tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14700977398403158352024-03-08T16:26:41.720+00:00Perusing PixelsOne gamer's journey through a whole heap of Tomb Raider.Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-89675487481153084092017-11-22T13:15:00.001+00:002017-11-22T14:58:30.222+00:00Lud’s Gate<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Ek4sBf9b2A/WhV3NUG1ktI/AAAAAAAAE8M/U6Sb6Ho8h7oySsVRD7zBCMA9PhV3jcN4wCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_POSTCOVER2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2hSWzyq6jXA/WhV3OJuW_dI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/nEphRcB6DvoT6iofdre0NGYAZKJeNqfywCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_POSTCOVER_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>I don’t know who Lud is, exactly, but let’s all assume that they’re responsible for the unique hell that is the nightmarish underwater labyrinth that features in this level, and heap scorn and loathing on them as applicable. There’ll be more on the subject later, of course, but suffice say if you loved the <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2017/09/aldwych.html#maze">random symbol maze</a> of the last level then Lud’s Gate will be like Christmas for you.</p> <p><em>Having found her way into the the secret headquarters of the Damned, victims of Sophia Leigh’s failed cosmetic experiments, Lara agrees to retrieve a bottle of embalming fluid from The Natural History Museum in exchange for their help in finding Ms Leigh.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <br /> <p><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NQ5h2mnfwrw/WhV3PSvsHlI/AAAAAAAAE8U/jUGEpM_Lt9Y85h7V6_R9GqC2_4vgj2zBQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Start2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3zDzBPMkfAM/WhV3QYWogfI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/k29Da4PEfq097B1ShadYzPi93UJE_EiGACHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Start_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></em></p> <p>We begin where the cut-scene left off, in front of No Face Guy’s makeshift throne.</p> <br /> <p><em></em></p> <p><em><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gl4nKO5DT-I/WhV3RMfMFeI/AAAAAAAAE8c/hGTQdB-02eI31caMMzcStGQbC_eT1Mg4ACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Decor2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-47ouhsW9Bog/WhV3Su-fEAI/AAAAAAAAE8g/KimFbFYIgKgkBGCqnA0NgdYOPyT5RwPqACHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Decor_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></em></p> <p>Lara examines the receptacle that she’ll need to deliver the embalming fluid to, which has been helpfully decorated with an Egyptian motif. I suppose when you’re immortal you have a lot of spare time to experiment with interior decorating.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sf_DlOyJK4Q/WhV3U9yZbJI/AAAAAAAAE8k/Fe0jU8lS_kA5HGSwhR4k4rCfeEfR8U9LACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_NoThanks5"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mhgVBKesvxM/WhV3Vs4MLaI/AAAAAAAAE8o/A3aHwVgLUiczgeKY8BpxaKKUt2DKl1xGQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_NoThanks_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>The Damned are no longer antagonistic towards Lara, and largely leave her alone. In fact, in this level they’re so disinterested in her that they run off when she approaches. Poor Lara. Even Tomb Raiders need a hug now and again.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qG5A-kkcrg8/WhV3WrOzeDI/AAAAAAAAE8s/PLOkUx48m5Eil5FKlpDmAUJxDCLbdB01QCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_SpikedCeiling2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M3ew3KYj5uY/WhV3XH0taJI/AAAAAAAAE8w/cnDQa788OegcxuAiIaEWJBjEkx9-mOUIQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_SpikedCeiling_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>At least this spiked ceiling will touch you, Lara!…oh, wait, that’s not a good thing.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bYuO0BJMBDg/WhV3YLhaa-I/AAAAAAAAE80/ArgBq65oGmsW1XE4oAAVSVYiOdWZgs2-gCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Crawlspace2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Ujolx9sa-g/WhV3Y_DxvVI/AAAAAAAAE84/CTPGaFaFEDgpuqtGalJ0yZmu91AQrFckwCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Crawlspace_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Escaping the overly-affectionate spiked ceiling, Lara climbs a ridiculously long ladder and eventually finds herself at the start of a crawlspace.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wP8gNQVhG84/WhV3aGYUODI/AAAAAAAAE88/X066Ax6rHcQyuliW0_RJLGE7lyCCpTbTQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_ThatGOTGuy11"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NdIHfa16s9E/WhV3akDBdwI/AAAAAAAAE9A/9ATPVtuwftYlwfYDPDGg8ZE1BA2ZVt5KwCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_ThatGOTGuy_thumb10?imgmax=800" width="397" height="240" /></a></p> <p>It’s like The Ring, but less scary because it’s our sweet, cuddly Lara. Using her plait to cosplay as this guy from Game of Thrones:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rIPvXnIKrj8/WhV3bgKfEzI/AAAAAAAAE9E/E9Yohnq5go0FbUC_EXIZxNQlui7yWybzACHMYCw/s1600-h/Rodrik_Cassel4"><img title="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a1bEpLy40NA/WhV3cSYmPcI/AAAAAAAAE9I/3fxCTnhj3mw4pxc2q1mM_pkGb3ryTIPIACHMYCw/Rodrik_Cassel_thumb11?imgmax=800" width="176" height="200" /></a></p> <p align="center">(<a href="http://ruggedrebels.com/8-best-game-of-thrones-beards/">image source</a>: please note I don’t know if that link contains spoilers as I haven’t read it because I don’t want spoilers)</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gbFOAXLZWNA/WhV3e5-tuQI/AAAAAAAAE9M/iyfX5RIOMHIocsf6k0q40_z1B0EehUdBACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_IdiotGuard2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zpJoh-VmHE8/WhV3flZPZ1I/AAAAAAAAE9Q/lQAKQVJKGS49E1sGoAXCY7wsGhWpoiOIQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_IdiotGuard_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>At the end of the crawlspace, Lara peeks out to see an armed guard running repeatedly into a wall, because apparently the Natural History Museum have no qualms with hiring people that can’t tell the difference between an empty space and a solid object and  then equipping those employees with a lethal weapons.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jG4rXJ6QoXk/WhV3i2bldkI/AAAAAAAAE9U/iq6dg_aq8kctOjHEnuf2TJFGJpWZegIKgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Sneak1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XmOmiSx1f_0/WhV3jrTo6sI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/bt8-LqsG6k0F67qGsg2Ay41S5xRm1oBpQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Sneak_thumb8?imgmax=800" width="397" height="239" /></a></p> <p>Lara quickly disposes of the underqualified guard and sneaks up on another one that is conveniently mesmerised by a spinny thing.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3gWKO8Ui9C4/WhV3kVJosNI/AAAAAAAAE9c/BpVwlb-D2TEtIL8EkujQJDSNXQ603yZTACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_NoIdea2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xt3MWmdReXc/WhV3mHbRC3I/AAAAAAAAE9g/7o4uepJo3V85V7X1WvJckyreiGnk4bddQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_NoIdea_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>To be fair, it <em>is</em> pretty mesmerising. No idea what it is, though.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xXT1mOOYol8/WhV3myZoOwI/AAAAAAAAE9k/0niA9BrEVW81p_RrS8MrL2MkEtjffKDdACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Lever1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kbLZKJoUsXY/WhV3niQQj7I/AAAAAAAAE9o/bxUDoEuyzcYev1v8HJTnEFMTdKYqUbGpgCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Lever_thumb6?imgmax=800" width="397" height="234" /></a></p> <p>The next section involves climbing around a large, Egyptian-themed room and is largely boring to document. There was a cool switch that looked like a cross Pharaoh going “ooo”, but that was probably the only thing worth mentioning.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZzQwabqyUy8/WhV3osI4xTI/AAAAAAAAE9s/qh-Ks2w9RXsWK_PLv-wrOY2hRap2TlGMQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Urgh2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SA6zzwp6DnE/WhV3pj1TtmI/AAAAAAAAE9w/B7Xyh3xG6psaRFVxAXcMSumLYWNw7Dk-ACHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Urgh_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t4C-x8UJSiU/WhV3rF2s21I/AAAAAAAAE90/LvFe_z-ooPQCrbcJtAqj3yEXIok2ZikDACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_EmbalmingFluid1"><img title="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VoC4bZDL6IY/WhV3sLUumcI/AAAAAAAAE94/U__DNX1Jap82AvZmtoAMsomQO1oLokidACHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_EmbalmingFluid_thumb14?imgmax=800" width="292" height="298" /></a></p> <p>Lara finally finds the embalming fluid, along with a couple of decomposing mummies. Too bad, history, the No Face guys need is greater! Look, it’s in a pretty little Egyptian-themed vial and everything.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iz0Oq4CqhEg/WhV3tXQKj7I/AAAAAAAAE-E/-0JLZkJcwS8-80qaAxhSus9aqDczOrGeACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Sphinx2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hfFSEo2F1sE/WhV3vJBH11I/AAAAAAAAE-I/huvMPPB06O4ybuIvHjHZaLgCIaTzu1LwQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Sphinx_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Trying to find her way back to the Damned lair, Lara finds herself atop a Sphinx. Now, I have visited the Natural History Museum several times, both before and after 1998, and I never saw a sphinx there. An awesome life-size model of a blue whale, absolutely, but never a sphinx.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y5G-FW6kjpw/WhV3wPhfm3I/AAAAAAAAE-M/G6A2mfMn33E7rTkVagrS1XbKehAV6CQRACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_SphinxfromFloor2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_KngGUfxKnM/WhV3w91r1II/AAAAAAAAE-Q/2720MSyXqwY_IzQGAVqY-nK1NEXZowf_gCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_SphinxfromFloor_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>A view of the Sphinx from the ground floor.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tauh7RFTmtI/WhV3xn1Bz5I/AAAAAAAAE-U/82N10wYE9AEGbU6OoJJcANbd8vWbW9_1QCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Objection1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ecGY4Qbqb1g/WhV3yWgiwPI/AAAAAAAAE-Y/_3motvV707Ybfcc9DIwFcigeyAOXjVTzwCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Objection_thumb5?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>More armed guards impede Lara’s progress. At least this one is competent enough to be facing in the right direction, even if he <em>is</em> just rather nonchalantly contemplating Lara as she fires a couple of rounds into him.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6wRmlN-gQCs/WhV3zTdRFbI/AAAAAAAAE-c/D0XNnAqzuwUT-vaXWO575WWOvy_-5puBQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_FluidHome1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O0Q3_MaJdBc/WhV3z53kgUI/AAAAAAAAE-g/pILH9tsFAm0xHnE8J28RykxHZdMPm9ywwCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_FluidHome_thumb6?imgmax=800" width="397" height="236" /></a></p> <p>Lara brings the vial to the Damned and is greatly rewarded…</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uJhWRpPXwVc/WhV30_S4FWI/AAAAAAAAE-k/ua01dF3Oq6YLrL1r7yvxNgCcFsS_L5BxwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_WeHeardYouLikeFalling2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MwEUO5YEdX8/WhV31pRaTzI/AAAAAAAAE-o/oM7cxmVnNFcoasb6h0wtb7KdUydWi32MgCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_WeHeardYouLikeFalling_thum?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>…by essentially getting thrown down a tunnel. I’d say dick move, but we all know how much Lara loves falling to her probable death, so, actually, it was rather touching of the No Face guys to set this up.Too bad what could have been a budding romance had to be cut short, but onwards and upward (in a metaphorical sense as we’re obviously only going down now).</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EVWsk3-Gabw/WhV35WnWPHI/AAAAAAAAE-s/AScpf3_IPWsKRn15ZK5A770BnjaVxJ2KgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_WaterBee2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dnop3i3HKzM/WhV355tXBTI/AAAAAAAAE-w/0UjHgN95Ywsnu2xtwZJcr2F53gT67-hAwCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_WaterBee_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara’s fall is broken by a pool, wherein dwells some kind of underwater mechanical bee (It’s actually an Underwater Propulsion Vehicle, which I’m sure are a lot more fun to use in real life than they are in this game).</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xoeLkYldMts/WhV36j0RZaI/AAAAAAAAE-0/cE0HwM6i4wQMgguVKSa9YdxJzIYKzLmDgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Ow1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-feg4-XF8488/WhV37-xrCaI/AAAAAAAAE-4/ZOwAHHfUSpMXp4TvqkIw91yzVxYjiSVXACHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Ow_thumb8?imgmax=800" width="397" height="241" /></a></p> <p>Back on dry land, and it seems the laws of physics have been abandoned during Lara’s short absence.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OABfrIqI4G0/WhV389kt9WI/AAAAAAAAE-8/PxIPWZ9Q9E0kxe_XR8PZ8GuzibpY_cJzgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_AnotherBee2"><img title="TR3_11_LG_AnotherBee" style="display: inline;" alt="TR3_11_LG_AnotherBee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rkge84Vk0hE/WhV390Ytf_I/AAAAAAAAE_A/m64yN-wEKRMJLVzBAsQXRJAEwP6q9e8wwCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_AnotherBee_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara returns to the water and almost immediately regrets it when she stumbles upon an underwater maze complete with drowned diver. Even worse, there’s another UPV, which, as a vehicle, ranks a little below a narcoleptic snail in terms of speed and agility.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R9aX-doSECQ/WhV3-mevPxI/AAAAAAAAE_E/gyp_CIvxOY8QBy45OSNjdwmATDWpVsxBgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_Grr8"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2OqTVK6wXT0/WhV3_sTnD_I/AAAAAAAAE_I/bHaYDXZK61Ec40W7zcnc8emJltQXzT1SACHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_Grr_thumb13?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>There’s also a crocodile in the underwater maze. Lara is not impressed…</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v9K9NMGMX8M/WhV4AVFBl5I/AAAAAAAAE_M/HYofyFK4myEqZQdyu1HeAX_t31tADF0tQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_HitchARide2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OtSvvsjXhD0/WhV4Aw3tkkI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/R8iEMTspHe43ryIVdvY5w5SQQD7iSLADQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_HitchARide_thumb10?imgmax=800" width="397" height="245" /></a></p> <p>…until she realises that a blood-thirsty crocodile is a marginally better vehicle option that the UPV and decides to hitch a ride.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DTVGSpcOlQM/WhV4BnGOblI/AAAAAAAAE_U/uITQhehSMc8sHK-z11J9Gi8vTYUtpalsgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_LongTunnel2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IfLBOnsmcko/WhV4CWiFucI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/WC194cFpYcMSEbr9BZNG25IdBnMMgWmVACHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_LongTunnel_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>After several thousand hours of hellish maze-based torture, Lara finds a way out of the labyrinth and returns to land.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YIP01bbRES8/WhV4DHAdo0I/AAAAAAAAE_c/7pKIe_SODq0Bo_RbZRgybmdwtO7H39YXgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_MetalSwingyThings2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-unZHbIxgaVY/WhV4Dk5DmeI/AAAAAAAAE_g/ljXqlMQ_XC4Rbu3UNFiBVQu68Y3McJ8DwCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_MetalSwingyThings_thumb10?imgmax=800" width="397" height="241" /></a></p> <p>This level’s offering for ‘random unidentifiable object that wants to kill you’: the swinging metal things.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_j86tXzvDaY/WhV4EttJucI/AAAAAAAAE_k/cZgBNxGUKmw0BVaTVydSmb3bLAjt0p1DACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_TooClose1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2hfAsCVRuUk/WhV4FGkwYxI/AAAAAAAAE_o/4DVPIfu7Jg4yc7fgEByGy9aViKSgxBiowCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_TooClose_thumb6?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Still incandescent with rage over the whole underwater maze debacle, Lara channels the ire we’re all feeling into physical violence and straight-up punches her pistol through a guard’s chest. His stoic lack of reaction suggests that he understands.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uZUM1Fsc2CI/WhV4F6UMHcI/AAAAAAAAE_s/cksdw4DcQ1EnoZ7FBfcvBJ-YeizNuXLOACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CrawlAway1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_mUksNl2u0Q/WhV4GW04MZI/AAAAAAAAE_w/lWtkGX3rtZUG2quktfXU1BjABOu4w0J8QCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CrawlAway_thumb6?imgmax=800" width="397" height="242" /></a></p> <p>Finally Lara manages to crawl away from this cursed place and into a cut-scene.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EWruTRVjj9M/WhV4I-rgbxI/AAAAAAAAE_0/oE_tdvobZKQMhmozucwuMxJpqKz6XEQRwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CS_LaraEnters2"><img title="TR3_11_LG_CS_LaraEnters" style="display: inline;" alt="TR3_11_LG_CS_LaraEnters" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lr_2EjMSOo0/WhV4JUfPAdI/AAAAAAAAE_4/WdZueo9KH4s2XLccRczxlx2PnUI_lHaQQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CS_LaraEnters_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Every cut-scene should start with fish.</p> <p><em>Lara emerges from the tunnel into a lavishly-decorated office, complete with tanks of flickering fish.</em></p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g45DMkVFdDY/WhV4KbAvhTI/AAAAAAAAE_8/8MOYt3bCvKIqr4pdJPy0nwiGgQ38dd2gQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CS_Sophia2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--zrmJqvHbNc/WhV4K8k6U3I/AAAAAAAAFAA/hEwFDOaBiuMrZyq7n7GtpWynEMDqQjooQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CS_Sophia_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>She is greeted by Ms Sophia Leigh, who does not seem overly surprised by Lara’s unconventional entrance. “Ah, Ms Croft. I take it you’re ready to sign up?”</em></p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XrCaA2UsJFg/WhV4L2XbUPI/AAAAAAAAFAE/pDYhsRavN8wjTBaBRGHmzTL1-ZkV6tqAgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CS_ToWhat2"><img title="TR3_11_LG_CS_ToWhat" style="margin: 0px; display: inline;" alt="TR3_11_LG_CS_ToWhat" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r4obqfVB8G4/WhV4MeTMnwI/AAAAAAAAFAI/__r5jjNbbJMkyqi4wLbKBU89YU2X7RBWQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CS_ToWhat_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara is confused. “To what?”</em></p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ip14NCtiN1o/WhV4NESPt4I/AAAAAAAAFAQ/nYDFSMtoLqAGXg_LTk69f60-brbdNPWIQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CS_SignUp2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3eZzgGCTVjU/WhV4OYkYrII/AAAAAAAAFAY/zGyx32xsfhcC7ZLtc9z2ASBS05x37HEkACHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CS_SignUp_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>“Well,” says Sophia, “To my books. You see, with <strong>your</strong> lifestyle you’d be the perfect campaign for my products. And just think; you wouldn’t be needing those unsightly weapons any more…”</em></p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Be8_ln1a2mA/WhV4PAO5ueI/AAAAAAAAFAc/yz3YUGa74sUiJGs5tU-z3gBCJ22oeerGwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CS_UnsightlyFace2"><img title="TR3_11_LG_CS_UnsightlyFace" style="display: inline;" alt="TR3_11_LG_CS_UnsightlyFace" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PVot6JT3KCU/WhV4QlLfleI/AAAAAAAAFAg/jqZlxoIwZGAz7Jy_b9NNy0nkOPb12uh5ACHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CS_UnsightlyFace_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>“WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT SHOOTY AND BANGY YOU PLASTIC-FACED COW?” Lara replied. In her head. Her upper-class upbringing wouldn’t allow her to say it out loud, of course, so her actual response is slightly less confrontational:</p> <p><em>“No, but I’d probably have an unsightly <strong>face</strong></em><strong> </strong><em>judging by your last experiments.”</em></p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YohZZkTM8Sk/WhV4SshYv1I/AAAAAAAAFAo/cuZEKvt-FL8DIdSuuOzbNXu6zaHn53ALgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CS_IAMWOUNDED2"><img title="TR3_11_LG_CS_IAMWOUNDED" style="display: inline;" alt="TR3_11_LG_CS_IAMWOUNDED" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GYleFwYBnW0/WhV4TZukZwI/AAAAAAAAFAs/MQIavTaUpnEQoqZsHssoyxfr3D_1yMIXQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CS_IAMWOUNDED_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Sophia does her best Frasier Crane <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLG0F7suqSI">I AM WOUNDED</a><em> </em>expression. </p> <p><em>“My what?!”</em></p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--dyD0-hjsi0/WhV4UMYrzvI/AAAAAAAAFAw/tfPqBI-_WcIZUHWzyGaru5c45MfLEN90ACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CS_TakeStaff2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5rNtBw0PVJ8/WhV4U7X_nNI/AAAAAAAAFA0/-VGLMaCsTEcJ4qpcxC43WpwZABdWGavagCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CS_TakeStaff_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>“Oh, yes,” Lara tells her. “They’re all still alive. Very much so, in fact.” She reaches for Sophia’s staff, that lays on the desk. “But all <strong>I</strong> want is the artefact-”</em></p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-583ntW_rHLY/WhV4VuJgatI/AAAAAAAAFA4/rVZw_hhORvciy8ysLta1C6syHr6Q4LRrgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CS_YeahRight2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--OCZkloAWoo/WhV4WEDcqNI/AAAAAAAAFA8/cvff9Env0IkQq3bXzbfZqA32wJHsxDAugCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CS_YeahRight_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>Sophia quickly snatches the artefact away from Lara’s grasp. “Yeah, right,” she sneers. “In your next life.”</em></p> <p>Some top-notch witty banter from the queen of cosmetics there.</p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOZcf9FeB6Y/WhV4WxegdGI/AAAAAAAAFBA/wLACAdNdcZcdbkyFeiYWwDefx9xyMJF4ACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_CS_LegIt2"><img title="TR3_11_LG_CS_LegIt" style="display: inline;" alt="TR3_11_LG_CS_LegIt" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y8yMIP9sLWA/WhV4YD8HOfI/AAAAAAAAFBE/-dA5phW3PVMpX-HWY_2PXclUtKpkbGAogCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_CS_LegIt_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara draws her pistols as Sophia hurries away. “We’ll see.”</em></p> <br /> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6diTnRqOMII/WhV4Y0QlzEI/AAAAAAAAFBI/TXvpJ6UFwM0nBoVI5B_9d4IdYVulONS1wCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_11_LG_End1"><img title="TR3_11_LG_End" style="display: inline;" alt="TR3_11_LG_End" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ViLhGJ2xHdE/WhV4Z29c45I/AAAAAAAAFBM/qJFXAcdAOf4HMEWf_jjUKxSx_OPjpNogQCHMYCw/TR3_11_LG_End_thumb6?imgmax=800" width="397" height="235" /></a></p> <p>It says one and a half hours, but it forgot to add on the millennia I spent navigating that godawful maze.</p> <p><em>Coming next: the battle for the Eye of Isis.</em></p>Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-33623372594300134522017-09-28T12:45:00.001+01:002017-11-22T12:56:40.050+00:00Aldwych<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j8agzDsSOhU/Wczf4zwNT0I/AAAAAAAAE0g/jDlLMBB0TvoNbgQ2qenKT01iml3aHNRNQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Sign2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hge9FF8_F8A/Wczf5dUCTmI/AAAAAAAAE0k/gjclBxwbLtw4akRMWUN-WHAhTfCX7KFWwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Sign_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Apologies. It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it? Three and a half years if we’re counting. In case you haven’t read my previous posts or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PerusingPixels">Facebook page</a>, I had a baby, and it turns out babies take up more time than I thought they would.</p> <p>I have attempted to restart the blog several times, but thanks to software issues and corrupted screenshots I’ve fallen at the first hurdle. But! I’ve finally completed Aldwych (on the <em>third</em> playthrough) and the screenshots haven’t dissolved into darkness so let’s begin, shall we?</p> <p><em>After her attempted murder by one of Sophia Leigh’s henchmen, Lara decides to go underground in her quest to find the Eye of Isis.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-97JUHyp8d64/Wczf6IcDsJI/AAAAAAAAE0o/0VqBcCGhuXYxJ4iiYSZaRAizbKXvK5qigCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Start18"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2xIJ4RWT50M/Wczf64mqy0I/AAAAAAAAE0s/gGmnAGX01gs2CwX9P7RcmtpAfa7yvoUvgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Start_thumb16?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>We begin the level with Lara falling to her death, the new, extreme-sports version of the sliding entrance. <br /> <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-beZZk0Kko4Q/Wczf7QtmQuI/AAAAAAAAE0w/gTJEFd1V83kyKLNrSSwo-WyHWnbRkHvPgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Entrance5"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7zuDe-7S1Os/Wczf71QIPCI/AAAAAAAAE00/a2bhMWsYZiIlcfrrrO4UzAn8DmZcQUVCwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Entrance_thumb4?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>A conveniently-placed pool of water means that Lara survives the fall and now finds herself at a makeshift entrance to Aldwych station. <br /> <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kTzK-pvACXI/Wczf8gXBzbI/AAAAAAAAE04/PlyOotAFfWIYCAop9W-xrqQY0dny2VLywCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_WelcometoAldwych4"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Y6j8XZ_L8k/Wczf9MRhHLI/AAAAAAAAE08/kfvmZzChQXs4u9wvpXlMXQzlUu8BrgJAACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_WelcometoAldwych_thum?imgmax=800" width="397" height="239" /></a></p> <p>Up in the ticket office, Lara is soon greeted by a member of a staff. My, what pleasant and attentive people TfL are employing- <br /> <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wxi9wy4iifc/Wczf97c8M0I/AAAAAAAAE1A/tyDWVe28CIcZfdkyIdi_gg4QGteyN9W9wCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_OnFire1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xvG8h7g6C1Y/Wczf-T3V-BI/AAAAAAAAE1E/mXTGmjtX934w7V4RlGuRdqSKLhpvEqlpACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_OnFire_thumb6?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>- oh, never mind, he’s set Lara on fire. You just can’t get the staff these days.</p> <p>(Note: I’ve travelled on the London Underground many times and have found the majority of staff to be friendly and helpful. Not one of them has ever attempted to ignite me.)  <br />  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TGA9MUzWdA4/Wczf_HA0zcI/AAAAAAAAE1I/hHLfKCxcXB0QKSklFiWVe3eJeZ4wQ7scACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_EmptyOffice2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BEjofPNqcIU/Wczf_norgKI/AAAAAAAAE1M/rCpYZbj5C1opPlwXjfNBvgNx0IXIySlCACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_EmptyOffice_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara escapes the surly employee (by killing him) and heads over to the ticket office, but alas, it’s a) unmanned and b) apparently only accepting a currency that was decommissioned in 1971. Never mind, maybe there’ll be a ticket machine on the platform. <br /> <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c12hzhl9Zf0/WczgAfA_AiI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/cj7Q3psT7c8rgDm1db-bCpJji91DH8AOwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Esculator2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q8gPak1oVVc/WczgA4aRXLI/AAAAAAAAE1U/AUqsQBXXUvETNrhE-PhLE3VYCuMX-0AXwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Esculator_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Everyone loves riding up and down the huge underground escalators, and Lara is no exception; unfortunately for her, they’ve been rendered permanently static. <br />  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iUjbnuOyG_s/WczgBt9Q3eI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/wwYeU0F9es8Jw5R5QouGemE2FPQpQOIgwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Platform5"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8vBXojasgYY/WczgCPnerwI/AAAAAAAAE1c/7ZDUWNgB4fIY9zqNkEQ3Ah50TmNYbRsAACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Platform_thumb17?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Another employee appears and immediately begins trying to beat Lara with his flaming spike-club (man, the penalty for fare evasion has really got *harsh!). <br />  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f2ICTH8IE6U/WczgCvFmu_I/AAAAAAAAE1g/HFqrf6Jr2_cWRFXO4Zq-j_L8RzhGIz_lQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Damned1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g5vZu0BFzGo/WczgDCQAsFI/AAAAAAAAE1k/7fRuBbqiTFQLFDfmHwla9cGRChTKlJLKgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Damned_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="239" /></a></p> <p>Upon closer inspection, Lara realises that these men aren’t even wearing a TfL uniform. Either it’s some kind of non-uniform day or they’re not supposed to be there at all… <br />  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EmYO0d8P4HU/WczgDpzKPYI/AAAAAAAAE1o/uUlRC7u9vMs1VcsIoaugLBSxZNzTUpTPACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Rats3"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xoFSvwajmrM/WczgEYB70tI/AAAAAAAAE1s/bGLJshBQ7kQtUyKNB0CcQq4n2NFETDy5QCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Rats_thumb11?imgmax=800" width="397" height="240" /></a></p> <p>At least the train is quick!…oh, no, wait, that’s just a couple of rats the size of frickin’ triceratops. Hell, Lara can just ride <em>them</em> to the next station.</p> <p>(She doesn’t, of course. She murders them in cold blood, like the big ol’ one-woman extinction machine that she is.) <br />  <br /></p> <div id="scid:0ABB7CC8-30EB-4F34-8080-22DA77ED20C3:76a9d74c-e81f-4c2b-9ef6-a968503e3c6a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; float: none; display: inline;"><div><object width="425" height="239"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XJ-J8h57qhQ&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XJ-J8h57qhQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="239"></embed></object></div></div>       <p>Lara decides to run to the next station. Have you never seen a Public Information Film, Lara? <em>Never</em> run on train tracks! Or go to a farm. Or put a rug on a freshly polished laminate floor.</p> <p>(I’ve seen too many scary PIFs. It’s scarred me a little.)</p> <a name="maze"></a> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zaK1TC1Lh4A/WczgFDLaDdI/AAAAAAAAE1w/ZkC0wKDxkUcCNoy6N-glNhPdRTGK25lqwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Symbols2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gvoI7Jseuk4/WczgFuu4bqI/AAAAAAAAE10/4t79QnisvoA8wxi7A2oROkZ1RX5-lou2gCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Symbols_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara manages to avoid getting hit by any more trains and finds her way into some kind of maze. “Yay, a maze!” said nobody ever.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x78UZIilmxw/WczgGAGI5HI/AAAAAAAAE14/VZY-3CESNu0nU-a7Hi4U84HqW6S9U9HuwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_MasonicEntrance2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yIt_uFrJ0g0/WczgGr-geaI/AAAAAAAAE18/t090UyXupGYOrmbS69bkyljubPy91jI7wCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_MasonicEntrance_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Several months pass before pressing some random combination of buttons finally gains her access to a secret corridor.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-76u5W-luXkY/WczgHv6fuZI/AAAAAAAAE2A/Ao4xYNHsF5wUr16TIQp2SIeIXWJzKOp5QCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_WeirdMoon2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lg0k7PVe14A/WczgIGwqflI/AAAAAAAAE2E/SqQKMKKH8I8uLDbYALijjPpKdoX53A57gCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_WeirdMoon_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PO15r8LWikY/WczgI84ZpYI/AAAAAAAAE2I/Ylt2DYIZ3j03-GcmDVEGz8tL1MesTmL7ACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_SwordDoor2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tcd3k2SrvXc/WczgJQvPaGI/AAAAAAAAE2M/mDfucqtxiLsFv5LNUUUX94jaq4ARXtZAwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_SwordDoor_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>The corridor leads to a ornate room, which contains a giant spinning crescent moon, a sword-barred door… </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XaBFKzrnBeU/WczgJ0kOoaI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/bjzPQuyNeA43yOgUuNxVS33b3mmD_RS2wCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_SpikePits2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RBxis7nm9yc/WczgKRTQ67I/AAAAAAAAE2U/9rLpccttSfQcNj-v1v7GVuzE2bdtP9eXACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_SpikePits_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>…and, of course, random concealed spike pits, because what doesn’t scream opulence more than the chance of a grisly death at each misstep? </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N4d31VC0C7k/WczgLEsnITI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/jpaz1jlY7PIG-XitzNm5rPcYKQD1gGpRQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_PetsatWork1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HMslyUDrW44/WczgLiUTxII/AAAAAAAAE2c/sV3pgLeNkMwrJD06q7XTLuULJ9d1bEEMgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_PetsatWork_thumb7?imgmax=800" width="397" height="243" /></a></p> <p>There’s not much to do in the fancy room or the maze of annoyance, so Lara heads back to the station. On a different platform, she finds another club-wielding thug and his faithful hound. Is it Bring Your Pet To Work day? </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qjrSf03O3Y8/WczgMEwcwdI/AAAAAAAAE2g/TBAiy7cktYcULHZuM4akqvfENzP0xmJMQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_UnwellDog1"><img title="TR3_10_Aldwych_UnwellDog" style="display: inline;" alt="TR3_10_Aldwych_UnwellDog" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ihLLUXRAUtk/WczgMlfDhnI/AAAAAAAAE2k/sNG3Dy-uLew7fiMPHHQArgufU0tIu47pwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_UnwellDog_thumb5?imgmax=800" width="397" height="237" /></a></p> <p>I’m no vet, but that dog doesn’t look well. Apart from being dead, I mean. </p> <p>  <br /></p> <div id="scid:0ABB7CC8-30EB-4F34-8080-22DA77ED20C3:f2443bab-fac9-4e46-ace7-5c1f9451dcf2" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; float: none; display: inline;"><div><object width="425" height="239"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ul071YURnsI&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ul071YURnsI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="239"></embed></object></div></div> <p>I love this little Easter egg. When up on a passenger bridge, Lara hears a train going by below. At first I thought it was just an ambient sound effect but no, it actually happens!