Level reviews

"Here's a short custom level with a lot of puzzles to be solved. The puzzles are interesting and the atmosphere is generally relaxing. The enemies normally appear in pairs and packs, but Lara gets a revolver to deal with them. I particularly liked the ending flyby cameras that showed all the rooms Lara left behind in this little adventure!" - Sponge

"The way this sequel level started off with the improved visuals and more straightforward gameplay gave me high hopes that this might be a more enjoyable experience than the largely frustrating previous level but I was unfortunately wrong for different reasons this time. It all starts fine enough with some light platforming, exploring, and swimming to find items before we move onto an annoying task involving holding Lara's breath underwater while she searches for things to interact with all while taking hits from a demigod at the bottom of the water? and fighting ridiculous water currents to get into 2 different underwater rooms. As we progress into some lovely looking outside areas with with lots of platforms and tree branches to climb we find ourselves mostly item searching, obtaining and inserting them for long periods with lots of annoying backtracking with unfortunately only 1 or 2 mild traps but a large variety of different enemies attacks ranging from animals such as crocs, dogs, scorpions, hogs, pterodactyls, mutants and skeletons as distractions. Eventually we do get some different gameplay involving an interesting timed boulder path room which was very original and enjoyable to work out and then execute the manoeuvres necessary but then that was almost spoilt at the end with an impossible (for me) rope jump that after 50 attempts I gave up on and had to use the dozy cheat to get to the ledge instead. Later on we get a couple of tedious pushable object puzzles, one of which I had to use a walkthrough for unfortunately because it didn't make sense before we get to the ending water room which had a nice lettering visual effect there especially with the lovely flyby cameras to end the level with. So overall with this level there is some great environments to explore and find items in with plenty of combat and platforming but if your looking for lots of fun challenges with plenty of traps and enjoyable puzzles you could be disappointed." - John

"Considering this level was released only 3 months after the previous, the improvement is remarkable. Lara wears a nice outfit. What I loved most in this level is the lighting, perfect everywhere in my opinion, both under the sunny sky and in the caves. The design is again a mix between jungle and coastal (like the previous level of this builder) only more polished and developed. For this reason, the impression is to play an enhanced version of the previous level, with some new good ideas. The boulder sequence is very interesting, but you must save before or you'll be stuck forever in case you fail. There are no secrets here, you only find two pointless armor pieces. A poor reward indeed." - Teone

"What an amazing improvement over the previous level. I was expecting unmarked climbable walls again, but what I got instead was a very enjoyable raid through a set of very good looking ruins. The author has also included quite a few custom sounds so the surrounding jungle sounds even more authentic (with sounds of insects and frogs), and gameplay is pretty entertaining as well, with a couple boulder chases, a quick pushblock puzzle and a few tricky rope swings. The puzzle with the rotating levers was also pretty unique and fortunately restratined to a single room, so its all in good measure. I never found a way back off the water before throwing the lever, so I had to reload a previous save, but nearly 25 years of Tomb Raider have taught me to save often and in different slots, so no major loss of progress or time there. The final flyby was also a nice touch. All in all, definitely worth checking out and it's one I'd say to have stood the test of time, but admittedly I haven't played many recent releases. 50 minutes, 2 secrets. 05/20" - Treeble

"Here's an early raid that still provides a significant level of enjoyment nearly 17 years later. The jungle atmosphere is sumptuous to look at and fun to explore, while the added custom sounds of birds (or bats) chirping and the frogs croaking are really nice touches. Flybys and audio are also very well used and the end scene is a neat touch. Gameplay is puzzling and inventive, nothing too difficult but the exploration factor takes a bit of time and there is the occasional sneaky element that might require a little guidance. Maybe the pushable puzzle at the end was a bit tedious too. However, the turning wheel puzzle was neat and the boulder chase (or pursuit) was ingenious and as a whole it's a very enjoyable raid and I'm glad I played it." - Ryan

"Yet again, a level I played all those years ago before I was a reviewer and remembered with fondness. Yes, it has held up well. It's creative gameplay with some interesting puzzles and a great timed boulder run. The jungle settings are pleasant, with some lovely ambient sounds - frogs croaking, birds singing. OK, the crocodiles did nothing for the tourist industry, but Lara's not easily put off that way. It's not always the most linear of levels and a dip into the walkthrough from time to time is probably recommended, but overall I enjoyed it every bit as much as I did the first time around." - Jay

