Level reviews

"I've had this level on my PC for years but never got round to reviewing it. Obviously it's an very early level and as such it's not too bad. No atmosphere to speak of and the architecture and texturing is fairly simple. Nice collection of TR5 enemies and there's a bit of climbing and jumping. Fairly bug free as well considering it's TR5. Overall it's basically a test level, but worth a play if you're interested in the early days of the unofficial editors." - StormChaser

"As a test level, it's modest enough. But as a TR level, it could have much more. Gameplay and puzzles: straightforward enough, you just follow the path until you reached the end. Some obstacles, like pushing buttons and high platforms, exist, but quite simple. Enemies, objects, secrets: they are placed visible enough, even the secrets. Normal for a test level. Atmosphere, sound, cameras: plain but fitting enough. Lighting, textures: same as above. Overall, not fantastic, but not bad, considering this level is a part of Turbo Pascal's DXTRE3D's history." - Charles Kane

"This has the same exact layout as the Example Level, by this same author, made with the TR1 engine. Only that this one was released first and I played Example Level first. Anyway, what changes here are the textures, the enemies, objects, and the irritating puzzle with the pushblocks isn't here (gladly). I didn't find a way of killing the guard at the end, maybe I had to shoot at it several times, but in the end I opted for pushing the button and get out of there. Although I liked the snowy setting in that last area." - alan

""Hey, I remember there being a custom level with the TR1- engine, which was exactly the same as this, but with other enemies and little changes"... That's what I thought while playing the whole short level. Afterwards I did a little research and found that level again: "Example Level", another release by this author with TR1-engine. Yes, basically the whole level setting is the same as there. But there are also some changes: The pillars in the last room don't have climbable ladders on them in the TR1-version because ladders are not present in the TR1-engine, all enemies are replaced by TR5-enemies in this one and there is a golden rose here instead of that pushing block that you have to push around some corners to reach a lever in the TR1-version. I'm giving this level the same scores that I gave the TR1-version, except a higher score for gameplay, because that LONG pushing block puzzle wasn't present :)" - Nuri

"Only a short demo so the users of the unofficial editor can see that a TR5 level can be builded. Some Roman enemies to shoot and some buttons to open some doors in a lineal level without ornaments and nude rooms. Nothing remarkable." - Jose

"This is a beta level. There is enough ammon to kill lions and other enemies. The graphics and brightness are great. Athmosphere was OK." - vienna

"This is the first TR5 custom level to be released and I suppose it shows what could be done under that particular engine (albeit less advanced than TRNG). It doesn't look bad for its age, although a bit repetitive in places. It doesn't exactly offer a fulfilling gameplay experience when all you do is shoot gladiators, lions, a big Roman statue and press buttons. More of a curiosity if you want to see where these kinds of levels stemmed from." - Ryan

"The first(of many) test levels released that sets to demonstrate the possibility of creating rooms within the TR5 engine, via showing off a few of it's respective features. In this one, we are shown off things mostly from the Rome level assets with some basic lighting editing in a few rooms, falling snow flakes in the final area and plenty of hungry lions and insane gladiators hurled our way for slaughter(including a final fight against a giant roman statue with an enchanted hammer, tossed in for good measure.) Beyond the potential nostalgia value though, this release obviously doesn't hold up too well in 2014. Texturing is pretty basic and repetitive, gameplay boils down to simple platforming and button-pushing required to open doors(with even some quick swimming at one point) and the atmosphere(by all means), falls pretty flat. In the end, only really recommended towards players who are curious to know how TR5 custom levels began to take shape. Everyone else on the other hand, should probably look elsewhere." - Ceamonks890

"Easy to deal with, textures are ordinary coliseum ones. Atmosphere was OK. Enemies weren't really dangerous as you can avoid most of them. No really impressive or at least enjoyable moments. Have a go if you like but I don't think it's worth." - manarch2

"It has Colosseum feeling, so enemies are lions, gladiators and the final boss is the stone gladiator. There are many weapons and ammos on the level, but you can complete the level without too, the standars pistols will enough for you. We get ammos for the Revolver, but the author forget about the Revolver. Or just I can't find it." - Obig