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jaPWjztfvlo/WczgNJn4HpI/AAAAAAAAE2o/RIzsLI3fUQoIyd0uG_i_cY0lSFRPqfF2ACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_ChildrenatWork1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p4g4tr00fO8/WczgNr6MOhI/AAAAAAAAE2s/4HiunS8FNfcdtTU8p_meAWtjBFpPsF-4ACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_ChildrenatWork_thumb8?imgmax=800" width="397" height="239" /></a></p> <p>Aw, it’s Bring Your Child To Work day too! </p> <p>Too bad. </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eSKjNPc_f54/WczgOjWkgDI/AAAAAAAAE2w/9JSuRQY9KywkzbuaEA_OJk5q5WWKDy0CgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_ScarySpinnyThing2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a0FvGDeiEnA/WczgPLWGr9I/AAAAAAAAE20/IQkVtD5lAqokhtGw7KcHeTvFVofxlhaUwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_ScarySpinnyThing_thum?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara ducks into another Employee Only area and finds a large pit to climb down. It wouldn’t be a London level without a random deadly machine whose original function is unclear, so here we have the spinny spikey thing of doom. </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dStbJzhFO3w/WczgPwVGt7I/AAAAAAAAE24/llGlpztHmbwxQmgfJyWAzVqvdntcAQEwQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_EasyFire2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kSBk85BXOBc/WczgQnyZshI/AAAAAAAAE28/PNy08b3XDkk8UcE5XcSlpatDVwEHffZ1QCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_EasyFire_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Easily escaping the spinny thing, which moves at a rate of one centimetre per century, Lara finds herself facing the easiest fire-trap she’s ever encountered. Seriously, the moment you move towards the second platform, the flames stop. Can’t even have a decent chance of dying a horrible death in Tomb Raider these days; It’s Health and Safety gone mad, I tell you. </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9eZRXTtUU6U/WczgROZ8fFI/AAAAAAAAE3A/raKHufGm0GgR7K-STdnDEEuk4hOH9GSHACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_SafeDeposit1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yj8eQ9O3QQE/WczgRgbYNsI/AAAAAAAAE3E/_8_K5LERlf0oGQklIiBlGtEf6JkevmD-ACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_SafeDeposit_thumb5?imgmax=800" width="397" height="241" /></a></p> <p>Lara eventually stumbles out onto the Chancery Lane Safe Deposit, which is so safe it’s buried miles underground where barely anyone can get to. </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sGuKLT7xyLM/WczgSTfsulI/AAAAAAAAE3I/Ftt_4IXQDFsASmLk_pO_cEZ559gmp02NgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Swag2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xd5d18G7CI8/WczgS9qjvnI/AAAAAAAAE3M/RcJsr4Fr_8AF7C4DphjczBNjMrhNMqv8ACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Swag_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara takes the opportunity to do a spot of light raiding, but the safes yield no treasures. </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--vqslUFDvvc/WczgTv1kQ3I/AAAAAAAAE3Q/qcvYCbIyILMk4rVwOb6m25_61tlkxj2rQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_FancyKey1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dypn2-rep5E/WczgUGbO-0I/AAAAAAAAE3U/3jGn4Qg9L3oq7mZO0umyLF4iApKcyJgfgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_FancyKey_thumb6?imgmax=800" width="397" height="236" /></a></p> <p>She does find a fancy-looking key, though, so it’s not a completely wasted trip. </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K53qIgbB7rE/WczgU42BXRI/AAAAAAAAE3Y/4zBMbyt2b7sQXUf2BfV6pseGjaziIR55ACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Waves1"><img title="TR3_10_Aldwych_Waves" style="display: inline;" alt="TR3_10_Aldwych_Waves" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xnbRqXmQAEg/WczgVfrazQI/AAAAAAAAE3c/rMgfidcUZgsW1KOv0uXUZLfzrkFz9zX0QCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Waves_thumb5?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Hi, Lara! *waves back* </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tqF2-S6fddQ/WczgWF-EV0I/AAAAAAAAE3g/O-Z_IG5uoAgsTfS_HFloViTcZIt956pZwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Barrier2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1qvsCYNT6o8/WczgWoo8VbI/AAAAAAAAE3k/UglgS5LbZl0nGc-6dY3BmQzvGnE0uPTTgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Barrier_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>In her quest to board a train, Lara comes across yet another platform, this time with more appropriate measures to stop fare dodgers – the ticket barrier. </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ov86sNd8wqA/WczgXZpryOI/AAAAAAAAE3o/TiyOadyH6BgWaqZLQNA3UZ8-Ek1OoDHKwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_OldPenny2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C5JXlf_daJ4/WczgX1xON_I/AAAAAAAAE3s/8RTsegTkqZE8eygAij2JxoVhO1_biRx4wCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_OldPenny_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Back on one of the other platforms, Lara comes across a <strike>giant </strike>penny lying on the ground next to a vending machine.</p> <p>(I’m not sure if the vending machine artwork is based on a real machine – I’ve had a look on Google but nothing has come up). </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WF0TT62Epi4/WczgYWA__RI/AAAAAAAAE3w/lJrMHfgsSE4NhdaIJVj2LSR6bDjbJnGRQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_PennyCloseup1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wYoW8IWXqxE/WczgYz0XFhI/AAAAAAAAE30/2hfc-Wc6RvQAsKJ1P4GL6sQS6ab3nI-EACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_PennyCloseup_thumb6?imgmax=800" width="397" height="241" /></a></p> <p>Hooray! It’s an old penny! It’s 1d! Which means… </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fOxGFHhdHh8/WczgZZIs9dI/AAAAAAAAE34/UBXaoimrkJYQ3J3MbabzwLRMMlG7jWabgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_GiveMeATicket1"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FZdA8OUb9aY/WczgZ9yH3DI/AAAAAAAAE38/q6Z4H6nxBrELNcaGAgfN3eG4czGoKkycgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_GiveMeATicket_thumb9?imgmax=800" width="397" height="241" /></a></p> <p>Lara can buy a ticket from one of the anti-decimalisation machines! At least, I assume it’s a machine. I’d feel pretty sorry for the person  assigned to that booth otherwise. </p> <p>“Yes, Geraldine, I know Aldwych has been shut down for years, and yes, I <em>know</em> it’s overrun with violent gang members who set things on fire as a way of greeting, but on the off-chance that someone manages to break in, and is carrying coinage that was withdrawn from circulation almost three decades ago, and <em>then </em>decides she wants to legitimately buy a ticket despite being the type of person to break into abandoned train stations then, well, we really need you to be standing by and ready to provide excellent customer service.”</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_l_o5_n8B-k/WczgarVSybI/AAAAAAAAE4A/IjLINH4FVEEr-ubmy7Y7JfDEkWk8w3RrgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_ThanksVeryMuch5"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8LvwSFBPcBI/WczgbPPg6zI/AAAAAAAAE4E/1B7TCGExvx0_a4D8zDeehCr3_1e_Ed7cgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_ThanksVeryMuch_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="397" height="240" /></a></p> <p>The machine (or Geraldine) chucks the ticket at Lara without much fanfare. </p> <p>  <br /></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oOeomjm-Z58/WczgcFHOi2I/AAAAAAAAE4I/A9hS_U1FEFEDCcPIvJlw95BrUBxyPgZQQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Poster12"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iKixe-L9Buw/Wczgcn4ZOYI/AAAAAAAAE4M/A3_BIxiQTn8vSb_hfoQScFlm1LLWZF0qwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Poster1_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara doesn’t let it bother her – with renewed spirit she passes the ticket barrier and makes her way down another static escalator, pausing now and again to read the adverts.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yFjP3rlFm5c/WczgdVGqsZI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/nr8y1lok7hwxlXyA0rBDCK2IJS5VGq60gCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Poster2and32"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yo6KEUkf_dc/Wczgd6st5eI/AAAAAAAAE4U/br0dE3HW3WIyUe6shLrsrBpxGsfAuwKqACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Poster2and3_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>I’m assuming these are all reproductions of real Tube posters, but unfortunately the only one I could find is the ‘He’s Watching You’ poster:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pBHnbCyrbVg/WczgeTsjcKI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/IAmoCxhrv2w2Eva7MUGg6K-RDKlBr1ihQCHMYCw/s1600-h/HesWatchingYou%255B2%255D"><img title="HesWatchingYou" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block;" alt="HesWatchingYou" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-huu2dzOv6Fs/WczgejTtvsI/AAAAAAAAE4c/fe-szyygzKoM4d2hqjnReRc0qlM4BCyyQCHMYCw/HesWatchingYou_thumb?imgmax=800" width="210" height="298" /></a></p> <p>According to the information on <a href="http://olive-drab.com/gallery/description_0173.php">this</a> website, this is a an WW2 propaganda poster from the USA, so quite what it’s doing on the London Underground, I’m not sure. I seriously thought it was some kind of Star Wars promotion before I researched it.</p> <p>I’d like to know what the other two posters are based on, so if you have an information, please let me know. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0zuJ9VVyB_k/Wczgfc8m6kI/AAAAAAAAE4g/CKUO4ssZvWcvIDFU5mYnVEjYSF2y5vj1gCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_TheIndestructableChain%255B1%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u0O0vFHMppM/WczggHSERmI/AAAAAAAAE4k/NBlS90fnDroZV659jDWrz5f1jtkV3YeYwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_TheIndestructableChain_thumb%255B5%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara passes a door that is apparently impenetrable with the arsenal she has, despite the fact that it’s locked with a chain so decrepit-looking that it could be disintegrated with nothing more than a hard stare.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4k_ctof5YjU/Wczgg-bEK9I/AAAAAAAAE4o/ekfRPqCcNnYZD2uTlEwMQG70PBRc9yVOQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_TraininPlatform2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h0dz8zB4PlI/WczghcQgC7I/AAAAAAAAE4s/OJ5e638rgcIQ0xi3fUOwdw37CX8PGORRQCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_TraininPlatform_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara finds a new platform and – hallelujah! – Toby from <em>Thomas the Tank Engine</em> waiting to take her where she wants to go; but alas, he’s half-stuck in a tunnel and impossible to board.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Z3r5PJYjUQ/Wczghw3v2_I/AAAAAAAAE4w/pF1R63UYvzYXE1QbC-Mm_zi8y1IcWce8QCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Approach%255B1%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3oqMB4SUK7c/WczgifJFgSI/AAAAAAAAE40/iunOKTuwJLcIejA7-NoFTa7ps3WEIflugCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Approach_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="245" /></a></p> <p>Lara’s hopes for making friends with the Damned are reignited when she manages to approach one of them without getting immediately set on-</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5AZxbmzH5hA/WczgjHADQNI/AAAAAAAAE44/tKUNf2zXp9gSQeWIRfe02Vb5qO5QuW2iwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Unfriendly%255B1%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ufakfKkLFxE/WczgjmM3UII/AAAAAAAAE48/8giGR2nCsBAj09_lNHmT-pSHD_rM8pFKwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Unfriendly_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>-whoop, never mind.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fd06iz325C4/Wczgkvvx_tI/AAAAAAAAE5A/gt5AU1V5RiI4XK0SFRHCeULrZ1C4ob_JwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Bats%255B1%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H8k2GjGmVeQ/WczglHyXMoI/AAAAAAAAE5E/2J4mYvjVnwIME_TwDqp5Ugt_Z7OAx63QQCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Bats_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Lara explores another tunnel and a cloud of bats emerges – thankfully not the <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/caves.html#bat">irritating bats of Tomb Raider I</a> but peaceful ones that thoughtfully disappear after completing their atmospheric obligations.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6QclUEKasa4/Wczgl1mK1_I/AAAAAAAAE5I/y316SGnqJ3I3NKzfxUhJUqOg3KnjUolRQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_OneSword%255B3%255D"><img title="TR3_10_Aldwych_OneSword" style="display: inline;" alt="TR3_10_Aldwych_OneSword" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NzgWwNKpIaY/Wczgmnz6w5I/AAAAAAAAE5M/loavI8Ko1o8hIoPtHrD_aWndR-C4mXwmQCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_OneSword_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>The platform is a bit of a dead end so, after finding a matching key near the spinny-thing-that-turns-out-is-a-drill (thanks <a href="http://tombraiders.net/stella/walks/TR3walk/L2-aldwych.html">Stella</a> (on both counts)!), Lara manages to open the sword-door in the big fancy room.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rMSQ48vX_Nw/WczgnfKsOLI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/hS3Fqi6pl3Ael1cr0YfMOyuJTH-1sWz6gCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Mallet%255B1%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0tKORv6-1Ls/WczgoAKApQI/AAAAAAAAE5U/K5g8Hh4BVisf2cnw1Q1Q1KuGpc6bYo81wCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Mallet_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="239" /></a></p> <p>Lara finds a hammer! It’s time to smash patriarchy!</p> <p>…oh, wait, it’s a mallet. Time to smash…uh…a rusty chain, I guess.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3sUnt1H_yqM/WczgoloM_yI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/hkk3II-94h4JXd9rC3kpT0IifqckCohwQCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_PushDoor%255B2%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-meSx4rOztuY/WczgpL9pVJI/AAAAAAAAE5c/KyH66ePhtXsWiOPADCFyC-j1Mg6GtNnJgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_PushDoor_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="240" /></a></p> <p>Back at the door, Lara realises <em>the power was in her all along</em> and simply pushes it open. The chain instantly crumbles into dust.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--_eB6XgyZHY/Wczgp3u6M2I/AAAAAAAAE5g/HbWIGS03vcQoQ6OAjhiqSuNgri4pYIx6ACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Train2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ztTrzJ_vIjk/WczgqcOpwcI/AAAAAAAAE5k/CWSe6lwzNDk654eJQee7t1jvA-ev0nsTQCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Train_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>I can’t quite recall the chain of events here (blame baby-brain; okay, so my “baby” is a preschooler now, but I’m still using the trauma of childbirth to get out of housework so you’ll just have to roll with it) but Lara manages to find her way onto the Toby train she saw earlier. A conveniently-placed button propels the train along the track (apparently this train is like a prototype DLR).</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SN8Uknvx5Zg/Wczgq-jfkvI/AAAAAAAAE5o/CO59SNEjgp8hYa3V91YZiLbdvCGdn1QhwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_Follow%255B1%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bv8vXf1kK2Q/WczgrR-LD9I/AAAAAAAAE5s/JY9hYerz4_cg8cVWRLiE-_QPZe0y8e1eACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_Follow_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>Finally</em> having reached her destination, Lara still has no clue where she’s going, so decides to follow a random gang member.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bbn-2K_1RXk/WczgsaFOisI/AAAAAAAAE5w/lL43Vo8QKjUzdbhOlpFEPdNJUyDsVp1-gCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Fall2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-puGtBk8aJrg/Wczgs9Osh3I/AAAAAAAAE50/GEveG0eRIREzq3uLGIqMsjOtwJ2pyiN-wCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Fall_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>He leads her to a cutscene, which starts with another long fall. I’d feel worse for Lara if she wasn’t constantly throwing herself down slopes into darkness.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_iA603KqDo0/WczgtgcLrQI/AAAAAAAAE54/FHaJ_CD4BjEbHXhJvBjDJHrn_XkGIN1WwCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_SadLara2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jyu3Zh9-xO8/WczguCwNscI/AAAAAAAAE58/ssyu8YHqiawpr-rMpCBNe50UUTA-6rfPgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_SadLara_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara takes a moment to recover from her fall</em> and presumably reflect on her poor life choices re: slopes to unknown places.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LAYzweEhGEM/Wczgu3bmknI/AAAAAAAAE6A/gQ8EGksjSLgvWy4hIXf8SXa4LGeY8TdmgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Legs2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h3RsrynZWuY/WczgverFvvI/AAAAAAAAE6E/lTqymb0ddY84o1SWDKe866pXmNdLBKFkACHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Legs_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>She is approached by a gang member who seizes her and drags her across the room.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jXjvSDEfvC4/WczgwG6dinI/AAAAAAAAE6I/F1m5c_HBaAsF3imYUyEsXeFd_oRPYcs2ACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Boyf%255B3%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b_nKlvoPGJ4/Wczgwq82aKI/AAAAAAAAE6M/MUnWvR6hiyIgQV6Svu3TXdty24sMLLUWQCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Boyf_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="241" /></a> <br />Although this part looks little more like a romantic stroll.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ghar_b53RzE/WczgxYg7nBI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/KA1fjo-TepQZ6-5ZYACbzQm8L0Ey_ggbgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Ow%255B1%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0ODYLH4NrSQ/Wczgxwe8UNI/AAAAAAAAE6U/tHpSzKYMRlIaajNTNVPpBUsuqtdpFVhAgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Ow_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>Eventually the gang member throws her down in front of a makeshift throne, while Lara rubs her injured arm </em>(the wrong arm, I might add) <em>and glares at him.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TvSQyyKort0/WczgyxNhaSI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/wVMUZE_qgf8gy7NLqwzV5Wr-e3hcITDggCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_NoFaceGuy2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5U-BY1H6h5Q/WczgzjgpClI/AAAAAAAAE6c/f_AJTZ2MNzwzcdw4fJW1QjncisMBM4lFgCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_NoFaceGuy_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>The man seated on the throne (The Leader of the Damned – </em>or, to give him his official title, No Face Guy<em>) begins to interrogate her, assuming she’s searching for Sophia Leigh. Lara confirms she is, and No Face Guy tells her how he and his minions had their skin corroded by one of Sophia’s failed experiments to create Everlasting Beauty.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_b4CbdBddJI/Wczg0IMaZXI/AAAAAAAAE6g/xF1_vFCzwwccoicSJHSUPBSEztUob0CRgCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_NoFaceCloseUp2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RVF2uVTSYms/Wczg0uv846I/AAAAAAAAE6k/FeEQ54VTWw4ju0257-Z8wzClznvOu9cdQCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_NoFaceCloseUp_thum?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>They were all dumped down a waste disposal chute, presumed dead, but in fact, the opposite was true: despite suicide attempts, the poor Damned are actually immortal.</em></p> <p>(So how come Lara can kill them, then? Did they not actually die? Or did No Face Guy just never think to try a <em>frickin’ gun</em>?!)</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j8luYMT89Tw/Wczg1SK2p1I/AAAAAAAAE6o/zzsVJmRyExovPtOzpL3T1ikEphqfAMKygCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_MoreNoFace2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-127v2irwJ3E/Wczg15TDfSI/AAAAAAAAE6s/D2Leq3sVNlgwSuOneamVsD08IBpoXbh5wCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_MoreNoFace_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p>Still, despite being doomed to live an eternity as a skeleton, No Face Guy is surprisingly reasonable. <em>He offers Lara a trade; he’ll help her find Sophia in exchange for a bottle of embalming fluid from the Natural History Museum.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g2a4oRP0PeY/Wczg2qK7rmI/AAAAAAAAE6w/o2vcZ06C6Y4pucPqpVHRt0th6Cfqq2l4ACHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_SYLNoFace2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RINaQ5BEoUw/Wczg3dglTsI/AAAAAAAAE60/_hnAa75CGZkHzYBDvb802qv5XLvCIcHMQCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_SYLNoFace_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>“Why don’t you go yourself?” Lara wonders as No Face Guy begins to leave, assuming their deal is confirmed. He tells her that there’s an ancient Egyptian there who has fared worse than they have in the immortality stakes, and that he doesn’t quite fancy whatever awful curse she may put on he and his gang. “You’ll be fine, though, pet,” he adds. “You die easy.”</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4oX0cIz3LtU/Wczg4JRNYAI/AAAAAAAAE64/J5A42aa4hxoOi-_yXCC8h9nuFq69PLDygCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Thanks2"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ylpWb38_fws/Wczg4nzYMAI/AAAAAAAAE68/wuxfsxUDuSQgmoCkA0XfowtMehzorUeXwCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_CS_Thanks_thumb?imgmax=800" width="397" height="238" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara’s voice is dripping with sarcasm. “Thanks.”</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VAh4wN4cG_g/Wczg5L65HUI/AAAAAAAAE7A/z7-R_hUtcswjpEbG2-oqCWzIxmdtUZP8gCHMYCw/s1600-h/TR3_10_Aldwych_End%255B1%255D"><img title="" style="display: inline;" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bg4LuVG5RPc/Wczg5a-75EI/AAAAAAAAE7E/hGHlIAw-sysWygqOSIIHNoIYDkJ9UgMMQCHMYCw/TR3_10_Aldwych_End_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" width="397" height="236" /></a></p> <p>And we’re done! And in just over two hours! (+3.5 years). Next up: the Natural History Museum.</p>Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-23329723434238463752015-02-10T22:57:00.000+00:002015-02-10T22:57:10.304+00:00Did I mention this is a hiatus?Hello, fellow Raiders! (Tombies?)<br />
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It occurred to me recently that not all of my readers may have liked my Facebook page, so I thought I'd better state the obvious here as well: Perusing Pixels is currently on hiatus, but it is a hiatus I hope will end soon. I have all the pictures for the next level, it's just a case of transferring them from the old hard-drive to the new one, writing about them and posting them.<br />
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Of course, transferring the pictures means my husband taking a break from the fifty million jobs he burdens himself with. <br />
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Writing about them means me taking a break from taking care of my baby, cleaning the house and looking for a job.<br />
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Of course, posting means...oh, no, actually, posting is pretty easy.<br />
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Forgive me, dear Tombies (Raiders), for neglecting you so long. I hope to be back very soon.<br />
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- Twin PistolsTwin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-56963581575723307262014-02-28T13:53:00.001+00:002014-02-28T14:08:18.744+00:00Thames Wharf<p><em></em></p> <p>Apologies for the lack of updates (again).  If you haven’t seen my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PerusingPixels" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page post, I have a good excuse this time: I’m pregnant, and am currently spending 90% of my free time asleep, while the remaining 10% is divided between complaining about how tired I am and eating crisps.</p> <p>Anyway, back to the tomb raidin’:</p> <p><em>Lara’s next adventure is a little closer to home: she’s come to London to seek out the Eye of Isis, another of the meteorite artefacts.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EJ5va5PsWRY/UxCT5QCfYRI/AAAAAAAAEWY/kVOyHfMVQ2Y/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Splash2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7MPV3svO96E/UxCT54cG5BI/AAAAAAAAEWc/iqniRuFnBkg/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Splash_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Here we have the splash screen for London, which, according to that map in the corner, is located somewhere in the North Sea.  Having extensive knowledge of London (i.e. I’ve been there), I can assure you this is not the case.</p> <p>I love the assortment of Biffa bins and bags of rubbish.  Welcome to noble and historic England, everyone!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pf-BigV5Em4/UxCT6x7egyI/AAAAAAAAEWo/0qdd1Hm-jzg/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Start2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I2aos_0Uk8c/UxCT7fnJRxI/AAAAAAAAEWs/f0eWNTsvE8U/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>We begin this leg of the adventure on the rooftops, looking towards our eventual destination, St. Paul’s Cathedral (or what I assume to be St. Paul’s, anyway).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0DNsUmoqmPk/UxCT7686d-I/AAAAAAAAEW4/5xFAqlX9OTo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Background1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZOv87Oe3ChE/UxCT8akLfPI/AAAAAAAAEXA/SliUXu1hv1s/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Background_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>The background of this level is plastered with photographs of London at night, although I’m not exactly sure where this is meant to be.  Convent Garden?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X36EwSM8XkQ/UxCT9QEfYDI/AAAAAAAAEXI/92fxgQjvxzQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Bird1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C2MlNM-O1Is/UxCT-FswSUI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/XuZtenF1dnw/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Bird_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>I realise this seems to be a picture of Lara fighting with a disembodied beak and a pair of claws, but it’s actually the best picture I could get of one of the killer crows that attack Lara on this level.  Apparently the crows of London are a lot more highly-strung that the ones we get where I live, which are largely indifferent to my presence.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iId3qsc1GTM/UxCT-4kSdQI/AAAAAAAAEXY/_A2z2e7MZNM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cockney2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xw4MGwdDpOM/UxCT_TqLmcI/AAAAAAAAEXc/MtWukrYi4Ms/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cockney_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Another, more plausible enemy in this level is the gun-toting Cockney who makes hilarious noises when he dies:</p> <p> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b947a460-9162-430e-8ddf-bf7ee3cff0b8" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object width="448" height="252"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vgJCgtl80lw?hl=en&hd=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vgJCgtl80lw?hl=en&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="448" height="252"></embed></object></div><div style="width:448px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">“Cor, blimey, guv’nor! I’ve copped a packet!”</div></div> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QxkyThvqpKw/UxCUAH0ZSPI/AAAAAAAAEXo/habpnrLp7dc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Decrepit2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0OdyBZhf5cY/UxCUAvOTvaI/AAAAAAAAEXs/m6RTRqIJG9Q/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Decrepit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Having escaped the wrath of the Dick Van Dyke wannabe, Lara finds herself in this rather creepy, abandoned old building.  As rudimentary as they look by today’s standards, I really like the effect of the shafts of light.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0qncnCFa9A0/UxCUBKYBY4I/AAAAAAAAEX4/7G00QJIrE9w/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Rats22.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t0yrJjuYQlc/UxCUCGKz9II/AAAAAAAAEYA/DVI_CI-AfBI/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Rats_thumb27.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Another well-known predator of London, the oversized rats.  I suppose the trouble with London is that it’s hardly teeming with dangerous animals, so the developers had to use their imaginations when thinking up foes for Lara to fight.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9IKF5f7pIJY/UxCUDAf6LxI/AAAAAAAAEYI/1KL4MFrS08k/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_CraneClimb2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2RjYfPbtmPc/UxCUDiWd6hI/AAAAAAAAEYM/8gk6f140QKo/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_CraneClimb_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Eventually, Lara finds herself on a crane, and decides to take a peek over the side.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MWDq0Wlm61E/UxCUEbKzwFI/AAAAAAAAEYY/lthkynuZz3Q/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_CraneSlope1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oI4aIn9XceU/UxCUE3yYm2I/AAAAAAAAEYg/miQc0nL-8rk/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_CraneSlope_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Ah.  That was a bad idea.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rtsJ6fR6_GQ/UxCUFnX-EUI/AAAAAAAAEYo/o5cF4hcvLvY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Dive1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-730pmJBPFD0/UxCUGBVxzzI/AAAAAAAAEYw/5fyL2Ye67b8/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Dive_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Oh well, if you’re going to die horribly, might as well make sure your last moments are performed with style.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_s2uP7s-m-Q/UxCUGjTiGQI/AAAAAAAAEY4/CASZeuenTS4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Crazy11.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a79BYXyQSyg/UxCUHS260ZI/AAAAAAAAEY8/_Fx3WuQwhBI/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Crazy1_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Uh…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n5SjSi7TRv0/UxCUHyTOIgI/AAAAAAAAEZI/WWVhAEwnUQE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Crazy21.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3HTP129mNTs/UxCUIfxO3vI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/zoYSlQcVycg/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Crazy2_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="287" /></a></p> <p>…okay, this is getting a bit scary…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A3v7EWapkoU/UxCUJHBjaMI/AAAAAAAAEZY/9Q32Xa89sBU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Crazy27.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tj6KqHKKF3Y/UxCUJiGUXUI/AAAAAAAAEZg/qDpSCW-GPtY/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Crazy2_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="287" /></a></p> <p>Flipping the picture upside makes her look even more terrifying.  The <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2013/01/temple-ruins.html#shiva" target="_blank">Shivas</a> of India look positively cute by comparison.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TzRFxH1TbKg/UxCUKNJR-EI/AAAAAAAAEZo/LOrDa7GAL2A/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Paint1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--oD5dT5YI4U/UxCUK2iJgqI/AAAAAAAAEZw/S5xO96_H1z8/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Paint_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Okay, lets get out of the Twilight Zone and reload a saved game.  Although…why is that paintbrush green if the paint on the floor is yellow?  What kind bizarre alternate universe is this?!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/---Dvv3uZ_A4/UxCULUCS8AI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/Or5UeZfWR3o/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Patriot1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o9CV_T_QJn8/UxCULy7l6dI/AAAAAAAAEaA/0H25AzED_Lk/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Patriot_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="287" /></a></p> <p>A nice bit of patriotism to convince us that we’re still in the UK, rather than the drug-induced hallucination the magical paintbrushes and killer crows may otherwise suggest.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CEktIILB-ro/UxCUMW0WWmI/AAAAAAAAEaI/lzgDJDuhcj4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_PlaitEater2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SUG5K6MWvJA/UxCUNO7OzjI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/iA-SpbmjRHY/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_PlaitEater_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara forgets to pack food and has to make do with nibbling on her ponytail.