Level reviews

"🟩Pros: ● Nice model ● Nice level layout and design ● unique puzzles and mechanics ● Helpful hint cam 🟥Cons: ● No extra weapons ● Kinda easy ● possible softlock ⏹Overall: Compact level with good use of space, adventure was longer than expected, it has backtracking a lot, but never felt overwhelmed, challenges are fair, I wish there were weapons and more stuff to shoot at, overall, it was fun, enjoyable experience, casual players would love it!" - black horse

"Not one of the most inspired levels of this builder, but it's still good, the environment looks great, and you'll enjoy the most guided backtracking ever! Recommended, you'll have fun." - billie2001

"Another great offering from Bigfoot here! 2 Well put together levels you travel back and forth between with a short 3rd near the end. Enjoyed my time exploring them with lots of great platforming and set pieces along the way. Would definitely recommend this to anyone!" - Feats

"An enjoyable level, one that makes creative use of almost entirely pre-existing assets. The lack of enemy variety leaves something to be desired, and I do feel the atmosphere could have been better established with more focus on the narrative (it's still good though), but the exploration is still quite enjoyable - though with almost an excess of timed platforming sections. As an aside, the only new asset that seems to be used in this mod is Lara's outfit, using a model by PuYo. And gosh darn it, she looks HOT." - Spinnerweb

"(7) Gameplay & Puzzles: I was a huge fan of the builder's "Locked in the Underworld". The gameplay here, in the sequel, is not bad, but it just doesn't have the same kind of gameplay variety. There's not much going on in terms of puzzles here, and there's lots of running back and forth, and it gets repetitive. There's a creative and humorous moment involving a popcorn machine that was awesome. My favorite gameplay aspect was a timed run near some boxes, in an area which the player previously visited (so they are rewarded if they were paying attention to the layout of the area). The last act is very anti-climatic, and I will write more about this in the next section. (8) Enemies, Objects & Secrets: After retrieving the stone, I thought perhaps I would face some traps or a boss fight during my escape, but the brief timed run escape just didn't have an epic feeling. I think a lot more could have been done here -- especially in terms of the player facing a different enemy, as all they've been facing are skeletons. Grabbing the stone didn't piss off some heinous deity? The object decor is pleasant. (9) Atmosphere, Sound & Cameras: The atmosphere and environment is polished and eerie, although there are many, many not-so-memorable corridor areas. Camerawork, both static and flyby cutscenes, are excellent. The flyby hints are particularly helpful if you play the level over several days, and have forgotten about an area that you visited the previous day. Aside from helpful camera work, there are also plenty of immersive camera angle changes and flybys which really draw the player further into the world. There's great use of different classic music cues. (9) Lighting & Textures: It's lovely to see a classic Cairo setting that isn't shrouded in darkness. Something that the builder does very well is even though everything is well-lit, there is still a sense of dread and suspense. That said, while both texturing and lighting are well done, there is visual repetitiveness after a while (wallpapering is not uncommon). Overall, I had fun, but I believe the builder is capable of better gameplay. (I hope I was constructive and I am sorry if I sound harsh) 7/8/9/9." - nerdfury

"I agree with some of the other reviewers that this level set doesn't meet the standards set by Bigfoot's other releases, although it is still a very enjoyable level set. During the game, you will be jumping between two levels, one taking place in gloomy city streets and the other one in tombs underneath the city. Technically there is a third level, but the only task in this level is to collect an artifact that you are looking for. Transitions between the levels are nicely done and overall, the environment looks atmospheric and well crafted. Gameplay features some non-linear exploration especially in the beginning, but for the most part it is quite straight-forward containing lots of basic platforming and frequent timed- runs, which are quite easy but still engaging even for more experienced players. I was, however, expecting a little more variety particularly in terms of gameplay, since the game was very basic, lacking the level of uniqueness that we are used to seeing in more recent top levels. It is still a very enjoyable level set and definitely worth playing through." - Samu

"The theme here is a semi-apocalyptic Cairo/Coastal type city, while some variety is added with mixing in some elements to convey more ancient tomb areas, it does feel a bit more visually repetitive than Bigfoot's other works, and feels a little similar at times with the lighting and texturing both lacking some variety, although it's still very well executed technically with almost no issues. Objects are also well-used but without much that feels especially original (although seeing a cool idea from Walhalla show up again was nice).
The gameplay is generally clear about progression and provides plenty of tasks, but this is first time I've felt a newer Bigfoot release has got a little repetitive, as there's not much especially new or creative here unlike most of their other releases, and the somewhat repetitive aesthetic prevents that from carrying the more straightforward gameplay moments. There are three levels, but like Reliquary you go back and forth in linear order so it's more like one big level (with the third level just being a climax). You only have Pistols and later a Crossbow (but that's more a puzzle tool here), and the only enemies are Skeletons; you can actually kill them with gunfire here so that isn't a problem, although they don't really provide much challenge beyond the "jump out from behind a wall" animation being well used for a couple of scares (as well as great use of a camera angle at one point that felt like it could be explored a bit more). There is a part where you have to go without weapons for a little, but you aren't unarmed for long. A perfectly fine level set with nothing massively wrong (beyond the relative repetitiveness by the author's usual standard), but it does feel like a weaker release." - Mman

