Level reviews

"An interesting debut level with some unusual choices made by the builder. Starting with the fact that it relies on the guide, which is not that often used in levels, and it has been set up nicely and works like a charm here. Then you are restricted with your ammo, as you only have the revolver, which may cause you a bit of trouble if you do not use it wisely. In my case, I did not have ammo available to kill the two warthogs, but conveniently they decided to end up jumping into the water and then left me alone. Overall, there is often a bit too much darkness here, but nothing too painful during the 20 minutes you will spend and it culminates in a brief, fun battle with the evil queen at the end, before you can claim your prize in gold. Well done and would love to see more from this builder." - MichaelP

"Minimal yet good as for the first level. Despite of short runtime it has decent scenery, plot chapters, various elements of gameplay and even sidekick AI. Slow elements extend the game a bit too much but it's bearable and rewarding. Recommended." - DJ Full

"I liked this neat level. Pretty decent for a debut. It is short, a little dark with no secrets or complex gameplay but it is simple (my man Reginald did most of the killing including the evil queen, seems the same in others), entertaining and to the point, it also has good map design. The plot is interesting enough and Lara's aunt and outfit are solidly designed. This would be a good level especially for beginners. I hope the designer keeps building because I am sure he/she will do a lot better with more time and work on a level." - Nomad

"At 20 minutes , this was a short raid but one where everything seems right at their proper place without trying to impress too much. You can't really fault a lot here. The progression is a bit slow as you walk with a guide. Technically faultless and in my game it is the guide who killed the evil queen at the end. Well done first level." - eRIC

"Not a bad debut, but the ambience is too dark and there are not enough flares. The gameplay is simple and easy, without puzzles but also without backtracking. Cameras and musics work ok, but I missed some more ammo for the revolver, because if you use it to break the vases, at the end you'll no have enough bullets to shoot the final demigod. I expect this builder can build longer levels in the future. Cheer up!" - Jose

"A decent 10 minute long debut level with mostly correct texturing, perhaps a bit too dark lighting (that is because you only get the three standard flares in the inventory from the start and no more), nicely modelled characters and rather simple room geometry. The cameras and sounds are good as well except of the final cam which goes through a solid wall. No secrets to find sadly and the gameplay is extremely easy, but not without a few okay sequences at least. For a short break between other levels, this is not a bad choice, and I think the builder can give us good levels in future as the whole storyline screams for more." - manarch2

"I must say I really rather liked Lara's aunt's 1930s lady adventurer style outfit – very dashing! This short debut level is quite atmospheric, even if somewhat gloomy in places. I was certainly glad of the trusty, torch bearing guide to lighten up the place a bit. The action is very straightforward and would be ideal for a newer player. The only thing that confused me initially was how to deal with the jackal, as the guide didn't seem inclined. As it turned out, there was a revolver kindly provided in the inventory, which I hadn't noticed. A gentle, pleasant level that shows promise." - Jay

"For a debut level I found this quite charming and the important thing here is that everything worked. The guide opened most of the doors for me, killed off the Evil Queen for me so all I had to do was concentrate on finding the objects to gain access to the treasure trove. I would have liked the ability to use flares as sometimes the guide dawdled along on a sight seeing tour before he caught up with me and illuminated the path. Also a little more platforming would have been grand. You get the revolver but I only used it on the pigs leaving the rest to the guide. 1934 Laura made me think of the lass in Stargate Origins and I did have a chuckle at her getting about the tombs in heels. Graphics were just fine. Overall I found this s solid first attempt with a decent story line. I hope Gertrud continues with this." - Torry

"Well, it's certainly interesting to know where Lara's enthusiasm for tombs originated from - her dear old aunt. And that guide seems to have outlived many a more famous Tomb Raider character (at least judging by the year when this level was meant to be set, and nice work getting the guide to work without problems, by the way). The gameplay is simplistic, but the adventure has a certain charm nonetheless, and the Egyptian setting is quite well constructed. The end fight actually didn't prove much of one for me, the guide having done the job perfectly fine and the limited ammo was a slight handicap, but aside from those, this isn't bad at all." - Ryan

"This is an old school tidbit that will take most of us 15 or 20 minutes to complete. That is, if you can see what you're doing. I found the darkness intolerable, with no flare pickups in sight, and whenever I find something intolerable I try to do something about it. In this case I manufactured unlimited flares for myself during the early going. Although in the process I also got full armament and unlimited ammo, I refrained from overkill and used the pistols to deal with the few enemies that are encountered (mainly jackals and wild pigs, although a crocodile puts in a gratuitous appearance). There's nothing unique or even memorable about this short adventure, but it's been compiled competently and is worth the download for a brief respite from the much longer levels that have been offered up lately. My scores may be a tad generous, but I want to encourage the builder to keep at it." - Phil