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eThfSKfTpMg/UxCUNzmvXNI/AAAAAAAAEaY/HMcfvw4m4IA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Guard1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-COX9Mr8dc1c/UxCUObxJR8I/AAAAAAAAEag/ukvhRzXLVf8/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Guard_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="287" /></a></p> <p>Eventually, Lara finds her way off of the rooftops and comes face to face with a night security guard.  You know, not a blood-thirsty villain, just a man (albeit an <em>armed</em> man) doing his job.  Naturally, Lara kills him without a second thought.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uuM_TvZvZR0/UxCUPdVzMBI/AAAAAAAAEao/pHfO9l5wovI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Reservoir2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-07iWHnjK3yo/UxCUQDxts5I/AAAAAAAAEaw/Qg3CHyQnUPw/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Reservoir_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Turns out all the poor man was guarding was a load of reservoirs (which begs the question: why the hell did his employer see fit to arm him for this task?), which Lara proceeds to swim about in.  That’s if she can summon the courage to fill them up, as the “filling up” sound is terrifying:</p> <p> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:d588fedc-0bb2-4518-9aa0-4f3ef4b1f7da" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object width="448" height="252"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kf492yHvtek?hl=en&hd=1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kf492yHvtek?hl=en&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="448" height="252"></embed></object></div><div style="width:448px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">That’s not the sound of water filling up, it’s the sound of a portal to hell opening.</div></div> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--D6qzD9WznQ/UxCUQogJPyI/AAAAAAAAEa4/RN-kjK2YpXU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cute1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VFRvjP9IDzo/UxCURFrnoCI/AAAAAAAAEbA/IGy39RtkUtM/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cute_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Lara finds her way into some kind of weird area where this cute-but-deadly little robot thing scoots around waving electrodes.  The purpose of this robot never becomes clear, and despite the fact that it’s not alive, Lara still manages to find a way to kill it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-if6HrxXtoeU/UxCUR9Qm2HI/AAAAAAAAEbI/f0SDtn23emI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Ow2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QoF69mC4t1U/UxCUSrnrdNI/AAAAAAAAEbM/Fc7BTw59t-E/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Ow_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara manages to knee herself in the eyes while performing a maneuverer.  Impressive but no doubt painful.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E07YjZetLTA/UxCUTZrXB3I/AAAAAAAAEbY/ZF_dskMHqnU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Underwater2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vZT4NeJNsPI/UxCUT_1iXxI/AAAAAAAAEbc/p6UJMRYJ2C0/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Underwater_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Finally, after a lot more swimming and security-guard-shooting, Lara surfaces in a ornate-looking domed room.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xxR2mmawCLQ/UxCUU-Kbg8I/AAAAAAAAEbo/payi7Ta4IdU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_StPauls22.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OZc0FbpBrQY/UxCUVRGkQYI/AAAAAAAAEbs/dm6K_GKGwW8/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_StPauls2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>She’s finally made it to (presumably) St Paul’s Cathedral!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_UEcs3e6IUM/UxCUWcbg-TI/AAAAAAAAEb4/DoSRNDcrusA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Shot2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uAUr-5dPfuM/UxCUW26KxvI/AAAAAAAAEb8/AzcsYGI_KIE/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Shot_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>And now time for one of my absolute favourite Tomb Raider cutscenes, which you can watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-SsIRtvYp0" target="_blank">here</a> if you haven’t seen it before and your life needs permanently improving.</p> <p><em>Lara is blithely skipping along the rooftops of Possibly-St-Paul’s Cathedral when she finds herself being shot at.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wOkssxdDZ5w/UxCUXpSP0DI/AAAAAAAAEcI/4KfZH9xdwc8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Return.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CHUnA8TcB84/UxCUYGVs0oI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/xXjH6OQJUbI/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Return%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara quickly retaliates, returning fire as she dodges bullets and attempts to get closer to her attacker. <br /></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i6YZ8S9ITvQ/UxCUZRNhSDI/AAAAAAAAEcY/EbQ2mzg3QNY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Die2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-THh5A0xWDvA/UxCUZ5o886I/AAAAAAAAEcc/Vb3-mcTGIBU/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Die_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>As she nears the man, he dives for cover inside the bell tower. <br /></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PudLZANZHCM/UxCUaavPr9I/AAAAAAAAEco/pe6RtDUaazM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Tired%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qkNhZ_yKwdw/UxCUawPHvsI/AAAAAAAAEcw/wopEXcgqLTE/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Tired_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Wake up, Lara, we’re in the middle of a cutscene.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OEENcFG-qy4/UxCUb5kXZ3I/AAAAAAAAEc4/iYyrANBQg6o/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Prepar%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Em3Uvrb8Cxo/UxCUcpic3NI/AAAAAAAAEc8/ACHCeuJtXw4/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Prepar%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>She leaps out to confront the man and quickly shoots him before he has a chance to retaliate.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RBjJ2DT5imU/UxCUdbztktI/AAAAAAAAEdI/txu-3okLXQ4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Fabulo%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rfrFKyMu8xs/UxCUdxMi3ZI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/1NIeJTIdn7w/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Fabulo%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Either that or he’s giving her the campest dismissal ever.  “Shoot at the hand, sister, cause the face ain’t listenin’!”</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JYMMXjRmqoo/UxCUe3Mt6YI/AAAAAAAAEdY/ob3_lAzMu88/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Gun2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JzpTzxXbvWw/UxCUfdWN63I/AAAAAAAAEdc/4jo572ujI28/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Gun_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>The gunman quickly recovers and attempts to pick up his fallen gun, but Lara is too fast for him.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mMxVhPoG1eI/UxCUgFhc7bI/AAAAAAAAEdo/Bm1tvbNxyZw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_UhOh2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JZusODo9TCk/UxCUg3mGsGI/AAAAAAAAEds/b-JQiz8WL5o/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_UhOh_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L8EHT917Yqw/UxCUhvBDCPI/AAAAAAAAEd4/-kV78YbZleI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_KickIn%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hwfaQ40fqqQ/UxCUiDfrnNI/AAAAAAAAEd8/B0oBsq_Bpvc/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_KickIn.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2ynF3eWIl_I/UxCUiy3dNUI/AAAAAAAAEeI/qgZWhS1C-cc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_HitWit%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JPaxi_w1SBo/UxCUjV3OjVI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/l5rD02sGqmw/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_HitWit.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8wwAsV-auSs/UxCUkeyqdPI/AAAAAAAAEeY/ys4bGSjxiSc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Tangle.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LF64pC9RTqE/UxCUk7YdkLI/AAAAAAAAEec/xRHhKfiUA6Q/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Tangle%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>She kicks him in the chest, but doesn’t  pull her leg away in time and the gunman seizes it.  Lara manages to hit him on the head with her pistol </em><em>before she’s slammed to the ground.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h_HT7JU504s/UxCUlkiIhZI/AAAAAAAAEeo/pjVtPxHHkOQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_OnTop2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lMvvI0vZv1A/UxCUmD4D-sI/AAAAAAAAEew/07BhpkPUlsw/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_OnTop_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FGHm2yl20ig/UxCUm4g6RoI/AAAAAAAAEe4/k16r7uLDP-A/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_LooksD%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pTXIgH57kSc/UxCUnZWQoZI/AAAAAAAAEe8/GVzx0QaRh5M/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_LooksD%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>This looks a lot more perverted in screen captions than it does in the video.  Gunman even manages a quick glance at Lara’s breasts (apparently excessive campness is not the sole preserve of homosexuals) before a gun is thrust in his face.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RCkIx_C09Bw/UxCUoM8E5OI/AAAAAAAAEfI/_TcEAQBslhg/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_StopLo%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KI5o0kMUHcE/UxCUogOkAgI/AAAAAAAAEfM/2OTHYX7D7ks/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_StopLo%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hZBNwUezlQc/UxCUpK5S7XI/AAAAAAAAEfY/3L3JYg2ngUA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Change.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SGElgzTLfB4/UxCUpvj17OI/AAAAAAAAEfc/02ZdkFwqEzo/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Change%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Make your bloody mind up, Lara.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LW1Pd-t8Gp8/UxCUqBTpFpI/AAAAAAAAEfo/wYWVrDCqRQw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Romance.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oj-6mERt3Cw/UxCUqzE-ouI/AAAAAAAAEfs/6vr7s3Ep1F8/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Romance_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6scQKJJNXh8/UxCUrmwkl4I/AAAAAAAAEf4/vXY7UYSYyx8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Bye2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-trTfHTJ9zLg/UxCUsOVq08I/AAAAAAAAEf8/fLH59UfB1uQ/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Bye_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LN43WTfJDOw/UxCUs-LvBdI/AAAAAAAAEgI/2zfD6JPuP-M/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Noncha.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mcYZDq9Lr1Y/UxCUtQHqISI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/GiZ2u3u8gPs/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Noncha%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hoOAH_-8I1s/UxCUvC1-rlI/AAAAAAAAEgY/3dieYdNBi_s/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Casual%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pSFBEX44M3Y/UxCUvpA_RpI/AAAAAAAAEgg/G4SugNUL60o/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Casual.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara throws the gunman off of her and begins questioning him.  She finds out he works for Sophia Leigh, a woman who is apparently only Lara’s age, despite the fact that the gunman, his father and grandfather have all worked for her.</em></p> <p>For some reason, this guy pronounces Sophia as “suh-PHI-uh”, which made me think for the longest time that his employer was called Sapphire Leigh.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7oi_PzJFiYM/UxCUwtErCpI/AAAAAAAAEgo/tP0RfYR4oYE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_LookAt%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u4lkSCgCefA/UxCUxJmEiQI/AAAAAAAAEgw/fg3fD_TG_s0/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_LookAt.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iJFTScjXsWg/UxCUyPao4bI/AAAAAAAAEg4/_zpd9aIzxtY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Aim2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oHZCLes01ho/UxCUyvhgxJI/AAAAAAAAEhA/WEfQ8sHptkQ/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Aim_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rrhYLDreK2w/UxCUz5-ujiI/AAAAAAAAEhI/RaqsswNTxO8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Stando%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ed6suZ1Ucs0/UxCU0TrjzhI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/DEGyE53Nf-Q/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Stando%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara is momentarily distracted</em> (by…uh…<em>the moon</em>?) <em>and the gunman takes this opportunity to retrieve his weapon.  Aiming at Lara, he gloats that killing her could net him a special bonus.  “In fact, I could even be retiring from you!”</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x-7d5kWZcOo/UxCU1Oo_ejI/AAAAAAAAEhY/FkLPgqGdf6I/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_ThenYo%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GUiO_5s32J0/UxCU14MTFOI/AAAAAAAAEhc/Qna7anVEqb8/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_ThenYo.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara looks calmly on in the face of these threats.  “Then you might like to mind…”</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rupegb_rBdY/UxCU2XFOX6I/AAAAAAAAEho/PvwzeMRPSRc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_TheBell.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zpERmwPEDPk/UxCU3GQNrsI/AAAAAAAAEhs/ziDbf2jU6BI/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_TheBell_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>“…the bell!”</em></p> <p>Oh please, watch the video, cause screen captures can not do this scene justice.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a1T8A8Sn2-Y/UxCU3yRiJBI/AAAAAAAAEh4/aK-xipCosXw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_OhYeah%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mvl1l4qCa_o/UxCU4f2CLrI/AAAAAAAAEh8/w97IeK9Bd5w/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_OhYeah.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>The gunman glances behind just in time the massive ringing bell swing towards him.  He attempts to run away but doesn’t even manage a step before it catches him and flings him through the air.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-94RAZSn5xys/UxCU5IBsl4I/AAAAAAAAEiI/KkVDcvRFySA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Flung%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MxWrxqXQkOk/UxCU5z_7uxI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/IhlQ1FVUunQ/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Flung_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>“Happy retirement.”</em></p> <p>Just watch how his broken body flies through the air, majestic to the last.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0P_dnuAkaTI/UxCU6bemmaI/AAAAAAAAEiY/X_8sKtmrpW0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Slide2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9hEs5ju78qU/UxCU64uh9dI/AAAAAAAAEic/R3EfGMS6sPU/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_Cutscene_Slide_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Avoiding the bell, Lara slides down underneath it and through a hole in the floor.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h-dBWH6t_wk/UxCU7QLVssI/AAAAAAAAEio/xYLjxkqLUwI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_End3.jpg"><img title="TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_End" style="display: inline" alt="TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_End" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nQIHg896Fao/UxCU8GqDSEI/AAAAAAAAEiw/uP3dbAjvfw4/TR3_Lvl8_ThamesWharf_End_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="287" /></a></p> <p>And that’s the end of that level.  Next up, we visit London’s famous underground railway system, commonly known as the Tube.  Considering my current update timescale, expect the write-up of this adventure sometime late 2016!</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-50838208672712372802013-10-06T19:49:00.001+01:002013-10-07T19:37:18.890+01:00Area 51<p><em>Searching for Element 115, an artefact crafted from an ancient meteorite, Lara has infiltrated a US military base in the middle of the Nevada desert and, after a spot of bother with the police, manages to sneak onto a lorry heading out to the elusive Area 51.</em></p> <p>So I discovered while playing this level that Element 115 is actually a real thing and is also known as Ununpentium.  I figured it was just a code name the US Army gave some blue rock they found in a spaceship, but no, it turns out Tomb Raider III is actually trying to stealthily teach me about Chemistry, which is a bit of a cheek seeing as I’ve already learned <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/11/jungle.html#fact" target="_blank">my mandatory fact</a> for this game.</p> <p>Area 51 was a lot more fun than the previous level, mainly because it was brighter, Lara was armed and at one point she got to run away from an explosion.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xS_i38Ok7R8/UlGwG50aywI/AAAAAAAAEN4/YwBrPkjITo4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Start14.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ofs13qM0xKk/UlGwHKTsEDI/AAAAAAAAEN8/nH4mDrk30S4/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Start_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>A <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2013/09/high-security-compound.html#drunk" target="_blank">hungover</a> Lara starts out at the back of the lorry we snuck on to at the end of the last level, having now been transported to Area 51.  I don’t know if Lara actually meant to come here or just got lucky.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nSVCSb5DFKI/UlGwHoomeTI/AAAAAAAAEOI/rbOZQS4F6BE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Prisoner1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mhhA3iT0LHY/UlGwIXqM_DI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/kGEPNG3zUG8/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Prisoner_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>She comes across another convict and sets him free, because I’m sure that a man who appears to have been placed in a padded cell is completely harmless and is just the type of person you want running unsupervised around a military base.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CcJvcAzMO0o/UlGwIqH1mSI/AAAAAAAAEOU/IhTnpiE_1kM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Volaramort2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bn7WrnT_WxM/UlGwJDTCN6I/AAAAAAAAEOg/Y-OYx6-Ophk/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Volaramort_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Lara goes to the rather extreme length of cutting off her own nose to assure she’ll have the best Lord Voldemort costume this Hallowe’en.  Obviously she’s not as sober as we thought she was.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E7mNDrHBbYQ/UlGwKLQhpUI/AAAAAAAAEOo/XJTre2Ke1Us/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_RideDog1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ALiQ1GHLDJY/UlGwKgSk1QI/AAAAAAAAEOs/iyTe58lvsGw/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_RideDog_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Yep, Lara’s definitely still drunk, and starts trying to defeat enemies by stomping on them.  Hey, if it works for Mario, right?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3TcpjW1MnSA/UlGwLFOtqHI/AAAAAAAAEO4/h5vVCyFMvdI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Twisted7.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tZ9VB5JzX_g/UlGwLuersOI/AAAAAAAAEPA/pfihmBnJv5g/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Twisted_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>I include this image because when I saw it, I considered it to be the best Twisted Lara pose I’d seen so far.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I7ZnDLR5R40/UlGwMpJopaI/AAAAAAAAEPI/kgOX1WSZ6yE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Twisted25.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r-03O_A665E/UlGwNTiw27I/AAAAAAAAEPQ/7Nuvh0MJams/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Twisted2_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="295" /></a></p> <p>Two seconds later, I came across this one – where, in case you can’t make it out, Lara has somehow managed to insert her entire arm through her head – and decided we had a new champion.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Og6NvWHs3rc/UlGwON8TzHI/AAAAAAAAEPY/1D_gYx1UtZM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Twisted32.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s_iFNzZF21k/UlGwOiTJjCI/AAAAAAAAEPg/HxzDnHLUsxk/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Twisted3_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Then I saw this one and concluded that I should just stop taking pictures mid-combat.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_SBaa1h32Ic/UlGwPVae8QI/AAAAAAAAEPo/mrgUU-5lBTE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Fight1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-152TdEfiLSc/UlGwP3wtj_I/AAAAAAAAEPs/EXJiG17tS1Q/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Fight_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="289" /></a></p> <p>George appears, <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2013/09/high-security-compound.html#boyfriend" target="_blank">a new boyfriend in tow</a>, and Lara opens fire on them, although I’m not quite sure whether this is because she’s become friendly with George’s previous boyfriend and is heartbroken on his behalf (or is at least a die-hard fangirl of the George/Other George ship) or because she becomes extremely homophobic when drunk.  Either way, Lara, not cool.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iVDuHAXEwP0/UlGwWDyBzHI/AAAAAAAAEP4/nAYMLH7VDB4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_LaserMen29.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bfpS8ifLDCI/UlGwWt3MdJI/AAAAAAAAEQA/xJ_YBpwT0jQ/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_LaserMen2_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>George’s new boyfriend and his brethren having guns with lasers on them, which would be pretty cool / deadly if they actually did anything.</p> <p>Also, Lara’s ponytail has gained sentience and departed from her head, possibly thanks to the effects of Element 115.  As a power, that’s kind of niche.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FhYJzYvNsNA/UlGwXZ7W18I/AAAAAAAAEQI/dRz1zEFSsf8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_DeadGuy5.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rczwr3x6u3M/UlGwX5WOllI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/JAVod_dZez8/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_DeadGuy_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Lara came across this dead guard who I have absolutely no recollection of killing.  I guess out of all the enemies Lara encounters over the series, odds are that <em>one</em> of them is going to die of natural causes, right?  Saved Lara a bullet, anyway.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GLbD5VQkg_k/UlGwYg_0CfI/AAAAAAAAEQY/9EkfqMz4kmk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Hey1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LQhWpD7f4Bw/UlGwZJUoCpI/AAAAAAAAEQc/Q2JcwunDqdI/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Hey_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="292" /></a></p> <p>Lara faces off against a hopelessly under-armed guard.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0IbWOzjYzWY/UlGwZvCpEWI/AAAAAAAAEQo/s63Onp-Bt3c/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_WhereYouGoing4.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w0ZvmmrG-8o/UlGwaKNR7FI/AAAAAAAAEQs/ejWrcYnhEIk/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_WhereYouGoing_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Seeming to realise his chances aren’t good, the guard runs away, which is refreshingly realistic but also surprising considering the fairly basic AI these guards have displayed up until now (which seems to consist of HIT WITH STICK, REPEAT).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mDoF-Ukeybs/UlGwa4cClRI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/9kqavGbT7EQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Poke1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H3b2cKuJvyY/UlGwbXhBvhI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/8wnvsHgpAtA/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Poke_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="292" /></a></p> <p>Oh, well, that short burst of common sense couldn’t last forever, and before long the poor guard succumbs to his programming.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eRos0OnXu_s/UlGwcoEImqI/AAAAAAAAERI/TYJEFT8ldi8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_UFO19.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HlW2GnZ9JEg/UlGwdK9yQvI/AAAAAAAAERQ/7PQ0Rbs0Vmg/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_UFO_thumb19.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Inevitably (considering the location), Lara comes across a UFO.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-59a7C5YLni0/UlGwdx2oD4I/AAAAAAAAERY/TiApJL_xGP4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_ShadyRoom1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2vgzAvhFGdg/UlGweInBfaI/AAAAAAAAERg/YzNUyr4FJyk/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_ShadyRoom_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="291" /></a></p> <p>Beyond the UFO is a dark and inaccessible room, where Lara can just see the feet of an unknown figure laying on an examination table.  She needs to light a flare just to be able to see into the room, which I thought was a pretty cool (and creepy) effect.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K5qHRQWCRLo/UlGwfPysvaI/AAAAAAAAERo/QFibvyrKano/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_RocketLaunch2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fx57_1ePwFs/UlGwfhguxAI/AAAAAAAAERs/YJU5Et_tZ_Q/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_RocketLaunch_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Quickly growing bored of all the extra-terrestrial paraphernalia on display, Lara wanders off and decides to launch a missile.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OqYtS1U1-F4/UlGwgVWsa_I/AAAAAAAAER4/nCcI4JfdL_U/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_RunExplosion1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nnp3-afdDA8/UlGwg3BxcmI/AAAAAAAAER8/BEuimTqQWEw/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_RunExplosion_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>She gets to outrun a fireball, which I’m sure makes bombing some random country totally worthwhile. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6fqLilyHIlQ/UlGwiJRKhYI/AAAAAAAAESI/iwYGYpWqDOQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Bye2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ob_H-cRQNYc/UlGwiv2uE7I/AAAAAAAAESM/hWYC2oNX5IA/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Bye_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>“Hey, our lives our ruined, but at least Lara got a cool profile picture out of it, right guys?”</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JPNlv7pY24A/UlGwjMbuqzI/AAAAAAAAESY/4VGltj9mMZc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Violence1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MXHcNvRxft8/UlGwj5uZa6I/AAAAAAAAESg/PH6bbe6H-Pc/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Violence_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="291" /></a></p> <p>I know this is Lara Croft we’re talking about, but punching a guard <em>straight through the stomach</em> seems excessively violent.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zJKLQM-3i-Y/UlGwkgwezLI/AAAAAAAAESo/_JlZwcPc8WA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Alien2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iIGLohwKkV8/UlGwlGBwaOI/AAAAAAAAESs/m2AqUy4zt94/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Alien_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara gains access to that darkened room and discovers the mystery figure to be an alien (surprising no-one).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QQsRI2a8kDs/UlGwmDr15-I/AAAAAAAAES4/oDYw6BEyJwI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_UnusualDecor2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Bo5YbHHSJt8/UlGwmtfUp2I/AAAAAAAAES8/anIFMpi9w8E/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_UnusualDecor_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Another alien is on display in a nearby room.  Really, who can blame aliens for wanting to blow up our planet if we insist on killing the ones that land here and turning them into some kind of bizarre art installation?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nE_NFb5qSFg/UlGwncsQPJI/AAAAAAAAETI/wYXudzUKHa0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Orcas1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4tYeGdcmzD4/UlGwoCRIsaI/AAAAAAAAETQ/1TAWQtBhxaY/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Orcas_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Opposite the alien display is, for no discernable reason, a tank containing a pair of Orcas.  I’m not a fan of Orcas in real life, mainly because I think they’re some kind of dolphin (<a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/09/palace-midas.html#dolphin" target="_blank">and we all know what I think about dolphins</a>), but these ones are super cute.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xR6_IDOjaoU/UlGwo5_FQ7I/AAAAAAAAETY/Vm-NxhUTyRc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_EnterUFO2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_SxQ2wsKqi8/UlGwpfZXsJI/AAAAAAAAETg/5nyxJmWsyS8/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_EnterUFO_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>After spending a relaxing time at the world’s smallest aquarium, Lara finds her way into the UFO.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LmWHJtUPqcc/UlGwqJjaUNI/AAAAAAAAETo/iPb-5rcUXrA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Squidgy1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-puMUgl40reI/UlGwq910R1I/AAAAAAAAETw/euwJr9XpEYI/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Squidgy_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="289" /></a></p> <p>I know it doesn’t look that disgusting, but the floor of the UFO made a horrible squidgy sound when being stepped on.  The whole place gave me <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/atlantis.html" target="_blank">Atlantis</a> flashbacks.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UatGFTp4Hds/UlGwrnrCOsI/AAAAAAAAET4/Ri2Rbr3e0Cw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_StupidBoringMen1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BmC3-QaBLb0/UlGwsAJGy2I/AAAAAAAAET8/fVgrwo-6sAU/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_StupidBoringMen_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="287" /></a></p> <p>I was convinced that there was going to be some kind of showdown with a big creepy alien in the centre of the UFO, so I was a bit disappointed when, in the end, the only enemies to turn up were a couple more of George’s boyfriends (at least, I was disappointed until I remembered that I’m ultimately lazy and don’t like boss fights).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oGtVTjm4Zdk/UlGws0utiwI/AAAAAAAAEUI/xYbh1TBw51U/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Element1151.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZNZM6r09SqI/UlGwtVl1GBI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/_ynBhel0X8s/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_Element115_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Finally, Lara gets what she came for, Element 115.  I just hope it was worth getting a criminal conviction and becoming an international terrorist to acquire it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q2u1DLJQaH4/UlGwt0ar_5I/AAAAAAAAEUY/wjiIDSrtAJA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_End1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1yOSmV7B9F8/UlGwulK5XVI/AAAAAAAAEUg/EMw90gtuM9E/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_End_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Uh, no, level, we’re not done.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9kxQP0fTt5E/UlGwviFeIjI/AAAAAAAAEUo/nZ9xd1rgBto/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_OrcaPlay1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z7J-hN_F25Y/UlGwwdFJYGI/AAAAAAAAEUw/8YgKPB2AWKI/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_OrcaPlay_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Can you believe that swimming with the Orcas is a secret, rather than a necessary part of the level?!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u3LiPHndeTk/UlGwxjRgPGI/AAAAAAAAEU4/KZlkouxAW_g/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_OrcaBump1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eSl4RsIuGnw/UlGwyLvVkII/AAAAAAAAEU8/84JvybABl5w/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_OrcaBump_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>:D</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-81i5DmAUdE4/UlGwzXTsKDI/AAAAAAAAEVI/xlyaPPMr3W8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_YayOrca1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-piW_hCg2bdE/UlGw0AVuMpI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/iRD3HRofgpI/TR3_Lvl7_Area51_YayOrca_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p>:D :D</p> <p> </p> <p>Okay, <em>now</em> we’re done.  And we’re done in Nevada, too!  Next up, London…or, will it be the South Pacific?  Head along to my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PerusingPixels" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page and have your say!</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-28187980011525000362013-09-28T20:41:00.001+01:002013-10-06T18:29:56.854+01:00High Security Compound<p><em></em></p> <p><em>Searching the deserts of Nevada for the meteorite-moulded artefact, </em>Element 115, <em>Lara manages to infiltrate a US military outpost where she suspects the relic may be.  