Level reviews

"Starting off in a jungle type area and then continuing to make our way through several different location themes or styles definitely adds good variety when it comes to visuals and atmosphere but when it comes to gameplay that's a different story, a story of 2 halves in fact. Gameplay begins as expected with just light exploring, some platforming and the killing of enemies etc before moving on a boring pushable object task and then just more of the same boring simple item finding and using, this is fine to begin with but these easy repetitive tasks drag on for far too long and outstay there welcome before eventually new and fun tasks are slowly introduced. These tasks include rope swinging, timed/slopes jumps, a fire torch task and a laser sight shooting before we move into the final "st Francis folly" style area which it where the level really steps up! So much so I actually needed to look at a walkthrough a couple of times! From death defying leaps across lava, tight timed runs, deadly boulder, spike and blade traps to even a fun task involving an Egyptian bull I was having a blast until unfortunately it ended after exiting a tunnel into the light again booo!! Lol Overall I'd say this was definitely worth a play just for the enjoyment of the second half of the level and if you like lots of enemies well how about warthogs, scorpions, dogs, crocodiles, fire ghosts, tin men, ninjas, soldiers, mummy's and harpy's? The list goes on would you believe!" - John

"(7) Gameplay & Puzzles: This is a generally-medium difficulty adventure that took me about 1 hour. For the most part, progression is engaging, although I do think overall the gameplay is stronger in the 2nd half of the game (Greece) vs, the first half (South America). There are a couple of times where there is a gameplay lull: early on, there's a lengthy, tedious pushables task, and near the end of the game, the builder has the player do a similar tedious pushables task, which just grinded my ears. My favorite part of the game was a tricky shoot-3-vases task. No real puzzles (I wouldn't call these pushable tasks real puzzles). (6) Enemies, Objects & Secrets: There's hardly any static object decor, so rooms look bare. On the flip side, the builder does include a variety of traps. For the most part, enemies are used well, and I especially liked the setup of the horseman fight, as you are in cramped quarters with spikes around you. (5) Atmosphere, Sound & Cameras: The atmosphere/environmental immersion isn't there, I'm sorry to say. On the plus side, the geometry of the outside areas looks quite nice. However a huge detractor to immersion is that so many underground rooms seem to only exist for functionality -- you don't really feel like you're exploring a real underground temple, but rather you're going from one barebones platforming room to another. I think it's fine if, within 1 level, the player transitions from culture A area to a separate culture B area, however in this case, there are many occurrences of distinctly Egyptian objects within non-Egyptian locations, and it just isn't immersive. The builder did a great job with music/sound cues (although I think all timed events should have an appropriate cue). The builder does provide helpful static camera hints, however the game is lacking in flybys to build immersion. (7) Lighting & Textures: For an early level, the lighting and texturing is well done. There are some misshapen textures here and there (more noticeable outdoors), and there are many underground rooms that are way too bright given that there is no feasible source of light. But aside from that, everything looks quite nice. 7/6/5/7." - nerdfury

"This level could have been excellent without some inconvenience. On the 1st, when I lit the 5 torches and the door did not open, why? I had to start again and on the 2nd attempt, it opened. Then, when I pulled on the 3 vases, they did not break, so lara was skewered. Fortunately with the solution there was an alternative. Then to take the bull prisoner, there was very little time for him to enter the corridor before the door closed. Then, I must say that I am bored with these long journeys to push a block (too long). Apart from these inconveniences, this level is very interesting and pleasant to do. To recommend despite the few disadvantages, and think of recovering all weapons and ammunition. I do not know what is the point of putting the crossbow at the end of the game." - Drakan

"This is quite an engaging and hectic raid for its age. There's a rather eclectic mix of sceneries to explore, from a South American temple right through to a desert scene, but it actually works rather well and the end result is quite pleasing. The gameplay offers a fast pace aside from a few slow movable object puzzles, and you get a couple of timed runs, challenging jump sequences, a surprisingly tricky bull sequence (at least it gave me no end of trouble) and a few battles with enemies that are as varied as the scenery (the harpies and demigods proved quite difficult). I couldn't conquer the shooting exercise after repeated tries so I followed the alternative route suggested in the walkthrough which got me going again. This still provides a solid raid in today's day and age, so give it a go." - Ryan

"The start of level is similar to the author's previous one, but in here more rooms and gameplay have been added. In the first 'part' there's a jungle and some rooms with textures of Vilcabamba from TR1. You have to find some puzzle items by making some maneuvers and pushing some towers. You fight a horseman and then you go to an outdoor desert area (also similar to the author's previous level). After that you enter to a St. Francis' Folly themed room with traps, tough enemies and jumps. I really liked this adventure and it's one I would recommend." - alan