"Considered on its own, this unassuming little debut is what is sometimes described as a - lunch break level'; but it works just fine as a harbinger of greater things to come, as it tells a little story that I'd like to see the builder expand upon in a future release, should she decide to follow that path. In the 1930s, Laura Croft (a distant relative of Lara's) joins an archaeologist allegedly named - Reginald P. Earnest' on an expedition to explore the tomb of the eponymous queen, identifiable as evil by her laugh (she is a remeshed and retextured demigod Sophia Leigh); her heinous act of withdrawing large amounts of currency from circulation is a sacrilege that obviously cannot stand.
Since I can't recall having seen Indiana Jones in a blouse, knickerbockers and low-heeled pumps, I must disagree with the previous reviewer's comment claiming that Laura is dressed à la Indiana Jones here, and assume that it was prompted by the shared general theme of - 1930s archaeology', which is, however, apparent only in this outfit and has no further bearing on either gameplay or design (object modification is limited to the level's cast of three characters, but these are well done); not to mention the fact that Indiana Jones is nothing without the hat and the whip: these are his defining attributes, and that is why that skeleton among the spikes in TR4 "Angkor Wat" was immediately identified as that of Indiana Jones (who obviously failed where Young Lara would succeed). That skeleton doesn't appear in this level, though well it could have: not only does fit nicely in the historical period in which this level is set; the level is also strongly reminiscent of "Angkor Wat" in its general setup as well as its gameplay, presenting as it does a linear sequence of only very mild challenges (and Reginald P. Earnest looks uncannily similar to Werner von Croy, although he's in the Guide slot). It's not a Young Lara level though, as Laura Croft is carrying a sixshooter (present in the inventory from the start). I agree with the previous review that the final confrontation is anticlimactic, but this is entirely in line with the low-key approach in evidence throughout the level. I've encountered no bugs or other issues such as missing or messed-up sounds, and the level is commendable for that reason alone (also kudos for making the finicky Guide setup work in your debut), but it's also reasonably entertaining (if not at all taxing) for the short while that it lasts.
As for design, room geometry is mostly functional (bar one flourish in the form of a giant cat statue); the textures are an eclectic mix taken from several TR4 sets and other sources, well applied for the most part but failing to gel into an aesthetic whole (one room stands out by virtue of being covered entirely in textures from TR5 Rome, an odd choice that doesn't exactly contribute to visual coherence); lighting is reasonably well done (there is a fine scene in which Reginald illuminates a dark corridor with his torch); and as mentioned above, the historical period makes itself felt only in the costume in which the main character is dressed, which is a bit of a shame, as digging a bit deeper here would surely have made the level stand out more than it does. However, I entertain the hope that the builder's future releases expand on this story, as an adventure in a 1930s setting would make for an interesting change; but whether or not she goes down this particular road, I think this level is a promising start of the builder's career. Unless it's another one-off, that is." - Mulf

"There's a quiet charm to this little 20 minute adventure;especially if you assume that it was the recollections of her great aunt's little quest from decades earlier that inspired Lara to become interested in the possibilities of discovering treasure in hidden tombs herself. The remodelled playable character has a pleasantly bygone look;and the adventure itself is built around one (and only one) quest sequence,and a quickly dispatched opponent. The guide/professor works well enough for it's purpose;and the same can be said for all the other technical categories (booby trapped levers excepted). It's a safe and easy debut;but absolutely fine for all that." - Orbit Dream

"A decent debut (despite only clocking in at around 15 minutes long for me), with Lara dressed up in a similar fashion to Indiana Jones here, only missing the bullwhip and hat to complete this deliberate homage. And while the lighting & texturing are executed in an above-average fashion (alongside not too shabby use of enemies, objects, a couple dynamic camerashots and music cues to create a convincing enough atmosphere), gameplay on the other hand feels noticeably lacking as you find yourself railroaded half the time by having to wait on your guide to get the hint to move forward and the other half accomplishing relatively simple tasks, as you quickly make your way to said 'Evil Queen' and defeat her fairly anticlimactically with a few well-aimed shots, before proceeding to her treasure vault and concluding the adventure as soon as it began. Overall, an easily approachable and adequately executed raid for newcomers wishing to properly familiarize themselves with the controls. But for experts, there won't be a whole lot on offer here to sink your teeth into." - Ceamonks890