"Again very surprised with the very high ratings in the gameplay section for this level. All was good/right until I placed the portal guardian and enter in the new area, but after doing the tasks in the underwater area with the demigod and get the crowbar all turned confused. In the room where I got the golden star, if you drop to ground floor before you place the item at the end of the breakable tiles, you're forced to go all the way back through the tunnels to go up again. When you place the star in its receptacle, where to go? There's not a camera showing the door opening. The room with four wheels was really a nightmare, there are hundreds of combinations and every time you pull a wheel you need to go down through three openings to see what happened; evenmore the walkthrough is not clear and when you do what the walkthrough says, you go down to the maze and you realize that you can't continue playing (This walkthrough needs to be revised). I was wasting my time more than an hour in that damned room until I got all the gems and could place them in the receptacles. Blasted a skeleton near the star receptacle and got the sight, but never found an use for it. Definitely not recommended." - Jose

"Although the gameplay in this adventure is undeniably inventive,it does get a little plodding after a while with all the backtracking and numerous pushable puzzles;which is really the only drawback to what is otherwise a really splendid and beautifully constructed level.The atmosphere is involving and gripping throughout,aided by some effective usage of audio and appropriate fly-by's (especially at the conclusion).Enemies are well placed and spice things up considerably,and the environments are impressive (for the era in which they were constructed).It's possible to get stuck if you do things in a manner not envisaged by the builder,but a good use of save games on the part of the player will be remedy enough for this minor problem;and the adventure itself should maintain the interest of anyone who chooses to give it a go - which I would thoroughly recommend.Undeniably,a minor classic." - Orbit Dream

"This is one of those older levels that have all the features of a classic style raid. There are well chosen enemies, climbing, swimming, gem collecting and exploring. A few really nice, but not overly hard puzzles spiced up the game play. The level has good atmosphere, especially like the indoor areas. There was a very interesting boulder run where Lara has to run behind the boulder in order to let the boulder takes out some spikes and then has to get ahead of it to jump over a bridge before the boulder crashes through it. The texturing was well done throughout the whole game and the lighting was bright and crisp in the outdoor areas and excellent in the indoor parts. This is an oldie but a goodie, so if one wants to raid for about an hour through some classic jungle/catacomb style level that was built with the regular level editor, this one would be an excellent choice. I sure enjoyed it." - Blue43

"I find myself now (11/04) in 'play the oldies' mode more than walkthrough mode and I'm dusting off a lot of these older levels for which Dutchy has graciously provided walkthroughs. This is a nice little level lots of fun things to do with a medium level of difficulty. Set in a jungle setting it evokes memories of the TR3 levels that I enjoyed so much before discovering this site. Add it to your playlist if you somehow missed it the first time around. Recommended." - Phil

"Yes you do get definitely more with this one. Similarly situated you find yourself in a jungle environment where you will eventually come upon a temple ruins to explore. In this there is a great mix of enemy and puzzle play with a nice trap element sometimes combined with the puzzling as in the boulder chase down a wonderfully executed path and I just loved the horizontal obelisk turning puzzle looking for four gems and then their receptacles. There are though a couple of downsides to this level that concern bypassing sections of the level the first is if at one point you fight against a current in a flooded underwater area you can collect the crowbar earlier than the intended route is meant to allow you the worse one though can cut out at least half of the hour long level bypassing all the major puzzles there is a block you must raise in the outside area to access a section of walkway that leads to the final movable block puzzle and then the end but if you want you can simply jump around a slanted block with a curve and land where the block would allow you to get the intended way so don't do that! I ended this really brilliant sequel with three pieces of the armour which are secrets and a great flyby of all the areas I had a lot of fun in." - Sash

"Now this is a level! What more can a player ask for in one level. The game flows very well from stage to stage though it does take a fair amount of time to play (some have done in it in 35 minutes or less but for me it is a good hour and 10 to hour and 15 minutes first time out. Maybe the second time would be shorter by 20 to 30 minutes I don't know. The author has done some interesting things again with boulders. There is a boulder puzzle that I loved. The solution is easy to figure out but execution for me took about 12 tries. GOOD puzzle. A lot has been written about a rope jump that is supposed to be quite a challenge and should necessitate a special handling of the rope swing button. I couldn't make the jump difficult coming or going. It seems to be a simple rope jump where Lara has to aim for the corner of the platform to her right and compensate for a slight left bias. Also there is a long collapsing walkway in one section that I believe looks like it has to be used more than once. Start to from a running jump and continue same while on it and you will be able to use the walkway twice more if you're careful. Very good level. Again there were blocks with hooks in them. What is with the hooks already? Well done to the author." - Dougsan