"A pretty condensed adventure with fast chapters and simple puzzles of varied content. It could be more spacious because all the action happens in narrows. It could also have more transitions between at least four different texture styles it's mixed of. At the spike trap the laser dot won't appear if you stand too close to the middle of the square, but it will work fine if you aim from the edge. Found five secrets including secret nothing. SUMMARY: Not outstanding though all here is proper, well arranged and fitting." - DJ Full

"With the possible exception of a few rather over long push puzzles, this adventure is fast paced and fun. The author has picked an interesting mix of objects and textures but it all seems to blend together well enough. The enemies are eclectic also - crocodiles, scorpions, ninjas and skellies cohabiting with harpies, demigods, a bull and a horseman - the more the merrier. There are also some interesting traps that would have seemed very challenging in 2001 and still hold up well. It all adds up to quite an energetic outing; do try it." - Jay

"What we have in here is almost an excellent level with lots of puzzles to resolve. Even though it is a huge level you never get lost or stucked. Despite the fact it was well- designed I must say I had a difficult time in the spike tiles. I loved this level and I recommend it for advanced raiders." - Gonxii

"This is almost a very good adventure.The gameplay trips along merrily for most of the 70 minutes;the texturing is interestingly eclectic (you go from jungle to cave to Incan temple to desert and finally to a to St Francis Folly-type area);the enemies are copious,while the atmosphere is as good as can be expected in such a schizophrenic level.What lets it down are the occasionally frustrating gameplay concepts:long pushable object sequences;a frustrating encounter with a bull;and a timed shooting sequence that seemed way too difficult,and which I circumvented completely by taking a somewhat unorthodox route.Ultimately,Lara exited the adventure without actually having aquired anything to take away with her,which always seems rather deflating.This is another early level which must have wowed players at the time,but which (despite a few undeniably golden moments) has not weathered the years as well as some." - Orbit Dream

"Here's an early level that predates even this site, whose 10th anniversary we're celebrating this week. It's a good one, too, and it should be played if only as proof that even in the early days good, solid levels were being offered by talented builders. The lighting is impeccable as well. Tombini has provided a very helpful walkthrough, but he missed the boat by going out on a limb and saying there were no secrets in the level. I don't consider myself much of a secrets hunter, but I found three in very short order around the middle of the game. One is in a hole in the north wall of what Tombini calls the Grey Pillar Cave. The next one is actually documented in the walkthrough - the Uzis - although the walkthrough doesn't identify it as such. And the third one is on the top of a nearby tree stump, although you get no reward other than the familiar chimes by getting up there. Later on, Tombini laid down the gauntlet by stating that the intended path to an objective was impossible to conquer. I took him at his word and followed his suggested alternative path, which gave me no trouble at all. Net gaming time for me was more than an hour, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself here. Recommended without reservation." - Phil

"A well designed raid in an intresting building with a medley of styles. It starts with jungle, than an unexpected Peruvian building, than rocky hills, than a St Francis style building. That combination of textures is rather odd, but I don't want to complain about it. It's absolutely okay, looks brilliant. Nice tasks in this one, bull fight, tricky jumps, some enemies to fight. Gameplay is overally quite linear. I must note the trap room, it's so crude! All in all, I highly enjoyed that one." - rtrger

"I've enjoyed a lot this adventure. Different environments, action, good puzzles, no difficult tasks, good architecture and textures... There's an error in the lava room design; you can go to the bottom running off certain ledge with a grab (losing some health) and so you'll miss part of the gameplay. When I tried to use the crossbow with explosive arrows for some reason it didn't shoot (?). I found a secret over a cut tree but there was nothing to pick up (?). There are a lot of enemies to kill but enough guns and ammo (you'll have to find certain secrets to pick up the crossbow and the uzis). Even so, I liked this good work. Thanks." - Jose

"After a short opening area in the jungle, we end up indoors, where the real gameplay begins. The tasks here are quite simple, but varied, with the odd rope swing and quite a bit of swimming to do. The only real complaint here was that the the pushable puzzle took an awful long time to do, and quickly became tedious. After an encounter with a number of baddies, we end up in a more Greece-like environment, which is tougher all round. There are spike traps to dodge, bulls to lure, and a Demigod or two to kill. It looks great too, with solid texturing and good lighting throughout the level. Audio was well placed and the atmosphere was suitable for the location. This was a very good level that I enjoyed greatly, and that should be played by anybody." - Spike

