Level reviews

"Fusion ha of the first three Doria maps (the 4th was to be a sequel, right). Not bad actually, I have seen ship levels which screw up in a much serious and unfunny way. Speaking of screwing, the propellers I will remember forever, same as the spike trap. I wish this had an ending, but I can recommend it to people who like when ship happens." - DJ Full

"I quite enjoyed this 50 minute romp through the depths of the ocean and like many of these levels you die quite a lot in the first minutes of the game until you find your way forward but from then on the path is reasonably logical. There was only one timed underwater trap door that gave me pause about midway through the level. I liked the generous amount of weaponry provided through the location of the various secrets but I walked over and around the crow bar lever point a dozen times until I got the right angle and the thing worked. Textures are typical of the TR Maria Doria level set and atmosphere great." - Torry

"Another sunken ship level and one of my favourite genres, so I probably enjoyed this one more than most. This was better than this author's "Titanic" probably because it was more involving and player friendly. I liked the classic TR2 sounds that were used, as well as the convincing waterlogged atmosphere and the frantic enemy encounters. Nicely done, Lukasz." - Ryan

"This builder, from whom we've sadly not heard for a number of years, has given us a steady stream of levels that boast no frills or dazzling innovations, but levels that just provide a fun raid. This one is no exception. About an hour in duration, it bears an uncanny resemblance to the Maria Dora levels of TR2. Harry Laudie has provided a walkthrough that documents six secrets, including one that gives the player nothing but the satisfaction of hearing the familiar chimes. It all progresses quite logically and in linear fashion, and you meet a varied assortment of enemies along the way. Recommended." - Phil

"The readme says this is just a demo of a forthcoming adventure, so I guess that could explain the whole point of the adventure, because you never get to find a single artifact and it ends as Lara approaches a door in a sunken ship at the bottom of the sea. Being an underwater level, I imagine this is not an adventure everyone would enjoy. Sure, there are plenty of air pockets spread through the level, but every now and then you'll have to speed up the pace if you don't want to drown. As usual in Lukasz's levels, your ammo is limited, but no worries on that end because there are very few enemy encounters here (in comparison to Lukasz's other offerings, of course). The atmosphere and texture work is very similar to that of Maria Doria in TR2, so fans of those game will feel right at home here. 30 minutes, 5 secrets. 07/09" - Treeble

"From the title, you can probably expect that there will be some swimming, however, you would be wrong...there is a LOT of swimming. Large parts of the level take place underwater, with only brief sections where you have to climb out and pull a lever, before diving back in again. Luckily, it was never too boring and I found myself quite enjoying the level at times, more so towards the end when the amount of swimming decreased. The texturing was good, the underwater atmosphere was well captured, and the secrets were also nicely hidden. While I don't usually enjoy Lukasz's levels that much, this is one that I can actually recommend that you play." - Spike

"As the title suggests being a demo, this level is rather short. The most annoying feature is the fact that pistol ammo is limited and you have to find pickups for it. The game play is reasonable, but one or two moments like the timed trap door, you find by trial and error, and towards the end you kill a thug in the wrong place, the block won't pull right out. Mainly thugs and rats to shoot at, but there was a"demon" of sorts as well to use you weapons. Finally near the end you get all the goody guns all at once. Textures and lighting were varied and gave a reasonable atmospheric set up. Sound was again OK but nothing spectacular. Wait for the final copy??" - Whistle

"Yay, love wreck levels; diving, submarines, sharks, this level's got everything you expect from this title. Lukasz provided the level with fitting enemies and a really good ligthing. As usual the music is very well chosen and hence the atmosphere is just great. Super work! His levels are getting better and better." - Catherin

"I think this level is the best I've play from this prolific builder. As usual, a lot of enemies to shoot, several weapons and enough ammo and medipacks. You'll have to explore a sunken ship and deal with people and animals who have been enclosed in it, but at the end of the level you get nothing, what are you looking for? A lineal level, I only got problems in the room with floating crates to go over and jump. When you light a flare you'll get a nice purple/red ambience. In first part of the level you'll have to swim a lot, but in a second part there are more dry areas. In the readme file says that there are four secrets, but I've find five (?). This time I must give a congratulation to Lukasz. Continue this way." - Jose

"Already the title should make you aware that you spend nearly all of the level underwater, so if you're not much of swimmer, you should strike this one out from your 'levels to play' list. What bothered me much more than the water though was the shooter orientated gameplay, and the limited supply of even the pistols' ammo didn't help a bit (you start with 240-ish bullets), as I ran out of it rather soon and had to resolve to simply running from the goons, which would've been half as bad if I wasn't having trouble with having sufficient health packs in my inventory too. Apart from that and a couple of neat timed runs, you mostly just activate a bunch of switches to move on, and save for figuring out what of all the debris is supposed to be the crowbar-switch you shouldn't have much difficulty with the level itself - only figuring out the best strategies to conserve your ammo and health supplies. The atmosphere and looks are faithful to the original shipwreck levels, and while I would've appreciated a tweak of originality here and there, it's half as bad because there aren't as many shipwreck levels out there and you're unlikely to get bored of the setting because of that. Well done from the author, shall definitely try the full version once (if) we get it." - eTux

