trle.net
Your host for all Tomb Raider Custom Levels ever released!

Levels listed...
TR5 - 33
TR4 - 3181
TR3 - 180
TR2 - 139
TR1 - 66

73637 reviews (20.4/level)
3589 (99.7%) walkthroughs
455 Hall of Fame levels
1256 levels rated >= 8

TR Fan Site

 


Day Castle by Oxy

afzalmiah 9 10 10 10
algebo 10 10 10 10
Andzia9 10 10 10 10
Aneres 9 9 7 10
Capt. Abbey 8 10 10 10
CC 8 10 10 10
Christian 8 8 10 10
DJ Full 10 10 10 9
Drakan 8 10 10 10
drguycrain 9 8 9 8
Duncan 9 9 10 10
dya1403 9 9 10 10
Engelchen Lara 8 10 10 10
eTux 8 9 9 9
Gerty 7 9 9 9
gfd 9 9 10 9
Gill 9 9 10 10
Glow 10 9 10 10
High Priestess 6 8 7 9
janachorider 9 8 10 10
Jay 8 10 10 10
Jenni 9 10 10 10
John 7 8 10 9
Jorge22 9 9 9 9
Jose 9 10 9 10
Kristina 7 8 8 9
Loupar 7 8 9 9
MacRaider 8 9 10 10
MichaelP 8 10 10 10
Moonpooka 9 10 10 10
mugs 8 8 9 9
Obig 9 9 10 10
Phil 9 10 9 10
rtrger 10 9 9 10
Ruben 10 10 10 10
Ryan 9 10 9 9
Sash 7 10 8 9
Selene 10 10 10 10
Shandroid 9 10 10 10
Sutekh 7 9 10 10
totizedger 7 9 9 9
Treeble 8 7 7 8
Xenutia 9 10 10 10
 
release date: 12-Mar-2005
# of downloads: 247

average rating: 9.20
review count: 43
 
review this level

file size: 72.30 MB
file type: TR4
class: Castle
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
croftsophia@gmail.com

Reviewer's comments
"Isn't it like the shorter a review is, the better a game is? Idk. But there you go, finally some 10s I can give, for this level was purifying - I feel like a better human being now. Or a humanopotamus. Anyway, thank you, builder. It was great. I just wish those bulls despawned at some point. Highly recommended." - DJ Full (24-Sep-2024)
"Quite quirky this level with its funny songs, enemies, characters and lengthy flyby cutscenes its certainly very well done and original in terms of that but unfortunately what wasnt so original was the gameplay as its quite simple and basic stuff mostly finding items and switches to progress but its not all that bad and boring because the layout and the structure of the level with the platforming to get to new and higher areas made it intriguing to explore more. I did enjoy the timed runs and the traps that was scattered here and there as well as the visuals of the castle and its grounds so there is deffo fun to be had here and i'm glad i decided to give it a go" - John (09-Jun-2022)
"At some point in the recent past I've stated Oxy's levels are a bit too random happy for my tastes, and while this is no exception, I actually managed to enjoy myself here and decompress after a stressful day at work. The environments are nice and colorful and gameplay is simple and straight forward, but I took no chances and went for the guided experience. The little nuisances are still there though, with repeated audio tracks and at least one all too happy song ("I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" in this case) which also happens to play twice - maybe it makes sense in the context of the level, but still. Perhaps I am just getting too old. 55 minutes, 5 secrets. 10/21" - Treeble (17-Oct-2021)
"A nice ride in a beautiful setting, well textured and illuminated. The only problem I encountered was the lack of a waterskin (even looking at the solution I did not find it), I had to take a backup by paying attention to the bulls and there I found it. This level is very entertaining, although the flybys are a bit long, and accessible to everyone. Excellent" - Drakan (25-Oct-2019)
"Hmm not the best level out there but a good effort in that it was aesthetically quite pleasing. I like to give fair reviews but was quite surprised to find this was in the Hall of Fame with all respect. I have a few criticisms - the flybys were a bit drawn out for my likng especially the conclusion where I wasn't even sure that the level was ending so had to sit through a really diabolical and drawn-out song that seemed unfitting for the nature of the level, only to find the game had ended. The bulls were at best a complete nuisance and in spite of them being declared as not being able to follow Lara up staircases in the walkthrough, this wasn't the case in the area where the Golden Heart was found. One bull climbed in a sort of sideways fashion to the top in hot persuit. However the knights were very easy to polish off and the medipacks plentiful. The perpetual sound of the bulls clambering around throughout most of the level was also off-putting and distracting. Other than these elements, the gameplay flowed quite well although I did manage to lose my way one time trying to return to the fountain courtyard. Worth a play however." - High Priestess (02-Jun-2017)
