Level reviews

"A short five or so minute test level that could have easily been titled as an adventure if it was given a bit more time in the oven. It mostly features going through hallways with traps with a few combat encounters spread about. I liked the progression and the flow of the level, though the texturing and lighting is very crude and basic. It even has three secrets to find, which was a nice surprise. Be sure to pick up the key at the start of the level lest you end up backtracking a whole lot. Recommended for casual raiders." - LuxQSD

"A short TR2 level that tests the setup of various things: the threefold use of a single pushblock, various enemies, and, yes, a few traps, though these latter don't actually figure all that prominently. While it's off to a slow start (it begins with the pushblock), the pace picks up soon after, and the builder even throws a few secrets into the bargain. The map never comes together as a plausible location and remains a random sequence of disparate rooms, but the geometry and the texturing are quite alright by TR2 standards, and not at all as primitive as the - test level' tag may make you expect. In fact, the texturing is arguably a cut above the official TR2, since the builder takes advantage of DXTre3D's - cut-to-size' feature (which is also tested here, in the first room), while the textures themselves are a hodge-podge concocted from various other games. Lara has become a blonde who sports a deathly pallor; probably a divisive decision, but I think it works. The dart-discs make no sound, otherwise the test results are satisfactory. All things told, an unexpectedly enjoyable diversion." - Mulf

"Even though this is considered as a test, it is a short but playable 7-10 minutes level. The level author has put together some of the available traps from Tomb Raider 2, added a few enemies and even 3 secrets. If I'm not wrong, that was the texture of Lara's bum on the wall at the third secret, wasn't it? I like the custom-Lara-model by the way and the texturing of the entire level, which was pretty much perfect in my opinion. Right at the beginning, I noticed that the pushblock can be moved through the fence, which was weird." - Nuri

"Always enjoy the Tomb Raider 2 levels and if this is a test level it is quite comprehensive as you actually get a mini adventure. I admit I had to back track right to the start as I missed the key in the first room. There are plenty of pick ups to be found and the traps are not that difficult to avoid. Graphics are about as good as the original." - Torry

"This is mainly a showcase, but I actually quite liked this little test level. The gameplay that is present is actually quite enjoyable for the time it lasts, with a little block pushing, some not too challenging traps, well placed enemy encounters and three secrets that I thought were mostly well placed. The surroundings are a bit basic and not very elaborate looking, but try this out for a fun little blast nonetheless." - Ryan

"Another nice little romp and I thought that the traps in here nice little challenges to conquer. A few enemies and quite some swimming to do but you find enough goodies to slay the guys that try to kill Lara. There are three secrets to find. Found out that I could push the pushblock straight through the iron fence, that saved me some pushing a pulling LOL." - Gerty

"A very linear level, mostly just a series of rooms strung together, in which each room presents a different situation. None of the traps are ever really dangerous and the pushblock puzzle at the beginning had me at a loss - the lever might have just been a red herring, but at any rate not only I pushed it as I also moved the block around all different tiles before I got the door open. Not much of a challenge but a still a quick and easy raid in the company of a blond Croft. 15 minutes, 2 secrets. 05/17" - Treeble

"As is alluded to in the title screen, this is more or less a test of the TR2 engine's capabilities in the trap department, with a few random enemies tossed in for good measure and some rather basic texturing utilized throughout, as we traverse from room to room as a cheap Lara reskin that wouldn't feel out of place on DeviantArt nowadays(and I do not mean this in an offensive way either). Is this still worth a playthrough though? At the very least yes, if you're a completist or a reviewer wanting to check out every last release on the site. But if you're wanting to experience something less difficult than the usual levelset available however, this can be recommended to anyone else wanting to satisfy their curiosity as well, if they're in the mood for a quick and simple experience." - Ceamonks890

"Despite being only a Test,this is by far the best of this authors levels,as it's full of variety,loaded with dangerous enemies,and contains quite a few enjoyable physical challenges (as well as three secrets,of which I only picked up one).The atmosphere is basic,as is the texturing;but that's forgiveable in a level of this theme;and the gameplay zips along for 17 enjoyable minutes.Give this a go for a quick and fun little experience." - Orbit Dream

