Level reviews

"I think I'll focus on 2015 levels before wrapping up the three 2009 releases I have left. I've been playing some gems I'd missed out on at the time such as this one. The BtB-Khmer levels were among my favorite and it was nice seeing some of its elements in use again. It's got a generally nice and steady flow to it (granted, I was following Phil's guidance all along) and the timed trapdoor sequences were fun and timed just right, keeping things fair. 40 minutes, 5 secrets. 01/25" - Treeble

"I enjoyed this beautiful level a lot, I think it was the most entertaining Cambodian level I've played (though there are a lot I haven't yet). Quite atmospheric with charming scenery and it has many interesting tasks to do and flowing gameplay. The secrets are satisfying. I really can't find anything that I didn't like. The waterfall in the beginning looked bizarre there we go, just for the sake of criticism :) Wish the author didn't stop building. Definitely recommended." - Nomad

"Not a very long level , it can be done in less than one hour with some interesting ideas for gameplay which is quite varied. Too bad there is a possible bug near the beginning if the movable above the floor trapdoor in the water is pushed from one particular side , side which of course i chose, but aside from that the level plays fair with no more problem : platforming , traps , and a few puzzling moments caused by things a bit hidden sometimes in plain sight. The timed trapdoors were on the easy side. Good use of some of the new animations and possibilities. Some fitting objects and traps i have never seen before i think. Atmosphere is okay with some new audio tracks. Aside from the soldiers , we meet the different wild life ( snake , shiva , two-heads tigers , knights ) only once. Well made level not completly inspired look wise but one where we can have a good time." - eRIC

"It's been a while since I've played a level based upon the Khmer Empire theme, so I was able to enjoy the hour I spent here journeying through the luscious, foliage filled setting. I liked leveraging Lara's new moves, as well as avoiding traps and fighting Shivas. There are a couple of neat timed platform sequences to conquer (not too hard though) and the level ends rather suddenly. Ah well, I enjoyed it and I suppose that's what counts." - Ryan

"The structure has some oversized chunks, the lighting lacks some life and the build-up to final goal could be better defined, but this is still incomparably better than the author's initial effort. I honestly don't remember such a leap of skills between a builder's first and second release. What will the third one bring? Curious... very curious..." - DJ Full

"This is a deeply immersive and entertaining adventure,which puts forward a number of intriguing puzzles and challenges;some of which appear quite baffling to begin with,but actually have straightforward solutions.The room with the timed platforms;the multiple uses for pushable blocks;the location of secrets (I saw several,but only picked up one);even the very beginning - all are nifty ideas,and they work well within the environment presented here - and a very presentable environment it is,too.Bright,yet not lacking in atmospherics.Architecturally pleasing while never being too ambitious (the object decoration is extremely effective).Enemies are well chosen,while never being too tough;and progression is generally linear,although a keen eye is often needed in order to detect where to go next.Only the ending disappoints,as it doesn't really feel that there was an ultimate objective to this quest.Nonetheless,I spent 70 minutes here,and enjoyed it greatly." - Orbit Dream

"A level that missed the Deadline for the BtB Khmer Empire competition but would have fit into it quite nicely. For a little over 45 minutes you get to explore through the luscious green Environments, battle a few soldiers and local wildlife and pick up 5 nice secrets along the way. I did in particular like the longer flybys and related audio choices when a new area gets introduced and the timed platform runs were fun and not too hard. At times though, the whole design seems a bit simple and almost careless. For example, just dropping vital items like the crowbar sword and the gem into the bottom of a pit or pool where they can very easily be overlooked seemed an odd choice. Good use made of the new ledge jump moves here and good thinking around the multiple uses of push blocks to accomplish several tasks in a row. In summary: A very pleasant experience for a shorter level in between." - MichaelP

"This TRLE is one of the Best TRLEs i have ever seen, I liked the way you used the BTB package and it was used in a way that makes this TRLE one of the best in other words It sets a High Standard." - JoeTheCrazyGamer

"Best played indeed with eyes wide open or else you might miss a crucial jump lever or crawlspace. There is a timed sequence that is doable (just) as I just don't like them in general, but that is just me. I liked the atmosphere and the use of textures and objects were well done. Nice use of pushables and you even get an extra reward if you get all secrets." - Gerty

"Gameplay & Puzzles: There are a lot of good ideas and the game moves on nicely, there's a good use of platforming and exploration and decent puzzles but it's a bit too linear. Enemies, Objects & Secrets: The enemies are used well, liked the 'arena' fight with two monsters, but there are very few, I could have some more. The object design is okay, some objects are not properly placed but overall fine. The secrets are medium hard except one that was really hard. Atmosphere, Sound & Cameras: The architecture is not very complicated and often boxy but there are nice looking areas with good views. The sound is not very diverse and the cameras are good but nothing special. Lighting & Textures: The textures are okay with a couple of misplaced ones that don't count much but overall a bit boring. The lighting is strange: rather flat outside & often weird and colourful inside (I still liked it at times). Total: 7,25/10, interesting and worthy game but with some things I didn't like much." - Rambo

