Level reviews

"Feels huuuuuuuge, quite in Mman way, but he's not here so who is this? Since the beginning you feel like it will take ages and it does, as you slowly sniff around every grand corner. I often had a blast as my enemies went out with a bang, but if the pack had a pterodactyl, it could star as a pterrorist and make the level less controversial (it's based on reality though). There's the hardest secret of the contest, like what the heck builder, but I like how Isis grants the Uzis even if it wasn't the intention." - DJ Full

"Be warned that this is a massive adventure. I mean that in terms of its length, in terms of the huge amount of fun and diverse tasks you have to accomplish and also the rather significant amount of enemy encounters you get to deal with a long the way, including a few very bossy ones. The whole build up of the map is absolutely ingenious. The way the place keeps opening up more and more and then connecting back to places you visited earlier was the true highlight for me. You get a lot of good weapons and plenty of ammo from the start, so battles are all quite manageable. And most of the time the progression is very smooth and clear and you are just busily moving along - until you may end up missing something and then you may end up exploring the places again left, right and center as you can basically get everywhere all the time, searching for your missing link. There is a beautiful "restoration scene" included that I thought was a great touch - one of the main highlights of the level for me and a satisfying ending as well. For my taste, the amount of enemies, usually appearing in groups, was a bit too much and maybe the secrets are a bit too secret, given I found only one despite making an effort to really explore every nook and cranny - but maybe I am just getting too old to raid by now - who knows. Overall, this adventure is a truly impressive accomplishment and I would highly suggest you give it a go. (220 min, 1/6 secrets)" - MichaelP

"In this level, Lara needs to protect a temple dedicated to Isis from the terrorist group ISIS. I love some good wordplay, but man does it feel weird to fight a real-life terrorist organization in a Tomb Raider custom level of all places. There are even suicide bombers in the level! Maybe this level should have come with a trigger warning. That aside, this was my final level of BtB 2024 and it ended up being somewhat of a pleasant surprise. It starts out very linear and stays that way for quite a while. The highlight is a large room that you pass through briefly early on, only to return to unexpectedly half an hour later. You return to it multiple times after that, slowly reaching previously-inaccessible areas. As you make it higher and higher, the level opens up, and once you reach the halfway point, it becomes a lot more sprawling. It’s a deceptively simple level, and it’s actually way more intricate than it first appears. It’s cool how interconnected everything is, and how you can reach a lot more areas than you might think at first. The actual moment-to-moment gameplay is still fairly simple, though. There are some traps, some platforming and a ton of enemies. You’re constantly being attacked by not only terrorists, but also various other enemies. To make up for that, you can’t walk five feet without stumbling on a pickup of some sort. The final showdown is against a bunch of terrorists, but at that point Lara was carrying the contents of an entire armory in her backpack and so to say they didn’t put up much of a fight would be an understatement. At two hours net gaming time, this is a very long level. The earlier, linear parts of the level could probably have been edited down a lot to shorten the length. But then I wouldn’t have been as surprised when the level opened up, so maybe not. The level does drag a bit by the end, though, and there are a lot of switches and keys to find. It ends up being a bit much. Visually, it’s passable but a bit rough overall. There aren’t really any rooms that stand out other than the large central area, and that’s mostly impressive because of its verticality. It’s all passable, but somewhat dull. The author isn’t shy about using the more colorful textures, which I like, but a lot of the rooms feel unadorned and empty. I don’t know if this is a limitation because of this just being one big level or not. There’s not a lot of story in the level, but you do occasionally run into Isis statues that help Lara out in various ways, which is pretty neat. The level ends with Lara loading all of the artifacts she’s collected into her jeep, which feels like an appropriate way to wrap up this year’s BtB competition. You deserve them, Lara. Until next time." - Magnus