"The title of this TR5 custom level gives it all away, really. Playing it eight years after its original release makes it seem even less impressive, but the sole fact that Turbo Pascal managed to bring out a level editor as capable as the official TRLE and then add support to TRC is most impressive. The level in question is a series of Rome rooms stringed together showcasing some of the TRC features in rooms nicely textured (albeit the wallpaper effect is quite noticeable and the rooms tend to be much larger than they should), but it's not quite interesting to the usual player when there are so many other levels in offer. 10 minutes, 2 secrets. 10/09" - Treeble

"A simple test of the first custom Chronicles TR5 level ever made. I thought it interesting to see what could be done with a few days work. In maybe a dozen rooms there are lions, gladiators, and a giant gladiator statue that comes to life armed with a hammer, in a room with snow falling (at the time, the only way to produce such an effect). Weapon shortcut keys don't work, so Lara has to select Uzis or shotgun from inventory." - dmdibl

"A straightforward course in Roman inside rooms, with some lions and gladiators to kill , and the disintegration of the big warrior at the end. Some jumps to perform. In the last room, pillars can be climbed but apparently for nothing, maybe the author could have placed the secret golden rose here instead of on the ground. Probably that was not his intention to provide a fully satisfying level but showing that a custom TR5 level could be released. Lighting has been worked on but is a bit strange and Lara stills does not look in 3D. Texturing is wallpapered. Very good sounds. I like the snow falling in one of the rooms. [6 minutes]" - eRIC

"Obviously in this day and age the technical achievement pales somewhat and what you get is a simple, linear 8 minute run through simplistic rooms, killing a few lions and Roman warriors, pushing a few buttons and picking up 2 secret roses that are not hidden. I thought it was quite cool though how the big guy at the end slowly disintegrated before finally toppling over. Did not recall that from the original TR5." - MichaelP

"Well, I can't say too much about this level. It's a small demo. Raiding through a few rooms with pressing switches, picking up some ammos and medi and 2 secrets (one of them is placed very well), and of course, killing some guy and lions and a colossus(but they can be avoided) in 5 mins." - rtrger

"This is just a little TR5 'test' level, so it's short and simple. You do a little climbing and swimming, pick up quite a lot of guns and ammo (which you don't really need) shoot some lions and gladiators and, if you've any sense, run away from the final enemy and finish the game." - Jay

"It seems fairly obvious that this level was not exactly built with the pleasure of players in mind or to present a flawless raiding experience. As a result of - there's a butt object on the tile you start the game on, enemies attack in packs, but the more there is of them, the more they seem to be interested in running into walls than confronting Lara, the rooms are big, blocky, textured in a lazy manner and not really offering any eye-candy and the gameplay is as straight-forward as it goes. Yet on the flipside - the game is extremely simple to play, and if you've missed the TR5 novelties like the Rome enemy packs consisting of lions, gladiators and a Roman statue, the Golden Rose secrets and a blizzard in a Rome setting (ok, maybe that didn't happen in the original) this offers about 10 minutes of fun whilst offering all of the above too, so up to you to decide if this makes it worth your time." - eTux

"As TurboPascal was the creator of the Unofficial Level Editor,this must be seen as an early example of what was techinically possible within its parameters. It's creatively unambitious;containing,as it does,nothing more than 'push button,open door,shoot baddy' gameplay for a mere 10 minutes.But,as a historical curiosity of what might have been,it's worth a glance." - Orbit Dream

"Ah, the TRC engine. Looks much better on my screen, personally. Anyway this is just supposed to be an example so do not expect too much from this debut Rome-based level. Gameplay is just going from room to room, shooting some baddies, doing a few jumps, and finding the next switch for the next door. Clearly some things were experimental, such as the out-of-place snow effect. Rooms are repetitive and wallpapered. Lighting has some variety but could use a bit more. Secrets were just random corners of rooms. 5 minutes." - SSJ6Wolf