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Return to Venice by Leandro Dubost

alan 4 5 5 4
bERT 5 5 7 7
Casual Raider 3 2 3 4
Catherin 3 4 3 3
CC 3 4 4 4
Dimpfelmoser 5 4 6 6
Ejecta 4 3 4 3
eTux 4 3 4 4
Gerty 4 6 6 5
Jay 5 6 6 6
Jose 5 5 6 5
Kristina 3 3 3 3
Mehrbod 6 4 5 4
MichaelP 5 6 6 6
Mulf 3 4 3 3
Orbit Dream 3 4 6 5
RaiderGirl 6 6 6 7
Ryan 4 5 5 5
Sakusha 5 4 6 4
Sash 3 5 4 5
Spike 4 4 4 4
Torry 6 7 8 9
Treeble 6 6 7 6
 
release date: 12-Jan-2001
# of downloads: 141

average rating: 4.71
review count: 23
 
review this level

file size: 15.61 MB
file type: TR4
class: Venice
 


author profile(s):
email(s):
leandrodubost@uol.com.br

Reviewer's comments
"Quick and inoffensive but generally forgettable. Every room is boxy, sparsely decorated and much wider than it needs to be and the texturisation follows suit. Aside from a few rats you will also (very briefly) meet some bad-tempered SAS patrolling whilst you explore, including one unintentionally hilarious moment where a trio of soldiers teleport inside a hallway before your very eyes as the - danger' sound effect obediently heralds their arrival. The inclusion of the mirror puzzle is welcome but little else of note happens; the rewards from the only secret should be conserved so that the final squadron of enemies can be dispatched as painlessly as possible. Perhaps the most memorable moment comes at the very end, on the walkway: thanks to a well-placed camera angle, you can catch a glimpse through the railings of the moon shining in the night sky above the Venetian waters before you move along some more and reach this level's conclusion." - Ejecta (07-Jan-2024)
"All of the builder's first three levels were apparently speed-built, but this is the one where it shows the most; probably because it includes outside areas, where the approach fails of necessity. As a result, it feels like you're moving through a movie set, with the end of the world merely one step away at any given time, and not infrequently in full view. A few neat ideas notwithstanding (mostly involving rats), design is awfully scrappy most of the time.
The level takes place in a hotel in Venice called Venice Hotel. It's a rundown place, and the place is overrun by SAS, though it remains unclear what their mission is, or yours for that matter. City wad plus TR2 Venice textures equals shooter, and indeed, except for a little bit of platforming and a magic mirror puzzle (during which the TR4 boss fight track begins to loop for some reason), there's only shooting to be had here. Thankfully gameplay doesn't go down the route of - open door, shoot baddy, repeat ad nauseam', to which the hotel setting would readily lend itself; but even so, enemy placement is not particularly inspired. There's a roadblock in a hallway at one point, and the three SAS manning it pop into existence as you approach it; you can then gun them down from a safe distance without them batting an eye. And the final battle with five or so SAS is not much of a challenge either; for one, the revolver and the shotgun are in your inventory by then. But even without these, it wouldn't be a big deal, as you have ample room to keep your distance; alternatively, you can simply run past them towards the finish trigger that lies ahead. Not the worst shooter out there, but certainly no must-play." - Mulf (11-Jul-2021)
"Personally, I somehow enjoyed to see the classic TR2 Venice textures within a TR4 game based system. The main problem that somehow was a pain in the neck for me was the enemies, in which you had to fight loads of MPs, with few ammunition to use. Atmosphere also looked close to TR2, but the author could have made it better I suppose. Most of the textures were stretched or broken and didn't fit in with some environments. Lighting, in fact, was a little 'flat'. Eventually, an enjoyable Venice adventure. Thanks!" - Mehrbod (14-Jan-2019)
"Although this is extremely brief and not the most inspiring level out there, it's quite charming in its own way, due to the inclusion of a (albeit simple) mirror room and the fact that I tend to be well disposed towards Venice levels. This does have rather crude texturing and the rooms are bare and square, but it's still a nice little effort. You might want to conserve your revolver ammo though." - Ryan (22-Jan-2018)
"Of course, this is not a excellent level, but an entertaining one. I think it's the first custom level which includes a mirror room. Every player can see the defects in the texturization, the empty rooms and the flat lighting, but you'll notice an effort to create atmosphere with cameras and musics, well balanced enemies with enough pickups and a decent gameplay without backtracking and not tricky tasks. Except the mirror room, you'll not find interesting puzzles here, but it's still a solid level worth to play without a walkthrough, at least for me. Approved." - Jose (08-Nov-2017)