"I wonder if anyone's pondered what does 'FHsv' stand for actually? First Harly's serious volume? Fascinating horrors in spooky villa? Funky house of savoury volition? Who knows, but despite the enigmatic title, this release proves its worth to play on more than one occasion. The mix of Peruvian and Greco-Roman settings might've seemed a bit odd, but together with Harly's trademark start of the level and pass over between the two parts (it actually reminded me a bit of Fearsome 1+2, or is it just me?) it works, though I hardly ever noticed the surroundings as you're completely absorbed in the gameplay. Though there are some annoyances like the tedious movable block puzzles (in all fairness to the author though - he has tried to liven it up a bit by some clever triggering), the no-go crossbow, and the seemingly redundant search for the key (which as most other objects are named 'load' in the inventory) due to the dead-end shootable basket puzzle, overall the author's creative, at times devious approach to the gameplay makes this a worthwhile experience - and despite the at times high difficulty level, this actually would be a great challenging adventure for beginners to learn some tricks from and generally be taken to a higher level of difficulty. The timed runs, the puzzle involving the bull and the golden Lara bit might have you tearing your hair out, but the feeling of satisfaction when you finally master them is great. True, it doesn't feel too right leaving the level without achieving any foreseeable results - ie - there's no plot. This can be compared to the third (I found only 3 secrets, and this was the third for me) secret in the very same level we're talking about - ok, you got on the tree trunk, but did you get anything? Nope, not even a prettier sight from up there. Sort of you did what you had to but didn't see the purpose of it. Well, but that I suppose depends on how you look at it - if you play to reach a certain point - ie - Lara achieves something and doesn't just merely run through the level, then conceptually this might not be for you, but if you play just for the fun of it, don't miss this out." - eTux

"Lara starts in kind of a temple ruin. Nice graphics and many puzzles to solve, like pushing objects and timed runs, jump combinations and many puzzle pieces to find. The level is huge and divided into sections. Enemies are almost all of those you know already and a bit pointless as they appear in big groups. I found four secrets, liked the atmosphere and the sound was nicely added. I liked it. :-)" - Engelchen Lara

"What a nice little gem I found. Completely forgot about this one. Because of that timed run I had put it aside for quite a while. But reading later some reviews that you could find another way I thought why not. The so famous timed run is the shoot out with the vessels in order to get to a lever in the lava room way down. OK you'll loose health but you'll find more than enough medipack to make up for it so you just have to find a way to jump to that lever. For the rest it is rather straight forward and fun to do. Lots of jumping and figuring out where to jump to nothing frustrating not even the other timed jumps. Enemies every type of enemy you can have you'll find in here. Gathering artifacts and leave with a Golden Star who says raiding doesn't pay... Found 4 secrets and I also couldn't use the crossbow. 01-08-2004" - Gerty

"A nice little level that starts out a bit dull what with a long block puzzle and all. It soon hots up though and turns into an actually quite enjoyable little escapade with a few nice moments (torch puzzle mummy encounter etc) and an exciting ending. I'm afraid to say that I couldn't get the crossbow to work here though but the map's still worth downloading. I completed it in an hour and found 4 secrets." - gfd

"I am sure that everyone who sees the low marks in the game play/puzzles category will wonder why the rest of the reviews have high marks. For the life of me I can't understand how someone can rate this level so high if the bug I am about the explain occurs. There is a horrible bug in the game that doesn't let you use the crossbow but let's take it from the start shall we! The setting is jungle/forest like which I like very much and although the level started simply and looked easy with a knot a portal guardian a scroll and a gem as it got further it became very interesting. Crocodiles dogs and bats at first are the enemies but proceeding into the game you also encounter SAS guards a sentry gun harpies skeletons and demigods. The timed runs started and I thought now it really gets interesting and I was quite pleased with the setting indoor areas with brownish walls that reminded me of an original game I can't remember which one had those textures. I found a key pushed an object and I was excited by that time waiting to see what comes next. What came next was a big disappointment! First of all you need the crossbow and lasersight the second item is easy to spot but I didn't find the crossbow so if it's essential to the game the author ought to place it in a way a blind person can see it and I can't understand what the point was to give the crossbow after the timed spike trap because you still can't use it. Second you DO NOT leave a few seconds for the use of it and even if you succeed you can't make it to the door third you make sure you can aim with the laser-sight rather than jump and shoot otherwise what the heck is it good for forth and most importantly you test your level thoroughly so that the players will not curse on you. I tried adding the crossbow with the savegame editor and I got the bug some reviewers mentioned the crossbow didn't work which I find outrageous. Then I tried what a sane person wouldn't to pass the spikes and open the door with the weapons I had. The pistols were the best choice because of the unlimited ammo and they are fast. Let me tell you that I did shoot all three vases at least five times but every time I was two seconds short of making it to the door which by the way was an inch next to Lara. Some said that you can pass the spikes by losing some health well I'd really like to see that happening because I couldn't do it Lara gets killed instantly even by being on air or stepping on the floor obviously and you can't get back to the slope and jump on the spikes because you don't have enough space to turn. Last I used TRWest to make a new script and enable DOZY and it worked so I was able to continue. After that I had a meeting with two bulls and two spike balls one more timed run to a door got a guardian key a star and a hand and I finished after a little more than an hour with three secrets. Now close to two years (today's date is March 11th 2003) after the level's release the bug is still there which to me means no one cares. Excuse the long review or complaining it depends how you look at it but it's a pity to waste a level like this because of a bug which I believe can simply be avoided or at least be fixed. My advice is to think very carefully if you want to get into a mess like this by playing it." - Kristina