"Blending games with history and politics has often been seen as problematic for reasons. Games (mostly) need violence. Too often the depiction a of a great historical villain hides a perverted pleasure in the acts of barbaric dehumanization that it purports to condemn and therefore turns itself closer to propaganda. – In this level we’re supposed to save the temple of Isis from ISIS („daesh“), because the Egyptian archeological department had no better idea than to send an English „archeologist“ on her usual killing spree and even offered her to keep whatever she finds – talking about inverse barbarism, lol… While we expect that mowing down masses of human enemies will be inevitable from the start, turning the friendly looking NPCs into suicide bombers wasn’t on my bingo card and felt as unexpected as dehumanizing. - Sure, many of us are aware of the reality of allegedly non-combatant “civilians” participating in acts of terror (while supposedly being held hostage at the same time). But turning mass murder of civilians into gameplay…(?!) Thanks a lot, builder! And thank god this wasn’t made a secret!!
Now on the rest of the level: It’s pretty damn much fun and while it most certainly has the most enemies in the competition, it’s not in the least limited to combat! Gameplay is fast paced traversal of a temple complex, room to room, up and down with a little bit of every classic gameplay element and bunches of enemies in what felt like every new room, probably every single type available in the package, as if ticking boxes. Objects are mostly shootable vases (not only, but a ridiculous amount) with the appropriate abundance of ammo under/inside. The game slows down significantly from the middle onwards, when the search for various item slots and orientation gets more demanding in a map that has opened out and gained significant verticality (the map is huge and I was missing an easy return path to get up/to where the camera hints where pointing me). The change of atmosphere after the restoration was much needed.
Geo and texturing do the job, lighting is a little bland and colorless (especially outside), but there are some more memorable places on the temple rooftops and the sandy, dusty open area projects quite the good atmosphere that in turn lacks in some of the meandering rooms in the lower temple. A few bugs, multiple enemies in small rooms that tend to get stuck, at least one sloped wall you can get stuck on and rooftops that were probably not beta tested, because they let you access the map’s boundaries, could be listed as formal inconsistencies of a level that is not as much focused on aesthetics. – Lastly, I’d say that this is one of the levels where it’s more fun, to use all weapons, since there’s so much ammo, you could easily play the later parts with explosives only and blow up everything to your hearts content!... (See what I meant earlier?)
Conclusion: A longer, mostly fast paced and action-heavy level that still has everything else to make it a balanced and qualitative Tomb Raider experience.
Duration: long (ca. 3 h) | Difficulty: medium | Rating: 8 / 7.5 / 8 / 7" - evinaru_2

"What I liked about the level: 1) I did not expect to see a move where Lara climbs a ledge above a monkey swing. Very cool move. 2) Ah, there’s that lovely colourful tiled floor texture in the upper level. So nice. 3) A welcome redeeming quality is the healing station. I came back to this time and time again to refill health during the game. Just loved it. 4) The room with the octagon wall structure was very nice looking. 5) Thank you to the builder for the safe spot in the cracked column away from the Hammergod’s blasts. 6) I really like the interconnectivity of the areas where pathways open as the player progresses. The builder has done an excellent job of making sure this interconnectivity works seamlessly. 7) Great helicopter cutscene. 8) Getting the grenade gun early on has turned out to be pretty awesome for someone like me who doesn’t like shooter levels. 9) The environment is very intricate and well built which must have taken the builder a lot of time and effort to create. 10) I love climbing to high places in a level and this one is beautifully designed to do so. 11) The underwater air refill station is a unique and different way to replenish air during long underwater tasks. 12) The bubbles rising from the lava look very cool. What I didn’t like or thought could be improved: 1) I like to play TRLE’s without using any medipacks but this builder is bent on making sure this does not happen. 2) Not fond of shooter type levels with lots of enemies of which this level has plenty. 3) Would have preferred a timer to indicate that the floor lever for the 2 trap doors was timed. It is also not clear at first that the lever has to be pulled twice to lower the doors. Same for the wall lever to get back out. 4) Just a wishlist but as I wasn’t sure if the Seth enemy was killable or not, would have been nice to have an enemy health bar on him. 5) Camera shot showing the door opening with the placement of the pushable in the sunlight would have been helpful. 6) Would have preferred timers on timed switches to indicate they are timed and especially important in a double timed run. 7) Camera shots to the middle trap door are obscured. 8) Because timed levers were not shown, I began to question if other levers were also timed, making the gameplay far less enjoyable. 9) Sometimes when reloading a savegame, the level severely lags requiring a restart. 10) Although the level seems like a big puzzle itself, I would have still preferred to see more puzzles dispersed throughout the level. Conclusion: All in all a very nice level. It’s long but the environment is well built and very good looking. For me, would have preferred more puzzle based gameplay but if you like fighting with lots of enemies, you will enjoy this level. Due to the tricky double timed run and some tricky curve jumps, not suitable for beginners." - Lizard Queen