"Oxy really is a unique builder and is not afraid to build in her own style and I like that. This is her best effort in my opinion. The three secrets provided a nice side quest. The music was nice too. Well done Oxy." - Ryan (22-Dec-2015)
"Oxy sure loves building fantasy levels and as usual she is doing it very well. It all starts with Lara sliding down triggering a great introduction flyby. The castle setting is very impressive and realisticly looking which is something Oxy is very good at. The gameplay is non-linear which may get you stuck occasionally, items are keys, painting which you need to open doors/activate something. Music is used very well especially the "Nothing else matters" by Metallica (harp version) which i simply loved to hear in the background. A trademark of Oxy is the use of human or other characters to show you where to go which is a nice feature. Enemies are Fire wraiths, Giant bees which are hilarious and the tinmen, bulls. The bulls were quite annoying at times and don't really fit in a castle setting like this. Secrets are well hidden and if you happen to miss one or more out of the 5 secrets then you get a letter at the end and an ending flyby showing you where the secrets are. This level has many unique touches to it with custom objects, textures which are awesome makes for a great raid. Gameplay can be improved a little bit but that is not really the point here as you just have to play and see all the awesome objects, textures. Recommended" - totizedger (05-Aug-2015)
"I can only say this that this level is stunning,its amazing layout its only one of the highlights,Reccomended." - janachorider (16-May-2014)
"Again Oxy gave us some insight into the fairytale style she likes to build. I have to admit playing three in a row is a bit too much for me. The music sounded at the end a tad to cheesy, but that is my fault. I should have taken the time and play the last couple of levels not in one row. If you want to explore and look at unusual objects, and some of them might even make your smile, you have to play one of the levels made by her. This time you are in a castle and don't let the sight of all the (in my eyes) depressed people put you off. A nice extra if you are going for all the secrets, as that is icing on the cake." - Gerty (23-Apr-2012)
"This level is amazing! The custom textures, the atmosphere and the objects make this a brilliant level. The enemies are wraiths, giant bees (and they are HUGE), tin men and bulls. It was pretty challenging with all these enemies though. The secrets are hard to find but in the final flyby it shows where all the secrets were. Lara's outfit was really nice with the knife on her ankle. You will be amazed at how atmospheric and beautiful this level is. No one should miss this adventure!" - afzalmiah (05-Mar-2011)
"Well, a quite linear through a castle, some horsemen, a few giant bees to kill, a number of fire wraithes to extinguish in nearby pools. Additionally there are two bulls not to open doors but to bring a lot of trouble. It is not gameplay that makes that game so pretty darn good. There are these excellent decorated rooms and hallways, the elaborate furniture and the unique atmosphere, created by an absolute creative author. Perfect lightning! The level is spiced with some humorous elements. A man sitting on a toilet is one of them, the yellow angels directing to secrets or important sequences of gameplay are also extraordinary. The hippo at the end of the quite short level is rather cute and the concerning song will make you smile. An outstanding level with quite funny elements. A must to play!" - Christian (17-Aug-2010)
"This level is pretty, and it has very intresting ideas.The gameplay is very enjoyable, but the enemies are weird.(like the bees)Musics aren't fit to this level(but they're awesome).Cameras are annoying, especially the end flyby.A very long and boring flyby.Despite the disadvantages, it's a fun to go through this castle, because it has many colourful ideas." - rtrger (26-Sep-2009)
"i didn't think this was quite as good a level as most of the reviewers here. it was very difficult to discern how to react to this level. The decorum suggested it was a joke level, the difficulty with some of the enemies suggested it was quite serious. The mix didn't work for me. What was very good about this level was the attention to extras--like the song sequence at the beginning and several flyby scenes throughout (especially the last one that reveals all the secrets--very cool). i think it was particularly clever to show door-opening cut scenes from the door's perspective. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either." - drguycrain (08-Jul-2009)