"The first part of this level reminded me of the Incan levels from the first TR games and had some simple puzzles to solve in order to get the two halves of the Portal Guardian the scroll and then the Pharaoh's Knot. There are a few crocs to swim by dogs to shoot a pushable object puzzle with four objects total to push around clever rope swings and jumps a horseman in a room full of spikes and a fire elemental. The second part takes you through a small valley with many types of enemies till you get to another area that also reminds me of the first TR game. There are some tough timed doors and spike puzzles here but the hardest part for me was just getting the bull trapped in that hallway in the short amount of time the door stayed open. Later watch out that you don't stand in front of a door when you're not sure what's gonna come through it and don't do what I did - drop down from the trapdoor into the room with the second Demigod and then accidentally fall through the earlier trapdoor that leads to a hallway filled with spikes. This is a very enjoyable level with a great atmosphere and may be my favorite level of Harly's so far." - RaiderGirl

"Lara starts out in a great olive outfit and you yet again have a dejà vu as Harly re-uses the first rooms of his other levels but lights them a little differently. It soon changes into a Peruvian setting where you are sent to collect portal guardian a scroll and a knot to move on. After an easy torch puzzle you fight a tinman on a horse for a gem and just when you think the level is about to come to an end it really gets started and provides you with a wide variety of activities to accomplish such as platform jumping timed runs timed target shooting pushable objects (sometimes a bit tedious) a tough encounter with a bull a spike run and more. Also along the way you meet no less than 13 different types of enemies (14 if you count a sentry gun) but they work well with the progression and the variety of gameplay. Found four secrets (one without any pickup) and had 1:10 hours of thrilling fun in this adventure." - Michael

"All of Harly's adventures seem to start in the same area which at first struck me as a bit cheap but now I kinda appreciate it as a trademark and it's always so exiting to see when the new stuff comes in. This is probably my favourite Level from the author (although I haven't finished VoH2 yet) cause the gameplay is really great. You get almost every enemy there is but somehow it makes sense here and provides thrills aplenty especially when the harpy attacks you on that single tile above the lava pit or when you find out that the explosive arrows don't work; the dance with the bull is a nice variation of the usual theme cause here you have to trap the wretched creature. There is some good jumping to do and some excellent timed runs that took me quite a while to master. The pillar pushing becomes a bit tedious after a while but let's not be prissy here. Shortly after you used the gate key you slide down into a room with 3 vessels to shoot in order to open a nearby door (I assume); you have to be really quick as some deadly spikes pop up after a few seconds and I couldn't even get the first urn to shatter. Fortunately you can bypass this room even if it is quite a long jump and will cost you a bit of health. But hey you'll find enough medipacks to indulge in such luxury. I totally enjoyed the 90 minutes it took me to reach the end cause though there are some challenges and more unhealthy surprises than I can remember the gameplay is rather fast paced cause you won't get stuck as you always get useful hints via fly bys. The atmosphere is great as well but I was so captured by the tasks in hand and busy battling the enemies that I didn't really pay much attention to the surroundings." - Dimpfelmoser

"Wow you can separate the level into two parts the beginning and the end were so different. The first part played in jungle and a region similar to a temple and Lara ran around and collected a few artifacts. But then the level started: a lava room in which I had to mobilize all my skills on the keyboard timed doors extremely tight and difficult opponents to be defeated. The climax was certainly the bull which had to open a gate: hardly ever was it that complicated. Game enjoyment guaranteed frustration did actually not arise. To the technical part: Very cleanly processed textures all rooms very brightly held. The lighting could have been better a little bit then the atmosphere would have been even more beautiful. Demanding puzzles (the bull!) and difficult jump combinations were created as I like it. In opponents it was very diverse from little pigs to demigods well placed and with a few surprises. The sound also fitted well. The level is hardly for beginners as particularly the 2nd part is really tough!" - Xxenofex