"Lara is in a hotel in Venice, which for some reason was closed. You pull a lever and a jumpswitch to go further into the building. Enemies are bats and guards who are easily killed with the shotgun and revolver. There's a bug with the closed trapdoor, you can jump over it and Lara will cross it. There's the puzzle of the mirror, which was quite fun. You end the level by entering to a white cube." - alan (30-Aug-2017)
"I own to a fondness for Venice levels in all their incarnations (I think messing about on awnings has a lot to do with it). This obviously early offering is short and very easy, with a lot of thin walls etc., but nevertheless still has a lot of charm and nice little touches like a mirror room. It's also absolutely heaving with guards so the plentiful revolver ammo is welcome." - Jay (17-Feb-2015)
"Interesting level but could be built much better. Rooms are too big and without objects look empty and bad. Gameplay is easy and would use some more challenges. Textures in level are rather okay though too many walls are covered with that familiar from TR2 'leopard' wallpaper, so it could be slightly more variated. Doors didn't fit into surrounding - too different textures. Still it was nice too look at Venice themed level." - Casual Raider (24-Jul-2013)
"The plentiful presence of SAS guards reminded me of the Train level, but there were a few swimming and jumping sequences that broke the monotony a little bit. It was also great figuring out how to shoot the blue ball by realizing that Lara needed to go to the mirror room to retrieve the lasersight. The lighting was once again ordinary and the textures were slightly stretched, but at the time, the ability to make a Venice-like level with Egyptian object files is impressive because the author did manage to replicate some of the decors of Venice." - Sakusha (12-Jun-2012)
"This is nice, but short Venice level, that can be made even shorter if you take advantage of a TRLE bug that allows you to jump right through the first trapdoor (allowing you to skip a short trip for a jumpswitch that opens it) and if you use the shotgun with manual aim to destroy the blue ball near the end, thus saving yourself the trouble of getting the lasersight and taking care of the last massacre of SAS thugs. But as the level was brief enough as it is, I just noted the existence of these unintended shortcuts and followed my curiosity to explore everything the level has to offer. And if you're in the mood for something short and sweet, this isn't half as bad - the looks are not particularly inspired, yet decent, the tasks standard but fun, and if you can handle the SAS soldiers, the difficulty is nothing to sneeze at too. Found 1 secret." - eTux (31-Jul-2009)
"Thanks to Treeble I was able to finally play this little level. Considering it was made in 2001 so don't expect much. It is small and fairly straightforward. It takes place in Venice and you encounter quite a lot of guards. Creepy was the dead soldier and rats knowing on it leg. For the rest it is all about finding levers, opening some doors, swimming and climbing." - Gerty (21-Mar-2009)
"A short level, mostly involving the shooting of SAS, occasionally seperated by a lever or two to pull. There was a bit of swimming and jumping, but it was mostly predictable stuff, apart from the 'mirror room' at the end. Texturing was bland, and there was a lack of statics, meaning most rooms looked box-like and empty. The use of a flyby camera was nice, however, and it was created decently. An average level that does provide some amount of fun, but nothing overly exciting." - Spike (29-Jul-2007)
"Unfortunately there's a bug with the trapdoor and it's a very short level, 9 minutes. A few design faults but it's a good level and there are some soldiers and bats to shoot. I was surprised to enter a well created mirror room after having seen emtpy rooms and halls." - Catherin (02-Aug-2006)
"I know this level is as old as the hills. Very ho-hum Venice architecture, but its particular highlights are the sign over the building you start in saying Venice Hotel Closed, the rats that scurry around everywhere - one of them jumps off a bed away from a corpse, the drop down onto the bed with the lovely canopy, the beautiful glass ceiling in the library, and the view of the moonlight on water through the window. There is a mirror room, only in the sense that you can see where to get the lasersight, but there is no Lara reflection. The flyby in the library is really bad and unnecessary, but the fixed camera at the end is good. Leandro's later levels are far superior." - CC (05-Aug-2003)