"Oxy have done very good work. The level was very beautiful. I liked Lara's new outfit. She looks pretty in glasses. The game was easy, but bulls spoiled a little fun. However the other things were wonderful: ladies, singing angels, and few men. I liked music very much too." - Andzia9 (07-Feb-2009)
"One of my most beloved level builders is the infectious, off-beat and highly skilled Oxy. I have to say that every time I play an Oxy level it gives me this unusual high that is hard to explain. Oxy is highly adept at interweaving interesting gameplay with nifty music choices and fun objects and texturing. Day Castle was nifty from start to finish. I have to say that I have never played a level with Metallica as a musical choice, but that is not all. I loved the tracks so much that I saved them and they are now part of my collection. This castle is nice and bright and inviting with fun puzzles and a hippo...yes, a hippo! One of my most favorite Oxy levels, to be sure." - Shandroid (02-Nov-2008)
"Let me start by saying: I never heard the music in this level. I feel incredibly bad giving this review without having experienced the full atmosphere and sound because I was originally going to complain of the constant and very prominant fire crackling noises. The whole level sounded ablaze when it was not and I didn't like having to listen to the two bulls smashing about in the central courtyard (would have really liked some clever way to trap them at a distance where they couldn't be heard in every adjoining corridor or room); graphically the entire level had a very smooth and upbeat design, soft and well lit like something out of Greek legend. Lara's outfit was gorgeous and she looked very crisp and good. The layout of the level was both complex and simplistic... very well balanced in my opinion. Gameplay was fairly linear whilst not appearing so at first. Difficulty level was moderate; this was an easy laid-back raid, apart form the startle I got every time those giant bees popped up. There was something both dream-like and nightmarish about this level that I can't describe... All in all and despite my personal sound issues, this level is a beautifully designed adventure that will keep you curious to see more." - Aneres (29-Oct-2008)
"It always seems to be an enjoyable experience to play one of Oxy's levels. They're invariably offbeat in some fashion, they exude a soft femininity, and the environs are always quite pleasing to the eye. I played this one on my home computer and didn't have to make a monitor adjustment, which means that the lighting was properly done. In these days of oppressively dark levels, that alone merits a 10 in the lighting category in my book. The looping background music was pleasant as well, so I'll probably keep those sound files on my computer for a while. Sutekh has provided a typically competent and detailed walkthrough (sure wish I knew whatever became of her), and with its assistance I had a very enjoyable raid of about an hour. Recommended for a visual and auditory feast." - Phil (04-Sep-2008)
"Simply beautiful ! After all is said and done : Another dream level by Oxy !" - Ruben (27-Aug-2008)
"It's not very surprising that Oxy's levels click so well with the general player population as they overall are not overly mind boggling, don't present the player with anything outlandishly difficult to master, and are always original to look at and fun to play. The oddities like the wacky people all over the place, the hippos and bumble bees really work in favor of the level, and the gameplay is not as chaotic as in other levels of hers. I wasn't very fond of the fly-by's as, while they were well done, they really were far too long, which may partly have to do with the fact that the author wanted them to sync up with the full length pop songs she used as the guiding audio tracks for them. That said - the hippo song did make me smile, and will probably be branded in my mind for a long time to come. I guess there's not much more I can say that other's haven't already, but I thought the placement of the revolver was hilarious - as it was located on a table in front of a sitting highlander who was breathing heavily and nervously almost as if contemplating suicide before Lara took away his only means of pursuing that thought. A recommended light hearted raid!" - eTux (02-Aug-2008)
