Level reviews

"A nice built level set in Rome, where the main task is about finding switches and puzzle artifacts, mostly tokens. Cameras are helpful to know where to go, and music is well chosen. Although the series never continued. It's still a good level. I found 2 secrets. Just when I had found the grenade launcher, I didn't find any skeletons till the end..." - alan

"Meh, I have to say I was disappointed. This same author has designed the levels Anzio and San giorgio and each level was better than the previous one so my expectations were high. I felt like there was not much in the gameplay department in this one, especially compared to the previous two. Felt more like a trek in a nicely textured area, which may be intended for all I know but I hoped there were more various tasks to do than roaming around and switch pulling. Still a good level though, 'tis a shame the author decided to stop creating." - Nomad

"This is a nice classic level that took me 40 minutes to complete. The architecture and surroundings look good for a level made in 2001 and the audio helped immerse me in the experience. The custom textures are also nice and help convey a Greek atmosphere. Gameplay- wise, it isn't that taxing, aside from a block puzzle reminiscent of Palace Midas. Skeletons are easily dealt with thanks to the shotgun. Enjoyable." - Ryan

"This is another blast from the past that I enjoyed very much at the time and has held up well in the intervening years. It's very solidly built and nicely evokes the 'Streets of Rome' official levels. Enemies are crocodiles and skeletons and I found some explosive ammo just in time to be of absolutely no use in dealing with the skellies so just as well the shotgun turned up early. Gameplay is straightforward but entertaining and whilst there is a bit of backtracking involved, it's never onerous. Just an all round pleasant experience really." - Jay

"This is quite an interesting level, where the builder actually showed how a good gameplay could be made without some complicated, tricky jump sequences or tight timed runs. Lara always knows what's her next goal (collecting a coin she can see at the start of her mission or deactivating the spikes), the builder gave perfect camera tips (of the door opening and skeletons rising from the dead), the overall geometry and the building are built very nicely. Although the gameplay is somewhat straightforward, it is still immensely interesting and spiced up with a lot of exploration. The level is not decorated with objects, the enemies are crocs and some skeletons you have to avoid because you don't get explosive ammo, sound is perfectly well applied and some new music tracks added. Lighting is too flat and too sharp at times, and along with too many cracks in the textures, this last feature is the weakest link of the level. Apart from that, the level is very nice, interesting and recommendable, despite its being rather old. I immensely regret that the builder ceased with level building after this level. Who knows what marvellous levels would he have built should he continued..." - Nina Croft

"It is a level which emphasises more research than Lara's acrobatics, gameplay is made well, they seldom get lost and when it arrives, it is not too much for a long time. The decor in its style which is liked or not, the building is made well and I did not point out big defect. A good completely advisable game." - Daffy

"This rome level has a good architecture and textures with a lot of old passages to discover in the old part of the city. Your goal is to find the crowbar to can open the exit door. Enemies are crocs, bats and skeletons, but you'll only have the shotgun to deal with them. Near the end I found the crossbow and the grenade launcher, but I don't know how the author put those guns so late, 'cause I couldn't give an use for them. Good ambience and no difficult tasks, gameplay is easy if you explore carefully with flares all corners to discover moveable blocks and climbable walls. An entertaining level." - Jose

"I remember Diocletian being an autocratic emperor who brought an end to a crisis and temporarily delayed the fall of the Roman Empire. It is interesting to see Romolo's tomb near the Roman Forum and the Diocletian Thermae, especially since Romolo and the Roman forum are icons of the Republic whereas the Diocletian thermae were conceived during the Roman Empire. Perhaps the tomb was concealed in order to prevent people from visiting his grave regularly and yearning for a return of the Republic. The gameplay is quite varied and interesting. There are spikes to dodge, fire to avoid, tokens to pick up, jumps to do and pushable block puzzles to push and pull. Enemies consist of skeletons and crocdiles, but there is enough shotgun ammunition in this level. The outdoor areas are particularly impressive, I appreciated the textures, and one flipmap (at some point, after Lara pushed 4 blocks, the pillars on the floor above crumbled) was particularly stunning. This level is really worth playing, and I notice that as this author improves the quality of his levels, his levels seem more and more realistic, and the atmosphere is the best part of his levels." - Sakusha