Unfortunately, an poorly-executed quad bike manoeuvre renders Lara unconscious and, upon awakening, she finds herself disarmed and locked up in a holding cell at a military prison.</em></p> <p>After the glorious sunshine and delightful cacti of the last level, High Security Compound is very gloomy by comparison.  I suppose it would be a bit strange to have a prison bedecked in pastel colours and decorative art prints, but after a little while the grey and steel and brown of the place tend to get a little depressing.  Trying to pick out interesting-looking screenshots wasn’t easy, either.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-igFA8UMRNT0/UkcwSBZj2FI/AAAAAAAAEFA/gjF2ChHRtHU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Start2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BGTbp7BBeoU/UkcwSk17tWI/AAAAAAAAEFE/PaxRH1hQsLU/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara awakes to find herself in a fairly spacious cell – seriously, my first flat was smaller than that place – with no guns and only one medi-pack.  I don’t know why they would take all her medi-packs save for one; maybe it’s a health and safety requirement?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7o_eFuIsNGA/UkcwTYYuaoI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/It_z4m94y8w/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_GuardEnters3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M0khmDlVtUw/UkcwTw96rEI/AAAAAAAAEFY/M3vHPQiuLNc/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_GuardEnters_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="292" /></a></p> <p>Lara is soon joined in her cell by a prison guard, who immediately proceeds to start hitting her with his big baton thing, because apparently things like “having a trial” or “being found guilty of a crime before punishment is carried out” are outmoded ideas in this part of the world.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fv-e-IvczjM/UkcwUYesbYI/AAAAAAAAEFg/SBKaRvy3Ui4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Escape3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tM_mN92HPgY/UkcwVP4uRAI/AAAAAAAAEFo/21eKYJMnQUQ/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Escape_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="287" /></a></p> <p>The guard gets distracted by a sudden urge to play trampoline on Lara’s bed, and she makes a bolt for it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vltHTcrTESc/UkcwVppZ1wI/AAAAAAAAEFw/aFiKzpl7qCc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Button13.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MgpYkRKDl6I/UkcwWMO0p8I/AAAAAAAAEF4/5vZ_uOrQufY/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Button1_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yBssJTqi7-4/UkcwXCK_mYI/AAAAAAAAEGA/gsML-Oa8Jjo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Button23.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PrIuh__ETkM/UkcwXgtUlzI/AAAAAAAAEGI/nsR2o96O9Oc/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Button2_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="292" /></a></p> <p>Most maximum-security prisons would employ a system of locks, bolts and technology to keep their inmates from escaping, but this one has apparently opted for the far less fussy “just put a button next to the door and hope nobody bad presses it” approach.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ys4cJ8_vGkI/UkcwYgnC9NI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/QLf2-72dLVk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Prisoner3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8NvuMekmrjE/UkcwZa7fm8I/AAAAAAAAEGY/DyRGLzoI8Nk/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Prisoner_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="292" /></a></p> <p>Obviously, this approach is flawed.  Lara releases a prisoner who then strangles the guard for her (at least that’s what I’m assuming happened from the sound the guard made).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mM03G2F-MQQ/UkcwaQGYpEI/AAAAAAAAEGg/NEWNuei-BKk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Fight229.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ypf2hOebPLo/Ukcwa97lMwI/AAAAAAAAEGo/HwWWveHhnqo/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Fight2_thumb33.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Lara frees a few more prisoners, and together they roam the prison looking for more guards to beat up.</p> <p> </p> <a name="boyfriend"></a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NND0wgBW5Kw/UkcwcLlvAVI/AAAAAAAAEGw/F1Rs7nGlMpE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Fight57.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-caE2XA21n_o/UkcwcpnOHbI/AAAAAAAAEG0/OsrEhuPE6M8/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Fight5_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="289" /></a></p> <p>All is going well until a couple of the prisoners start give each other some fairly amorous glances, and Lara decides to (literally) back away before things start to get physical.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qe6iYY8p5Ik/Ukcwd1RNdPI/AAAAAAAAEHA/-sQOMPm5I-k/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Fight512.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MrEqeEjHTkM/Ukcwefhxo-I/AAAAAAAAEHI/OiSiod29g-M/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Fight5_thumb22.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="293" /></a></p> <p><em>I hate the way you make me feel, George!…</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8mS634jkbWI/UkcwfEoSFDI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/ts5JjnUJaBI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Dinner2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o8kfp_e6Fq0/UkcwfrbDzeI/AAAAAAAAEHY/Bf2VBsYSk5Y/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Dinner_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Feeling peckish, Lara makes her way to the kitchen.  The only food on offer, though, is some distinctly unappetising-looking red stuff.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BFF52EjF1lw/UkcwgaCryXI/AAAAAAAAEHg/e2TavQmw3hM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_DinnerRuined3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bWI8g-PkowI/Ukcwg-7p8hI/AAAAAAAAEHo/SRISMnE-Pok/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_DinnerRuined_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="290" /></a></p> <p>I know they would need industrial-sized cookware to cater for a prison but seriously, Lara could take a bath in this.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j-Flp3I79jc/Ukcwhoz5yII/AAAAAAAAEHw/gE3Gg0UKenI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Stealthy3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cE-BqQakxMw/UkcwiMYI3eI/AAAAAAAAEH4/v6M-kr7EguM/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Stealthy_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Having ruined (or possibly improved) dinner by stomping through it with her muddy boots, Lara decides to make a break for it.  Unarmed, she’s forced to creep through the prison, avoided any patrolling guards she comes across.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_sVkY04tYP0/Ukcwi5y4Z1I/AAAAAAAAEIA/i1Eluw5MwO0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Stealthy22.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PPdqVD31j_8/UkcwjZ5ltOI/AAAAAAAAEIE/1db8okkLjH8/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Stealthy2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>I don’t have enough patience for stealth in video games (by the end of <em>Hitman: Absolution</em>, I was just shooting my way through the levels), but I think it’s actually pulled off quite well in this level, especially considering that the game engine doesn’t really support the concept.  It certainly livened up what would have otherwise been a fairly boring level.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a4boBHFZeoA/Ukcwj16gtJI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/0LLLngFYN-g/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Crouched2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QYcC9B5ShYw/UkcwkQomviI/AAAAAAAAEIY/I5-1rOXpR1E/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Crouched_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Some more stealth is required to sneak past an armed guard and get to a door switch.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fbf4Judecp8/UkcwlOkHmZI/AAAAAAAAEIg/YCbqY4myxpU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_FlipSwitch24.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0pUnIabMpiM/UkcwlqgsuGI/AAAAAAAAEIo/hs8kIsr1fNo/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_FlipSwitch_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="182" height="305" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kpAW4aS_pR4/UkcwmGJjSEI/AAAAAAAAEIw/9O9QJaM2_Tw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_LaserDeath12.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-992vk47v7IU/Ukcwms1kcBI/AAAAAAAAEI4/FCLBHFien0o/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_LaserDeath_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="305" /></a></p> <p>Lara flips the switch and the guard dies a horrific, blood-raining death as some lasers shoot out and dissect him.  That’ll teach him for trying to protect the public from dangerous criminals!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Stfn-7We_Gw/UkcwnMG4LcI/AAAAAAAAEJA/YgSq39a9Sgo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Fanned3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cdK_tRd-k-k/UkcwnsWG9sI/AAAAAAAAEJI/9zQ49x1CzzM/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Fanned_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Lara inadvertently swims into an underwater fan and starts frantically trying to…uh…remove the necklace she’s apparently wearing?  Priorities, Lara.</p> <p>Also, how hard would it have been to have swapped her face texture for something a bit more fitting when she’s in the throes of death?<em>  </em>They did it for when she’s shooting her pistols, so why not for when her health bar reaches zero?  Even a slight look of dismay would be better than this complete nonchalance.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eBpu3d-cP7s/UkcwoKzycgI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/r7o_FsHsVlE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Matrix3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--SeMML6hnHg/Ukcwo8USIgI/AAAAAAAAEJU/id1W0YY56Rg/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Matrix_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Escaping the fan, Lara soon finds herself crawling through what appears to be a giant computer.  Actually, that’s kind of a creepy thought.  Maybe she’s in <em>your</em> computer.  Maybe one night she’ll crawl out the screen, a la <em>The Ring</em>…</p> <p>(I’m really glad my PC is in a different room from my bedroom now.)</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BX3Pd2vVtjU/UkcwpbgIb_I/AAAAAAAAEJg/qErZEI6SN6E/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Spotted12.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZsrvtE56PDs/Ukcwpz838WI/AAAAAAAAEJk/RQfhxzs-XcE/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Spotted_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>More sneaking about ensues, with varying levels of success.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WQWO65NWVdE/UkcwqV6eiMI/AAAAAAAAEJs/RB3B1fhArSM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Hallelujah3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nLJHiJA2Afw/UkcwqvCyggI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/Yy96vmG6GsE/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Hallelujah_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="287" /></a></p> <p>Finally, <em>finally</em>, Lara opens a storage room and finds her beloved pistols, Shooty and Bangy (as I can only imagine she’s called them).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N6w6G16S4Gg/UkcwrBv11II/AAAAAAAAEKA/AA6lPgZfPXk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_GunFight8.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OUCP3mKKDz8/UkcwrrZFldI/AAAAAAAAEKI/_9hApoGqpWw/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_GunFight_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="291" /></a></p> <p>She proceeds run riot with her newly-recovered pistols, pumping bullets into every guard she comes across.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9-krb_gzATc/UkcwsFHf5MI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/k6PbAe_7WvA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_DogFight3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q3D1-4eVWJ0/Ukcwsra28QI/AAAAAAAAEKY/39HBq_PlR_Y/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_DogFight_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>She also opens fire on some cute-looking dogs, because it’s been a while since a member animal kingdom has suffered by Lara’s hand, and that just won’t do.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DsElpd5i02A/UkcwtbYrALI/AAAAAAAAEKg/Rj8msHSFzNs/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_AngryandImpossibl%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xYfnzKnNgg0/UkcwuHhGQGI/AAAAAAAAEKo/onGGL75Qrko/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_AngryandImpossibl.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Hell, Lara’s so overwhelmed with bloodlust that she even tries to pick a fight with her own breasts.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zspxTSWkBtQ/Ukcwu29fBjI/AAAAAAAAEKw/BTAmy_4-VSs/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Lorry1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aELltPWN6M0/UkcwvW1ojjI/AAAAAAAAEK0/Zbv9ONu_wVw/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Lorry_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Finally, Lara comes across the open trailer of a lorry and decides that it’s probably a good a place as any to find a priceless artefact kicking around.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CsBgNmldgqQ/UkcwwPBY2eI/AAAAAAAAELA/jZxgwKJU4dA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_Surprise.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-glwwd08IKkE/UkcwwjqxyvI/AAAAAAAAELE/UwwSIwbGFyk/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_Surprise%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara has barely stepped into the trailer when she hears the sound of people close by.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_GNzI1ey7NE/UkcwxM9w6LI/AAAAAAAAELQ/ymyOFevigxQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_TakeCove%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AX8u7_l_Li8/UkcwxrdnYkI/AAAAAAAAELU/CifwEdTynYI/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_TakeCove%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sWVYvVz0Lrs/UkcwyPwFyeI/AAAAAAAAELc/sk9mbrOSTac/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_Watch2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KIUgpe74ffw/UkcwyUuvQyI/AAAAAAAAELo/3JtcBNGQ9e8/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_Watch_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Startled, Lara dives behind a nearby crate and peers out from behind it.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-72i1Nh9xTTc/UkcwzA9rVYI/AAAAAAAAELw/89esSoheVUk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_TwinGuar%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zyNlEaNN_Pk/UkcwzhEl5tI/AAAAAAAAEL4/q_b_7VGM3ho/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_TwinGuar%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="291" /></a></p> <p><em>Two men appear – </em>a warehouse employee and his Star Trek-style evil twin – <em>and, oblivious to Lara’s presence, slam the doors of the trailer closed, trapping her inside.  With a rumble, the lorry begins to pull away.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-45CLDyVx3_8/Ukcw0JGI-2I/AAAAAAAAEMA/URwG8lIOfTM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_Floor2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DfZjydY0PY4/Ukcw0oiEavI/AAAAAAAAEME/RtitUJSo96I/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_Floor_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara’s not too concerned though, having spotted something interesting on the floor…</p> <p> </p> <a name="drunk"></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QdFXQfwkCv4/Ukcw1K34jvI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/IBa_SK10XtE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_Drink2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oULC5WVD2QI/Ukcw1tH8ZTI/AAAAAAAAEMU/GzyKi4CgZP0/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_Drink_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Oh, look!  An unknown substance in an unbranded can, lying on the dirty floor of a lorry!  Surely this will be a safe and delicious refreshment. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_Z1VpvztHoc/Ukcw2MaqWFI/AAAAAAAAEMc/_TYTzeBRHlY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_ComeAtMe%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mDl_58aFl8g/Ukcw2WJJ8kI/AAAAAAAAEMk/CpLySAjoRxg/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_ComeAtMe.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara quickly gets drunk on the unknown substance and starts picking fights with imaginary people.  <em>“Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough!”</em></p> <p> </p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nf9JUmlL9lk/Ukcw3AoVUfI/AAAAAAAAEMw/y0hrgB0-KOw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_FinishIt%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zcx2NUsrn-o/Ukcw3bbKYOI/AAAAAAAAEM0/4GomQPJg2yk/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_FinishIt.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--f7gjKYVA1M/Ukcw37ehJFI/AAAAAAAAENA/Qf5YUoJ_ko0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_LadyLara%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7xxVE6bXn1E/Ukcw4X-6sWI/AAAAAAAAENE/Fec7fvzMRB4/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_LadyLara%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>She hoists herself on to a crate and proceeds to gulp down her drink and occasionally scratch her arse, like the dignified member of the aristocracy that she is.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cumv7P-zNAE/Ukcw5EcLDlI/AAAAAAAAENQ/RS4aao-d2vM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_CallItAN%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-61Pz6u0VsiA/Ukcw5cYgJFI/AAAAAAAAENU/ES41TIVufn4/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_CallItAN%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Stay classy, Lara.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TPDy92OVpY8/Ukcw6eJYR1I/AAAAAAAAENg/NijUG3jzgw4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_End2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BdSGvA3Qn1E/Ukcw69AqZ3I/AAAAAAAAENo/7USu9wYjdd8/TR3_Lvl6_HiSecComp_Cutscene_End_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="291" /></a></p> <p>Bam, another level complete.  Stay tuned for…well, actually I can’t remember where we’re going next.  But I’m sure it’ll be awesome.</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-30347069794752727352013-04-29T18:47:00.001+01:002013-04-29T18:47:08.327+01:00Nevada Desert<p><em>Impressed by her competent retrieval of the Infada stone from deep within the Indian jungle, Dr Willard hires Lara to retrieve three other artefacts made from the same meteorite.  The first, known as ‘Element 115’, is currently in the hands of the US military, and being held at a base somewhere in the Nevadan desert.</em></p> <p>There are three places Lara can visit after the first four levels – London, Nevada and the South Pacific – and instead of making my own decision, I decided to leave her next destination up to the members of my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PerusingPixels" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.  Thanks to those of you that voted, especially those that voted for the right one: Nevada. :D</p> <p>Nevada Desert is all kinds of awesome, from the cacti and tumbleweed littering the desert floor to the plane-encircled military outpost that Lara eventually stumbles across.  Between the many thrilling activities on offer - including climbing, quad-biking and blowing stuff up – there’s barely any time to dwell on the fact that the whole place kind of looks like the setting of <em>127 Hours</em>, so put all thoughts of amateur amputation out of your mind and let us begin:</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wDUXjbTFgcQ/UX1f7OzkO_I/AAAAAAAAD70/mDpFsFkZXb8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Start2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pi2q0iB2Yg4/UX1gBEbMvMI/AAAAAAAAD78/Bqq1s5xGqOc/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara uses her preferred method of transportation – i.e. sliding – to propel herself into her new environment.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rDnbjq9YdVg/UX1gChEM-VI/AAAAAAAAD8E/vzPLUWW4nRU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Vultures%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-inUSLo6jnIc/UX1gI4K69XI/AAAAAAAAD8M/TjD0V6PeUsc/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Vultures_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>She immediately disturbs some nearby vultures, who come flying towards her, squawking angrily and generally making a scene.  So much for sneaking in, eh, Lara?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zRpEGjG8hJ0/UX1gKrNKUNI/AAAAAAAAD8U/o2qSE-TvvwM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Snake%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qyw52vDNS00/UX1gRP85_II/AAAAAAAAD8c/5P0p_PDQGOI/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Snake_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>It’s all too easy to tread on a snake out here in the desert, although at least they’re smaller than the ones in India (though they still die dramatically).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hIFU03OKZn0/UX1gS1BJD-I/AAAAAAAAD8k/7VEccyF1BNk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Cactus%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CNI6i2wA-hE/UX1gUMJ02CI/AAAAAAAAD8s/RRFD-xAj-Y4/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Cactus_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Also, look at this cactus.  It’s fantastic.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BYO2fH-G3K4/UX1gVovISHI/AAAAAAAAD80/SmdiaMNf3NE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Plane1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0W9E_Z-LCDQ/UX1gWqfguAI/AAAAAAAAD88/QAQ0tq2bRGo/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Plane1_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Pushing onwards and upwards, Lara’s minding her own business at the top of a ledge when <em>swoosh</em>; a jet flies out from round the corner, passes overhead and disappears behind a  mountain.  It fails to acknowledge Lara, despite her terrible attempt at camouflage.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q_eJRxSK9e8/UX1gYPVjE8I/AAAAAAAAD9E/ChiFlnI2424/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Hole2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cfWaCO62v2U/UX1gZY9BSsI/AAAAAAAAD9M/xuWujSYiSqE/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Hole_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Still, she’s not going to take any chances, and before the pilot of the plane realises that that blue, gun-wielding cactus he just passed probably isn’t what he thinks it is and decides to circle back, Lara has thrown herself down the nearest hole.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_xSIAzdi9wc/UX1gbvBUTNI/AAAAAAAAD9U/EXAePoLUo9w/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Waterfall2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uY9sPRN_l5I/UX1h3ZNeNyI/AAAAAAAAD9g/aSng8D1gLg4/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Waterfall_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>After some swimming, Lara emerges in a canyon, complete with waterfall.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HyNWOmQR09w/UX1h9xhdOrI/AAAAAAAAD9s/LZkGg4rBN5s/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Planes22.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X0Z_R-YSDEg/UX1h-yQAn_I/AAAAAAAAD90/qTg7yTe30Jw/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Planes2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Exploring this new area, Lara is treated to an overhead display by some more passing jets, no doubt on “blue cactus” alert.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tYZm7rHV4CI/UX1iAUdLgfI/AAAAAAAAD98/9UBwwVusMN0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_TNT2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rfn3bOXY-nM/UX1iGZEltjI/AAAAAAAAD-E/OLRo5zdLerc/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_TNT_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara ducks into a cave and finds some TNT, all rigged up and ready to be detonated.  Triggering random explosions with unknown consequences being one of Lara’s favourite pastimes, she immediately sets off in search of the detonator key.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-muGbll3AxRQ/UX1iH3hVubI/AAAAAAAAD-M/IwYPM6nGwgA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Punch%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wPGJc79TAmU/UX1iIrUzsZI/AAAAAAAAD-U/_cpL5tpnZkI/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Punch_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="289" /></a></p> <p>She comes across another human, and they celebrate their mutual happiness by dancing.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I3fBxHYquOU/UX1iJ2cZB2I/AAAAAAAAD-c/hQCUzfSIl10/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_DeadSoul%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HE0XJlr1uc4/UX1iQilDY0I/AAAAAAAAD-k/uyYTiOeGUGQ/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_DeadSoul_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Lara soon grows weary of this outward display of emotion.  She kills the man and continues on her search, although not before pausing to admire his spectacular denim waistcoat, emblazoned with what appears to be a <a href="http://www.trilobite.org/doom/graphics/lostsoul.gif" target="_blank">Lost Soul</a> from <em>Doom</em>.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XiVRrVCeZls/UX1iSFHN2KI/AAAAAAAAD-s/U_tPmNa05pk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_DetonatorPonytail.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rLiCvNsuML8/UX1iTV95KKI/AAAAAAAAD-0/w4rSPit46wA/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_DetonatorPonytail_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Lara finds the detonator key.  Her ponytail<em> </em>leaps for joy (literally).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a_krqYE_pGY/UX1iU2V9UlI/AAAAAAAAD-8/XY5h5KBhKwE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_CoverEars%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qs1s3QvyDE8/UX1iaxH3jOI/AAAAAAAAD_E/eOXbLhySjsc/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_CoverEars_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Back at the TNT, Lara triggers the explosion and narrowly avoids being squashed by a boulder.  But hey, it’s a small price to pay for getting to destroy some rocks!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gal4BVmQPRQ/UX1icxNv07I/AAAAAAAAD_M/z2TUaLnJ5kA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Base2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yLkgalb8MGw/UX1ieCcgGwI/AAAAAAAAD_U/Zg4_efbpuX0/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Base_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Okay, back to the mission.  By lucky chance, the TNT cleared a path towards a small military outpost.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KY5k2RnQo_4/UX1ikbFExmI/AAAAAAAAD_c/YCgcSti5yrM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Electricuted%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tE6RYIJz8Sg/UX1iloGt4xI/AAAAAAAAD_k/oog_Owzye0g/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Electricuted_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Unfortunately, the outpost is protected by a high electrical fence, which sizzles Lara if she ventures too close.  She’ll have to find another way in (preferably one involving sliding).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tmurpCAaKXo/UX1inMyWFzI/AAAAAAAAD_s/tWBjDZvhuus/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Voulevonts%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-okubShFDxcc/UX1ioktVkOI/AAAAAAAAD_0/9-pLeERW3ac/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Voulevonts_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="291" /></a></p> <p>They may not want her in their base, but at least the staff are nice enough to provide food for their unwanted guest.  Sushi, anyone?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aeB9ml-zyeE/UX1iqE-KwSI/AAAAAAAAD_8/V2dpgJ8N8Fw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Plane32.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6ohUmrukrUA/UX1kIhyLbLI/AAAAAAAAEAM/z3wj6HzwpNs/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Plane3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>And perhaps some after-dinner entertainment?  Watch, as this jet flies upside-down for no apparent reason!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1OdRZi2eCQI/UX1kKaGo0WI/AAAAAAAAEAU/CH5EyfZViMQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_OhWell%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hIj6EF84Zrg/UX1kL1ovMLI/AAAAAAAAEAc/NNxEYpxMt9M/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_OhWell_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Whoops.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uKsSjUJPFAc/UX1kNGgiDjI/AAAAAAAAEAk/6zsFhFvHziM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Damn%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p4J6NLUL-jc/UX1l7BeN-fI/AAAAAAAAEA0/JX2wxUY1G-Q/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Damn_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Lara finds another way into the outpost (alas, not by sliding) and is met by more Doom fanboys, who are angry that’s she’s infiltrated their base and disrupted their LAN party.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zZPQ6Lu6INs/UX1l8uzek3I/AAAAAAAAEA8/mykSbXxPpxE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Deadbodyshock%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qe4oiqC3o-s/UX1mIDCJZfI/AAAAAAAAEBE/P7NqbczEj_U/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Deadbodyshock_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Making her way into the staffroom, Lara “murder is fun” Croft momentarily forgets who she is and reacts with shock and horror over a nearby dead body, before remembering that a) she shot the guy and b) she doesn’t care.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zk0Qmo102fc/UX1mJuPK6jI/AAAAAAAAEBM/Gy-nP2nfMeE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Pockets2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sQ4L_yvUGyo/UX1mK3b7B2I/AAAAAAAAEBU/QlkCnfAUDrc/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Pockets_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Moral crisis averted, Lara turns her attention to a pool table with pockets the size of her head.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zt1FJToOcJ0/UX1mMUiPBbI/AAAAAAAAEBc/IXvczQeXxq0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Quad2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-chmyZSIti5I/UX1mNl-seEI/AAAAAAAAEBk/OBg-S5F3I_Y/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Quad_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Out of the staffroom and into the warehouse, Lara kills another hairy gamer and takes his quad bike.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cjyqz7xW7C8/UX1mO08OBMI/AAAAAAAAEBs/K6SBl_HcMZo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_MassiveCard%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QuEVlOYB4xA/UX1mP0jWg0I/AAAAAAAAEB0/SkxnQPBDHCY/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_MassiveCard_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>She drives on top of one of the buildings to retrieve a keycard so big, she needs to use both hands.</p> <p><em>Alternate caption:</em> What a <em>stupid</em> place to put a keycard, Part III.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RyZxGXEZy5Y/UX1m3PG0miI/AAAAAAAAEB8/e99D4dYgv2w/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Leave2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jxFQRsPfz5A/UX1m4buzCiI/AAAAAAAAECE/M1W8c98JaJQ/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Leave_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara opens the gates of the outpost and quad-bikes the hell outta there.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IRNmHycV5qg/UX6xyUu_xZI/AAAAAAAAECU/3du9ONfDuQA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Jump2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LhkyNyaiY0o/UX6xzyX2jXI/AAAAAAAAECc/BxJ9iMI3-Bc/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Jump_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>She uses the bike to launch herself over a barbed wire-topped fence and into the unknown.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FIavxia0V4A/UX6x1ioCs-I/AAAAAAAAECk/w1eF0uPP-KI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Gangnam2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7gvFlPnrRW0/UX6x25soNBI/AAAAAAAAECs/xd_SZAWbtmw/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Gangnam_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara doesn’t quite make the jump, and with a scream, is thrown from her bike as it clips the fence.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HE_T1qAYpuE/UX6x4LNMMxI/AAAAAAAAEC0/x6jhApMM6dE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_THEHORROR2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XehJal23f5Y/UX6x5d_p2XI/AAAAAAAAEC8/ldHQ0Rbw688/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_THEHORROR_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>As she falls to what could possibly be her death, Lara’s face is contorted into an expression of mild interest.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-43DnW6bir7c/UX6x7FEIZcI/AAAAAAAAEDE/AtTBxJFf68s/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_MPs2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x3hkSzDDfoM/UX6x8xj_BCI/AAAAAAAAEDM/tmDxJMzOiSQ/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_MPs_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara is knocked out upon landing and is quickly found by two Military Police officers.  One wonders aloud if she’s an eco-terrorist; his companion sneers at the idea.  “And they wear hot pants, huh?”