"Probably one of the best levels by Lukasz that I have played. As the title implies there is a lot of swimming to do but the airholes are plenty and not too far apart. The atmosphere and choice of audio works really well here. It starts a bit slow with a few underwater levers and then turns into quite a shooter with almost 20 guards, rats, dogs and mutants. The explosion effect near the end is nicely done. Found four secrets in just over 30 minutes." - MichaelP

"This is one of the themes I am not very fond of, the kind of Maria Doria underwater level. I don't think anyone can get stuck in this level because it's easy despite the two timed runs it has. There are way too many levers to use and Lara is swimming most of the time. The enemies take a lot of her health and I barely made it even though we get many of the weapons. I found a key and the traps aren't hard but nicely done. I also found the four secrets and it lasted forty minutes for me." - Kristina

"Now THIS is more like it!!! This has to be the best level I've ever played by Lukasz and as the demo tag indicates there is more in store of this kind. Although I'm usually no fan of underwater levels I have now gone through the most underwater level I've ever played and on top of that I even enjoyed it immensly. As the typical trademark of a Lukasz level there are plenty of enemies to shoot, of all kinds from baddies with guns and wrenches to dogs, rats, sharks, mini-subs and even mutants. Unfortunately you do not have unlimited pistol ammo which in my opinion draws it down a bit, especially given the amount of enemies. Luckily there were other weapons to find and the ammo was a bit more plentiful there. The textures are the typical ones from the sunken ship in TR2 and together with a good array of sounds and music, well placed lights and a great atmosphere we get a fabulous experience that lasts about 40-60 minutes or so. I would have loved to see more puzzles and more of a gameplay though and not just the regular swimming and shooting. I found 3 out of 4 secrets and had a great time. Highly recommended." - Selene

"I may never get the hang of these levels that you play with the included Tomb4.exe, as again like I?ve done in the past I forgot that the pistols have limited ammo so I was blasting away, half the time just to give myself light, in this sunken ship level when all of a sudden when I needed the ammo most I ran out so spent the next 15 minutes running away from enemies, gunmen, thugs, dogs and rats, till I thankfully started finding more weaponry. So although this was an absolute pain I can?t really fault the level as I should have checked my ammo supplies, but on the other hand I hate this limited pistol play so for me I would frankly avoid them if I wasn?t reviewing levels for a pastime. As for the game itself, there is as you could have guessed a lot of swimming involved, some of it timed, and when you aren?t swimming and occasionally avoiding sharks you are constantly confronted by the other enemies with some levers to pull in between. After 35 minutes and having found all 4 secrets this ended all too abruptly in a short hallway that led to nowhere. I can?t say it is something I would rave about but it was nicely designed and it definitely has all the hallmarks of a level from the House of Lukasz!" - Sash

"Another wreck level - great, I love them. There's a lot of swimming involved, but I enjoyed it anyway. There's even a timed swim and STILL I enjoyed it. I have a bit of a soft spot for Lukasz's levels - they have a certain charm - and he's definitely getting better as he goes along. This is apparently a demo and it's a nice little taster for the main event. Bring it on." - Jay

"I am glad that the rumors that Lukasz was stopping building aren't true as this level was quite a surprise. Be aware that you will be reloading quite a lot as it is all in and around a sunken ship. And if that is not enough there are very hungry sharks and not only in the beginning. There are no puzzles as such as you have to find your way through this sunken wreck and swim a lot. There are timed swims but not so hard that you can't make it. It does end a bit abrupt though. But have a look as it is worth it" - Gerty

"What a pleasant surprise this was.A well-crafted and atmospheric sunken ship level with a twis;this particular ship was so unquestionably sunken that almost every part of it was underwater,leading to the most aquatic level I've ever played.There are plenty of opportunities to come up for air,obviously;but you'll spend most of your time swimming through rusted underwater compartments and submerged state rooms,occasionally encountering timed trapdoors,sharks and nasty little mini-submarines. Although the Gameplay is quite straightforward and linear,the pace is well maintained and the placement of enemies quite effective,as more and more of them appear as the level progresses leading effectively toward the Finale. It ends a little flatly,but the demo' tag would imply that there is plenty more to in store(and,judging from Lukasz' prior activity,it won't be long coming!) I might question the placing of propellors in empty corridors,but otherwise this was a good,relatively un-pretentious and atmospheric little waterlogged adventure.Take a look." - Orbit Dream