"Thank you for this level! Congratulations on completing it and entering this great competition. I found most elements to be just shy of perfection. The story is great and the gameplay is fun, even if puzzles are lacking. It is a bit too lengthy for a BtB. With so much weaponry available, most encounters end up feeling easy. The exception was a tight space with overpowered enemies, which was still on the easy side (if using the revolver or explosives). At least one secret was a bit "unfair", if that concept even applies to secrets. I found some hints and cameras to be missing for cues to be more clear. Some texturing and lighting was not amazing. Overall, a great and fulfilling raid that is recommended for all! Pretty linear, with wide open areas and mysterious closed off sections, and plenty of enemies to deal with." - MigMarado

"This is set around a large temple, with the centrepiece being a giant courtyard that's on a huge scale which much of the level is built around. There are plenty of details in multi-layered rooms, and the colourful textures and use of curves and soft angles almost makes it feel like a Persian level, if it wasn't for the obvious Egyptian deco. There's also some nice use of room changes and objects too. The only weakness is some of the larger interior corridors look a bit flatly lit and empty, although this is only an issue in a couple of areas.
The focus around a central room is taken advantage of to give a heavily vertical style to the layout, with you gradually working your way up and opening some shortcuts to make going back easier too. However it also makes use of downward movement as well as up, and it links back in some creative and unexpected ways. Despite the size and complexity there's quite a fast-paced feel, with a lot of timed obstacles and traps, and a bunch of combat. There's a borderline Shooter design here, with multiple enemies piling into a lot of rooms, and even multiple-boss level enemies, however, you also get massive amounts of equipment so you can mostly have fun dealing with them however you want. The combat also doesn't compromise the level design which makes great use of space and is probably the cleverest layout of any single level in this BTB so far. The "protect Isis from ISIS" story sounds like a bit of a joke premise, but it's actually quite well supported in the game beyond the wild enemy combinations; there's creative object use for set-pieces and the Isis statues provide unique benefits that support the idea of her backing you up throughout. The only issue I had is that the vertical backtracking can be a little much even with the shortcuts, but it was only a minor issue in light of all it's strengths. An excellent level with probably the most overall fun gameplay of what I've played so far, from what I've played of them I'll also say it's probably the level I'm most sure of who the author is..." - Mman

"This is actually just a single level but there is so much packed into it that it's still one of the longest of this year's BtB. While the gameplay elements aren't overly creative and there's a lot of space to cover, I enjoyed my time here as there's always something to do, the timed runs are quite fun and the progression through the level is rather intriguing. Minor issues were that it's possible to skip the search for the three jars with a jump to the balcony and some backtracking routes could've been prevented by some rather easy to design shortcuts. The design is very nicely done with the huge central area being very nicely integrated, perhaps the looks are a bit drab but nevertheless quite realistic. The amount of enemies is quite high, but the ammo you're provided is almost ridiculous so that they never really pose any thread; the six secrets were quite well hidden but I had never found that last one without a walkthrough ;)... With some more creative tasks and puzzles this could've easily been one of the best of the competition, but it's still a strong entry that took me 1:40 hours to complete." - manarch2