</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5_TOBoI18Po/UX6x-gNBPDI/AAAAAAAAEDU/abIqcdm7thw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_PickUp2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Th1FlwcSQY/UX6yAKzJ6sI/AAAAAAAAEDc/j0LkaIkrYgE/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_PickUp_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Those are not, in any way, shape or form, hot pants.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M0EdiODyuZM/UX6yBwyx8NI/AAAAAAAAEDk/JaIz_k5EraE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Carry2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kw2rIb6BGWY/UX6yDP2OkxI/AAAAAAAAEDs/YLomYziHJeE/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_Carry_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>The guards hoist the unconscious Lara up between their shoulders and carry her off down the river.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qYhrAHHD1CY/UX6yEWQYJdI/AAAAAAAAED0/eryicO8VENE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_End1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DHL5p3OwlAg/UX6yGA5D94I/AAAAAAAAED8/WKYS1kPIRQ4/TR3_Lvl5_NevedaDesert_End_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>The level ends as Lara is borne away to an unknown location (spoiler: prison).</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-74847954969845858702013-03-15T18:01:00.001+00:002013-03-15T18:05:59.174+00:00Caves of Kaliya<p><em>Having chased the maniacal scientist-for-hire Tony a good way along the Ganges river, Lara finally comes across his getaway raft, broken and useless at the foot of a waterfall.  Behind the waterfall lies the entrance to a network of caves, Tony’s only plausible escape route.  The elusive Infada stone within her sights, Lara continues after him…</em></p> <p>The final level of India is another short one, although, as a boss level, this is understandable.  And believe me, after several minutes exploring the featureless maze that is the first half of this level, I’m not at <em>all</em> complaining.  Plus, we get a nice long FMV at the end – over four minutes! – to compensate.  In fact, this post is more FMV than it is actual level.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LU3dbpjltAU/UUNhBhPzl6I/AAAAAAAADzg/zTI0n0UUiE0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_Start2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-llV_iAfdzsQ/UUNhCp8n_PI/AAAAAAAADzk/Au26Hc9lp8U/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara begins at the entrance to the network of caves that Tony disappeared in to.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r6VLG2vkMOc/UUNhDpHpK_I/AAAAAAAADzw/kCggbevmIO4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_RunningAround2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-atzrrV_NT00/UUNhEgqSGcI/AAAAAAAADz4/Vdc79s0WDhc/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_RunningAround_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>I took many pictures of the caves, but it would be pointless uploading them all here, because they <em>all</em> look like this one, maybe with slightly variance in wall location and Lara’s positioning.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tbj6SJAOu70/UUNhF_FCI1I/AAAAAAAAD0A/2X3MfSshNbE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_SnakePit23.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m3-DwfeYweE/UUNhHk0QLpI/AAAAAAAAD0I/34vz_48A41g/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_SnakePit2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>After about ten minutes of running, crouching and occasionally picking up flares, Lara fell into a pit full of angry snakes, which, in my maze-addled mind, seemed like a good thing.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I7gvgt57TuI/UUNhI07n2wI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/uHJFWbyFQTE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_Slide3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ps1CtoMUloo/UUNhJg1onwI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/lgJ4m8_XFZ4/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_Slide_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="291" /></a></p> <p>Pushing forward, Lara came across a rocky tunnel with a steep slope, Tomb Raider’s version of a scene change.  I bid a tearful farewell to that medipack I forgot to pick up and let the slope carry us away…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sWu-mGInNTI/UUNhKgRK5zI/AAAAAAAAD0g/7VfKsUUCDmo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_TonyAppears3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tLo7MMZOjkM/UUNhLmPjtMI/AAAAAAAAD0o/N-1E1Gh_cDg/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_TonyAppears_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>…and deposit us bang in the middle of Tony’s hide-out, where the man himself is awaiting Lara with open arms, and giant fireballs on the end of those open arms.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6jTljF6sCGw/UUNhNcUzuiI/AAAAAAAAD0w/s0H65Rdc_-I/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_RubbishPower2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O76qu_BTr8U/UUNhOdkUCoI/AAAAAAAAD04/m9rOJ_lkwEQ/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_RubbishPower_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Tony’s so pleased to see Lara that he immediately demonstrates one of his Infada-given powers: extreme central heating.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-12uSAmxJukg/UUNhPcfFo1I/AAAAAAAAD1A/c53LYBSeW8M/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_TonyAgain8.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ha33Pz_agjk/UUNhQN-L3xI/AAAAAAAAD1I/SBbVy8XeT3A/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_TonyAgain_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="270" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-znOj-VDjxCQ/UUNhQvSUkcI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/JqtWLq_RwNg/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_TonyDisplay7.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Rj0zs5VCAA/UUNhRszuQBI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/eTBHAaKV4TQ/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_TonyDisplay_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="112" height="270" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oaOMjAweHg0/UUNhSeUIahI/AAAAAAAAD1g/Utns4G_qr70/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_Dance36.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dT-pbDZlGbw/UUNhTdnTUqI/AAAAAAAAD1o/eQIoFQeFVBY/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_Dance3_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="115" height="270" /></a></p> <p><font size="1">Complete with dance routine.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YzJ1L7PABeQ/UUNhUeHjyAI/AAAAAAAAD1w/J2_ElwOZ2ug/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_LOL4.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3iyD8__2Zw0/UUNhVDAFKNI/AAAAAAAAD14/hH-v2I4ZJXA/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_LOL_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>It all gets a little heated, however (and by drawing attention to that terrible pun I’m making it infinitely better), and fireballs and bullets are soon being exchanged.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4KW9s9ICtZw/UUNhXEjsklI/AAAAAAAAD2A/g-p2WAfc08E/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_Artefact2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7pl6Sw5-WKc/UUNhX0p8YNI/AAAAAAAAD2I/qD2vaOl7LCo/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_Artefact_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Finally, Lara is victorious, and Tony explodes (because becoming evil often means sacrificing the chance to leave a normal-looking corpse), leaving the Infada artefact for Lara to claim.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_xoXM1yOqpE/UUNhYwO3LZI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/6NosCfjYh98/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_End%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MCjwpmwm5Gg/UUNhZ6AV0XI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/vd5BaEDtpXI/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_End_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p>And that’s the end of the level, and of our Indian adventure.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DRkT_IISObw/UUNhbDgj2qI/AAAAAAAAD2g/MJAuTEuN09s/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_ExitJungle%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kF7g5f7F0hs/UUNhcGeKG3I/AAAAAAAAD2o/w17ulAsM1JE/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_ExitJungle_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>The Infada artefact finally secured, Lara begins her long trek back out of the jungle. <br /> <br /> <br /></em><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O3ZFttKx8VE/UUNhcwuIQqI/AAAAAAAAD2w/VxvsYWheX1Y/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Hmm%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uU4pAcAg4ME/UUNhd3kU0_I/AAAAAAAAD20/N1DUzsm5nYw/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Hmm_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="291" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qthdAZRu358/UUNheuoThAI/AAAAAAAAD28/lidsw3G6HI4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Boat%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v9_FxQzztd0/UUNhf-VoXhI/AAAAAAAAD3I/TX6ebxRvZJY/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Boat_thumb%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p><em>As she reaches the edge of the Ganges, however, Lara’s attention is caught by a distant shout.  A small boat appears and quickly pulls up beside her to allow the weary woman to board.</em></p> <p>I wish I could do that with my face, but alas, my eyebrows are not independent of one another.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N5A7STQ4KYo/UUNhgyaqCHI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/Qx5QEIR2gLg/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_AllAboard%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ppAEvYRbV0U/UUNhh8OlaiI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/1vIOGSmrPgc/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_AllAboard_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara decides to risk it and climbs aboard the small vessel.  She’s greeted by Dr Willard, the Scottish scientist last seen in Antarctica.  He’s impresses with Lara’s neutralisation of Tony, and offers her a job looking for another three artefacts similar to the one she’s just acquired.  <br /> <br /> <br /></em><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dztzJn_ivmY/UUNhiyTN-zI/AAAAAAAAD3g/HEIEV3uI8Tc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_HandlingArtefact.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--LodIORjLGE/UUNhjgjnYmI/AAAAAAAAD3o/I-fXL6vHs0k/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_HandlingArtefact_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="291" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fTUrC-2dMBA/UUNhkuZ5oEI/AAAAAAAAD3s/kHBW-wFZY9A/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Science%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vNQYI7Wag68/UUNhlZ-H7PI/AAAAAAAAD34/mJcFiXqNcuI/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Science_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara is untrusting of Willard, questioning his motives and his knowledge of the relics.  He demonstrates his interest, using a small scanner to show the artefact is made of a unique type of meteorite.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PBkGM4okCEs/UUNhmlYn3nI/AAAAAAAAD4A/0xadbVUDdg4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Reading%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-STGlvtdjWM4/UUNhnkO-RRI/AAAAAAAAD4I/rJvnX8LOJ3M/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Reading_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="287" /></a></p> <p><em>Willard then presents Lara with the diary of Stephen Barr, a sailor from the 19th centaury who originally discovered the artefacts in Antarctica.  Lara reads on… </em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UTht9iclMCA/UUNhooFqXmI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/e6NsB4WytVo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Sailor%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8ppitunVvFs/UUNhpnriIBI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/LQbZtjKvBno/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Sailor_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Stephen Barr, sailor on HMS Beagle, has grown weary of his time at sea, following “them blasphemous ideas of the guv’ner, [Charles]Darwin”.</em></p> <p>Here we see Stephen displaying one of the two facial expressions he possesses, close-mouthed bewilderment.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yc8VbnDkAAM/UUNhqnY6VfI/AAAAAAAAD4g/MIWWxrN96dE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_DistantMountains.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VjRe5yME1Cc/UUNhrZt2n9I/AAAAAAAAD4o/Q_aurOubSII/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_DistantMountains_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p><em>Craving adventure and “blood-rich” meat, Stephen collects some like-minded individuals together and, commandeering a lifeboat, they set sail for nearby Antarctica. <br /> <br /> <br /></em><em></em></p> <em></em> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rRudAaZzCdM/UUNhsaFNoXI/AAAAAAAAD4w/8lT0e8jktyM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Footprints2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oEefqdhQy4M/UUNhtLHJHXI/AAAAAAAAD44/CFSQvaufmQE/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Footprints2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5vikb4yUOWQ/UUNhuIZFiYI/AAAAAAAAD5A/LtM7kTsDLdA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Footprints1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6sSzZi1mVCw/UUNhvMyHBRI/AAAAAAAAD5I/cBBhD1xxzIg/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Footprints1_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="291" /></a></p> <p><em>Animal tracks lead them to a nearby cave, and the men venture in, hoping to kill and eat whatever left the prints…</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u7HW7RGp_pY/UUNhwH94lHI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/zm2Sgidw7TQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Gecko%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3LFXCDLhrEs/UUNhw3F2zJI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/C3uIvUKBwio/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_Gecko_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>Their search for food proves fruitless, but the men aren’t too disappointed, instead finding some expensive-looking carved stones. <br /> <br /> <br /></em><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EBCnx7OIT50/UUNhx2OyG_I/AAAAAAAAD5g/twnZ3Ejf73g/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_OhBother%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FJ-gSvorr_k/UUNhypnfaBI/AAAAAAAAD5k/Z5S5mtWVWM8/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_OhBother_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bHNFac7vHEI/UUNhzpcc-JI/AAAAAAAAD5w/VBoSqxEf_Wo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_SailorAgain%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tGz7N7xryEY/UUNh0sf5FfI/AAAAAAAAD50/FSDFmRxEYHk/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_SailorAgain_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p><em>Their celebration is quickly cut short, however, as a large wolf-type creature appears and tries to eat one of the party (Paul).</em>  And Stephen treats us to a display of his other facial expression, open-mouthed bewilderment (with subtle undertones of nausea).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-016hOh8ITyg/UUNh1QJyjMI/AAAAAAAAD58/A7MCr-C3_QM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_CaveEscape%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bl0kH-mKIy0/UUNh2Itu4-I/AAAAAAAAD6I/nBgJEjOwCSU/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_CaveEscape_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p><em>The others make a run for the exit, and Stephen does his best to follow them while supporting the wounded Paul.  But the ice-bridge they cross over collapses under their weight, sending the two men sliding down deeper into the cave… <br /> <br /> <br /></em><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--B8vbOZE9xs/UUNh3BATlMI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/2gwqCVfb7pc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_PaulIsDead%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WTEWR0fqpRM/UUNh4Hb66yI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/HQC-PRwMzkI/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_PaulIsDead_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lqUyEnPc5Qk/UUNh5qC4LdI/AAAAAAAAD6g/CPhBGqd7E_U/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_PaulGrave%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QmVNEMpqsTs/UUNh6n3rA8I/AAAAAAAAD6s/IOcYprqX1DA/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_PaulGrave_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="292" /></a></p> <p><em>They finally burst out of the cave and back into the sunlight, but Paul loses his life in the progress.  The remaining men bury him, each of them swearing never to tell of the true reason for his passing. <br /> <br /> <br /></em><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5jPziYs0WVo/UUNh7i5hW1I/AAAAAAAAD60/CrAsyItTBxM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_BookOpen%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5fjlrVsc018/UUNh8V4okZI/AAAAAAAAD64/nzT7FZAUP6A/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_BookOpen_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QC6xrc6vFaA/UUNh9a7t3sI/AAAAAAAAD7E/lOLJOVClczw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_BookShut%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sX20-oUhbV4/UUNh-Y4h8-I/AAAAAAAAD7M/o9RmRufk8IQ/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_BookShut_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="297" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6VD9aKLU1mM/UUNh_m44DnI/AAAAAAAAD7U/1S3-k89SI20/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_LaraAgrees%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ph3XilhMCt8/UUNiAfyOLgI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/10-VdK1SU2c/TR3_Lvl4_CavesKaliya_FMV_LaraAgrees_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="288" /></a></p> <p><em>Her appetite suitably whetted by this tale of horrible death and sliding on things, Lara passes the book back to Willard, who tells her the places she would need to visit; Nevada, the South Pacific and London.  Lara smiles. “Sounds good to me.”</em></p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-21497807630176749592013-03-03T16:01:00.001+00:002013-03-03T16:03:06.441+00:00The River Ganges<p><em>The imagine of the levitating, mutilated corpses of fellow explorers Randy and Rory still fresh in her mind, Lara Croft leaves the thoroughly-explored temple ruins, still without the Infada artefact that she’s searching for.  Running into mad camper Tony, last seen running into the woods and cackling, Lara sees that’s he’s had a bit more luck than her; imbedded into his chest is the Infada stone.  A battle between the pair ensues, which, thanks to Tony’s new supernatural powers, ends with Lara almost being crushed by a pillar and watching helplessly as Tony rides his raft down the river and out of sight.  Picking herself up, she makes to go after him on foot before spotting a better option: a quad bike.</em></p> <p>Ah, The River Ganges.  Surging rivers, roaring waterfalls, luscious greenery and exotic creatures; all this and more can be briefly glimpsed at as you hurtle past on a four-wheeler.  I’m warning you now, this level is short.  It took me longer to write that little synopsis up there than it did to complete it, and I’m not exactly a speed-runner.  I kind of wish I’d gone after the secrets just for something to do.</p> <p>So, onto the review.  Don’t scroll down to fast because you may miss it:</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-23hflVSgpGk/UTNzUcANDRI/AAAAAAAADuo/GXy7ubtTChU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Start2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rRX6YGMP0Sk/UTNzVPnpTCI/AAAAAAAADuw/etqI04jrz10/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>A much nicer opening than the previous level; not a snake in sight and the awesome-looking quad bike parked plainly in view.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dHTbNXLE-L0/UTNzWDC6VlI/AAAAAAAADu4/qiOPflEqn8k/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_QuadBike1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ADCxw5mTBmA/UTNzXXLRLxI/AAAAAAAADvA/xrSFyO0QOLo/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_QuadBike_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Cons: No mounted gun.  Pros: Doesn’t look like <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/06/cold-war.html#snowmobile" target="_blank">this</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OFDqxPcZEyM/UTNzY74wRUI/AAAAAAAADvI/7ip67LUgvrU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Jump1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BF3u8lCyH_0/UTNzZ3385ZI/AAAAAAAADvQ/S5b4YvJJ4kg/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Jump_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!……</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1wVBBxP3s2A/UTNzbO7QlSI/AAAAAAAADvY/Zq4SE69HoOk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Submerge1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XSV3QUTb_x0/UTNzcAYi9PI/AAAAAAAADvg/UyL3vRNVLoM/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Submerge_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="289" /></a></p> <p>……eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…oh crap…REVERSE REVERSE REVERSE RE-</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dnWnKcJRSxU/UTNzdIf__eI/AAAAAAAADvo/BNpmLNlX84s/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_BirdRider1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M4c8tBJwqSw/UTNzeDVL-HI/AAAAAAAADvs/OVODcePiS7M/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_BirdRider_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Never mind, Lara can always hijack an eagle and take on that Infada-thieving madman from above.  Not that the eagle looks too happy about its sudden promotion.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rqkza0NlX_A/UTNzex8QT2I/AAAAAAAADv0/gB5fvw23Uck/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_BirdRider7.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fMRrgpl6KWM/UTNzfowxGrI/AAAAAAAADwA/1o7oFpq7gRg/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_BirdRider_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="286" /></a></p> <p><em>“At least she’s not <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/03/temple-of-xian.html#kick" target="_blank">kicking me in the face</a>…”</em></p> <p> </p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0wMtCfGMa6g/UTNzhkNxp9I/AAAAAAAADwI/OMDCdNyH32k/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_WaterFall2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sQNBpeHmuaw/UTNzi_QOG6I/AAAAAAAADwQ/s1cmX9CtKZU/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_WaterFall_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>The quad bike/annoyed bird path eventually ends when the river gives way to a small waterfall.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-11Ue7tc49AM/UTNzkAwINvI/AAAAAAAADwY/yacAsA7PqjY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_TonyRaft2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dwWBdgz3wkk/UTNzlDLuo5I/AAAAAAAADwg/pTk1yaGuFuI/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_TonyRaft_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Tony’s raft lies broken at the bottom of the falls, but the man himself has disappeared, along with Lara’s artefact.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8Dw25GPOn-Q/UTNzmRODgXI/AAAAAAAADwo/mBsJ3ZJHC58/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_LetsFindTony2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f3y5d6nmu3w/UTNznWGWgdI/AAAAAAAADww/YS2sFn3yOOU/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_LetsFindTony_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>There’s only one way he could have gone.  Lara heads after him…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LTKREHPhJus/UTNzoqrqYNI/AAAAAAAADw4/mSHqgPVwYJ0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Premature21.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VaTQgqX9NzA/UTNzpaIioSI/AAAAAAAADxA/oEWja8oYFEY/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Premature_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>…WHAT?!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zuSlccx11ew/UTNzqc51zbI/AAAAAAAADxE/-BL7GCjeAgY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Premature5.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kxIVRmvAK28/UTNzrLdsrLI/AAAAAAAADxQ/zLqeRV_O3lY/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Premature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="284" /></a></p> <p>Twenty minutes <em>and</em> a secret?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yVfFeel184Y/UTNzsqjFF1I/AAAAAAAADxY/3RKtK2iSPNg/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_StartAgain2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j8J2SRtM5Zs/UTNztwSlZqI/AAAAAAAADxg/gPXkpWTFXHo/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_StartAgain_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>I thought I’d somehow managed to skip a huge chunk of the level, so I looked it up, and no, it turns out there are two ways to get to the end, and I’d inadvertently picked the (marginally) easier route.  So I started again, opting to go right instead of left this time:</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xQokeFqS3yk/UTNzvbuT_xI/AAAAAAAADxo/cMeXcqslqKk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Gates2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4c81xCP-iJQ/UTNzwGBuuQI/AAAAAAAADxw/TxV_qdsUiA8/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Gates_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara is soon confronted by a locked door, forcing her to get off her bike and actually do some work.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hEorK5r9wxs/UTNzxL0aWKI/AAAAAAAADx4/SX1J0HTPagw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Peekaboo1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ORYuFovv4YQ/UTNzxwmd72I/AAAAAAAADyA/__QXGzE8_Oc/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Peekaboo_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="294" /></a></p> <p>There’s a lot of monkeys this side of the level, but most of them go to their best efforts to avoid a fight, from hiding behind bushes to out-and-out surrendering…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_WRhqd6qTRo/UTNzy6c3gOI/AAAAAAAADyI/0SBVqcJAjYg/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Rollover2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TTJnCkz95IE/UTNzzl5SOtI/AAAAAAAADyQ/rV0jvR_Hf4Q/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Rollover_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Not that it does them any good.  This is Lara Croft we’re talking about.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0uO2_mrKmNM/UTNz0gJh2gI/AAAAAAAADyY/zvbxRQTo73o/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Key1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jPNLXfv6xTI/UTNz1YPh-HI/AAAAAAAADyg/6vrNoeWRTFY/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Key_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Lara finds the two keys needed to unlock the gate fairly easily, and is able to continue on her journey.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i4bgSBwfhvs/UTNz2vxxfqI/AAAAAAAADyo/n7KXGZRJGbs/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_WaterfallAgain1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZbSbDvjjHzc/UTNz3tUKpjI/AAAAAAAADys/T6yXCnMDAZw/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_WaterfallAgain_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="287" /></a></p> <p>It’s not long before we’re back at the broken raft waterfall…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9XAdVDK3oW4/UTNz4tm9PAI/AAAAAAAADy4/8vv6fggdVBM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_End2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lX8RdbH91t8/UTNz5gGelTI/AAAAAAAADzA/FZxrdZt9DtI/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>And we’re done (again)!  This time, in a more respectable thirty minutes (albeit with no secrets, but I think we can all accept that I’m not a secret-getting person).</p> <p> </p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wXlq3jS04Aw/UTNz6XW9GOI/AAAAAAAADzI/CU3DP0aYKIU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Sleep1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o9Gt52JLUAI/UTNz7YISvSI/AAAAAAAADzQ/MOJan8yCS2M/TR3_Lvl3_RiverGanges_Sleep_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a> <p>Wake up, Lara!  One more level and we’re out of this place…</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-50428305264379801052013-01-20T16:57:00.001+00:002014-02-28T14:01:43.543+00:00Temple Ruins<p><em>Lara Croft’s quest to find the Infada artefact finds her deep in the jungles of India, fighting fearsome tigers and thieving monkeys as she attempts to explore the ruins of an ancient temple.  She eventually comes across a small campsite, deserted except for a troubled man, Tony, who has clearly developed some kind of jungle-induced madness.  He says the the Infada artefact contains special powers, but speculates that Lara probably won’t survive long enough to find it.  Lara seems unconcerned, and, after watching a cackling Tony run off into the jungle, turns on her heel and heads in the opposite direction.</em></p> <p>And so we continue our exploration of the temple ruins in the aptly-named Temple Ruins.  In terms of danger, this level is the angry big brother of the previous level; while Jungle seemed mostly apathetic to your existence (save for the odd uppity tiger), Temple Ruins does all it can to force you to either leave the jungle or die trying.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MbH_QnX1HVw/UPwg590v_bI/AAAAAAAADfk/kDWiNgwR-UU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Start6.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j373R9NHMVk/UPwg68mvGHI/AAAAAAAADfs/1Anho1Q5VEs/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Start_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>We start off in a claustrophobic little space, surrounded on all sides by trees, long grass and mossy walls.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rtKggFGw6lg/UPwg8D4PZiI/AAAAAAAADf0/7dbhgTtuBFw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Snake4.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r3elIszRPTo/UPwg9DKeJ9I/AAAAAAAADf8/6WP780-uHYM/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Snake_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="291" /></a></p> <p>As soon as Lara puts a foot forward to escape this oppressive nightmare, a new threat springs up: the cobra, at least three times Lara’s height in length, coiled and ready to bite her if she comes too close.  Cobras tend to remain hidden until Lara has all but stepped on them, and usually manage to poison her before she’s had time to draw her pistols.  Getting poisoned is a pain more than anything, as it slowly depletes the health bar until Lara wastes a medipack to give herself the antidote.  All of this means the cobra is an early contender for Most Irritating Enemy of Tomb Raider III.  At least it can’t fly.</p> <p> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:15795c92-0a89-4b30-b00a-5ed7f5f1b170" class="wlWriterSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"> <div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="336" width="448" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/04Kegw_839o?hl=en&hd=1" /></div> </div> <p>The best part about cobras is the overdramatic, attention-seeking way in which they die, as seen in the above clip.  Each Tomb Raider game has to have one enemy that practically performs a dance routine before succumbing to death.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o9EEn5y02As/UPwg-6TuRQI/AAAAAAAADgE/VSJqtxqd4wI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Drums6.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BdqpzAGT_rA/UPwhAKADbMI/AAAAAAAADgM/kepkDDEoay0/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Drums_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Never mind, at least the monkeys are friendly-oh, no, they hate Lara now as well, probably because she keeps picking up all the medipacks before they have a chance to carry them away to do God-knows-what with.  Here they are, teaming up just so they can drum on Lara’s head like she's some kind of bongo.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HgIdVUd-aM0/UPwhBZ1bvCI/AAAAAAAADgU/9qXxWNoxI6A/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_GoAway20.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fv3lzEKkkDI/UPwhC-CCC2I/AAAAAAAADgc/CfrhloELEcc/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_GoAway_thumb35.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="291" /></a></p> <p>Every other picture I take of aggressive monkeys makes them look like small, sugar-craving children that have mistaken Lara for their mother and are on the cusp of a temper tantrum.  You can almost hear their grating whine.  “Muuuuuummmm….”</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AA2a18Wi-ho/UPwhEoDgbZI/AAAAAAAADgk/3BRzALkY_Fg/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_MudSlide3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9c5ZCe8zfyw/UPwhF3Kll9I/AAAAAAAADgs/34FNDtZqOpo/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_MudSlide_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Finally, some room to breathe!  And, as mad Tony mentioned, a half-ton of mudslide, under which may be Randy and Rory, would-be explorers.  Lara, having neither the time nor the inclination to rescue the luckless duo, continues on.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E46HfmkKSI8/UPwhHDMdH8I/AAAAAAAADg0/CFtwxR-mST0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_StoneShiva1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-06OWMtfxTRM/UPwhI7PNTUI/AAAAAAAADg8/iBqOMuxUZ5s/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_StoneShiva_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Lara makes her way inside the temple, which contains a number of sword-wielding Shiva statues.  Like all good statues in a Tomb Raider game, there’s always a 75% chance the Shivas will burst into life at the earliest opportunity.</p> <p> </p> <a name="shiva"></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-emF1q7juNmo/UPwhKRYeZrI/AAAAAAAADhE/wxkzkrGqLmM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_AliveShiva21.