself! Sometimes these things aren’t so easy to find even if in plain sight I mainly talk of a normal key or two and the same amount of guardian keys so just explore every little inch of this setting. At first in this level is seems just like an explorer but eventually you get to sections that utilise every known trap you can think of but for some reason they look much harder to get around than they are once you’ve been through them you also find a few movable crate puzzles to get through and a very bendy timed run where a flare will help immensely but in the end it is one where you need to keep your eye open so you don’t miss anything and just enjoy the long adventure through the castle. I think though that we may not have been the first to explore this castle as there are 4 secrets to find a CD player a passport a stopwatch and a pair of glasses yep you guessed it some poor silly German backpacker with no sense of direction lost his way well we didn’t find a compass and evil Mr. Gell got him!” – Sash (25-Jul-2003)

“I didn't find this as dark as other players because I have a brilliant monitor and Mac so I didn't need to use any flares at all. You start sliding but try to jump to the right before the water or you may not be able to get the first secret the cd player. Peter's castles are becoming more and more real with each level. And this time we have a castle at night with a big harvest moon and great looking highland men with red long hair and beards tunics and tartan tights shields and axes (they are retextured tinmen). They must have all been in a brawl because they've got bruised faces. Other enemies are dogs and wraiths. The main thing to do here is find rusty keys pyramid keys and vraeus and some are not easy to see so look 'everywhere'. As per usual I did some tasks the wrong way round and came into areas a different way I think than the author intended but not to worry I got through it all the same. There's a lot more to this castle complex than first appears especially that dreadful gauntlet of blades spikes moving spike walls slamming block. There's also boulders giant rotating blades fire emitters timed runs. And getting that last gem was a nightmare. A great adventure. There's no stopping this guy.” – CC (25-Jul-2003)

“Lara has to find the ‘Gem of fear’ that Peter has hidden in the Nightmare Castle guarded by vicious Scots men. After a pretty tame beginning Lara enters the castle that is filled with traps and tricks all the way. Not too hard though just enough to give you a challenge. This level gave me 1½ hour of enjoyable raiding.” – G.Croft (22-Jul-2003)

“I am sure no one is surprised that Peter’s new level is a castle. Well I am not complaining. As the master of castles he created once again a nice atmosphere and gave us some more fun. In the quest for keys guardian keys vraeus you will meet Scottish men with their red hair and kilt dogs and bats. Lara is wearing treasures with lines and has short hair that’s good because I am tired of seeing her with sorts and that ponytail. We have plenty of areas to cover and most of the time need to back track a little to find the respective hole for the keys. The traps are not many spikes spike walls and blades along with some fires which in one occasion make it difficult to get a vraeus. I always like to climb high up to a castle and admire the view even if that is only in TR custom levels. Give it a try.” – Kristina (22-Jul-2003)

“The King of the Castle is back with another thoroughly enjoyable adventure. Firstly let me say that despite having a night-time setting this level is not too dark - there's a lovely full moon and you can see where you're going quite well. The gameplay is very entertaining with a nice balance of tasks to perform. I particularly enjoyed the room with the fire emitters and pendulums - not too hard just a matter of getting the timing right. I loved the re-textured tin men who looked like fierce highland warriors. Apart from them enemies are dogs wraiths and bats although I suppose bats are more of an irritation than an enemy. There are guardian keys gate keys and a couple of vraeus? Vraeuses? Vraeii? (what IS the plural of Vraeus anyway?) to find and plenty of opportunity for leaping over spikes avoiding boulders and trying not to get set on fire all leading ultimately to the Gem of Fear. I was kept well entertained for an hour and three quarters and found four secrets which were personal items - CD player glasses passport and stop watch. Great fun. 21.07.2003” – Jay (22-Jul-2003)

“Another nice castle stroll from Peter Tedstone. This time it's the quest for the gem of fear: her reward for going through this blue darkish level. A lot of regular keys guardian keys and vraeuses to find underway mostly either easy or medium hard to find. Some bats dogs wraiths and rrrrrrrrrrrreal Scotsman trying to keep you from doing your business. There's some boulder action here and there one with wall switches activating them some not too hard timed runs of which one through small corridors and those big spinning blades have a guest appearance too. Again everything is well built nice rooms nice graveyard/garden. Do take a look with the binoculars now and then because even the furthest scenery has been detailed nicely with trees and such. Found 4 secrets which are all items from the menu-inventory (glasses passport cd-player and oops forgot one). Why you should play this level: it's a Tedstone no need to say more!” – bERT (21-Jul-2003)
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