"I have no idea how this level gets its name unless like San Giorgio it's derived from some place in Italy. Anyway it's a pleasant diversion of an hour or less that I played mainly because it's highly rated and because Dutchy has written a walkthrough for it. The key pickups are two coins that open doors and allow you to progress. The enemies are few only skeletons and crocodiles if I recall correctly and the moves aren't too difficult. There is one tricky jump near the end where you have to angle a running jump off a triangular rock and scrape your shoulder against the wall in order to grab the next ledge but that's nicely covered in the walkthrough. Not a barn burner or a level you'll long remember but it's definitely worth downloading and playing." - Phil

"I am trying to imagine just how a whole game designed by FZ would actually be! You can see even in one single level (though not too brief and much more requiring and challenging than his San Giorgio one) that there is flourishing talent and unlimited creative imagination that makes DT one of the best custom levels I have played so far. It may not have impressive textures (although they are perfect for the case) but the architecture of the level is brilliant and the sequence of puzzles and movements is just genial. There is a totally capturing feeling throughout the level which by the way brings nostalgic memories from TR1's Colosseum! Lara wanders about in a deserted Roman network of a drained cistern and her basic aim is to actually find a way to open a door that is located pretty much at the beginning. But it's not that easy of course. She will have to find tokens and open doors climb walls jump on ledges pull jump witches face angry skeletons and furious crocodiles before she finally locates the item that will help her open the door leading to the exit. The puzzles are tricky but not too tough - you can solve them rather easily if you are an experienced player. The switches for example are carefully placed on spots where you can't miss them although not always at plain sight. The flybys help you a lot to understand what you have to do next. The skeletons are very vindictive - a real pain especially the one at the end (he made me waste most of my medipacks while I was trying to figure out a tricky jump!) The crocs are fast but not a problem since you have the shotgun from almost the start. By the end you are also rewarded with a Crossbow (a brilliantly located pickup!) and a Grenade Gun. Again there are plenty of flares to help you make your way through the darker rooms and enough medipacks and ammo. The textures are solid in general - although at some point I encountered a bug where Lara was trapped between a moveable block and the wall and she couldn't get out. The level gives you a sense of completeness and although you surely wish there was a continuation you do have the sense at the end that the circle has closed. You have the feeling that there's nothing left unexplored and that your mission has been accomplished." - Ravenwen

"Another fine contribution from that consumate Italian craftsman and one where the gameplay is far less dependant on lever/door activation thereby adding greatly to its interest. The custom textures are pleasing although a little too uniformly light-brown to be especially interesting. The area of exploration has been extremely well thought out with Lara often finding herself back at a place she's been to before but from a different angle (always a pleasing experience). The skeletons although few in number are all well placed and not too easy to dispose of; and the whole level (due to its exploratory nature) is absorbing and rather satisfying. All the more of a pity then that this Designer has apparently decided to build no more." - Orbit Dream

"According to Francesco Lara is looking for the 'Philosopher's Stone at the ruins of Diocletian Thermae to find an entrance at the Lapis Niger then the so-called tomb of Romolo the founder of Rome at the forum'. A good story and Francesco says this level is the first of two. That was two years ago so where's the second one? This looks good the ruins look convincing and the underground is well done. I eventually figured out I needed to push those blocks onto the patterned squares. Doors have coin slots to open them so you need to find coins and the crowbar to finish. Good flybys again and enemies are skeletons and crocodiles although how three of them got up on that balcony is beyond me! That was a clever pulldown switch that kills Lara if she hasn't found another switch first. There is a lot of backtracking and it's not always clear exactly what has happened but the whole level is not that big sizewise so it's not too bad. It would have been good to see that second level so how about it Francesco? Considering its age it's a very impressive level." - CC

"One of our little jewels out there as a dear friend calls the old but good levels. I liked this because of the simple but not boring game play and the atmosphere. The textures are well placed and the outdoor areas really give the feeling of being there. Three tokens and quite a lot moving blocks are the things you should be looking for in order to proceed. We have crocodiles skeletons and spikes plus fire to deal with. The roman style which is clearly the theme it's been used here is one my favourites. I found two secrets in the hour it took me to finish it. A level worth downloading." - Kristina

"Lara has the task to find three tokens here. The puzzles are not difficult and it has very fluent gameplay. A lot of running as you have to backtrack a few times. You need to pull levers and solve a pushable block puzzle a bit of shimmying and climbing is required too. Textures and lighting were nicely done. Enemies are mainly skeletons and a few crocodiles. I liked the whole atmosphere with added sounds and cameras. Also found two secrets including the grenade gun but I did not actually use it." - Engelchen Lara