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G-2_qVbwZn8/UPwhLAeN2XI/AAAAAAAADhM/SK8ZBkMstj4/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_AliveShiva2_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>See what I mean?  The Shiva have to be one of the creepiest enemies I have ever seen in this series, thanks to its completely blank face with glowing red eyes, and the way it tends to just stand there and <em>stare</em> at you.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6upJqO2nIXs/UPwhMiIbiCI/AAAAAAAADhU/Hs5cGnJHLhM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_ShivaDeath15.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fVKPVy3XT6s/UPwhNpq1MNI/AAAAAAAADhc/_Ho2UksxB6E/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_ShivaDeath1_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ibGjoA0YTdw/UPwhO7voZgI/AAAAAAAADhk/bY5A1lkqmAU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_ShivaDeath25.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JYPZXgewhM8/UPwhP0DkrbI/AAAAAAAADhs/lMPM_hQUj3o/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_ShivaDeath2_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1FyrsRW775Y/UPwhQw873DI/AAAAAAAADh0/gYB5f-3PCq4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_ShivaDeath31.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GEumydWOVdI/UPwhSKUMc3I/AAAAAAAADh8/ielEL-kMcwY/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_ShivaDeath3_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HYpnF05854U/UPwhTxG_sLI/AAAAAAAADiE/ghugmiu75ws/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_ShivaDeath42.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XUKsNxY9XZg/UPwhUs1TyoI/AAAAAAAADiI/GZmvPZyzH_c/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_ShivaDeath4_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="289" /></a></p> <p>Get on the wrong side of the living statue and it will spear you on a couple of its scimitars and slice you up, then pause to admire its handiwork before casting you aside.</p> <p>Not everything in this level is as deadly as what Lara has encountered so far, although it’s not through lack of trying.  Behold, the entirely inefficient boulder!:</p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b7144adc-723d-43e8-974a-264fd8d3f79e" class="wlWriterSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"> <div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="336" width="448" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Iscsek-ZWn0?hl=en&hd=1" /></div> <div style="font-size: 0.8em; width: 448px; clear: both">Incidentally, can you tell I’ve just discovered the video function on Fraps?</div> </div> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oJMKvXdv-3E/UPwhWJmjUhI/AAAAAAAADiU/uLwzYANiEVw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_SpikeWalls5.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UHwalvP-2F0/UPwhW51HolI/AAAAAAAADiY/3goxIHPr3WE/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_SpikeWalls_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="288" /></a></p> <p>Having failed to so much as graze her elbow with the world’s most pathetic boulder, the level then overcompensates by throwing an abundance of spiked walls at poor Lara.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-50-Xa5SEqUg/UPwhYaGWqbI/AAAAAAAADik/K_NKTrPQot4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_LaravsWall3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gRob4MB4qig/UPwhZYJWWKI/AAAAAAAADis/u__AKa4ITYg/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_LaravsWall_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Give it up, level.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HHWwd6Yf2JE/UPwhahLrWMI/AAAAAAAADi0/Gwrt06TouaM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Armed3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FuqWu7lt7-c/UPwhbTh5zKI/AAAAAAAADi8/AgVY5VF7fyM/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Armed_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>With a few more Shiva kills under her death, Lara gets cocky and starts <em>arming</em> this statue with the swords of its fallen comrades.  She was really fussy about what order to place them in, too – the first sword <em>had</em> to go in the left hand, otherwise she would just refuse to do anything.  Diva.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-haSaaJoS3_Y/UPwhcq_mt9I/AAAAAAAADjE/jSgAn9Q5smE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Randy1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vuohiPyqnOo/UPwhdt7woXI/AAAAAAAADjM/YsLQNMaXLgs/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Randy_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="287" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wVTPVmU-Gi0/UPwhe-HjKjI/AAAAAAAADjU/TRe7EvZ_RGc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Rory1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MAfD2UixKUM/UPwhfhCDDNI/AAAAAAAADjY/Ng6JANKAlCM/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Rory_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Near the end of the level, Lara comes across the bodies of two men, who I’m assuming to be Randy and Rory.  Both have been violently split open and are now levitating in mid-air, suggesting some sort of black magic may be afoot.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UbKuuRmeKYM/UPwhgpWrsbI/AAAAAAAADjk/xnOOi_kk0hY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Slide5.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rbLL_rxGRYQ/UPwhhVFtU2I/AAAAAAAADjo/mX7gwHIm1f8/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Slide_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Not long after discovering the (non mud-slide buried) remains of R&R, we complete the level and are launched into – yes – <em>another</em> cutscene.  As someone who loves cutscenes, all I can say is, :D</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tdhyWpF9yEU/UPwhird9VUI/AAAAAAAADj0/o9EOwG9GcLY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Tony1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OMgSZfb3anE/UPwhj7hN5hI/AAAAAAAADj8/J0lknbzFKLA/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Tony_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="293" /></a></p> <p><em>As Lara emerges from the temple, she sees Tony pass by on self-propelling raft.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8AnMSm2W-bI/UPwhk21R3yI/AAAAAAAADkE/uIL9syOQfZE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Shoot3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qf9pnCZMk1Q/UPwhl6bHR6I/AAAAAAAADkI/U8ZugAmF25Y/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Shoot_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>“It’s moving!  I must shoot it!”</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RIT8e4_-rfQ/UPwhnJNZ9HI/AAAAAAAADkU/X5infmphXEc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_TonyWa%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_SKyVIjxnO4/UPwhoLvoaaI/AAAAAAAADkc/xnP-RBquxj4/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_TonyWa%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="289" /></a></p> <p><em>Tony, who now has a massive hunk of green meteorite protruding from his chest </em>(the Infada artefact, don’t you know)<em>, laughs as Lara fails to harm his bullet-proof body.  He then waves his arms about, causing the earth to tremor.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YzK76PXaif0/UPwhowLckAI/AAAAAAAADkk/p3GoTGM42Mw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_LaraDa.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BWwBT4BXVkY/UPwhpknomNI/AAAAAAAADks/FHcVTZuvWlY/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_LaraDa%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UQnSZtUnx-o/UPwhq9w1RDI/AAAAAAAADk0/-8HStuZwAR8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Drunk1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AC6ztFQv-5E/UPwhrn4un1I/AAAAAAAADk8/eHIBbceTutI/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Drunk_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="291" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gka9-FhfLYg/UPwhtbyg_0I/AAAAAAAADlE/7lICO9F8ydg/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Yeah3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uebI-G-Kr64/UPwhuabdJ1I/AAAAAAAADlM/sJ23-Th9_yE/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Yeah_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Either that or <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/09/furnace-of-gods.html#drunk" target="_blank">Lara’s drunk again</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p-qV4NE-5F8/UPwhwFMvu5I/AAAAAAAADlU/KhqsU9-j3co/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_WakeUp%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-91gqcHcoNts/UPwhxTpy7kI/AAAAAAAADlc/fF7y_mNr05o/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_WakeUp%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a></p> <p><em>The ruins collapse around Lara, sending her crashing to the jungle floor, where she almost gets knocked out avoiding chunks of falling pillar. <br /></em></p> <p> </p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MgsFHAkC15c/UPwhyg3k8hI/AAAAAAAADlk/AH1BZ8ImVg4/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Sneak3.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-msK_Pth_XOg/UPwhzrB7B5I/AAAAAAAADlo/8jJhZv3nNqs/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Sneak_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="290" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iFDeHWwJGfE/UPwh0sczclI/AAAAAAAADlw/j9zX_0tDMSo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_ByeTon.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Nxzt_9JhwQ/UPwh1VmAEbI/AAAAAAAADl8/CY6l57ba5VI/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_ByeTon%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="292" /></a></p> <p><em>Lara survives the earthquake, but doesn’t get a chance to retaliate before Tony has disappeared down the river. <br /> <br /></em><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CE6M6FT-g6I/UPwh2VRre8I/AAAAAAAADmE/TNEhwrvTQ8A/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Quad1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-62lfQV-flHY/UPwh3Wly2KI/AAAAAAAADmM/oDsYa4XbjFU/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_Quad_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="289" /></a></p> <p><em>She almost runs after him, before a speedier method of transport catches her eye.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nKh1LcLm3oc/UPwh4BBAf9I/AAAAAAAADmU/8xqn00SaMMo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_End2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S2bG_aN3IBU/UPwh5sRy2hI/AAAAAAAADmc/9waJYxDe1x0/TR3_Lvl2_TempleRuins_Cutscene_End_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="291" /></a></p> <p><em>Fin</em>.  Damn that took me a long time.</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-16958787706471660472012-11-23T14:58:00.001+00:002013-10-06T18:32:19.586+01:00Jungle<p> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0G1uTWN8zt4/UK-LoaYr2ZI/AAAAAAAAC78/FVvCc_smsfg/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_MainScreen2.jpg"><img title="TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_MainScreen" style="display: inline" alt="TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_MainScreen" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7ToGanyAjpc/UK-LpnH3YoI/AAAAAAAAC8A/bSJc0wdL6PU/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_MainScreen_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />It’s time for Tomb Raider III, and you know you’re in for an fun ride when <i>this</i> is the main game screen.  Lara Croft nonchalantly waving a pistol about, things burning in the background, a meteor plummeting to earth while the planet Mars (?) looks on; it makes the first two Tomb Raiders look like Sunday tea with Winston.</p> <p> <br />Of course, the screen makes more sense in context, which is why we get to watch this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhklhcQnSiQ" target="_blank">scene-setting FMV</a> before arriving at the main menu: <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Dc9Q4NBj2BQ/UK-Lq8K6_ZI/AAAAAAAAC8M/hbnGeZfZkoA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Meteor2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D1mMXa60sRU/UK-LsDpO2CI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/vqLJfo8Vizc/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Meteor_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="142" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1etYllGOAa0/UK-LySjIOkI/AAAAAAAAC8c/aQiBb-T77a8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_FireyTrail1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ja793w9xcys/UK-L-4AYL2I/AAAAAAAAC8k/BcoRjZjOLmU/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_FireyTrail_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="142" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EyESNXZLlao/UK-MA9rcxeI/AAAAAAAAC8s/wj3dYC_UTag/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_IndifferentCro%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sym-qPAT_-A/UK-MGyW2HAI/AAAAAAAAC80/NJcU677_maw/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_IndifferentCro.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="141" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SnGgTZNqwbA/UK-MIonskpI/AAAAAAAAC88/DFGOz85OHPw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Hell1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ylnes075saY/UK-MOiGCGhI/AAAAAAAAC9E/enhJ1U8Y_Fw/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Hell_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="141" /></a> <br />Somewhere in space, a meteor / potato is seen spinning purposefully along its course towards Earth, burning up in the atmosphere as it draws near.  Finally, it hits; prehistoric wildlife scatters and indifferent crocodiles watch on as the immediate area is engulfed in a storm of fire.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f5CMWY52Lhk/UK-MQQfc5aI/AAAAAAAAC9M/PEs3vMsNolI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Antartica.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-byG4YKEfUCk/UK-MRRgLm-I/AAAAAAAAC9U/Cm_uGLJ8PKE/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Antartica_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="280" /></a> <br />The scenes of devastation slowly fade and we see the location as it looks today.  It was Antarctica all along!  Looks like its cooled down a bit, then (ha! ha!).</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F_tOEn9NKqw/UK-MTG2HXZI/AAAAAAAAC9c/zW7rORWEG4o/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Aeroplane.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6PulvIMpc5o/UK-MZgJeT-I/AAAAAAAAC9k/6PFhBQDVII0/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Aeroplane_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="279" /></a> <br />The viewer is introduced to Willard, seen here pretending to be an aeroplane (<a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/09/sanctuary-of-scion.html#aeroplane" target="_blank">it’s been done</a>, Willard).  Willard is the reluctant leader of a team of apparent imbeciles pitched up somewhere in the middle of this snowy desert.  He spends approximately 95% of his screen time whining and/or looking irritated.  He’s like a Scottish Alister Fletcher.</p> <p> <a name="fact"></a> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_8csZCsI4AA/UK-MbHCfkPI/AAAAAAAAC9s/-SEMB7klOs8/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Explosion2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-817_Upf0NaY/UK-MccKjClI/AAAAAAAAC90/lLOI0x4BoCw/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Explosion_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="280" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9yOI_nuNcxo/UK-Mn3_OhZI/AAAAAAAAC98/oEd3cJbsM5o/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_ThreeStonehead%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c9Su4vHSR7M/UK-Mt-mXNLI/AAAAAAAAC-E/U3dkwztWiOc/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_ThreeStonehead%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="78" /></a> <br />Willard is dragged off to go and look at some big stone heads, similar in appearance to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moai" target="_blank">Moai of Easter Island</a> (and that’s my obligatory fact learnt from <i>this</i> Tomb Raider game).  One of the bumbling fools nearly blows them up; luckily, he fails.  Where did Willard get his staff from?  Do Larson and Pierre run a recruitment agency now?</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZiAdBOBRZS0/UK-Mv3FbfFI/AAAAAAAAC-M/zVL2vGPrZ-k/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Cross.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ig_L2Nz306A/UK-MwtriQRI/AAAAAAAAC-U/7rvsu9LUCMI/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Video_Cross_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="279" /></a> <br />While failing to destroy the stone heads, the explosion <i>does</i> unearth this crude grave marker for some poor sod called Paul Caulfield.  The discovery seems to cheer Willard up, anyway. <br />The FMV ends and we’re dropped into the afore mentioned main screen.  To quote Lara (again), now it’s time for our third adventure…</p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q6YpbLQUEPY/UK-M0XjgwAI/AAAAAAAAC-c/S5Hb91QvZ1I/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_SplashScreen8.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xAhV_UwXnvE/UK-M1g1S3II/AAAAAAAAC-k/cT0x9JhuYm8/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_SplashScreen_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />First stop is the Indian Jungle, introduced here in this pleasant loading screen featuring some of the things you can hope to encounter (quagmires, temples, excessively noble-looking monkeys…).  I’m glad they finally started including these screens in the PC version as well as the console one, it’s much more interesting than looking at a blank screen.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NzELlNgR58k/UK-M4YJ-gLI/AAAAAAAAC-s/VighxYcc6i0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Start8.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v5Q4PlaowU4/UK-M5hlyllI/AAAAAAAAC-0/O7vLE52hkDU/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Start_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />Our customary start of the level screen.  It’s not the best camera angle to start off at…</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RG3Yp021Eic/UK-M8rtYQ8I/AAAAAAAAC-8/9lHnODNIXIY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_FirstLook8.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NeuhuqjjB0A/UK-M-I4r_rI/AAAAAAAAC_E/Eg0BnhgDxz8/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_FirstLook_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />Ah, much better.  Lara enjoys an elevated view of the sprawling jungle beyond her.  Nowhere to go but forward and down. <br /></p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m1bGpga7Qog/UK-M_57OX8I/AAAAAAAAC_M/c6zTvqU1pdM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_FriendlyMonkey.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TQB6GKH897w/UK-NBC2nONI/AAAAAAAAC_U/o8D5HFeKyII/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_FriendlyMonkey_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="281" /></a> <br />She <i>can</i> just slide down the slope to the bottom (taking care to jump over the odd spike pit), or she can do a little exploration on the way.  This monkey sits atop a fallen tree that’s wedged between the walls of the narrow canyon.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-USRjsaRrF9Y/UK-NIHLlCFI/AAAAAAAAC_c/F8Zwgm060IQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Pester.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P0yMxH36i0k/UK-NJVLKrzI/AAAAAAAAC_k/8CBuKE4LPx4/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Pester_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="279" /></a> <br />Monkeys don’t attack Lara if she leaves them alone, but one bullet in their direction and they’re on her like a…well, this one looks like a small child pestering its mother for sweets, but you get the idea.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JLh5PkXeHt4/UK-NKKakiaI/AAAAAAAAC_o/r9CJ5dpq8RE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Thief.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1k653oISk_s/UK-NQb54MEI/AAAAAAAAC_0/UI27e6Ylgs8/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Thief_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="281" /></a> <br />At the bottom of the slope, we find this monkey scampering around.  As soon as it sees Lara it grabs a nearby medipack and runs off with it.  I know you’re not supposed to shoot the monkeys, but they sure are pushing their luck…</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TouyE9JXxvQ/UK-NStwwc_I/AAAAAAAAC_8/ZWFMdGBAN24/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Notahorse.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_NXdL1DY5tI/UK-NY_oxa5I/AAAAAAAADAE/QnoSFkBy0p8/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Notahorse_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="280" /></a> <br />Okay, Lara: a) you’re the wrong way round, and b) that’s not a horse.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Et5nN-rWJK8/UK-NbY_-lsI/AAAAAAAADAM/vmkhMkLn944/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_StoneStairs8.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J3B4oHyLzd0/UK-NcmEbKpI/AAAAAAAADAU/8s8iLluwa3U/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_StoneStairs_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />See those stone stairs in the distance?  That’s the end of the level.  So why not just stroll over there…</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-95SK43AeUww/UK-Ne2A9HXI/AAAAAAAADAc/dYxTHnQLSKk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Sinking.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dVgT9RuUYeQ/UK-NlBWeC1I/AAAAAAAADAk/Rf0pFhdwJqI/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Sinking_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="278" /></a> <br />No, the jungle has other ideas, i.e. almost instant death in this treacherous bog disguised as solid ground.  I can empathise with Lara, having once stepped in a puddle disguised as a rock, although that ended in embarrassment and a wet foot rather than, you know, drowning.  Still, same ballpark.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CmCQwi_yKEQ/UK-Nsz5nRrI/AAAAAAAADAs/UlKIFIyRtPk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_AboveTheCanopy8.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TmK2pCx0HgM/UK-NuNzi2dI/AAAAAAAADA0/4o_ACbq1LcY/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_AboveTheCanopy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />When I was ten I used to spend a lot of time (possibly hours) jumping through the canopy of leaves that separates most of the level from the sky above.  Here’s a screenshot of that place.  Not quite as exciting as I remember, but hey, I was an easily impressed child.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ab8ctVIidkQ/UK-NwmdIQMI/AAAAAAAADA8/mdis9_lCwmQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Tiger.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iWFA6_UI04s/UK-NyJ6tmDI/AAAAAAAADBA/AEZDuaG1674/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Tiger_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="278" /></a> <br />The only proper enemy on this level is the tiger, which is evidently still gunning for an extinction.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1rsNpsrcTmw/UK-N11GZiQI/AAAAAAAADBM/9G5qRpzUfkA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Pretty8.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9cE5atv6nFg/UK-N3EFKajI/AAAAAAAADBU/uEq4lTCqgBU/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Pretty_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />Have I mentioned how pretty this level is?  It’s not something I remember the level for, so it was a pleasant surprise.  I almost made this my desktop picture until I found something superior (<a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/jungle.html#crossed">see below</a>).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rguc3U-vj7A/UK-N518AbvI/AAAAAAAADBc/_a6_9PPCQns/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_DontDive2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H-r7NVBKUm4/UK-N7U2CImI/AAAAAAAADBk/3BsJIVHHjW0/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_DontDive_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />I momentarily forgot what game I was in and decided it would be a good idea to swan dive into a dark hole in the ground.  You can guess what spikey, health-draining thing happened next.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L6gTWfqqSWs/UK-N9bib_3I/AAAAAAAADBo/TyIo_8b-aDI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_BloodInTheWater1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gMvWQqGO-iM/UK-N-YlaKTI/AAAAAAAADB0/sq7w7fhlI9g/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_BloodInTheWater_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="279" /></a> <br />I apologise to those offended by the sight of dead tiger-shaped polygons, but look at that awesome blood-in-the-water effect.  Seriously, this game was made 14 years ago and I’m still impressed.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-co46QDZkHdM/UK-OBW-rsKI/AAAAAAAADCE/HLnzSILyi2g/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_RealisticLadder2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9wsSzl-B_ic/UK-OC3sD2hI/AAAAAAAADCM/RIPI8m9Ekks/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_RealisticLadder_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />And look at this ladder!  It’s a real one, not just painted onto a wall!</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pjhL5l2eYAk/UK-OEMajVlI/AAAAAAAADCU/8zByrTpmslA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_MonKey1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1SOxfVsGewU/UK-OFQ8nfJI/AAAAAAAADCc/ZIZv-deJ0Ck/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_MonKey_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="277" /></a> <br />Atop the ladder lurks a monkey with a key in its mouth.  It’s getting harder and harder not to kill these cheeky little bastards.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c5LzkFM_2E8/UK-OHPm3QPI/AAAAAAAADCk/lnwaqN0gp1U/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Hit2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5eIApPhpQAI/UK-OIWpemNI/AAAAAAAADCs/7rqs2LuEm0U/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Hit_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="281" /></a> <br />Let’s take our frustrations out on one last tiger.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xl6E6ntiBek/UK-OKMOVDBI/AAAAAAAADC0/o7ChDIfzVTY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Graceful1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DZUwdl4G59Q/UK-OLk7Yo9I/AAAAAAAADC8/Jqaq_xnBWaM/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Graceful_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="280" /></a><i> <br />Fabulous</i>.  Even more so than that <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/09/kingdom.html#leopard" target="_blank">snow leopard in Alaska</a>…</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BL3GXJyA82E/UK-ONbAEQFI/AAAAAAAADDE/3noZ4A9iiG0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_TigerTombRaider2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9LLT4yu1VZs/UK-OO5YQfMI/AAAAAAAADDM/47Um2JStsqw/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_TigerTombRaider_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="280" /></a> <br />The fight to the death between woman and beast somehow turns into an agility contest, with both contestants demonstrating their jump and grab technique.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T9FHunhSOoQ/UK-OQsEfPcI/AAAAAAAADDU/8UKtuGkTVFE/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Onwards2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CSN82sOrrto/UK-ORi7FdQI/AAAAAAAADDY/SvLK-cy-eI0/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Onwards_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />Lara remembers what she came here for and kills the would-be tiger Tomb Raider.  Then she wanders off into a swamp, because apparently that’s not a bad idea anymore.</p> <p> <br />Fade to black and…a cut-scene?  First an FMV, now this.  No wonder it’s taken me so long to write this post. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5sdlw8aDfCE/UK-OY1bAgdI/AAAAAAAADDk/dHP9Dz2_bog/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_Campsite2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T0SUajyyUms/UK-OaMu8SNI/AAAAAAAADDs/QCjBcaCVwgY/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_Campsite_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />As Lara heads deeper into the jungle, she comes across a campsite.  It’s silent except for the sound of Willard, angrily calling for someone called Tony, a call which is barely audible through a crackling radio.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-89abkUWFrT8/UK-OdL-cqLI/AAAAAAAADD0/zqrsftSW2cw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_Tony2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EU8iap80gS4/UK-OeWVo6KI/AAAAAAAADD8/ogOQJoqUH-s/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_Tony_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />With a final burst of static, the radio dies, prompting a delighted “whoo-hoo!” from within one of the tents.  Lara addresses the sound with a slightly apprehensive “Hello?” and is rewarded with the emergence of Tony, a man who looks like he should be walking around with a surfboard under his arm.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dzsxRHdp14w/UK-Ogum9mxI/AAAAAAAADEE/bDRRu8MDUVs/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_Bomb2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PldPPf3Gp9I/UK-Oh4IpuxI/AAAAAAAADEM/Goud938Vcg4/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_Bomb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1470097739840315835" name="crossed"></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OD7lCxJKMKY/UK-Op_grw5I/AAAAAAAADEU/UJEt_1GF3AY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_Hmph2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-plx4hL_txCw/UK-OweiMNHI/AAAAAAAADEc/Hzw0YVg9SK0/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_Hmph_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />There’s a brief exchange, in which we learn that Tony has jungle madness, Lara is looking for something called the Infada artefact (which resides in a nearby temple) and that a hapless duo called Randy and Rory were also camping here before they wandered off and got killed by a mudslide.  (The whole team is probably another courtesy of Larson and Pierre Recruitment and Training Incorporated; hire a pair of catchily-named goons and get an mentally-unstable surfer for free!)  We also learn that Lara gets really annoyed if you call something Voodoo and it isn’t. <br /> <br />The latter picture is my desktop background, by the way, because what better motivation is there than Lara Croft crossing her arms and looking disapprovingly at you?  <i>Update your blog more regularly</i>, she seems to be saying.  <i>Start ordering Christmas presents.  Do something with your degree.  Isn’t that your third whiskey, and don’t you have work tomorrow?</i>  Hey, Lara, at least I’m not personally responsible for the decline of the Bengal tiger.  Judgemental cow. <br /> <br />Uh, moving on… <br /> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bNPtp-BaErA/UK-Oy8MUQcI/AAAAAAAADEk/5A8U4TMOPTY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_TonyLeaves2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oocxKhYTS7g/UK-O0VNXpeI/AAAAAAAADEs/ALbJKKhMgXQ/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_TonyLeaves_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />Tony announces he’s leaving and tells Lara she’ll die if she doesn’t do the same.  Lara stands in this uncomfortable-looking position as Tony runs off and jumps down a nearby ledge. <br /></p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HCWbcTY_9vU/UK-O2bws-6I/AAAAAAAADE0/xfb2kOVAc3g/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_TonyJumps2.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tc3cHt2waeg/UK-O3fY_NXI/AAAAAAAADE8/RRFFsfOYCgU/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_TonyJumps_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />I would have got cramp by now.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qRo-1DOVqC0/UK-O6aS-89I/AAAAAAAADFE/zrQIRRJLfWY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_SunburnedNo.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xn2UJPqp3z0/UK-O7grgwHI/AAAAAAAADFI/2yIu5DQ-dys/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_Cutscene_SunburnedNo%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a> <br />Lara snaps out of her awkward pose and goes back to disapproving, watching the space where Tony disappeared a few more seconds before turning and heading in a different direction.</p> <p> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t6APqq0TLT0/UK-PClEp0wI/AAAAAAAADFU/l1afJRFsO3Y/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_End1.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vbQF1iICNu8/UK-PD4a7x4I/AAAAAAAADFc/Q18oNhl0HZ8/TR3_Lvl1_Jungle_End_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="279" /></a> <br />Six secrets?  <i>Six?!</i>  Looks like we’re going to be downloading another save game for the bonus level…</p> <p> <br />And so ends a good-looking, enjoyable and fairly tame first level.  But Lara shouldn’t get too complacent; tigers and monkeys aren’t the only creatures lurking in the jungle…</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-55756120429454968442012-10-21T16:26:00.001+01:002012-11-04T16:03:13.011+00:00Lara’s Home (Part III)<p>(<a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2009/07/laras-home.html" target="_blank">Part I</a> – <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/laras-home-part-ii.html" target="_blank">Part II</a>)</p> <p>We’re at the start of a new game, and that can only mean one thing; it’s time for another visit to Lara’s stately abode in Surrey to learn some new manoeuvres and bother the butler.  </p> <p>It would appear that Lara’s cashed in all that spare gold she had lying about – evidently she watches a lot of daytime television between exploits – and has been busy spending the extra money on new treats such as an indoor gym, a modern kitchen and realistic fire.  The mansion also houses a few secret areas, for those with a keen eye and fast reactions.</p> <p>Unfortunately, this is the last time we get to explore Lara’s Surrey home.  Still, as last visits go, it’s a damn good one.