"I always look forward to levels by Oxy, and when I download them I feel I'm in for a very comfortable night's raiding. This one is heavier on the enemies than previous offerings, which was an improvement in one way and a real pain in the butt in the other, but made the whole set-up more challenging than it would have been otherwise. There's lots of puzzle solving here, complete with Oxy's trademark "helpful strangers" pointing the way to go, but the puzzle-solving isn't of the frsutrating, brain-scratching variety and was more fun than skill-evolving. I like that sometimes - a level I can just play for fun, without getting so hideously stuck that I give up. I'm also a sucker for the 'Castle' format, and if you are, too, then this is a pretty good one - if you can just ignore the laughing scotsmen!" - Xenutia (13-Apr-2007)
"Excellent textures create a very surreal enviroment wich suggest a fairy-tail.I loved the music playing: very conforting the song of Metallica- Nothing else matters, but the song about the hipo has litteraly drivven me ensane and everyone else who was around me when I played the level. A new thing about this level(that I haven't encontered at another level from the ones I played before) is that in the end it shows all the secrets of the game so you will have at the end of the game an AHA!! moment. And the man sitting on a toillet???...funny though :)))- LARA cough him in an embaresing moment. And the princess was so beautiful..I thing she looked a bit like LARA. Good luck in a level that will relax you and bring a smile on your face." - dya1403 (15-Jun-2006)
"One of the few levels I can and have played over and over again. WOW!!! This is definetely the best level I've ever played by Oxy and one of the best ones ever. This level is a one of a kind experience where Lara explores a mansion to find a lost hippopotamus. For this level Oxy have made her own textures and I must say that it's the most beautiful level I've ever seen. The people at Eidos can pack their bags and go home...never has a Tomb Raider level looked better. The mansion and the gardens surrounding it looks so professional that it's a joy, both to watch and to play. Terrific camerawork and beautiful fly-bys are also frequent in this gem of a level. The puzzles were of average difficulty. Lara had to find switches that were at times cleverly concealed and there were also moveable blocks and breakable windows that were hard to discover at the first glance. There were also 5 secrets to find, in shape of coins and a Golden Apple and once the coins were found and placed in the right locations it would open the door to a Bonus Secret. Lara also had to find three diamonds and a couple of Keys before finding the Hippopotamus. Getting around in the mansion and the gardens was almost a puzzle enough in itself. The atmosphere, well what can I say???? Just as beautiful as the rest of the level, there was an almost sad aura surrounding everything there. Everything was so well-made, from head to toe, that I was left completely awestruck. Lara also looked great and sporty in the khaki outfit and glasses. As for the sound, I'm about to say that it was the best part of the level, but then I realize that I've already said that about everything so far. The music fills the ears of the player from beginning to end. The music fit perfectly and created a brilliant mix of songs from Metallica, Westlife and Nightwish and perfectly constructed instrumental passages. Not to forget the funny song near the end of the level...it fit in like a hand in a glove. And please, do note the final song...I listened to it over and over again and it brought tears to my eyes every time!! The enemies, wooden knights, bees and some bulls, didn't come in great numbers but those that were came in packs of two or more and this made them quite difficult to handle despite of the lack of enemies in general. There were also a few traps like swinging burners and poisonous darts.This level is a definetely 12 points out of 10. You will definetely not regret trying it. It is suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced players. A true jewel for any Tomb Raider Custom Level collection" - Selene (07-Jan-2006)