"An original level with nice flybys. The gameplay is very fun. Textures are very well done. Not easy to find the secrets and levers are very well hidden. But puzzles aren't difficult. I liked the atmosphere and the beautiful design. Good work." - Cuqui

"This was probably one of the earliest levels set on Rome and I must admit I loved the textures the author has used. Although the lighting was a bit simple overall the textures were quite nice and cheered up the level. The enemies were few skeletons and some of crocodiles well placed but I am more a 'fighter' than an explorer so I would have liked to see some more. The main quest here is the crowbar which gives Lara access to Romolo's tomb. 70 minutes 1 secret." - Treeble

"Very nice to look at reminded me of Rome. As background noise you'll get a breeze. The surroundings are luckily not as smooth as you get them often there are elevations and edges all around but you will never get stuck. There are skeletons and crocodiles to get on your nerves especially the skeletons do their work very well. Some traps are very surprising. Cameras have been used and are very helpful. One of the jumpswitches was my favourite. You had to try it a different way. Most of the time you run around collection coins. A big minus were missing water textures and the 'ladder-textures' which were from wall to wall different. Once climbable once non climbable." - Tombraidergirl

"The Level is rather difficult if one does not pay careful attention to get all switches and also find the entrances. I have missed an entrance repeatedly and therefore have spent several hours in the level. According to puzzle it is not so difficult but the degree of difficulty is raised by the perfect hiding places of the switches and entrances. Atmospherically I liked it very well the textures were well processed and the lighting correct. In the sound epartment Francesco could done a little more but the level is already a little bit older. The best however were the opponents: a few crocodiles emerged a few bats and skeletons! This time they were a real pest! I have found the crossbow near the end of the Level but I could not use it besides there was no explosion-ammo. IMO they were perfectly placed and disturbed Lara very much therefore the overall high score. The level is suitable more for advanced players beginners might have their difficulties with the hidden levers and with the skeletons." - Xxenofex

"As I never enjoy Rome-type levels (with exception of 'The Last Crusade') I don't know why the heck did I play this one. It didn't surprise me in any way and I hated when the skeletons kept coming and coming and coming.. But I don't regret playing it I had my fun in it. There were some interesting jumps like the one where you have to run a bit in the water to finally do the jump the one on the triangular surface and the one from the slope where you have to avoid the fireball. There were also some nice fly-by's nice custom music and a very interesting flip effect where the pillars all collapsed when I moved 4 blocks. The puzzle items could have been a bit different than 3 coins since there was plenty of them even at the release of the level editor. But that's the author's choice. The secrets were nicely placed and not so obvious to find too (at least the crossbow) and I found 2 - the crossbow and the grenade launcher but unfortunately there was nothing to blow up after them so I guess there'll be a sequel to this level. All in all a good level but I just can't forgive the author for all those skeletons!" - eTux

"Once again this author has presented us with another stunningly brilliant level. Taking me just over 1 ½ hours to complete this seemingly endless adventure takes the player through a wonderfully intricate eerily abandoned city reminiscent of some of his earlier works. Movable blocks and climbing surfaces are used perfectly but they aren't always clearly evident the main enemy the skeletons although not in abundance are placed strategically and progression that isn't always obvious all add to keeping you on your toes. Amazingly this is only the first half of a larger two part game and with a final pick up being a grenade gun I just can't imagine what lay ahead in the second half but I can't wait to find out!" - Sash

"Yet again FZ presents us with a stunningly created environment impeccable custom textures and horizon brilliant lighting and good use of cameras. This time he adds a few pushable blocks and some not easy to spot climbable surfaces. The game turns out to be a quest for three coins and there are many levers to find and pull along the way. Very good use of skeletons which take some effort to be cleared with the shotgun. Also a really well done flip effect after the second coin area. This is definitely a must see level but also the gameplay is fun." - Michael

"This was a very frustrating level with no clear purpose except to get to the end which will take around 90 minutes if you are lucky. The puzzles are relatively easy but the path is never clear with climbable surfaces blending in with their backgrounds too well and jumps being made so fine that they must be executed perfectly to succeed. To my mind this takes the fun out of a level and my scores will reflect exactly that." - Torry