"If you have talent, then it shows from moment one. Leandro is clearly one of the talented. Little details like the sunset impression from the early start of the game. The suggestion that the Venice rooms we remember from TR2 have been barricaded and are nearly derelict (broken windows and such). Nicely done. On the other hand it's also clear these levels are very early try-outs because now and then something goes wrong (very abrupt fly-by through textures) or weird (rats walking on air, one enemy guard falling through a ceiling). But as far as the end static camera is concerned: perfect again. Also a well succeeded use of the mirror though Lara herself does not show up in the mirror herself. Found one secret and I suppose that the second door in the last inside corridor has also a secret behind it but could not find it. Anyway, short but nice level." - bERT (27-May-2003)
"I can assure you Leandro got better than this. This is just one of his first attempts so there is nothing much, a lever, a jump switch, SAS guards, bats. The revolver and laser-sight will come handy. By the way don't die. I liked being above the water and crossing it through an iron bridge. Play his newer levels." - Kristina (10-Dec-2002)
"This is a short jaunt through a couple of empty buildings in search of nothing but the end. The game play of this level consists solely of opening lots of doors, pulling a couple of levers, finding a secret, shooting a fair few SAS men, locating a laser sight in a mirror puzzle room, and shooting a target to find the end after 15 minutes. I assume this is one of Leandro's first works as he has vastly improved in every aspect of his levels since, but if you like the Venice levels then take a look but don't expect too much." - Sash (21-Jun-2002)
"A small Venice replica, which starts out greatly with the moon shining through the window but then moves on with a number of empty look-alike bedrooms and presents only a short 15 minutes gameplay, killing about 15 SAS soldiers on the way (which is easier if you find the secret revolver in the water), a few paper-thin walls and a very badly designed flyby camera. I liked the mirror puzzle, but other than that would recommend to focus your attention on Leandro's later works as his design skills have much improved since." - Michael (21-Jun-2002)
"Finally, a return to the rat infested canals of Venice where they are busy chewing on the legs of dead SAS. The start of this level reminded me of the old Wolfenstein 3D start, (ring any bells, Leandro?). I really did enjoy the Tomb Raider 2 textures and the mirror puzzle to get the laser sight was also well done. All in all a fun little level that will keep you occupied for around 20 minutes." - Torry (21-Jun-2002)
"Another early work of Leandro. This level is set some days after Fiama Nera's attack to Lara's home (TR2), where Lara wants to know what secrets they hide. It's all around a hotel (Venice Hotel) with lots of SAS Guards. I experienced one bug with a trapdoor, but nothing that bad. The texturization is ok, but the lighting could have been better. Time needed is around 15 minutes and worth a download to all the TR2 fans." - Treeble (21-Jun-2002)
"Though far from one of the best levels ever made, this is a fair attempt for a first level. It takes place in a seedy, run down motel with tacky wallpaper that looks like it has been condemned - or should be. Most of the rooms are large and empty except for a bed and there are few pickups, though if you look around it won't be long till you find the revolver and then the shotgun. These will help you with the many guards that will try to keep you from your mission, which is to open a bunch of doors. Although the level has a few design flaws it had some good points as well. The mirror puzzle room was a nice touch, the glass roof in the library looked nice, and when you enter one room there is a dead soldier lying on the bed and a rat knawing on his bloody leg. How cool! I just have one question - what's so important about this trashy hotel that there are so many men guarding it?" - RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002)
"This was another 'first' level; but signs of great things to come are here, although the level is way too short to make much of an impression. Good to see Venice textures without any of the rooms being copied from the TR2 levels. And the TR2 music is always welcome. I enjoyed the 'closed Hotel', and the nasty rat with the corpse." - Orbit Dream (21-Jun-2002)
"A fast and short fun level that has a bit of everything (swims, jumps, climbs) and a lot of shooting. I liked the low moon, the rats and the fixed camera angles. In between you have to open many doors, push the occasional lever, spot the laser sight in the magic mirror, fight those SAS guards and kill a few bats. The outside areas are Italian enough but the interior design is a bit plain. There are no real puzzles to speak of, the fly bys are pretty strange and the gameplay could have been a bit more challenging but all in all I enjoyed going back to Venice. Off I go to check out Leandro's other levels." - Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002)