"Oxy has a wonderfully whimsical style, of which this level is yet another great example! It has lots of variety, especially in the audio files, and I particularly liked the harp version of Metallica's 'Nothing Else Matters' which is wonderful. Can you guess I'm a Metallica fan with a soft side..? The hippo song was quite cute too ;) The castle exteriors are nicely made although a bit surreal, and the castle rooms are beautifully textured with plenty of lustrous wood panelling. Even the horizons are well done and perfectly match the level. You will come across many people as you explore the castle - scottish men in kilts or trews (tartan trousers, in case you're wondering), a woman in a long yellow dress, and various others - none of whom take part in the gameplay, but their presence is a lovely touch. You also come across enemies such as bees and bulls but they're never overwhelming. You'll even see some giant ladybirds, which as fitting to their nature were harmless and just sat around on bushes :) It was rather surreal to have to avoid the bulls in the courtyard to the soft harp version of Metallica, rather than some exciting music, but I really liked it! The secrets were nicely done, particularly the one in the piano/organ room, but the gameplay required maybe a little too much running around, although once you get to know the castle layout it gets less confusing. Eventually you reach the dining room, the hiding place of the little hippopotamus, but you just have to stop and look round the room as it's so gorgeous, even the ceiling! The level ends in a garden with a giant hippo, and brings to a close a lovely light-hearted level which was a joy to play, and a pleasant change from the more serious offerings!" - MacRaider (12-Nov-2005)
"I'll keep this short and sweet. This is an Oxy through and through with a beautiful castle (more like a mansion) and the usual progression. You get to find 5 well hidden secrets, three of these are sets of different coloured coins that will give you access to a bonus secret room, and collecting these was really fun. If you love Oxy's other levels you will undoubtedly love this one, and meeting up with a giant hippopotamus at the end can only make you smile!" - Sash (26-May-2005)
"As always, Oxy has given us a level that is extremely beautiful to look at, fun to explore in, full of her charming unique style and great sense of humour. We have arrived at a castle of unusual architecture, wonderful objects, and gorgeous textures. There are beautiful, if very long flybys to show us around. The first one comes to an end with wraiths surrounding Lara, but all she has to do is jump into the pool beside her. Who is the guy sitting there (and in other places) laughing his head off with a staff in his hand?, the owner of the castle?. who happens to be a magician? This is how Oxy's levels affect one, you find yourself imagining all sorts of fantastic scenarios. This time around though things are not as easy, we have two bulls to outrun and out-manoeuvre to pick things up, and push things aside, and gigantic bees that fly in at awkward times, not to mention the odd dead knight. Did I say odd? There were a lot of them in one large room, but I found if you run up the stairs there's a nice handy ledge you can stand on to shoot them at leisure. Other 'residents' of this castle are red-haired kilt-wearing highland men, accompanied sometimes by dark-haired ladies in yellow dresses, and a collection of 'window cleaners'; ahem, sorry, well that's what they looked like they were doing against the different windows of the mansion. Perhaps they were waving their hands for some sort of magic! Gameplay involves opening up the castle's doors, trapdoors, entrances, and finding keys, gems, a so-cute hippo toy, and coins for an extra secret. The only place I was stuck was that deviously hidden, in plain sight, switch, to lower the glass cage in front of the gems. One of the many delights of this level was the music, and like everyone else I laughed so much at the 'angel' who appeared singing 'I Wanna Hippopotamus For Christmas'. The final long flyby carefully shows the player where all the secrets are to be found. Oxy's levels are always guaranteed to cheer you up and put a smile on your face. I hate to leave, and I'll have to wait patiently now until the next one, soon . . . I hope." - CC (18-May-2005)
"Definitively, Oxy is the queen of objects and textures for Tomb raider custom levels. A half-linear level with a good gameplay, architecture is excellent, good puzzles, new objects, great outfit, clues to find the secrets, nice music and perfect textures, a level not much dark. A good example of how a level has to be made. Great! Oxy always have build levels about castles or mansions... When will this author build a level in a natural environment? Perhaps some time..." - Jose (15-Apr-2005)