"This level really gave me the impression I was playing a classic Tomb Raider level. In some areas, I had to narrow down what to do or where to go in order to get to the next area. In other areas, the next task was in plain view, but it was tricky to figure out how to proceed (the timed run and the escape from the spiked wall notably). For some reason, I wouldn't know when I could actually push a block off the edge of a cliff in order to get to a switch or a key item. The enemies weren't too difficult to deal with, and there are enough items to get through this level. Aesthetically speaking, the author really succeeded at creating a Cambodian environment, between the temple structures and the jungle areas. I was only able to find one secret, but at least the ending was nice." - Sakusha

"For me it is an excellent level, the tasks are pretty easy. Everything goes well. I have found that 4 secrets but looking good and using the binoculars, I found the 5th which was well hidden. And we can read a rewarding note. There is a timerun in 3 parts but it is very easy. There is a fine texturing and lighting. Audios well placed. Level very nice." - Drakan

"This is certainly a large improvement over the builder's debut level. The temple setting is pretty lush and detailed with particularly good use of design objects and sometimes good architecture. That said there are a few good-looking rooms but some that seem rather rushed at a second glance, with not very realistic looks and odd geometry. I did not like the end of the map in the outside area being blocked by an invisible wall - it's just so easy to build a wall here. A few shortcomings are concealed with clever object placement, but sometimes this feels a bit too much and many times the atmosphere is not as organic and realistic as it could and should have been. Even with many differently shaped areas the level represented a quite'boxy' feeling never quite managed to vanish; I think that most BtB '14 levels have done significantly better in that regard. There are some well-used cameras but the sounds could have been better - most of the time it's rather silent and the used sounds are not very ambient - although they fit sometimes rather nicely to the scene. The texturing is rather solid, with the occasional odd one used that doesn't clash well with the surrounding ones, overall rather clean. The lighting feels like the builder has experimented a lot with it, and there are areas where he succeeded very well, e.g. in the multiple timed-run room. But sometimes it just feels like a strange and psychedelic mess and there are too bright areas and too strong shadows. Nevertheless, I appreciate if a builder tries something with the lighting and doesn't leave it untouched. The gameplay is heavily linear and doesn't leave much space for exploration, and actually there are not very hard tasks, but still it's enjoyable for the time it lasts as it's quite varied - platforming (with a few new moves), timed runs, traps, block puzzles (I really liked the triple-function of one particular pushable). It's rather small-scale, simple and not utterly complex and thus probably not uttermost memorable but I had a rather pleasant time. As said the object design is rather good, helping the atmosphere a lot, and the use of traps is also good. There are not enough enemies for the weapons (I admit to have found the MP 5 a bit too late), but the secrets are rather nicely hidden, although because of aforementioned reason not very rewarding; one of them was very sneakily hidden and took me quite some time to find. All in all a 35 minute level that really does not do much wrong, but also could be even more creative overall. Recommended." - manarch2

"To me this is just about an ideal level: the tasks are well within the reach of the average player, but are daunting enough and sufficiently obscure to present a reasonable challenge for all to enjoy. What's more, the lighting is quite player friendly, and even though the Khmer setting gives you more than a healthy dose of branch-in-the-face headaches, this never becomes a distraction. I found one of the five secrets on my own, and Jose told me where to find two more, so I'm still missing two as I go back and start writing a walkthrough. I was mapping out the steps in my mind as I was going through the first time, so I lost track of time, but I imagine that most players would require the better part of an hour to complete the level. Well done, and hopefully we'll see more from this builder." - Phil

"In my review for the first level from this author I talked about the potential this builder had; and I was not mistaked. This is the consecration of this author in the world of the custom levels. A level with entertaining puzzles not difficult to solve and variety of tasks using many features from this good wad. I expected some more enemies and ammo, but the secrets are cleverly hidden (I found only three). Good use of cameras and sounds, I was a bit disoriented in the outside area with the sheeva 'cause I forgot the door in the corner. The timed runs were not hard, and the environments have a good look in all areas. Congratulations!" - Jose

"If you've played any of the Back to Basics Khmer Empire levels, the look of this one will be very familiar and indeed it would have made a very good entry in that competition. Needless to say, the use of that texture set means this is a most attractive level with those fascinating enemies. Net gameplay for me lasted just under an hour and contained a lot of interesting and varied action. It's quite organic and logical if you keep your eyes open and I managed not to get stuck (or at least only briefly as this builder can be sneaky at times). It's of a moderate difficulty level, although there's a fun timed run over collapsing platforms that might be a touch challenging for less experienced players. I had a lot of fun with it." - Jay