"Another entertaining raid from this reliable builder and a big thank you for the ability to kill the skeletons. The action shuttles between several areas, sometimes at a breakneck pace, the skeletons crop up fairly frequently, there are plenty of timed runs (not too tight) and exploration is mainly in some lovely areas, which I always appreciate. Possibly this isn't quite as well balanced and diverse as some of his other offerings, but I simply can't imagine not having fun in a Bigfoot level." - Jay

"I could never be disappointed with any Bigfoot release (the very thought seems heretical), but I must agree with previous reviewers that this one doesn't come up to his lofty standards. To be sure, the surroundings are pleasing to the eye and the lighting is impeccable, but it all gets to be rather mechanical after a while, as if the player is just going through the motions in order to get through the level. There are few of the "aha moments" we've come to expect, but there are enough challenges along the way to keep the player on his toes. I feel it's a high-quality raid, as indicated by my scores, and it consumed a couple of hours over the course of about a week here and there, but it's a far cry from Bigfoot's Ancient Shores (a simultaneous release that was much more satisfying to play)." - Phil

"Disliked

• There was more backtracking in this adventure than I would have liked. However I did appreciate that most of these moments are accompanied by a cutscene reminding you where to use the key or other item that Lara just found.

Neutral

• The only type of enemy in this game is the skeleton, which can feel a little repetitive after a while, but I greatly appreciate that the skeletons have health bars and thus can be killed with the pistols (of course, with the crossbow Lara can still snipe off their heads if she wants to).

Liked

• Flames, steam traps, and timed runs will keep the action going, without being overly difficult.
• I appreciate the use of the popcorn machine, it's simple yet I haven't seen it done before in a custom level.
• While the structure of the city is a bit of a labyrinth, it is visually solid.

Time: 1 hour 45 minutes | Difficulty: Medium | Rating: 8/10" - JesseG

"1st level is fun exploring the city making acrobatics around the roofs with some targets to shoot and (generously enough) timed tradoors and some original ideas. Atmosphere is pretty good and skeletons you can shoot with the pistols. Then the rest is a bit less exciting but anyway we are always moving here and having a pleasant time, one of these levels where there is a good chance to never be stuck even once, with good (over ?) guidance from the flybys. great setting with objects and textures that form a perfect theme, and this deliberate choice of limited materials was coherent from start to finish. Good stuff." - eRIC

"I didn't like this as much as the prequel level, but it's decent. The gameplay and visuals are generally a bit tedious and samey. The visuals aren't too great, especially the interiors with some scarcely decorated square looking corridors. The outside looks a little better. Objectively it's not too bad, but the difference to the better looking prequel level or the "Ancient Shores" level set (released by the same builder at the same time) the difference is striking. The gameplay starts relatively difficult, I needed help from a WT to make it out of the starting courtyard. Sometimes the game gives hints too easy (like a camera flight to show where a key goes, even though it's easy to find), or is completely cryptic (having to find and shoot these hidden targets). Some tricky time runs. In general the game is not bad at all, but slightly disappointing compared to the builder's other works." - tuxraider

"This levelset somewhat reminded me of Thierry Stoorne's earlier Setback levels, at least architecture-wise, with a rather gloomy, somewhat apocalyptic atmosphere, austere textures and the fact that the majority of the rooms and courtyards tend to be quite vast and spacious. But those aren't necessarily criticisms, just observations. This is somewhat of a thematic departure for Bigfoot, as this latest offering takes on a deliciously spooky overtone. The City of the Dead audio is as haunting as ever, the skeletal enemies are a chilling addition (did appreciate them being able to be dispatched with conventional weaponry), the textures manage to be both rich and somewhat monochrome which fits with the general theme and the gameplay is once again top-notch. Granted, it is somewhat more settled and leisurely this time around, but that's no bad thing either as you do get a mixture of virtually everything Tomb Raider has to offer, from platforming and exploration, to torch puzzles and timed runs. Very nicely done once again, Bigfoot. Thank you!" - Ryan

"This level set has a classic feel to it, and it's definitely player-friendly namely in the way the different levels are connected (a bit unlike TR4, the original). Enemies are only skeletons, but one can slash them to smithereens with the pistols, which is great, and there's even one level when they imprision Lara and take her guns away from her. There are a few very nice timed runs. The secrets aren't too hard to find (but one of the first level's targets was). Atmosphere and general design are top notch in the style. Good platforming. If there's anything I could fault the game for, it could be that it may get a little repetitive in some way or another, but nothing special. Simultaneously an adventure and (at least when you compare it with so many levels) relaxing, which is good, as I don't think games are supposed to entertain, not to make you tense. Recommended, of course." - Jorge22

"Either I'm just moody today or Bigfoot actually managed to create a boring level. Maybe I'll replay it one day and give it a better rating but for now it's my least favourite of his for a long time. The scenery is one of the most depressing, every skeleton fight feels the same, segments of the game exist in iterations too similar to each other to avoid the feel of repetition. Eventually the foreshadowing doesn't work if it resolves immediately after itself - what's the point of teasing with opacity if you reach the other side so shortly after. Still, technically this level is very correct so you might have a good time here." - DJ Full