"This is the first Oxy level I have played and I'm sure it won't be my last! Really lovely colourful graphics give the whole level a very 'happy' feel. There are many new objects and creatures here too, which only improve the level. The gameplay is nice and simple and will never have you banging your head against the wall in frustration (like some do). In fact, I doubt you'll even need the forums for this mini-masterpiece. The gameplay is just pure fun and you'll rarely get stuck or lost, making this an excellent point for beginners to start with (and even young children should be all right). I completed this pretty, funny level in 1 hour and 10 minutes and found 2 of the 5 secrets." - gfd (10-Apr-2005)
"What a lovely and enjoyable level this was indeed to play. I didn't find anything too difficult here and I managed to get through the level, without too much help, but I did miss a few secrets though, which after the final fly-by, I reloaded a save-game and went back to find them again. The whole concept and layout of this level was marvelous and everything was so perfectly placed. Your enemies are tin-men, big bees, wraiths and those seemingly annoying bulls, that you will encounter when you reach certain areas during your game-play, but just be as quick as you can to avoid them, but saying that, I did take some fair amount of damage in trying to dodge them myself, but nothing too serious. All these rooms that you enter during this adventure are so well thought-out by the author, it was very well designed and all objects are just perfectly placed to give you an absolute pleasure and wonderfully feeling as wander through this castle adventure. There were a few timed-runs to master, but both were fairly easy to accomplish and I managed them without any problems. Oxy I loved this level, and I would just like to thank you so much for putting such a nice level together for us raiders to play, it had a great atmosphere and some outstanding music, which made this adventure a real pleasure to be in." - Gill (06-Apr-2005)
"With this level Oxy come back to the spirit of Frosty Mansion. I've really enjoyed this beautiful level and I think it's very well built. The secrets are not obvious and the final flyby shows some of them, great. The gameplay doesn't have enough action but the atmosphere, the music and the great wooden textures gives to the settings a special touch. Very good work." - Loupar (01-Apr-2005)
"Now, really! Oxy is the only level builder out there who could possibly make a level work that features musical pieces from so many different genres (Metallica and Enya, traditional and classical pieces and not to forget the hilarious hippo song). I particularly enjoyed the 'Nothing else matters' ambience loop - it gave a relaxed feeling when playing. And indeed, you will be playing rather relaxed as gameplay is not too hard with levers and jump switches to spot, a few gems to shoot out of lion's mouths and a few blocks to push. Enemies are surprisingly tough though - fire wraiths, bulls, tinmen and hilarious killer bees cross Lara's path. There are even two timed sequences, but both are really easy to master. The five secrets do present a nice angle as well and I really liked the hints at the very end for those who missed some and might want to go back - very original idea. The flybys are long and good looking and it goes without saying for an Oxy level that the textures and overall setting are just perfect and that we are being treated to a series of great custom objects. Another one not to miss and I want a hippo for Christmas too now ;)" - Michael (27-Mar-2005)
"Absolutely beautiful level with some great big stunning rooms detailed in rich mahogany set against deep maroon walls - just gorgeous and shows the richness of the castle. The interior and exterior was wide and spacious, which accentuated the cheery atmosphere. The yellow ladies even worked well against the dark maroon background acting as beacons of light (or at least pointing the way to the secrets). The music was very nice and worked well to enhance the atmosphere, unlike in some previous levels where the music was so loud and out of place that it was positively annoying, but not this time. I even loved the Hippopotamus song, LOL! The enemies were well-placed, as those tinmen were reminiscent of suits of armour that every castle would have, coming to life, and I have to admit I loved the bulls. The bees were nasty but the ladybirds, which are always gorgeous, were in a good mood this time - thank you Oxy :) The dart-traps were nasty too, I didn't know I had Lara standing in the middle of one until she suddenly keeled over, LOL! Gameplay focuses on telling a story rather than difficult jumps or timed runs, it is a formula which is different but works well and is unique to Oxy with the fantastical set-up and pick-ups. Thank you for another superb level!" - Jenni (22-Mar-2005)