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GnVGrvFOBkQ/UIQRr2wLtpI/AAAAAAAACyQ/sY7Qy2t7AKQ/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Photo1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HT7epdZmWgA/UIQRt1kAdFI/AAAAAAAACyY/8ZHiziPEzTU/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Photo_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="346" /></a></p> <p>The snapshot for Lara’s Home in the main menu, and this time it’s Lara that’s wandering into shot as Winston tries to take some regal-looking photographs of himself in front of the manor (possibly for some kind of spin-off game, something like <em>Tea Maker III: The “Adventures” of Winston Smith</em>).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BrqMAMYM00Y/UIQRyM6NpGI/AAAAAAAACyg/_BwK6H9hzwY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Start2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NK1uJJ0Yh5M/UIQRz-TPnDI/AAAAAAAACyo/z9LHndo74sw/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>We join Lara in the bedroom, where, disappointingly for Nude Raider fans, she’s already dressed.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zDCRJtPxhKw/UIQR2v2smuI/AAAAAAAACyw/tvdX94F5eEo/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Bed2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ckCMNligz_w/UIQR32rh8mI/AAAAAAAACy4/BVQQ6yIMFR0/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Bed_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Lara’s made a few changes to the furnishings since the last game.  She’s downsized her bed to one that was made to hold a human (as opposed to some of the <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/laras-home-part-ii.html#bed" target="_blank">larger species of sea life</a>)…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4Xi31QWGEhs/UIQR5nlN9_I/AAAAAAAACzA/X7MamjAyGoA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Bust1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-teMs1Eskda0/UIQR7V32qHI/AAAAAAAACzI/X2TC9n8cjH8/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Bust_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="279" /></a></p> <p>…she’s tarted up the artwork and added a bust (of…?  Does anybody have any idea?  Searching ‘bust in tomb raider 3’ yields unsatisfactory results)…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NxtLTgzVOBM/UIQR-udZpgI/AAAAAAAACzQ/uiWaXj2_DOI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_LeoFaintCouch2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yj1KC7G3X6I/UIQSAsT9uMI/AAAAAAAACzY/Z48_hlg7pUU/TR3_Lvl0_Home_LeoFaintCouch_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>…and she’s finally got rid of the….oh.  The <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/laras-home-part-ii.html#aunt" target="_blank">leopard print fainting couch</a> is still there.  Oh, well, I’m sure she’ll get round to chucking it out eventually.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wO5fp4xm7ko/UIQSEUnGEBI/AAAAAAAACzg/bmFHrHBikbY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Winston2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RUpF72Gx4Oc/UIQSFg1DftI/AAAAAAAACzo/Cs9sRwsJmdI/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Winston_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Another outdated fixture is the afore-mentioned butler Winston, tea-tray still welded to hand, who follows Lara wherever she goes because apparently there’s nothing better for him to do, like dust or clean or retire.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XFklSn74GDs/UIQSJj-6poI/AAAAAAAACzw/Ye6KyBXoTOY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_DiningRoom2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Olw5CUruXaU/UIQSLSO-FTI/AAAAAAAACz4/-a_ZIm98YZo/TR3_Lvl0_Home_DiningRoom_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Lara’s finally popular enough to splash out on a dining table, although I struggle to think of any friends she’s made since 1996.  Maybe Brother Chen Barkhang, but he’s dead (spoiler alert).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-puhZ1kBTJ60/UIQSPhYyCSI/AAAAAAAAC0A/GxzjMIZqOfA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_AnotherCouch2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3ASeFSPicH4/UIQSRd1XE3I/AAAAAAAAC0I/MGxKrQbwPSg/TR3_Lvl0_Home_AnotherCouch_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>The dining room has a corner set aside for music and relaxation and…is that <em>another</em> leopard print couch?!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3U6gPBgjGIs/UIQSXsrDtmI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/G6Q2pCTxxCw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Hall2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CZ3fPoofT74/UIQSZrj9ViI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/fBIkXTM7HWI/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Hall_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Never mind, I’m sure it was just an oversight.  Here, enjoy this shot of the beautifully-decorated main hall.  Even the carpet looks good!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RtYMaA3Cr5I/UIQSddeXGpI/AAAAAAAAC0g/inb_HYsItOI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Gym2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4O7BQz0l9hY/UIQSe3FgkTI/AAAAAAAAC0o/gPMXrOSQUYY/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Gym_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>The gym is re-introduced from the first game, updated to include the standard playground equipment; climbing frame, monkey bars, crash mat, etc..</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tLWeWANYLtw/UIQSkzEow-I/AAAAAAAAC0w/Wrt-hGiRmkU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_PoolRoomDive2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-593T5R7hxS0/UIQSnZe9ZuI/AAAAAAAAC04/clgAL_KF4dM/TR3_Lvl0_Home_PoolRoomDive_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>The swimming pool room looks particular awesome in this incarnation, the glass domed roof offering a spectacular view of the early evening sky.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PylxuIRWI-A/UIQSpfk6ErI/AAAAAAAAC1A/OQR10tvT_OY/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Cat5.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="TR3_Lvl0_Home_Cat" alt="TR3_Lvl0_Home_Cat" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ON5RfMxTu7A/UIQSq8u14wI/AAAAAAAAC1I/8hFk3cEP32Y/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Cat_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="279" /></a></p> <p>Lara’s filled a few of the alcoves with <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/return-to-egypt.html#statue" target="_blank">cat statues taken from Khamoon</a>, hopefully after checking they weren’t the ones that change into <em>real</em> big cats (or worse)…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gcAXr8huuss/UIQSuiKPVGI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/TjuJJ6cThEI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Evening2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j23KaJd3cuo/UIQSwIwxTmI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/G5ytmmYGv04/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Evening_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Let’s go play outside.  Here we have the front gardens.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E_FXSjQE-qs/UIQS0INnz0I/AAAAAAAAC1g/h1xb5fzcU7E/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Horse2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--qkG6BScWkc/UIQS1jDEIUI/AAAAAAAAC1k/1Jctd-elr_o/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Horse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Within the front gardens is this statue of a proud and graceful horse, a welcome change from last year’s <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/laras-home-part-ii.html#fish" target="_blank">giant fish</a>, an unfortunate creature that looked as though it had flopped down to earth head-first and was waiting for somebody to come and clean it up.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5xeIsIoCTVE/UIQS5m6bcVI/AAAAAAAAC1w/nQBOmpQx4GU/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_MonkeySwim1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G-9ckLvs8lI/UIQS7pb29DI/AAAAAAAAC14/9A-YIgZSITM/TR3_Lvl0_Home_MonkeySwim_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="279" /></a></p> <p>Lara’s outdoor assault course is mostly the same as last time, with a couple of parts changed to show off her new abilities.  Here’s the new monkey swing skill, which is pretty cool, but nowhere <em>near</em> as awesome as…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bR5bCimmFnk/UIQS9souqFI/AAAAAAAAC18/JXb-T5aC1Os/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Crawling1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QjMmXY-hQhQ/UIQS_cFBF_I/AAAAAAAAC2E/zUe134cqDsk/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Crawling_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="279" /></a></p> <p>…the duck and crawl!  FINALLY! It’s taken thirty years but, <em>at last</em>, Lara has learned how to stay crouched down for more than two seconds.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tlPwENLFIEM/UIQTCj4TAlI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/qpoRzxn6twI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Sprint1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sxgav4E43jU/UIQTDwwep3I/AAAAAAAAC2Y/bJOn9ioGQRk/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Sprint_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="281" /></a></p> <p>To round out the new skillset is the sprint, dive and roll, which is a great idea, but something I personally never seem to use.  Mind you, I’ve also <font color="#333333"><font color="#cccccc">never completed Tomb Raider III, so the two could be linked</font><font color="#cccccc">…</font></font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R67jz17l-FA/UIQTHsLswsI/AAAAAAAAC2g/kKtoVA_E0fc/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_MovingTarget1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6b4IZBbEgyY/UIQTJCL72jI/AAAAAAAAC2o/EdT3ESulk-E/TR3_Lvl0_Home_MovingTarget_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="280" /></a></p> <p>At some point during the assault course, Winston manages to quickly change (if you can believe such a adverb could be applied to that slow-motion wrinkle) into khakis and a tin hat and wanders around the course, allowing Lara to use him for target practice.  Lara doesn’t need any convincing.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H_oUC9B5Dao/UIQTLuc2-8I/AAAAAAAAC2w/1mjQ4-cdNyA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_DustOff1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZcoSaaLSNkA/UIQTNLrOgII/AAAAAAAAC24/ghB2fPgQQL4/TR3_Lvl0_Home_DustOff_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="280" /></a></p> <p>Armed with only a tea-tray, Winston is soon overcome with the volley of bullets and falls to the ground (miraculously <em>not</em> evaporating into a cloud of dust upon contact).  However, he quickly picks himself up and wipes himself clean, all ready for another go.  What with this and that <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/10/nightmare-in-vegas.html#bathroom" target="_blank">suspicious bathroom imprisonment in Nightmare in Vegas</a>, I’m beginning to suspect he’s a masochist.  <em>Fifty Shades of Grey</em> indeed…  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UG_0cqJE-WQ/UIQTQ9ASr2I/AAAAAAAAC3A/AZfTHPEYce0/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_TRex2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZpCDUFIriD4/UIQTTU1ULEI/AAAAAAAAC3I/kL_GHiA9VDM/TR3_Lvl0_Home_TRex_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Leaving the butler alone to his BDSM fantasies, we head back indoors and find our way into the secret trophy room, a room where Lara displays various artefacts from her adventures.  Above the fireplace is the mounted head of a T-Rex, because if you’ve had to kill one of the rarest animals on the planet then you may as well put its corpse to good use.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wATn-PYvv6c/UIQTVQfFnvI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/JwRtgxF_RPM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Dagger1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U3W3fW0_PY8/UIQTWhjexYI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/pNEoH8gnOe4/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Dagger_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="280" /></a></p> <p>There’s also some more conventional treasures, such as the Dagger of Xian (Tomb Raider II)…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y9NU2aLbad8/UIQTYgblfpI/AAAAAAAAC3g/bJYguEraAyk/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Scion2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ksgpiDhMYzI/UIQTZ3YqP0I/AAAAAAAAC3o/Fr-5vlothxE/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Scion_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="279" /></a></p> <p>…the Scion (Tomb Raider)…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H7d6GhVcVAw/UIQTbsHcjcI/AAAAAAAAC3w/cSREyV-Y6mA/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Idol1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F1_jVpi4_30/UIQTc2rDzyI/AAAAAAAAC34/dCU4h35p7f0/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Idol_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="279" /></a></p> <p>…Generic Golden Artefact (Take Your Pick)…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sKo3JpFqnQA/UIQTe0EYfNI/AAAAAAAAC4A/DX5-5QoqJSs/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Iris1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UsEG8n0Tlw8/UIQTgfiptvI/AAAAAAAAC4I/0NxAeZ2GXk8/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Iris_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="278" /></a></p> <p>….and the twirly tortoise shell thing, also known as the Iris.  <em>But where did Lara pick up this Iris from?</em> I hear you cry; well, you’ll just have to wait and see!</p> <p><strong><em>Bonus</em> </strong><em><strong>when-I-was-a-girl</strong> <strong>anecdote</strong></em>: I used to think this was Winston’s spare helmet, that Lara had stolen and displayed for reasons best know to herself.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0qUn0D67oLg/UIQTkDs99VI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/E9GoewUjGuw/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_ReadingRoom2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rcP-NPI7Gzw/UIQTmKedB_I/AAAAAAAAC4Y/8d7Ns0K5eVw/TR3_Lvl0_Home_ReadingRoom_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Another secret room is the underground aquarium, a delightful and relaxing space where one can read a book, watch the shoals of pretty fish or simply lie dozing on your…oh, <em>Lara</em>.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-99CotVe87fE/UIQTp8dCArI/AAAAAAAAC4g/2jwoHSr8t0s/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Fishes1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vDB117troUs/UIQTrmVudxI/AAAAAAAAC4o/_jkOPGu_ygs/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Fishes_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="282" /></a></p> <p>Of course, if watching fish becomes too boring, you could always just jump in the tank and join them as they swim around.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9l0ROXQ4V3c/UIQTxGiaxVI/AAAAAAAAC4w/AHVwjklZy9E/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Racetrack2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-72qbSNxEp08/UIQTzTeJh5I/AAAAAAAAC44/qquUjtLruzo/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Racetrack_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>Enough of the dull relaxation activities already, it’s time to do something <em>really</em> fun.  Lara’s cut down the boring old hedge and built herself a quad bike track.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FR4H6BdnAVs/UIQT4KbRSFI/AAAAAAAAC5A/7ff-id6taQM/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Wheee1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4G4ppnNkRHA/UIQT5hReKoI/AAAAAAAAC5I/XgWtNhsz3d4/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Wheee_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="278" /></a></p> <p>Wheeeeeeeeee!  Even if Lara doesn’t say it, you could tell she’s thinking<em> </em>it (and <em>I</em> was squealing it loud enough for both of us).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U7SiDmTmYGQ/UIQT9lbgipI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/MY30ajlueSI/s1600-h/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Exit2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J8ZVTOSB9sk/UIQUDEzDjhI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/c0Ijd2ByYPY/TR3_Lvl0_Home_Exit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>After a few hours of trying and failing to get the quad bike out of the race track so we can run over the butler (don’t worry, he would probably <em>loved</em> it), it’s time to leave the mansion and begin our third adventure. India, ahoy!</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-24939513130140403392012-10-03T20:29:00.001+01:002012-11-23T16:14:26.707+00:00Nightmare In Vegas<p>Nightmare In Vegas is the <em>true</em> last level in The Golden Mask, accessible only through collecting all the secrets in the previous four levels (or, you know, downloading a saved game, which still takes <em>some</em> effort…).  Whether the level title is metaphorical or this actually <em>is</em> a nightmare Lara is having, I’m not entirely sure.  The presence of mythical beasts, oversized furniture and bizarre solutions to straight-forward problems would usually suggest the latter, but hey, this <em>is</em> a Tomb Raider game we’re talking about.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hHrO9eevjoo/UGyQ0O3XojI/AAAAAAAACpM/cB8-yqPUF-o/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Start5.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5MPybDQL24A/UGyQ1e3d5xI/AAAAAAAACpU/FG3cHTt5qUk/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>We join Lara as she hangs about in her ginormous hotel bathroom.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0mKKsFCp1o0/UGyQ2zD6aKI/AAAAAAAACpc/R3BdGJJ_KlA/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Drowning3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GOtoiwfYk3s/UGyQ4D2v0HI/AAAAAAAACpk/DCZcQuVvmYs/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Drowning_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The bathtub/hole in the ground filled with water, while <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/laras-home-part-ii.html#bath" target="_blank">smaller than the one at home</a>, is apparently still large enough for Lara almost drown herself in.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5iPmnH_rXPw/UGyQ5lPxmFI/AAAAAAAACps/7_RO5WY7rZI/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Elvis2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vidT9cGvQVk/UGyQ7CpuxcI/AAAAAAAACp0/qCivmWqpD30/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Elvis_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Escaping the perilous bathroom, we find ourselves in a spacious living area, complete with this delightful carpet patterned with oversized, brightly-coloured ova.  </p> <p>There are two televisions to choose from; this one, which is stuck on a never-ending loop of Elvis wiggling his pelvis…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hhTsbVNx9Is/UGyQ8l5qFLI/AAAAAAAACp8/jVz5OYiqHZU/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_KingKongvsD.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RMuRr0fUDWM/UGyQ9z39d3I/AAAAAAAACqE/Nar0RHlQWU8/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_KingKongvsD%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p>…or this one, showing that cinematic classic, <em>When King Kong Boxed a T-Rex.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8At0gtkeOh0/UGyRADxGjgI/AAAAAAAACqM/7ocDIMxXIPw/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_LeopardPrin%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wcTRFqkF_sE/UGyRBhhUrOI/AAAAAAAACqU/d6RY-WHwQ6g/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_LeopardPrin%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Evidently <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/laras-home-part-ii.html#aunt" target="_blank">Lara’s aunt</a> had some kind of career in commercial interior design before she died, judging by the size of the furniture and the abundance of jungle prints.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6gpHpStijLM/UGyRDJz080I/AAAAAAAACqc/gJlWR2N-jP8/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Balcony1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BzcWCs-b_KY/UGyREIX0IAI/AAAAAAAACqk/qzsmf9MJHTo/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Balcony_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Lara’s room also has a large balcony, offering her stunning views of the Vegas skyline.  Seriously, I love background images like this, I suppose for the same reason I love <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/11/venice.html" target="_blank">fake doors and washing lines</a> and urban settings.  I just like the idea of there being people out there, going about their business while Lara runs around a skyscraper and disposes of goons.  Which I suppose is kind of the point.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qgYH0VXcrWc/UGyRF7ie0fI/AAAAAAAACqs/0zApqzsmWoU/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Button2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-owXSm2DznFU/UGyRHGp-JBI/AAAAAAAACq0/bunaOilxSoQ/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Button_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Anyway, after we’ve spent several minutes standing on the balcony and gazing into the distance (possibly with tears in our eyes), Lara and I return to the room so she can press the magical vision-inducing button situated below the flat-screen TV.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--Nz2QV4CNH4/UGyRJXNv6rI/AAAAAAAACq8/zF4u04M2clA/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Winston3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2fIfVNlXBp0/UGyRKVert5I/AAAAAAAACrE/Ka3ulLGvKqM/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Winston_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The button delivers unto us the rather disappointing image of Winston, Lara’s butler, apparently about to take a bath.  Fully clothed.  With a tea-tray.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I4i6__Kms7w/UGyRLkMxoAI/AAAAAAAACrM/S3ol2IV7QQU/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Sneak1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ydj1Qk-ENBw/UGyRMrPYbGI/AAAAAAAACrQ/IjE9J26eis4/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Sneak_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="302" /></a></p> <p>Willing to do <em>anything</em> to clear that last image out of her head, Lara decides to break into the next room, where it just so happens that two members of Marco Bartoli’s old Fiamma Nera cult are staying.  It’s a small world.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wfIjgxiWmHo/UGyRN5FU1qI/AAAAAAAACrc/U9KnGTnoTmo/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Fight2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-puvqCKAeRsw/UGyROrev1eI/AAAAAAAACrk/A2542p7l3p8/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Fight_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="300" /></a></p> <p>They don’t take too kindly to Lara bursting in on their romantic getaway and things get rather ugly.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8xoWlwuKAfQ/UGyRQHYAdLI/AAAAAAAACrs/J1OpIxmqKx4/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Zebra1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Zebra" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d05q7JEccPg/UGyRRBGdKmI/AAAAAAAACr0/9BnoKFMwAm8/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Zebra_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p>Not as ugly as these bed covers, though.  Oh, snap!</p> <p> </p> <p><a name="bathroom"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wX40wkI8bfc/UGyRSgVCkoI/AAAAAAAACr8/g-x1WxMb8ig/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Freed1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vPeQGJeBvj8/UGyRTnEg-NI/AAAAAAAACsE/M5dv1iF7iLM/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Freed_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="298" /></a></p> <p>Lara ducks into their bathroom (because that woman apparently loves hanging out in bathrooms) and finds the real Winston doddering around inside.  Let’s not dwell on the question of why two masked men have imprisoned an OAP in their hotel lavatory, and instead celebrate his discovery with a head spin, as Lara appears to be doing*.</p> <p><font size="1">* Don’t actually do this.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b1XUpUztpac/UGyRVIMKY-I/AAAAAAAACsM/oxNs_APNEWo/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_ShowerKey21.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mxX5lJJ3ziw/UGyRWISPG8I/AAAAAAAACsU/0CHqr8bHveU/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_ShowerKey_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>A cursory search of the room reveals a key lying on the floor of the shower.  Yes, I often leave valuable items next to drainage devices as well.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lhhbTSXShJA/UGyRX_iiKgI/AAAAAAAACsc/3xEIi5-Nq1g/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CagedGuardi%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CzJcRRjw82M/UGyRZGXvUWI/AAAAAAAACsk/2Wg5KKWjzRs/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CagedGuardi%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="301" /></a></p> <p>The key grants Lara access to the rest of the hotel, which is home to some rather bizarre attractions.  To start with, we have another one of those <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/03/ice-palace.html#guardian" target="_blank">Guardian</a> things (yay)…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3Bu4I7NCi8Q/UGyRbNLIRTI/AAAAAAAACss/XpxXrhdxRIk/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_SnowCats2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kA65JBylkfQ/UGyRcBeiHvI/AAAAAAAACs0/m43BE6isTEQ/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_SnowCats_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>…my personal favourite, some frozen snow leopards (the best kind of snow leopard)…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x378tSgL3QE/UGyRdlob58I/AAAAAAAACs8/b9Qawqz5WMc/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CreepyFaces%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XK539s4v0h8/UGyReXFgwwI/AAAAAAAACtE/JDMDClMe3pg/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CreepyFaces%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>…and these sinister and nightmarish images of disfigured faces, set into a barren, mountainous landscape.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-px83tBrjmZk/UGyRfTIZAvI/AAAAAAAACtI/auBsupjboJA/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CreepyFaces%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VnLPtsWqhb0/UGyRgemwGiI/AAAAAAAACtU/LFyfF3Jhj-I/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CreepyFaces%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="115" height="103" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_I01RXLf5V4/UGyRhKcRtII/AAAAAAAACtc/lpxyVpBJWro/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CreepyFaces%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u0PtBdxhQ7k/UGyRiF3uuzI/AAAAAAAACtk/XAIcbdMZZdY/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CreepyFaces%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="103" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x-YuZEZpzMQ/UGyRi6nQYXI/AAAAAAAACto/p2dnVq5Gl2Y/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CreepyFaces%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vH-oP1tiiko/UGyRjqz4AsI/AAAAAAAACt0/TjIVNW6IleU/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_CreepyFaces%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="104" height="103" /></a></p> <p>Seriously, what the hell?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TMnGS1oKpt4/UGyRk-S0NrI/AAAAAAAACt4/3F7HbV4s43g/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Momentarily%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_C_4qkatgXU/UGyRluSORpI/AAAAAAAACuE/n4LiOUIzhIk/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Momentarily.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="301" /></a></p> <p>Lets cheer ourselves up with a picture of Vegas Guardian’s brief flash of euphoria, an emotion that is rarely experienced in what must be a mostly angry existence.</p> <p>8D</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w3sNWvvMUZs/UGyRneAssbI/AAAAAAAACuM/KMAFM1XmUWM/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Statue2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1i2YUj9uE5k/UGyRoV7CNiI/AAAAAAAACuU/GO2IBwddX1o/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Statue_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The hotel is also home to this…thing.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PagZHZ5PAzk/UGyRpwVOzdI/AAAAAAAACuc/mVwzOIQioWM/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_NoClimbing2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o127W09G_RY/UGyRrcCMmpI/AAAAAAAACuk/fq-gkLuG-28/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_NoClimbing_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Oh, it’s a <em>sculpture</em>.  A gigantic, golden, multi-storey, scalable sculpture.  Too little, too late, sign.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-07ZprOvn6rI/UGyRtNUgumI/AAAAAAAACus/fMu08ptL0FI/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Theatre1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7EDnjjU5MWo/UGyRuBjQ97I/AAAAAAAACu0/UC1DtaeOsQ4/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Theatre_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p>We also have the opportunity to take in the show <em>Cell Block Rock</em>, an opportunity that few of Lara’s fellow guests have seized upon.  I blame the carpet.  Seriously, texture artists, I know you’re extremely proud of the fact that you’ve mastered inadequately-tiling zebra print, but a little would go a long way.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kEtkvwwfyDA/UGyRvfymd-I/AAAAAAAACu8/qJl8YHHK9Ew/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_TRex%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LpZLz60YWY4/UGyRyKERqxI/AAAAAAAACvE/1i1u7V_vFm0/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_TRex_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="301" /></a></p> <p>Another exhibit in the hotel is a T-Rex enclosure.  I’m sure the enclosure is built to the highest standards of security, but it sure is nice of them to scatter boxes of shotgun shells around the viewing area.  You know, just in case.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZHGP8ajuwm4/UGyRznkk1ZI/AAAAAAAACvM/Ca-xoudLX3A/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_BadMood%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M-QsCFf1kVI/UGyR09x8QUI/AAAAAAAACvU/jQHUvtu3xoo/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_BadMood_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="303" /></a></p> <p>Yeah, it’s probably not the best idea to have your dinosaur cage backing onto a busy city street.  Another bad idea: leaving the exit of the cage wide open and simply <em>trusting</em> the dinosaurs not to go on a murderous rampage.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L4Li8DKDQLk/UGyR197jgII/AAAAAAAACvc/hPiTJXjxxH8/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Bartolis%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u2dZV3pY0hE/UGyR3DI-ncI/AAAAAAAACvk/zP-N9X53OC8/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Bartolis_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>After dispensing with two cheeky T-Rex, Lara spends a while wandering round the shops, and comes across a television store baring the name and visage of Bartoli Sr.  Evidently the family’s fall-back position in case that whole world domination thing failed to take off. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vohbgU5DDrA/UGyR4YVy2ZI/AAAAAAAACvs/Nyy76Rd1SSQ/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_GuardianEscapes%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UYrE8xiXNNI/UGyR5UVSPWI/AAAAAAAACvw/kjjHDeI-1Y8/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_GuardianEscapes_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="301" /></a></p> <p>Back in the hotel, Lara manages to unleash the Guardian while riding in the lift.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C6L1BDxtNQ8/UGyR6hrIK_I/AAAAAAAACv8/juYWbk3xlg0/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Grabbed%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mVBPjShdYHo/UGyR7XjZxzI/AAAAAAAACwA/WlTlLg7LICg/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Grabbed_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="298" /></a></p> <p>Okay, this Guardian is my favourite.  He always looks so happy!  Although I’m not sure Lara appreciates being shaken around like a rag doll.  She looks faintly annoyed.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rF_M3rjakrg/UGyR8YP2uOI/AAAAAAAACwM/UhWqpELU22w/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Dead%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mMFePHtkwr4/UGyR9iJja4I/AAAAAAAACwU/4btZSkyoa68/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_Dead_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="298" /></a></p> <p>For the second time in as many levels, Lara has to end the life of an extremely rare beast before she can move on.  Let’s hope that’s the last of them, and that the <em>Guardian of Light</em> game isn’t some kind of horrific re-imagining.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B7Fo_lpo0mc/UGyR_eU0gyI/AAAAAAAACwc/EUCmxBL9thM/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_End2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aLKMunNNE5Q/UGySA6OwxfI/AAAAAAAACwk/qxDd96GLwqo/TR2G_Lvl5_NightmareVegas_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>And that’s The Golden Mask completed!  Now it’s time for our third adventure…</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-41138495978526832612012-09-16T16:43:00.001+01:002012-11-23T16:01:43.875+00:00KingdomWell, this was certainly a fun little level. No, I’m not being sarcastic (for once), I actually really enjoyed Kingdom. It was just the right mix of killing, climbing and puzzling, and there was some pretty cool scenery to look at as well. It wouldn’t have felt out of place wedged somewhere in the later levels of the main game.<br />
So, Lara’s found the titular mask, some stuff has happened and now she’s gone and fallen into a cage, where our adventure continues…<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9b8-pb0zvOk/UFXypDMhyoI/AAAAAAAACiE/c73SZzlrrX0/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Start2.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JYpxLuUsMbU/UFXyrn-OycI/AAAAAAAACiM/PCLxkAsCZOg/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