"An interesting and well executed storyline lends a more contemporary twist to the ‘ancient Eygpt’ scenario in this beautifully made level and also, as might be expected, means quite a lot of enemy action. Luckily, there’s also plenty of exploring, timed elements and occasional small puzzle in the mix as well to make it an entertaining, well rounded experience." - Jay

"A long and challenging level that was actually very addictive to play. I made it through without a walkthrough, mainly because there wasn't one. The setting was particularly low- contrast, indoors and out, and the level design was a bit basic and blocky in places." - Dick

"This felt closer to a classic experience in comparison to some of the most recent BtB-Egypt raids I've undertaken, but as I finally wrap things up here I have a very mixed bag of feelings. I found myself quite entranced with the first half of the level, where things were slightly linear, and while I appreciate the gargantuan central hub that sets the tone for the second half of the level, I found my interest getting thinner by the minute. I mean, I loved how every time we'd get back to the hub we'd find ourselves in a slightly higher area until eventually getting to the very top, but the areas are dauntingly massive and there was a constant fear of skipping something crucial, especially as this part of the level is much more open ended and you can often ignore obvious points of interest. It took me three weeknights to finally get through and finally see the ending which was simple and yet surprisingly effective. Don't get me wrong, this is a cleverly built and well rounded level, but the fatigue is equally real (joys of getting old). 2h40min, 4 secrets. 07/24" - Treeble

"This is an absolutely superb offering and yet another great pick from this excellent contest. The beginning is relatively simple, with a few slides and jumps to enter the level proper but it really opens up after that, so don't let that fool you. It rather neatly keeps opening up until you end up with a few nicely connected hub areas. Naturally, some backtracking is required but it's generally rather confined and actually never annoying. The gameplay is nicely interwoven as you explore deeper and collect the ankhs needed for Lara to make her escape. The environments are gorgeous and organic, nicely textured and audio is used well. Definitely recommended." - Ryan

"I don't think I've ever seen more gameplay packed into a single level than this one. Not only that, everything has been mapped out in meticulous fashion and wrapped in surroundings that are not only well lighted but breathtakingly scenic as well. The significance of actions taken earlier in the game do not become apparent until much later. Although more than a little backtracking is therefore required, this never becomes boring or burdensome. The enemies are diverse and profuse, but generous weaponry and ammunition is provided. There are even some healing stations available for those in need of immediate health restoration. There are six bunched-together secrets, the first pair rather early and the second pair rather late. Although I knew exactly where and how to get the fifth one, the required banana jump in close quarters was too much for me so I just skipped it and moved on. The last one seemed a bit unfair, requiring a jump to an invisible platform for which there was no clue to its existence as far as I could tell. But since these weren't required for progression, I've decided not to deduct any points from a well- deserved perfect score. The execution and layout here speaks of a builder with truly professional skills, and even though this is only the third BtB level I've played thus far, I can't imagine being more thoroughly impressed by the levels still to come. Highest recommendations." - Phil

"Huge (& tall) cleverly-designed level with some nicely engineered returns to previous rooms to complete unfinished tasks. Varied platforming and plenty of ammo for the enemies. Nice touches including the rejuvenating statues. I was tempted to give all 10s as I enjoyed the level itself so much, but docked a point for the hidden secret on an invisible mid-air platform and also a point for the repeated crashing to desktop on reload for some saves and not others regardless of the DEP setting. May not have been the builder's fault...but I didn't encounter it in other BTB2024 efforts (so far). Still a great level." - Adrian

"Bugs/Functional Issues

• There is a pushable block puzzle in a small chamber that may be physically difficult to solve depending on where the bodies of the enemies are lying. One of the dogs was preventing me from pushing across the chamber, luckily I was able to move around it.

Disliked

• This large and very tall level can lead to a lot of backtracking between the many keys and puzzle items. While some shortcuts open up between areas, I would have appreciated even more.