"Oxy created a gorgeous level also this time. But this fact has not surprised me anymore. :) She has the beautiest castle-levels. All of them are fantastic adventures, and still there are always newer innovations. Of course we are adventuring in a castle this time, in order to find the Flask of Books, but for this we have to collect at least three of the five secrets. And among many others we also need the little Hippopotamus statue, for finishing the level, so that we can finally fly away on a stealth fighter. Meanwhile we have to fight knights, giant wasps, fiery wraiths of course, and two bulls also try to make our task harder. We are adventuring among amazing textures, and the added sounds are an excellent selection. Noone should skip this masterpiece. :) You can find a Hungarian walkthrough (as we don't have English version), savegames and pictures here: http://www.treditor.hu/15/day_castle.htm " - Obig (22-Mar-2005)
"Ooookay, that was Quite Trippy. Don't get me wrong, this was a great level. Magnificent design - are you an architect already, Oxy? Because I think you should be. This was a silly little break from raiding dark tombs. It was out there, for sure, very surreal. All the strange people standing about; but that's a good thing, Lara gets so lonely on her adventures. I loved the hippopotamus song, but I suppose if I hear it again I might go mad. My only (small) complaints are the long flybys and the bulls, which have always bothered me. But no worries, a fantastic little adventure from a consistently fantastic builder!" - Capt. Abbey (21-Mar-2005)
"Lara starts out in a beautiful environment (mansion). You are treated to beautiful textures, great objects and Oxy has created this with much care. The puzzles are not difficult. You need to pull a few switches, find gems in various colours, keys and a hippo. I picked up four secrets. The atmosphere is quite mysterious; sound was well added. Enemies were bees and two bulls that did not quite fit the level. Textures cannot be done any better and lighting was good too. Architecture throughout the game was well designed, beautiful rooms with nicely selected pictures - like a fairy tale. And the ending is great too. :-)" - Engelchen Lara (20-Mar-2005)
"A splendid and intriguing flyby introduces this eagerly awaited new level by one of our best loved builders. As usual, it's a visual delight with gorgeous custom textures and objects - loved the swinging fire baskets, the ladybirds and the enigmatic figures - and marvelous use of music. Enemies are tinmen, giant bees and bulls, but there's plenty of ammo and medipacks provided and the emphasis is firmly on exploration and pure, unadulterated fun. A nice touch also is the end flyby which very kindly points out where all the secrets are, just in case you missed any (and I had missed one). It's a tonic, it really is. I guarantee it will cheer you up whatever mood you're in." - Jay (18-Mar-2005)
"Excellent level, like all they carried out by Oxy. Perfect their texture, the realization of the secrets, the enemies, the history, the music, the lively characters." - algebo (18-Mar-2005)
"Another piece of art, inventiveness and beauty by Oxy. Maybe the most atmospheric of all. It's not as humorous as the previous ones - it even has a bit of sadness at times - but it's incredibly immersive. The music is absolutely perfect, the textures are splendid and the overall architecture is definitely in the 'wow!' category. Gameplay is solid, albeit quite easy, essentially based on research with some well-placed and sometimes tough enemies - including two particular ones you'll either love or hate. My only reproach would be it's too short. Not literally, but you just don't want to finish it. Oxy's universe is special, different and even unique. It's one which is worth more than a visit and which isn't left that easily." - Sutekh (17-Mar-2005)
"Sophia stands out in the crowd when it comes to level building. Her castles are extraordinary...richly and uniquely decorated! I love exploring them. This adventure sends Lara off in search of a hippopotamus. As she conducts her tour of the 'mahogany' rooms, she meets quite an assortment of friends and enemies. The swinging pots of fire, pesky bulls and gigantic bees will keep Lara on her toes. And one of these days, those beastie boys are going to have to learn to lock their bathroom doors. Cute touch, Oxy! The five secrets are well hidden - keep a sharp eye out and your flares close at hand. As with all of Oxy's games, you will thoroughly enjoy this one. I read some comments from Sophia that this may be her last level for some time. It is thanks to you, Sophia, that tombraiding 'manor-style' was lifted to very high standards, indeed. It will be the game-playing community's loss to lose a builder with your skill and whimsey. I, for one, hope you will reconsider." - Mugs (16-Mar-2005)