"Split into two distinctive playing areas with the second being much more action packed and difficult this 70 minute level just grabbed me from the outset by its beautiful muted textures and solid puzzling and never let go. There is at least one of every enemy here the basic animal ones in the first section and the most evil including a run in with a bull which you have to involve in a timed action in the second half. There also seemed to be one of at least each kind of puzzle movable objects timed runs target shooting torch lighting and a whole lot more. I highly recommend this level if you want to be all round entertained in fact if you come across any level that has Harly's name as its creator then download and play it as you won't be disappointed." - Sash

"Eek what a level! Well I want to state that this is NOT a level for beginners so be warned about its difficulty. But if you are an advanced raider looking for some challenge then this level is for you. One solid hour of adrenaline action and puzzles. The beginning might be boring as there is a long way to do pushing a block but later... the level improves and then it's hard even to survive in this level that seemed to be so calm! The first room in the level gave me a dejà vu feeling as it's very similar to the first room in The Lost Acropolis but it was only this one... One thing I liked on this level: the outdoor setting one thing I hated: that damned sacred bull!" - Treeble

"This is a really nicely written game. The textures are very good. For me there are just the right amount of nasty people determined to stop Lara doing what she does. My only gripe is that a couple of the puzzles are just too hard and require absolute precision to get there in a certain time! This annoyed me because the odd few seconds more would make this level very playable." - Doug E

"If it hadn't been for Lara's outfit I would have thought that I was playing The Lost Acropolis 1-3 again since the beginning is (almost?) exactly the same. After that it thankfully gets different. The level is fairly easy and only gets hard some times (when you get to the golden Lara for example). The texturing is good and most of the textures are from Tomb Raider (with that I mean the first game). The only bug I found was that I couldn't use the crossbow (at least I'm not alone) but you can finish the level without it so it doesn't matter. I finished the level in just over 40 minutes and found three secrets (one of them was nothing. Not even a single pickup)." - Magnus

"The game play starts non too taxing to the medium/experienced player run around kill bats pigs dogs and crocs. The brain cells then are only just getting warm. However the level builds in difficulty with the puzzles routes jumps and maneuvers more complex. The middle is concentrated on a lava room with hard thinking and moves to exit. The end section gets harder but is made more difficult having a non-functioning crossbow. The enemies are worth fighting and the sound and cameras give you a good atmosphere. The lighting and textures are good with only one (that I spotted) paper thin floor/wall. Well worth playing" - Whistle

"This is the first level in the FHsv series the second being The lost Acropolis. You are given a lot of time to concentrate on solving the puzzles instead of fending off wave after wave of baddies. There are some very simple puzzles but hard to accomplish like timed doors and shooting puzzles all of which have to be executed with pixel accuracy to complete. If you like being a matador then you will like one of the puzzles I found that as I progressed through the level I was accumulating a lot of medi packs at this point I felt quite secure until you meet up with some really tough competition in the form of the golden stinging birds the guardians with staffs of no mercy then you realise why you had so many medi packs. So use your medi packs wisely or you may suffer later on. The texturing was very good and I like the little touches the author has put in these levels like the haze in the tunnel leading to the giant scorpion oops did I forget to mention the scorpion. I noticed in eRIC's review that he had a bug in that he couldn't use the crossbow. I am pleased to say that I didn't have this problem." - Jason

"No idea where this adventure takes place but it's obvious that the author had appreciated TR1 when we consider the textures and the difficulty of this level which is progressive. This level mostly an inside one has also some nice outside areas and is divided in two parts. The first part reminds me of the first world in TR1 because of the Inca/Peru textures. Nice gameplay and easy puzzles. Enemies? Crocs bats warthogs fire-sprites and a stubborn horseman on a horse (I usually hate those horsemen when they have a horse but fortunately this one is not too difficult to kill). At this point of the game I thought it was the end but there was happily more to come! The second part reminds me of St Francis in TR1 as the main room has many ledges and switch-levers. Here things begin to become serious for Lara and difficult for me: timed doors and traps more dangerous enemies (golden birds guardians) and most of the time not much room to avoid their attacks. There are some very good ideas and an original way to deal with the bull for the opening of a door. I have found 4 secrets and one bug: I was unable to shoot with the crossbow; don't know why. There are some details which could be improved for example there are too many kinds of enemies in the second outside area (dogs ninjas and SAS) so it's not very realistic; but it's a good level and in my mind it is worthy to be rated 8. Time to complete : 1:25 hours net gaming." - eRIC