"Even better than the first level. We are again in a jungle setting with crocodiles and trees around not to mention ruins obviously. A portal guardian a knot and four gems are what you will be looking for. In the mean time crocodiles ahmets skeletons dogs pterodactylous and bats will be on your tail. One crocodile at the beginning although looked dead at first suddenly Lara wasn't aiming at it but it was still moving and got stuck at the shore. A demigod was trapped I guess underwater and was throwing bolts at Lara while she was searching around and picking up a few secrets along the way three total in the game at least that's how many I found. The objects from 'Hypostyle Hall' I think they were the round ones that look like wooden wheels were something that hasn't been used before I think in a custom level. That shows that we still have some potential in puzzles but builders don't use all the available puzzles. After the exploration is over at the ruins Lara swims to an area that has written 'The End' on the walls and by stepping on a certain block a flyby is triggered showing you again some of the areas you have visited. I hope there is a third level like that I enjoyed it immensely." - Kristina

"This level offers a good jungle-atmosphere with the obligatory ruins. One more time the builder shows us that still ideas exists that we haven't seen before. A rolling ball course a move-the-obelisk number an underwater demigod firetraps a non moving rope. Sounds are well known but well placed same textures. Especially I would talk about the cameras - you will find a final sequence like title and you will visit again the places of the adventure." - Miguel

"This is another level that my Lara liked a lot. The horizon alone is worth it. And the new sounds you even hear the flies buzzing. I really enjoyed that. Then I looked around and began searching and finding the armor pieces. It was a really diverse level created with a lot of effort. The four millstones were great - reminiscent of TR4 and a nice puzzle to master. Sound and enemies well harmonized. Great cameras especially at the end. My Lara was fascinated and I can't wait for more levels from you because they are so nicely different. Well deserved high marks. :)" - Navi

"This second level of Otto's definitely deserves high marks in every category. Gameplay was exciting with some great puzzles including pushable objects switches rolling boulders and rope swings; there was a great mix of enemies including ahmets pterodactyls dogs bats and scorpions - plus an underwater demigod - all taking place in a beautiful level that includes both indoor and outdoor areas and are perfectly built and textured. At the end you get to a room that says 'the end' and you are treated to a well-done flyby of everything you have just done. Grade A level - hope to see more from this author!" - RaiderGirl

"Every once in a while a level that is not as highly acclaimed just hits me and I wonder why other people could not see the magnificent beauty of it. This is definitely one of them. I had such a blast playing for 70 minutes in this nice jungle environment where the good old standard and well known textures where perfectly applied and the horizon graphics were just breathtakingly real (even though more a Swiss Alps than a jungle scenery - LOL). Very many small touches added: Lara's outfit upgraded weapon sounds waterfall mist collapsible bridges and we notice that Lara has changed brand on her favourite medipack from the first level (and as I work for the company producing this particular brand I fully support this change :-) ). I was also very impressed by the use of a variety of enemies in a very smart way: scorpions bats dogs warthogs crocodiles ahmets a flying dino a demigod (in a different place this time) and some skeletons often appearing in packs. There is a portal guardian a knot a star and four gems to find and use and I found one secret (the left gauntlet) so I guess I missed a few others. And then gameplay is so very entertaining as you always have to think for a bit but never frustratingly long how to proceed and the turnstile/gem room the boulder cameras the movable/raising block puzzle are all very well done and it peaks in a fabulous ending flyby that reminds you were you spent the last hour+. Great stuff! The only real downside is that there are one or two potential deadends here were you might have to reload a savegame if you get it wrong but that didn't spoil the fun for me. " - Michael

"I will add this author also on my favorite list. Reading the reviews I praise myself lucky as I had no problems with the collapsible planks as I took the right way from the beginning. Reading also about the rolling ball I first didn't understand what kind of problems everyone was having as I jumped to the side and let Lara hang from it. Had to try it out and went back to a saved game boy that was fun. This level starts outdoors and what a pleasant sight it was. I enjoyed the frog sounds tremendously after I was sure that no beast was sneaking up towards Lara. There are some great puzzles in this level the swimming underwater and meeting a demigod was a surprise but afterwards I thought all this for a crowbar? Apparently as you need it to pry a star loose from the wall. Main goal is that crowbar then the knot a star and at the end four gems. There are some crocs skeletons nasty combustible beasts and some bats and I think I saw two scorpions. Pushing some objects that will change a level lower some pillars also pushing two pillars so you can access another pool to swim in were great. The end is also very nicely done you can't miss THAT. 23-07-2002" - Gerty

"I had the privilege to play this level before it was released. This is really very good. The textures are excellent. There are two sequences with rolling boulders that are totally unique. The finishing touch comes with a camera tour of the places you have visited. I found the puzzle involving the 4 turnstiles a little perplexing as was the puzzle at the end. Well worth a download this one!" - Doug E

"A really nice level from xyzzy. There are some new and fresh things built into this game I never saw a shooting god under water before cool. I liked the way how to get to the crowbar when you reach a closed door a short cam shows you the lever which opens this door that's very helpful. Some new puzzles like the four wheels are very innovative. You have to try some combinations to open and close the ways below to find and put in 4 gems. In one scene Lara has to run behind a rolling ball and overtake it before it crashes the platforms Lara needs to catch a rope. That was a lot of fun. At the end the player gets a retrospective about the whole level. Recommended!" - Freeman Porter