"Another enjoyable level by Oxy! You can't be wrong, since the beginning you see that's HER: the music, the funny objects...puzzles are quite simple but nice, and the game is very linear and well organized. I had problems to find all the 5 secrets, they're very well hidden! Some objects are really original (the hippo is very cute!).There are not many enemies, you won't need a lot of medipacks, but you can die a couple of times...The atmosphere reminds me of a fairy tale and the sound is fantastic. Some of the nicest music ever heard in a level is here. Flyby and use of camera are perfect. Lighting and textures are just right, very natural the first, (look at the curtains!) well done the second. I had much fun playing!" - Glow (14-Mar-2005)
"All I can say is I want a hippopotamus for Christmas! This was just the light kind of level I needed, nothing gloomy, nothing obscure, just a very interesting Day Castle in broad daylight. If we compare Day Castle to Oxy's previous custom, it's still quite obvious that the author's the same, but where the action was confusing it is now crystal clear, where the ambiance was oppressive it is now joyful. Oxy was so nice this time she even showed us the secrets we'd missed in the last flyby, so we could go back and get them. She was also very nice in always providing loads of medipacks and revolver ammo. It's the main castle in the kingdom of "niceness", topped with a good musical choice and interesting architectural textures. The only thing I thought was amiss was a good storyline, I would have liked to know what was going on in the castle... Play it if you want to be in a good mood. (March, 14 2005)" - Jorge22 (14-Mar-2005)
"Oxy has delivered again with a quirky and engaging level. Set in a masterfully built castle - not a dank, dark castle either - Lara has to find a Hippo (!!!) in order to end the game. There isn't a dull moment in this one, and Lara has to keep her glasses clean to see some of the subtle clues. As usual, ghosts are part of the story, and provide important guidance. I jumped on the organ before the princess showed up, but it is still a thoughtful touch. Enemies are re-textured bulls, knights, wraiths and giant bumble bees. A delight to the eye and a joy to play." - Duncan (14-Mar-2005)
"What a beautiful level again from our Oxy. Day Castle is stunning with textures to make your eyes pop out, and rooms you could stay in all day, I didn't want to leave. Game play is Oxy style, find keys, levers, shoot lion heads and a few timed runs, not too hard. Finding your way can be tricky and adds to the game play as a good memory is needed. Enemies are bulls, giant bees, wraiths and horseman. I loved this level and would rate it one of Oxy's best, with its fabulous rooms and textures, great audios, and mass of entertainment as several people show up throughout the level to make this an extra pleasure, but I won't give too much away here, go see for yourselves. A few traps such as swinging fire pots and poison darts, and those bulls are not helpful to your health, if caught in a tight place, lol..There are five secrets to find and place to get a bonus prize, and you get a scroll to warn you to go back now or lose the missing secrets. You will fly away to freedom at the end, and its all brilliant stuff. Highly recommended, Oxy is just amazing!" - Moonpooka (14-Mar-2005)
"The level looks very much like the previous castle levels we've played from the author, gameplay-wise I mean. The textures are great making the entire level beautiful and there was a man in the toilet which was hilarious. As much as I liked the setting though, I found the gameplay tedious as it had no new puzzles but just the same ideas we've already seen in the previous levels. The player will find a few secret items, coins which are also secrets, a picture and a key which are needed in order to proceed. I found five secrets and after a while the girls in yellow give you the hints to access most of them. The hippopotamus we see at the end is cute and funny. Don't except many enemies, some tinmen, bulls and big bees are scattered around but the author's levels are based on exploration mostly. It has a really nice atmosphere but it's not so good as far as the puzzles are concerned. I think it's time to concentrate more on the gameplay. Do give it a try." - Kristina (14-Mar-2005)