Level reviews

"Despite its remarkably uninspired title and a few moments reminiscent of early Marksdad (a ninja shooting at you while you're on a monkeyswing; climbable walls are marked most of the time, but sometimes they aren't), this is a rather nifty little Tut1 level, cleverly constructed, entertaining and moderately challenging. It offers a well-balanced mix of platforming, traps and a few puzzles, while enemies are limited to only a few ninjas (the first managed to take me by surprise) and one scorpion. The magic mirror featured in this level is one of those in which Lara doesn't show, but it's a good puzzle. There's also a multiple-lever puzzle in which you use four levers to turn off enough flames to be able to reach another lever which reactivates them and at the same time opens a door elsewhere; I'm not sure I solved it the way the builder intended, but then there may be more than a single valid solution to this puzzle. I found one well-devised secret, but I guess there are more.
Gameplay is somewhat marred by the circumstance that a particular platforming sequence must be repeated several times (three times in part, and twice in full). It's not at all difficult, nor is it particularly tedious, but it also isn't the most imaginative way of plotting your gameplay - especially since it also constitutes the finale, as the door at the top of the room in which the sequence takes place is your ultimate goal here (which, however, doesn't become clear until the very end). The weakness of this finale can perhaps be excused on the grounds that this level is the first part of a series (of which I have yet to play the other instalments); in other respects, the builder is much more inventive. One jump (towards an opening near the two Seth statues) is awkward rather than challenging, though. I did the timed run, which features a crawlspace, on my third attempt (although seeing how it thwarted some earlier reviewers, perhaps it's time to consider the possibility that I've become better at timed runs over the years, which may be why they don't bother me nearly as much as they used to; so you might want to take my pronouncements regarding their difficulty with a grain of salt). Apparently you can become stuck in an invisible block because the builder failed to place the timed door on a portal. This didn't happen to me, as I kept sideflipping once I made it through - perhaps out of instinct, as it occasionally happens with timed runs that you just barely make it through, only to have the door push you out again as it closes; very frustrating.
The looks of this level are quite messy (stretched textures, cracks, harsh lighting), but not so bad as to become distracting, and the construction is solid (for the most part, disregarding the timed door that may get you stuck) and at times quite original (good use of one-click slits for you to look through). Even though you revisit several areas over the course of the level, there's no backtracking (except for the platforming sequence you have to repeat). The builder also makes good use of rollingballs as traps and, on one occasion, as a prop (one was apparently the cause of the collapse of a corridor). Elsewhere, a static prop is used in a particularly clever way: a sarcophagus moves to reveal an opening in the ground. This was realised with a flipmap; the level came out at a time when it would have been possible to use an object that actually moves instead (there's one in "Citadel Gate" which would have been perfect for the job). However, this being a debut level after all, I won't nag and nitpick, and rather applaud the inventive solution the builder came up with." - Mulf

"I wasn't expecting much from this and was therefore pleasantly surprised by how very playable it was. It's solidly, if somewhat boringly, made but the good mix of action packed gameplay made it well worth playing. Short, but certainly not boring." - Jay

"Visually, this level doesn't really impress. The textures and environment are rather crude, basic and dark, but the gameplay is where it shines as I was kept sufficiently entertained. There's a couple of nice flipmaps, lever puzzles, a mirror room with a twist, a moderate timed run and some fun boulder traps. Worth playing just for these." - Ryan

"What a fun level with an awesome gameplay. Here I was expecting a boring tutorial level just like many I have played before. Well, it looks the same as them but instead I get a game with thinking puzzles, unexpected though fair, creative traps and enjoyable time door runs. Thumbs up for the mirror room too. If this level better textures and more decoration I think it would make quite a good level. Though, recommended as it is." - Nomad

"Here we have a level with some good and fresh ideas for the gameplay; there are many traps to avoid, some puzzles like the mirror room (but without Lara's reflection), the flipped room with 3 cartouche pieces and another interesting tasks and flipmaps. On the other hand, there are very few enemies and pickups, not enough flares to light the dark areas, the architecture is simple and the rooms are very empty of objects; also the texturization is bad, with very elongated and bad applied textures. Even so was an entertaining and worth to play level for me. Take a try." - Jose