Liked

• There are a lot of timed runs to test the player's reflexes. When you find the next switch, it's safe to assume it is timed. It's a little annoying that many timed switches are levers (you have to manually push it back to reset before starting the timer again) but these runs a nice sense of challenge once you have things in place.
• A good variety of traps are used in smart places across the level. Some of them can be disabled ahead of time and others Lara must brave head-on.
• This adventure is very combat heavy. Many armed goons are coming after Lara, along with several large monsters, but there are plenty of spare weapons and ammo laying around this large level to help deal with them.
• I liked the ending, it is modest in nature but shows off the loot the player has collected throughout the adventure.
• There are some nice architectural elements that help put together an immersive array of connected areas.

Time: 2 hours 42 minutes | Difficulty: Hard | Rating: 8.75/10 - Very Good" - JesseG

"The game starts off on a low key, but it quickly becomes much more interesting. There’s never a dull moment. The outdoor areas are beautifully designed, and the indoor gameplay areas are intriguing. Everything seems to have a purpose. The game is quite lengthy—4 hours and 15 minutes in stats—so unfortunately, I couldn’t finish it in one sitting. Towards the end, I had too many key items in my inventory, and I struggled to remember where their receptacles were. Some of the secrets were too well-hidden. Overall, it’s a good game with medium difficulty. I recommend it." - billie2001

"I think the LB had fun starting the level like this, namely unspectacular. You can't know what awaits you later in the game and are therefore almost overwhelmed when you reach the outdoor area. The player can expect several spacious levels at dizzying heights that have to be reached, beautifully designed rooms and areas and countless enemies. Whether ninjas or monsters, don't worry, there are always plenty of them. The tasks are very varied and you have to collect many artefacts to progress through the game. You always have to revisit areas you have already been to. In return, the LB has understood perfectly how to open more and more gates as the game progresses so that you can reach the goal more quickly with these shortcuts. What I liked best were the outdoor areas, which are huge but so well designed that you don't find them distracting. In my opinion, this is an excellent level that I can only recommend to anyone." - nad

"I really enjoyed this raid! Plenty of variety in gameplay and kept me engaged throughout. Good mix of combat, platforming and puzzles. Would definitely recommend, I had fun with this one!" - Feats

"A really awesome btb entry. I had a lot of fun with this. It's a really big level and there is a lot of exploration. I really liked the main area of the level and how everything was centered around it - a really good and thoughtful design. There is a lot of things to collect and a lot of going back and forth. Lots of parkour, traps and combat as well which is very plesant beacuse we have a big arsenal and plenty of ammo - something I really enjoyed. There are many interesting tasks, though not many puzzles per se are included in the level. I also managed to find one shortcut in the area where you have to collect three canopic jars - you can skip collecting them altogether by getting to the top of the room with their receptacles by jumping on a slope. Design is great. The rooms look very good. A very diverse usage of textures, nice lighting and spectacular areas. The music is chosen very well and enhances the atmosphere. All in all, I highly recommend this awesome level which is very enjoyable." - BlackWolfTR

"This is a fairly big and non-linear single-level adventure containing generic but still entertaining gameplay. You will be searching plenty of items, performing basic jumps and occasionally avoiding traps, completing several timed runs that I liked, and solving few simple but nice puzzles. Enemies appear very frequently, but luckily, you get lots of ammo including ammo for revolver and grenade launcher, so you can get rid of the enemies rather quickly. Environment contains solid texturing and lighting but the architecture and room layout could be more interesting in my opinion. To conclude, there aren't any big flaws in the level but I also didn't find gameplay super exciting due to how typical most of the tasks are to what we have seen in custom levels throughout the years. It is still a good level and offered fun for me for nearly 3 hours." - Samu

"I had a lot of fun with this game. Panoramic and various, never boring. It starts quite anonimously (also with some questionable rooms) but progressing it became more and more interesting and adrenalinic. It's a single level but it took me 3 hours of net time to finish. There are a lot of things to do and you have to return in previously visited places, but no bother because if you open the shortcuts the backtracking is minimum." - Teone