"After a little break in playing custom levels I am letting myself back in easy and thought I would give these older, but only recently uncovered TR2 levels a go. As the title implies this was more an exercise to see what can be done with the editor and it works pretty well with some nice and not so challenging trap setups, decent enemy usage (always like the frogmen) and three little secrets to be found. Worth a look for the completists among us raiders." - MichaelP

"Short, under twenty minutes, but essentially a nice regular level. "Test Level" may mean that some of the design is stylized and texturing can be abstract (although there are rooms with Sumerian textures). The results is that rooms often look better than when the author was using a jumble of India textures in another level. There are three good secrets, and traps that are a basic component of Tomb Raider play. So there are spike walls, frogmen, shooting discs, collapsing tiles, leopards, and play moves along quickly. If the author is being casual, the results is a good playable vignette." - dmdibl

"A really nice little level. Quite problematic frogmen, but a lot of medis from a "collapsed storage" location help balance it. Unfortunately lots of provided harpoons are a bit useless, as for both fights they could be, they are provided AFTER the enemy attacks, and in the later case, a frogmen it's easier to be shot from dry bank instead of nailing him from underwater. Anyway an attempt to create fight diversity is noticeable. Secrets are - again for this builder - of TR2GOLD, again easily hidden, but for another time present in a complete trinity, surprisingly for so a short level. I must start to believe Forger cares about them, because if I did, I wouldn't have missed one of them, what was simply LAME from my side. Texturing... Why so underrated? It's very nice. Maybe not beautiful, but there are definitely no rooms made in haste, and even the final one-square wide flooded passage is climatic. Lighting is also changed more than in Forger's first try. Only a pity there's no music applied, but just old good samples.
BUT while all "filling" is done nicely, this game suffers from its "foundation". You might not notice it at all, if You play the game without a mistake (what is possible). But if You fail/miss something, it's likely You'll face a keyhole without a missed key in the backpack, or be unable to press a trigger just covered by a spiky wall, and need to repeat. If the author let someone betatest the game, this error would be easily erased. Anyway the level is still pleasant even if You play it without being warned about the above. It's never much progress (and nerves) to lose. And it's always worth to see that multi-disc trap, even if two launchers are not working properly." - DJ Full

"I liked this level even if it only lasts 15 minutes. The gameplay is not overly exciting but it has its moments with the block puzzle at the start, the breaktiles and the texture hint for the ladder at the end. The builder uses an interesting glitch for a new kind of progression (climbing up a too uneven slope) and the placement of the weapons was quite well done, with saving the Uzis for the final battle. Sure, the textures aren't very well applied and mostly repetitive, Lara's hair is definately too bright for my taste, but compared to the second test level it is still several notches better. The hideouts for the secrets vary from too easy (the first one), nice (the third one) and intriguing (the second one), and I had fun kiling the different enemies, especially the frogmen that don't often appear in custom levels. With one level not yet played, the best level from this builder." - manarch2

"Well, this is a pretty short level. The surprise here is Lara's hair. Actually she is blonde. The gameplay is very simple. Just Use the lever, kill the enemies, swim and go. There are big rooms and large pools. I found some harpoons, but I think I never found the harpoon gun. The secrets are easy to be found and the enemies are not very tough. As the title says, it is a test level, so we don't expect something magnificent. I haven't seen these textures in any other custom, so that is a point. Also, I think the author should use lighting spots. The lighting just differs only in the settings of each room, so you will not find shades or lights in any room. That is really bad. It makes the level not to look so nice." - Sarikman

"As the title suggests, this is a short showcase for various traps, mostly involving spikes, with a few enemies thrown in for good measure, with a little swimming, climbing and block pushing. Not a bad little adventure for a test level. Oh, and Lara's blonde, which manages to look really odd." - Jay

"From a player perspective , this is not a test level , but a full level , not shorter than the author's other levels, and rather dynamic where you play with a blonde Lara . There is indeed a few traps in there , darts emitters , spikes and collapsible tiles , and moving spiked walls , nothing hard. I quite like the secret that can be collected only after the collapsible tiles are broken. Some baddies , snow leopards , and a frogman with a harpoon will drain some health. Textures are mostly the same than in The Vagrant's Journey to Sumeria." - eRIC