"Much better level then Ruins1. The various scenarios from the Jungle start are linked by water through to the ruin areas themselves. The gameplay was just taxing enough with none of the 'hidden' features of the first Ruins. Lots to climb and jump around with some really evil sections avoiding skeletons (never did find a shotgun or sights for the revolver) and a wicked rope swing towards the end. There are a number of puzzles to solve the best being the capston one opening doors in a cellar area. Beware the dragons and the odd croc and pig. Good level to one to definitely try as the graphics etc are good and the author manages in each area to create a different atmosphere." - Whistle

"Visually and gamplay-wise you are at once reminded to the first part 'Ruins of the Ancients'. I liked the puzzle with Lara moving those big obelisks (or what are they called?) in order to find and use four blue gems to get the door open. It was the first time that I saw this kind of puzzle in a custom level. But I found two places where you can get stuck. The one is above the trees. If you run across the bridge (the breakable floor) and you don't have the needed knot with you you can't get there a second time as the breakable floor is gone of course. The second place is where you find the third secret which is lying in a corner with a rollingball above. If you take the secret and get down there into the water room (and why not? There is no reason or warning not to do so) you can neither get back nor go on as you can't get out of the water again. Some light effects would have been nice but the new sounds of the weapons were good. But all in all it was a good level that took me more than one hour to finish." - Sheevah

"I found it a most beautiful level. There are some tricky sequences in this game. Some things are fairly well camouflaged and you really have to look very closely not to miss important things. If you don't use the breakable bridge near the tree in the right way you will surely get stuck or you miss an important item. The puzzle with the 4 turnstiles took some trying till I got the 4 Horsman's Gems. And then comes my highlight of the game. You have to trigger a boulder and first run behind it then overtake it and at the end take a jump to a rope. Well it took some tries but what an achievement once Lara hangs on the rope. There is another puzzle to solve by pushing 2 towers. There are different types of enemies. Never before had I met an Egyptian Demigod starting his darts from the water. At one time Lara meets up to 8 dogs and there are ahmets poisonous birds skeletons and so on. The end shows a tour from all the places one has been to during the game. Well done and such a change from the often abrupt end of games. I found 2 secrets." - Monika

"A very beautiful level in the classic Tomb Raider style. The areas in which Lara stops are eventful there is a bit of everything from the temple up to underwater world. Highly interesting puzzles particularly with the swiveling wheels and fairly distributed opponents a few jump combinations and especially the room with the rolling ball which Lara must overtake. If you love the classic TR style as much as I do you will certainly like this level." - Xxenofex

"A beautiful level with nice outside surroundings new sounds beautiful camera work and a tombraider gameplay. Plus there are new puzzles very innovative. I would maybe have given 10 to gameplay/puzzles but there is a tricky jump with the rope even with the author's hint in the read-me file it is very hard. What a pity! By the way you can also bypass the nice puzzle to pick up the crowbar only by swimming strong against the current. But play it people it is a refreshing mission for Lara and a very interesting level for us. Good work Mister Xyzzy." - eRIC

"Yes you can get stuck in this on two occasions and both times those collapsable planks are involved. So the first time you encounter them instead of just running across rather jump onto/over them so should the need arise you can use them again. The second dead end situation is defined by the task at hand so you just have to make sure you save when you come to the race with the boulder. This is a great thrill and was my favourite moment of the game but there is so much more to do. A clever puzzle involving four turnstile thingies that you have to operate in such a way that it gives you access to four gems some serious swimming raising blocks pillars to be pushed and a variety of foes to fight. If you enjoyed the first part you wont be disappointed with this one (although I have to admit that I missed the timed runs dearly). The setting is very pleasant with a good mix of outdoor/indoor activities and not too linear but with a steady progression all the same. Ahhh yes the spirited run through of all those nice locations that you get after the finishing trigger is a great idea. I hope this becomes a new standard." - Dimpfelmoser

"Again like the first 'Ruins of the Ancient' this level is very beautiful. It looks a bit better than the first one. The puzzles are better as well less looking for the right way more riddles. There was one where you had to turn four tables in order to clear the passages underneath to be able to collect some gems. Very nice not too difficult if you found out how to do it. Then there was a tricky bit involving a boulder and a rope. Then there was another riddle where you had to use two movable objects. All of them logical. The enemies were everything from huge to small. So this level was a nice mixture of fighting and exploring. Also the sounds were very nice. I realised that when in one scene after coming out of the darkness I was greeted by birds. You could not miss 'the end'. It was followed by a nice camera sequence through the whole level back to where you've started." - Tombraidergirl