"The level begins with Lara sliding down a slope. Where to go next in the first room needs some serious thinking. Gameplay consists of many fun challenges, fun jump sequences, the mirror room and the cartouche piece trap. The Flame and switch puzzle was the only thing i didn't like as it was rather obscure. The timed run was pretty hard and you can get stuck in the door if you are not fast enough. Visually this level doesn't impress much with it's badly applied textures as they often are stretched and a monotonous look to it. Music didn't really add much atmosphere wise. Very few enemies as i only encountered 3 ninjas. Gameplay was quite difficult to score being very inspired for it's age while there are a bit many levers. If you want good gameplay and nothing more then that is exactly what you get with this one." - totizedger

"Lara explores a tomb. In addition she must put down some lever, climb a little and jump, avoid Spikeballs and make a moderate time run. The whole one lasts about 30 minutes, then she is at the level end. Opponents are a few scorpions and two Baddies. It could have been an absolutely attractive level, if with the textures had been respected to more care. Partially they are applied cleanly and partially they are streteched. But at least a few good ideas are present. Result: Who does not take exception in slovenly applied textures, can risk a look" - Scottie

"An Egyptian Tutorial level that did not revolution the category and with quite average looks , but this raid in intricate rooms was interesting to play with some good ideas of puzzles and traps, like the multi levers puzzle , flipmaps , a timed door (of which the door was not placed in a portal so Lara can be trapped in the invisible block when the door closes). I particularly like the moving coffin , and the mirror room. Not many enemies. Flybys well executed. 25 minutes." - eRIC

"It had been a while since I last played an Egypt level, and although this one had a rather patchy texture work, it was rather fun and unusual. Albeit short, the way the game flows in this level is rather unique for such an old and 'tutorial' level. With the exception of the rather obscure flame and switch puzzle in the beginning, everything flows rather well in this level as you search for the two hands and ultimately the cartouche pieces to exit the level. Like I said, the only down side is the fact textures are often stretched and lighting rather one the poor side. 25 minutes, 2 secrets. 10/08" - Treeble

"If it's 30 minutes of entertaining and absorbing Gameplay that you want(and nothing more)then this is the level for you. You're enjoyably occupied from first moment to last,and the challenges on offer are invigorating and often quite original. Mirror puzzles,boulder traps,staircases turning into deadly slopes,fun jumps,a spot of lateral thinking...it's all here in a small and neat package.Everything else is best diplomatically overlooked,as it's a first level and therefore(in light of the inventive Gameplay)forgiveable.Give it a go." - Orbit Dream

"We have here one of the Egyptian levels that I could play. I don't want if the place was a tomb or a pyramid but I enjoyed this. The puzzles are clever with fires spike balls around and you need two hands and a cartouche to finish. The timed run wasn't too tight or not too easy and added some challenge to the game. The enemies though weren't that many ninjas and scorpions. This is a nice level to pass the time with just the right difficulty." - Kristina

"Well this definetly is an interesting attempt on level building and even though it visually is rather poor the gameplay is interesting even if consists of too much levers. It is a compact level that will take you about 27 minutes to get through and you will enjoy them thoroughly. Even the starting has a smart twist when you have to find your way further with going back instead of forward but this was not hard to find since the room is so small and there's no great choice in choosing the way to go. There are only a few enemies in this tomb which makes Lara a bit lonesome here but the many many rolling balls and darts might compensate that. The timed has some nice obstacles like the crawlspace and the fire but it's possible to get trapped within the door if you're not fast enough. I think I found 2 secrets too. You can download and play this adventure since it's fun even if short for the comparatively big download." - eTux

"An Egypt level with 30 minutes gameplay and some really good ideas. Jump combinations climbing and somersaults rolling balls fire spikes....At the beginning is difficult to find out where to go...Textures get better with every step - Light/Shadows could be better. I found the atmosphere not like the Game itself - my impression was that something is missed... Not so many enemies - white Baddie Scorpions (more than one?) I would like another work of him with better Textures Sounds and more Cameras. But in the beginning yes a good work." - Miguel

"This tutorial style level could be called 'Tomb of a Thousand Doors' as it seems most of it is spent opening a door or finding the object required to open a door. There are a lot of different areas to explore though a tricky timed door and some clever puzzles along the way that make this an interesting thirty minutes level. Ninjas attack occasionally and it's a good idea to save often because the boulder traps can be vicious." - RaiderGirl