"I actually liked this level a lot as it is well textured and nicely designed. Finally some boxes to push and pull around. The brilliant thing about the textures is that you don't immediately see which you can climb and which you cannot. This hampers the flow of the game a bit and increases the difficulty level. In terms of enemies you need to deal with skeletons and crocodiles which do not quite fit the scenery. I found only one secret. The author is planning for a sequel which we should look forward to. Some walls and floors are a little thin. I played the level for about an hour." - Qwendo

"A nicely designed level with new textures. The gameplay is correct: you have to find a way through the ruins of antique Diocletian baths avoiding skeletons and crocodiles. The new horizon is amazing! Is it custom or is it from TR5? The additional music is also very nice and matches the grandiose setting. The author is promising a sequel in the Romolo's tomb... Let's be patient..." - Jbc21

"Not a too hard level although sometimes it's not quite clear what to do next but with some exploring you'll find out. Find your way through a city-like surrounding fight skeletons and crocodiles find three coins and the crowbar to get through to the end." - G.Croft

"With a beautiful opening flyby one of the first things you'll see here is the crowbar behind a window and this is what you're after. To get to it you'll need to find three tokens find some cleverly hidden climbable walls pushable blocks and monkey swings make a few difficult jumps and evade some crocs and skeletons. I loved the atmosphere with it's blend of indoor/outdoor areas the great use of lighting and the perfectly used textures and the use of cameras that gave a hint what to do but didn't give everything away. There were a few times I saw where I needed to go but had a hard time figuring out how to get there (a little frustrating at times) and probably would never have finished without some help from Torry. Another great level from Francesco and I hope he makes another soon." - RaiderGirl

"The main goal in this level is finding the three tokens you need in order to open doors. It isn't as easy as it sounds as you have to do some backtracking. Even with that I found the gameplay fluent although at times I was baffled and didn't know how to proceed. The trick is (as usual) look look and then look again. Although some climbable surfaces are hard to spot most of the time you can guess where they are. There are some blocks to push and some levers to pull. Main enemies are skeletons and some of them you just need to outrun and just two you can blast into a pit so you have time to look where to go next. Some lost crocs are easy to shoot so no problem there. Found the shotgun and the crossbow (although what to do with the 30 arrows) and the grenade gun. As readers of my reviews will know I hate skeletons I do prefer to have a grenade gun at hand not that I will use it but just to be on the safe side. In this game you don't need it. Still wonder what that lattice thingy was over the spiked pit as you couldn't stand on it. 10-05-2002" - Gerty

"Nice level with well textured rooms. The puzzles are not so hard and the cameras show you always what you've triggered. This is necessary because sometimes you have to go long ways back. I played about 1.5 hours and found 2 secrets found some weapons and ammo which I didn't need maybe for a second part so I keep a savegame for it. Nice work" - Freeman Porter

"A level with great texturing but without any hard puzzles. You often have to visit places you've already been to but because of the cameras you always know where to go." - Magnus

"In this game one has to find quite a few switches. The puzzles are not difficult to solve. It all happens in an ancient bath and its surroundings. Some rooms are really beautiful and there is an intriguing atmosphere throughout the level. A challenge are the climbable surfaces because often you can't recognise them as such. After using a switch often a camera showed where to go next and the flyby sequences were helpful. Enemies are skeletons and crocodiles. Objects that have to be collected to go on are 3 tokens a crowbar a shotgun a crossbow. What you don't need because you don't have to use it is almost near the end the grenade gun. I found 2 secrets. The level provided about 100 minutes of enjoyable playtime." - Monika

"The strong points of this level are the very good progression the excellent camera work and the texturing and lighting. The textures of Rome are from TR5 I think and I like them very realistic. There is also a new and very good horizon. The puzzles are rather simple in my opinion: In the narrow streets courtyards and thermaes Lara has to find movable blocks jump switches tokens some climbable walls and finally the crowbar. Some crocs and skeletons to annoy her it is not a hard mission but a very nice level. I have appreciated this level very much. I hope the author will make the sequel as he said in the read-me file but it was one year ago and my grenade gun is already becoming rusty ..." - eRIC

"Quest for the holy crowbar. I like this better than San Giorgio cause it has fewer levers in it. In fact the great thing about this level is that there is such a diversity of things to do in order to make it to the final door. The setting is great although right now I reckon every setting that is non-Egyptian is great in my view. Good choice of enemies and pick ups as I prefer to battle skeletons without explosives and the grenade launcher only makes a guest appearance at the very end so if you feel the need for revenge you can do an extra round. All in all an original level well above average." - Dimpfelmoser