"From the very start you know what type of a level this will be trying to figure out how to open the door three feet from your nose. The puzzles require thought and there is a bit of jumping to do as well. The mirror room was nicely done but the timed run was NOT fun. The problem being that it was so finely timed I got through it 5 times only to find myself stuck just on the other side of the door unable to move. You must keep running to get passed that invisible block. Other than that this was a nice little level of just over 30 minutes. There was no need to include the tr4.exe files and all those wavs. I mean we have them in the editor after all." - Torry

"This is how quirky the gameplay can be if you leave out the boring bit's like mazes long crawls and climbs. You have to backtrack a few times but it makes all perfect sense here as the course is quite ingenious; the way it gives you such great value for the few rooms that are there. The tasks in hand are fairly inventive; the timed run complete with crawl and fire hopping the steps that turn into an unhealthy slope once you snatch away the piece of the cartouche. There are some traps that will most certainly end in sudden death the first time around but it's not overdone and to make up for this you don't get many enemies and the jump sequence is impossible to mess up. Unfortunately the textures are stretched in places and the whole tut wad atmosphere is rather plain to say the least. If Nept sticks to this kind of gameplay and puts a bit more effort into the creating of the environment he's going to make it into the top 50 with his next levels. Some more resistance and the occasional secret might be taken into consideration as well." - Dimpfelmoser

"My kind of level once I knew where to begin LOL. Hardest thing in this level for me was the timed run as there are some flames to avoid and a crawl you have to make. The lever you can reset in case you can't make it the first time around. I forgot where to put the cartouche and that will teach me not to abandon playing for a good night sleep. There are some nice traps with boulders flames and spikes and some deadly water. Quite a lot of jumping to do but no hard ones. Also quite a lot of level pushing and suddenly everything falls into place. Two stars to find and the two halves of the cartouche. Hardly any enemies and not that many pick ups but then you don't need it. Tip for this game use the binoculars and sometimes look up. 20-07-2002" - Gerty

"This is a nice cute first level but I have to admit that I was expecting a longer level because of the huge size of the download but instead it only took 30 minutes. The action takes place in a normal tomb looking environment with some very ordinary texturing where you need to find a cartouche 2 Hands and a couple of secrets and although this isn't a difficult thing to do there are still some nice ideas included like a timed run where part of the way you have to crawl a mirror effect room a key pick up choice where the room alters fatally in most cases and a lever pull that moves a sarcophagus in view revealing a hidden passage. This level though is a perfect example of needing to give alternative downloads for audio files as this is what I expect took up most of the download but didn't seem to bring that much if anything to the overall feel of the level." - Sash

"Boy did I have fun with this one - gameplay just exactly of my taste. From the start you need to have your wits about to find the next step you have to make and while the flow is nice and easy it always gives you that feeling of accomplishment when you move on. There are a few nice puzzles and traps like the timed door the 'mirror' room and you consecutively need to find two Hands and the two pieces of a cartouche to reach the end after about 30 minutes. Of course in the other categories the level falls a little short of expectations with standard Egyptian textures carelessly applied only 3 ninjas and a lonely scorpion as enemies and one not so secret secret. But still I had a great time with it." - Michael

"Although short this little level plays very nicely with a few good puzzles and a bugger of a timed run. The rest (textures etc.) is not terrible (I've seen much worse) but not terribly good either. Ignore the flaws and you can have 30 minutes of fun with this one." - Tombaholic

"Amazing for the wrong reasons-a level of this size download files was so short. The special download of sound files added nothing spectacularly to the level and the inclusion of the Editor Prog unnecessary. A number of points to watch out for-two areas you cannot avoid punishment by bullets from the walls and a ninja also beware of the door way entered after the timed run you can get trapped in the no go area for the door when it is shut. A good level for a first attempt but rather bland and unexciting as well as unnecessary switches they could have made a marvelous puzzle. Don't get discouraged Nept1 keep going." - Whistle

"I definitely did not like the level. It is a Tut1-Level, the puzzles consist of the search of the normal keys, it is not difficult to find them. 2 or 3 flyby camera trips accompany the player, primes from the normal audios sounds. The textures are worked extremely slovenly, are squeezed, are pulled and are used with little imagination. Altogether I have bumped with only 5 (!) opponents and have found one secret. The download is enormous, besides, everybody possesses the audio-files." - Xxenofex