The level starts with Lara still pacing about the afore-mentioned cage.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NEkuyZ0YNoU/UFXyuC5c13I/AAAAAAAACiU/wf_YXuysvIU/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_BigFoot1.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xvxp8zvxWCY/UFXywboYLxI/AAAAAAAACic/zBnRO_NKpa4/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_BigFoot_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
Escaping the cage is simple enough thanks to a conveniently-placed lever and pressure pad, but I’m sure Lara is soon wishing she had stayed put when she discovers that the natural fauna of Kingdom includes <strike>yetis with access to hair dye</strike> some Bigfoots (Bigfeet?).<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-URV6kNQkeFM/UFXyx1K9jSI/AAAAAAAACik/eqgWtyVDs1o/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Ride12.jpg"><img alt="" height="301" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ojetUMLFNzA/UFXyyimjwYI/AAAAAAAACis/BN1MHSil9H8/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Ride_thumb18.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="373" /></a><br />
If that wasn’t bad enough (and believe me, it is), the snow leopard has also decided to make a comeback. Bored of killing them, Lara decides to try and ride one instead.<br />
On a side note, you do <i>not</i> want to see the screenshot that preceded this one by a few frames. Suffice to say that I’m glad I don’t have the nude patch installed on this game. I mean, I’m <i>always</i> glad I don’t have the nude patch installed, but this time I’m doubly-glad.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1470097739840315835" name="leopard"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wYHtOXa5Sv8/UFXy0I8gJfI/AAAAAAAACi0/wSN3VZOnFK8/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Majestic1.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-to3Cu1X5DBw/UFXy1PeIT0I/AAAAAAAACi8/8GxO_trlcwg/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Majestic_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
The snow leopard doesn’t take too kindly to being used as some kind of primitive snow-mobile, and instead chooses to prance around in a fabulous fashion while Lara watches on*.<br />
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*<span style="font-size: xx-small;">And by “watches on”, I of course mean “shoots the hell out of it”, AKA her default reaction to seeing something animate. You gotta feel sorry for Winston.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sxrfyHxSW0s/UFXy2xai9tI/AAAAAAAACjE/mBgTVPmIiWA/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_PetTheCat1.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hEiTFQkitG0/UFXy4nTJX8I/AAAAAAAACjM/sdGfaEH8mBU/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_PetTheCat_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
Lara shows her soft side and takes a few moments to stroke the feline after she’s sufficiently sedated it.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ER0lS2qXiGE/UFXy5wkRsRI/AAAAAAAACjQ/zW-3I6vAPYk/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Footprints%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="299" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L9hDsay0iQM/UFXy65hDmEI/AAAAAAAACjc/dtgqCG3cTB4/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Footprints_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="376" /></a><br />
Ah, oversized footprints, the <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_on_OWsRnF9Y/S4-nYI_5mJI/AAAAAAAAANU/-NAR3cAHiCg/s1600-h/TR1_04_Skeleton%5B2%5D.jpg" target="_blank">skeleton</a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XQZ1iP32RvU/TqqrOfKt40I/AAAAAAAAAu4/Hur7Etgv8mY/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl1_GreatWall_Skeletons2.jpg" target="_blank">of</a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a3GH9vzGLjk/UEufekeU27I/AAAAAAAACY4/_3dACQByHvI/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_GoldenMask1.jpg" target="_blank">doom</a>’s subtler cousin.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g7l31hzFm3c/UFXy8byHBII/AAAAAAAACjk/Oj2_uneWx2Q/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_BigFoot2%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="299" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3DeGbkb_0YI/UFXy-KfVUKI/AAAAAAAACjs/ZhKkl0hr-hg/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_BigFoot2_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="377" /></a><br />
Just another awesome picture of Lara killing a bigfoot. Of course, the adjective “awesome” can be used to describe <i>any</i> picture of Lara killing a bigfoot, because, you know, bigfoots are getting hurt.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bjm69Yc6YwQ/UFXzA9x49-I/AAAAAAAACj0/0YkFgwFi4do/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Dancing%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="299" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uyp1vyKkFe4/UFXzB7xzacI/AAAAAAAACj8/sGiwWYnwdBw/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Dancing_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="376" /></a><br />
It’s not all murderous mayhem, though. That <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/09/furnace-of-gods.html#bear" target="_blank">dancing polar bear</a> from the last level has got everybody in the mood for a boogie.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S6uST2idRKs/UFXzCsztJhI/AAAAAAAACkE/P7lgIqiqNvw/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_HappyFace%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="303" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OCArZg4RwGQ/UFXzD0ZrrzI/AAAAAAAACkI/9FYVzDOSRus/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_HappyFace_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="371" /></a><br />
8D<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YUpWd6QRpew/UFXzEq9SRiI/AAAAAAAACkQ/qZJUe0wYqzs/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Push%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="298" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C4-jXXyK0Jg/UFXzFl5J-dI/AAAAAAAACkY/Yse32LEncAI/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Push_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="378" /></a><br />
Dancing Bigfoot gets a little aggressive when Lara dares to critique his moves.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5OTsq1LUPuI/UFXzG74RYDI/AAAAAAAACkk/FuYC0wjbmak/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Ballroom%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="301" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gPnJTDrJU0w/UFXzH5OoJ5I/AAAAAAAACks/DqmnMIy-RHk/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Ballroom_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="373" /></a><br />
They manage to put their differences aside, however, and join together to execute a grand finale for their routine.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-miTJwWRTbEs/UFXzJYUK8iI/AAAAAAAACk0/nocKn9S2sXM/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Graceful%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o28iYoOPN5U/UFXzKrNQvsI/AAAAAAAACk8/b1PGTxex4ZY/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Graceful_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
Such elegance! Such grace! The crowd goes wild.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p-96K2Ly6Tk/UFXzLxIfb6I/AAAAAAAAClE/YSirY_aoOOo/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_TakeABow%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QqEQ3IcPruM/UFXzM-zWdRI/AAAAAAAAClM/fMYVd-UoofE/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_TakeABow_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
Dancing Bigfoot takes a bow to his audience of cheering sasquatches and indifferent skeletons.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NKJOsyLnNTE/UFXzOVVArEI/AAAAAAAAClU/hapeiop05VI/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Forest1.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j4hkePChKgg/UFXzPfPTUNI/AAAAAAAAClc/RaBp91X4uhw/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Forest1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
Meanwhile, Lara manages to extract herself from the disco and head into the forest. I loved this area; it looks good and it’s a bit different from the locations we’ve seen so far. Plus, it reminded me of Tomb Raider III, the glittering prize at the end of this expansion pack.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kHsN6ja1zKI/UFXzQkz2nqI/AAAAAAAAClk/wRAuwFw4PHM/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_RubbishPrize%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="298" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9bf68sSA8NA/UFXzRmhSITI/AAAAAAAACls/-GhGEzSPUos/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_RubbishPrize_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="377" /></a><br />
In the midst of the forest stood a building which contained this poor-man’s colosseum. Pulling a lever sent some random mercenary tumbling into the room.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OjO1Y-z7tTA/UFXzS3kT1oI/AAAAAAAACl0/tyCfomVmddA/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Gladiator%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="303" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6-MXW7vTy-Q/UFXzUb4kWQI/AAAAAAAACl8/m_VomDdWwSA/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Gladiator_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="372" /></a><br />
Another lever released a duo of eskimo whalers into the room, and a mildly entertaining showdown ensued.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lj-Hksyn0f4/UFXzWOSxGuI/AAAAAAAACmE/qT1QvQDYMWc/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_WhatDidIMiss%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ABs_tLM0qRM/UFXzXI-fKzI/AAAAAAAACmM/psCgPRd0Euw/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_WhatDidIMiss_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
The whalers won, at which point a third joined them, presumably with a weak apology and an unconvincing excuse as to why he was late for the goon-killing. I left before things got too ugly.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WY4byR9hHF8/UFXzYacJWuI/AAAAAAAACmU/WZyPlTY7fXw/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_CavePaintings2.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qps-wiImUgE/UFXzZYoBGzI/AAAAAAAACmc/3VhCPz54HBw/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_CavePaintings_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
The cave paintings have certainly got a lot darker in tone since we last looked at them. I don’t even <i>want</i> to know what this is meant to be. Thankfully, it didn’t manifest.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kXJDjfJf2Cs/UFXzaogDWoI/AAAAAAAACmk/uoObO0cL1CU/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_MaskReceptable%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fdrUSmZSYow/UFXzb9jz2FI/AAAAAAAACms/Lk_YxwmoVtc/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_MaskReceptable_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
It took a hell of a lot of pointless exploration for some kind of diamond before I realised that you’re supposed to put the <i>mask</i> in this receptacle. In what world is that hole mask-shaped?!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7asgkzna03A/UFXzdOKG9yI/AAAAAAAACm0/aexCCfPEQ0k/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_BirdThing%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="299" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jIn4oaCBaE0/UFXzejAWgjI/AAAAAAAACm4/FRattRdJtY8/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_BirdThing_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="376" /></a><br />
Inserting the mask into its new home released this gloriously golden variant of <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/03/ice-palace.html#guardian" target="_blank">one of those things from Ice Palace</a>. Yay.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2dlqDaX91us/UFXzgHQnARI/AAAAAAAACnE/VdgWmJ6nslQ/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Itch%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="297" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qrJ2zhI5uqQ/UFXzhfJT4tI/AAAAAAAACnM/CUAdnLpbSPM/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Itch_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="377" /></a><br />
Getting near the beast is pretty deadly, although sometimes it will take a break from trying to punch Lara so it can attempt to scratch some hard-to-reach place on its back.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RPrYVGpARYE/UFXzi30kZFI/AAAAAAAACnU/5VfpRcdI-KY/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Run%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="302" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hjkidtdajd8/UFXzj4DbafI/AAAAAAAACnc/lD0yN4y6eJk/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Run_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="373" /></a><br />
Mostly, though, it just chases her around while Lara tries to stay as far away as possible.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9oYJjvS52ek/UFXzlA4h99I/AAAAAAAACnk/mdJoxhP3Xls/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Impression%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RNqzbAjMRR4/UFXzmG5ghxI/AAAAAAAACno/MorGZV9oP3Q/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_Impression_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
We eventually managed to trap it on the other side of this room, making killing the thing only marginally harder than killing its silver sibling.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fmbf3fvnI-E/UFXznIzxh6I/AAAAAAAACn0/-mXivpywZrk/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_HamDeath%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" height="303" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VyULLB0iY2M/UFXzoR3TYOI/AAAAAAAACn8/6Cywrnlm5s8/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_HamDeath_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="371" /></a><br />
Finally, it dies in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEyPxQcMLF0&t=29m32s" target="_blank">the hammiest fashion imaginable</a>, including a bit where it reaches to the sky as though it’s asking God (or whatever twisted deity created this abomination) why He has forsaken it. It makes the Tomb Raider 1 crocodiles look blasé about death.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_LujDWKT1iQ/UFXzpqZ5jCI/AAAAAAAACoE/okBxi0GtFkE/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_End2.jpg"><img alt="" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4CmYT3TsnBY/UFXzqi964II/AAAAAAAACoM/Nglbagcy7dU/TR2G_Lvl4_Kingdom_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="" width="375" /></a><br />
The beast finally dies, triggering the official end of the Golden Mask. Six out of twelve secrets? Well, I tried.Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-44247286970782565562012-09-08T20:45:00.001+01:002013-01-20T16:51:16.512+00:00Furnace of the Gods<p>I hope you’ve had enough time to contemplate the many thought-provoking and ground-breaking points I make in my analysis for <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/07/fools-gold.html" target="_blank">Fool's Gold</a> (<em>would a vacuum cleaner attached to a label maker make a sufficient flame-thrower substitute?  Are we in some kind of time-warping Futurama crossover?  Seriously, what’s with all the Stalin images?</em>  (honestly, I should release study notes)<em>)</em>, but it is now imperative we move on to the next level, mainly because I am desperate to play Tomb Raider III but still have three levels of this game to get through.</p> <p>It may seem that I’m not particularly enjoying The Golden Mask, and that’s partly because I haven’t been, but hopefully that is going to change from here on out; Furnace of the Gods, once it got going, was a fairly pleasant and visually varied level.  Also, some of it reminded me of Atlantis – the good Atlantis, not the one in Unfinished Business.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DpLQUiSjIwo/UEufVaN3LkI/AAAAAAAACX4/x9dePbvJ6Nw/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Start1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DOFrgTXLm1M/UEufWB-E2pI/AAAAAAAACYA/ycWAZoZMR8k/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Start_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The start of the level, apparently.  At least, it’s the first image that appears in my FRAPS folder.  It’s been so long since I began this level that I personally can’t remember.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R95braKLl70/UEufXrk361I/AAAAAAAACYI/glRnNckKe28/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_LargeRoom2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-286eSf3Gu-s/UEufYUwTJTI/AAAAAAAACYQ/1IjqdoPaFWg/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_LargeRoom_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Continuing through a gauntlet of poorly-lit spike traps leads us to this massive, slightly-superiorly-lit room.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-myCpW3JHLmg/UEufZkoi_pI/AAAAAAAACYY/0U3Xfa5PoFQ/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Wolves1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NXBKVSF2vjo/UEufaumDFGI/AAAAAAAACYg/x_ofoob8LcI/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Wolves_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p>Hey, the wolves from Tomb Raider I are back!  It certainly makes a change from a never-ending wave of artic felines.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-euEVKtT8vYA/UEufbQULuII/AAAAAAAACYo/3-iqw4RvM8Y/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Yogatastic15.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QAmUzpiyeU8/UEufdILXQDI/AAAAAAAACYw/wViSBW3UE-Q/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Yogatastic_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>…her head and feet are pointing in <em>opposite directions</em>.  This picture makes my neck hurt.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a3GH9vzGLjk/UEufekeU27I/AAAAAAAACY4/_3dACQByHvI/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_GoldenMask1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eXinDTR7Feo/UEuffZFnMuI/AAAAAAAACZA/Bsi44W-8K6g/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_GoldenMask_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Betwixt frolicking wolves and lazy skeletons, you might a-spy the titular Golden Mask.  Yes, we’ve found it already!  So we can turn round and go home and play Tomb Raider III now, right Lara?  Right?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AG3Bg8dQF8w/UEufghOApeI/AAAAAAAACZI/gqHfFCfns3k/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_GrainyMen%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jiGnWSReVg8/UEufhow8qNI/AAAAAAAACZQ/INFdfo3b_Oc/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_GrainyMen_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The ice-ghost men from the first level appear again, posing as translucent statues.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5-wwOBDjKSc/UEufim4ES7I/AAAAAAAACZY/NXC1NLITCeI/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_OhGreat%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K18S8OHW2tw/UEufjR46RQI/AAAAAAAACZg/N0SoqLYQ3S8/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_OhGreat_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Upon collecting the mask, they burst into life, as viewed from this rather dramatic camera angle.  It took several seconds of running around (Lara) and screaming (me) before I realised they were apathetic.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pPbZnmzz7CQ/UEuflB7lL8I/AAAAAAAACZo/B-KIubVaMA0/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_MaskCloseup%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kxW376neUxk/UEufl2sdiPI/AAAAAAAACZw/4Rx2k4v-o3M/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_MaskCloseup_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>There’s the mask, for anyone that wants a closer look.  Why does it have skin-flaps where the eyes should be?  *shudder*</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tjkUkKkQF50/UEufnEnr0JI/AAAAAAAACZ4/AJUVo4D-ooc/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_ShingamiBlocks%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OsccQCpWfw0/UEufn6dqX2I/AAAAAAAACaA/4ZuHSfoovjk/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_ShingamiBlocks.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The Furnace (or wherever we are) is awash with ugly faces carved into things.  This one looks like a <a href="http://deathnote.wikia.com/wiki/File:Ryuk.jpg" target="_blank">Shinigami</a>…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2ZVR8G8fn8U/UEufpeGqoxI/AAAAAAAACgA/jSF72KdkAFc/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_CreepyFace%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nuaEpVedw6M/UEufqPxFWFI/AAAAAAAACgE/duO2uGqDBq8/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_CreepyFace_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="299" /></a></p> <p>…and here we what can only be the result of an illicit romance between a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_doll" target="_blank">troll doll</a> and a decaying tree.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p1itsYOTdkI/UEufrtt7EfI/AAAAAAAACaY/CI8yaERwEzA/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_RiversofGold2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cy-kWHAAoAI/UEufsTpwQdI/AAAAAAAACag/tTxbH_2WEXc/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_RiversofGold_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The next section of the level largely revolves around what I mistakenly assumed to be a river of liquid gold.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3LuMSbUVoyI/UEuftw3GSKI/AAAAAAAACao/jR2eMMd38Lc/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Burning2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EiZlFRMD2J8/UEufu53Zs1I/AAAAAAAACaw/AUrMHpuVAp4/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Burning_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Turns out it’s just a load of fancily-coloured liquid fire-death.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5JLJvjLVJ9Q/UEufwYRjf1I/AAAAAAAACa4/2kIDl9DQ9LQ/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_NatlasMinesesq%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K55svwYy11E/UEufxZ-ucbI/AAAAAAAACbA/cwRLj_5a960/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_NatlasMinesesq.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This part in particular reminded me of <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/09/natlas-mines.html" target="_blank">Natla’s Mines</a>.  Substitute the gold for Lava and it’s almost like you’re in a classic Tomb Raider level (just joking, TR2G!  Don’t get angry and send me back to <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/06/cold-war.html" target="_blank">The Cold War</a>, now!)</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nPhK1iG9SB0/UEufya8Q4vI/AAAAAAAACgI/SPRcBagsUFY/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_GunsAkimbo%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sOsyDj9w2VM/UEufzbxteII/AAAAAAAACgM/bfz0WIbnuNo/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_GunsAkimbo_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I have <em>never</em> seen her do that with her guns before.  That’s <em>awesome</em>!  It’s almost on par with <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/temple-of-xian.html#kick" target="_blank">kicking an eagle in the face</a>.</p> <p>I came across the following wall-paintings whilst traversing the river.  Bear with me while I try to translate.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X9CGgZb32Vs/UEuf01jGW0I/AAAAAAAACgQ/EQ-kLlnpVM4/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Symbols1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MXLLmaoEPNU/UEuf11m2WLI/AAAAAAAACgU/H6GLj4YEg-Y/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Symbols1_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p><em>It’s fun to stay at the Y…M..C…A!</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o_3wCqM37bQ/UEuf3UmnBII/AAAAAAAACbo/cj8jeYAsX3c/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Symbols22.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6PycFGhOzIY/UEuf4C5aE7I/AAAAAAAACbw/tMjLWIjRVks/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Symbols2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Some poser Polar Bear commits the blasphemous act of free-styling to the song’s chorus and is justifiably condemned by the Giant Golden Face of Acceptable Dance Routines.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rpGFdTS-7T4/UEuf5l6Cl-I/AAAAAAAACgY/WB65sca2qIU/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Symbols3%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VCt7E-_rEKQ/UEuf6sR2LHI/AAAAAAAACgc/ny7MdqX84Ws/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Symbols3_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="303" /></a></p> <p>For his crimes, Polar Bear is thrown into a pit of fire, which apparently turns him into a giant ice-cube.  THAT’S NOT HOW FIRE WORKS.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W1FevavSJgM/UEuf8HSPxFI/AAAAAAAACgg/fyUJFLkPs_A/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Symbols4%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zAj2bpV8loo/UEuf83N3SEI/AAAAAAAACgk/mlJ08DaIU2A/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Symbols4_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Golden Face is momentarily appeased, until he notices the dancer to his left making decidedly <em>un</em>-C-like arm-motions…</p> <p> </p> <a name="bear"></a> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0RCnt2uzfPU/UEuqCpRHFlI/AAAAAAAACgo/fVcrQWQvWOA/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_YMCABear%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_TpfEIdOQB4/UEuqDjroeJI/AAAAAAAACgw/wpWXaElmboM/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_YMCABear_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>In the end, however, it’s Polar Bear that has the last laugh, as he defiantly parades round his little ice-cave, throwing completely non-alphabetical shapes to his heart’s content.</p> <p> </p> <a name="drunk"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VxCRJQwn8iI/UPwgDx1Bi-I/AAAAAAAADfc/ZWPNdJ6O0Z8/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_DrunkAgain%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SiBc2MpMx_0/UPwgEiPYmsI/AAAAAAAADfg/88ofbFFJBUk/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_DrunkAgain_thumb%25255B35%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="282" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_LiBKIepF7Q/UEugHrUWbWI/AAAAAAAAChA/m084a5RI4-s/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Drunk%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pn0GyTX5LLY/UEugIY2XQuI/AAAAAAAAChE/_cOCKAt-DRY/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Drunk_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="284" /></a> <p>For those of you that found it difficult to follow my train of thought for those last few pictures, please enjoy these images of Lara looking drunk instead.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tattqf52E90/UEugJpFpD_I/AAAAAAAACds/cuPH26Ce8nk/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_AnotherPit2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1jQinbl9NhA/UEugKnQ1zdI/AAAAAAAACd0/280FFbPc5ds/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_AnotherPit_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>What is it with this game and ending levels with seemingly-endless pits?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tBkcxpGmZgA/UEugL1tbPwI/AAAAAAAACd8/7BxDIVuSF3Q/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Descending2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bAjR7w3xa5M/UEugMkXOfnI/AAAAAAAACeE/DPoPZ3vp7KI/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Descending_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Does anybody actually go to the trouble of correctly descending a ladder in Tomb Raider, or do you all do as I do and simply let her fall down, pressingly Action occasionally to try and stop her breaking her neck?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GaUmLgG3khE/UEugNuAuSNI/AAAAAAAACeM/dOlbv9dwE08/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Hi2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nqys_yycNIU/UEugOvrUqaI/AAAAAAAACeQ/Zb4rdFDwUAo/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Hi_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Lara leaning provocatively against a wall.  “Hi there.”</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nYXowYFVpu8/UEugP3kkZiI/AAAAAAAACec/hMR3u-j96Us/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_AtlantisSlide2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-43lHmAXq86Y/UEugQuhYicI/AAAAAAAACek/k8hVLAaQ8Mc/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_AtlantisSlide_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Another Atlantis-esque moment.  I suppose this level is an improvement on Atlantis in that there are no centaurs.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2p2sw_sQ2Wc/UEugSy7pRLI/AAAAAAAAChI/9mUqYspt670/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Caged%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dVj9pOIvU80/UEugTuEN1FI/AAAAAAAAChM/Wqcg5ABWE5g/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_Caged_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>We end the level in a cage, guarded by a pair of eskimo whalers (?).  We’ve spent this whole level travelling downwards, and yet somehow we’ve emerged into a place with some sky.  I’m not complaining, the sky has yet to lose its novelty in this series.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sEb-Fx_H98M/UEugVtCAuYI/AAAAAAAACe8/BkcU1emTo0M/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_End2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y8SHo6rxPug/UEugWnc2LeI/AAAAAAAACfE/8i9U2fMDKDg/TR2G_Lvl3_FurnaceGods_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Just ignore the secrets part, okay?</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-70279855310026824352012-07-21T20:19:00.001+01:002012-07-21T20:20:22.400+01:00Fool’s Gold<p>No, your eyes do not deceive you; it’s still 2012 and I have managed to write another blog post!  So stop staring at that calendar in open-mouthed amazement and start paying attention as I fill you in on my journey through the level Fool’s Gold.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Up_Fi8n9rTY/UAsAEanvBhI/AAAAAAAACRY/njXt8hfPHGY/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Start2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yTD1x1gEMZs/UAsAFr8nv7I/AAAAAAAACRg/fo-V54P4VZQ/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>We begin our journey in a claustrophobic cavern of snow.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-knYptXq7qM8/UAsAG9b-KpI/AAAAAAAACRo/N6MLNhaQE6Q/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_SovietBase2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zu0kNP-6rpc/UAsAHoZMFzI/AAAAAAAACRw/SZc6AmSY2HI/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_SovietBase_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>A short swim later and Lara emerges into another military base-style location with a subtle soviet motif.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m_wIZAJzKGQ/UAsAIutqQEI/AAAAAAAACR4/LuiSRJDwm1E/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_WallWoman1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BqLtcCsM3YE/UAsAJavz9nI/AAAAAAAACSA/kndsd7o2I0I/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_WallWoman_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="301" /></a></p> <p>The base is decorated with a variety of blurry portraits.  Here’s one of a woman (who I initially took to be Margaret Thatcher, God knows why) pointing and laughing.  I don’t know, maybe it’s meant to be motivational.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F6v_2t-SZTk/UAsAKrhw_ZI/AAAAAAAACSI/yQuE1Vq5rI0/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_StalinPoster1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4t0aoc66GdA/UAsALbGL47I/AAAAAAAACSQ/A8Mm0sF0fcQ/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_StalinPoster_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="297" /></a></p> <p>And here’s one of Stalin, back when Stalin was releasing promotional posters aimed at pre-teen girls.  All it needs are a few hearts and some rainbows.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qn2GjjR1vxw/UAsAMg9m9SI/AAAAAAAACSY/dJBVzXC22Hc/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Contortionist1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BmKt-Ingcng/UAsANIVxnOI/AAAAAAAACSg/KFsJqBEoaIU/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Contortionist_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>If I turned round and found my arms doing this then I’d be pissed off too.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XPk6OI7yaDM/UAsAN6RNsaI/AAAAAAAACSo/XUgLDpCfePM/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_FlameThrowerMan1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D7Zhbq03rbc/UAsAOysgMfI/AAAAAAAACSw/znyS4MJVWXA/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_FlameThrowerMan_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Flamethrower man makes an unwelcome appearance, wielding what appears to be a modified label maker attached to the tube from a vacuum cleaner.  Hey, these are hard times.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WdNxENiQCCM/UAsAPvjR2OI/AAAAAAAACS4/fGExcvzmet8/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_StoneStalin1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l-3-9iHPS6s/UAsAQVxDtxI/AAAAAAAACS8/i4oUzboK_Hs/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_StoneStalin_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p>Yet more images of Stalin, this time carved in stone and with satanic red eyes.  You know, for his goth period when the pre-teen thing failed.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CNXR9tSi07Y/UAsARSGCiJI/AAAAAAAACTE/X0r2e2CFP20/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Love1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LT7vqsSDDV8/UAsASEJXlAI/AAAAAAAACTM/pCGowXiEmr0/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Love_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Out of context, this picture looks rather romantic.  <em>Put your head on my shooooooooooooullllderrr……hold me in your arms, comrade… ♪</em></p> <p> </p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3GBVDnNjWbc/UAsAS4Hp0kI/AAAAAAAACTY/0xL75Ssxc7Y/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Tongue%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nc2gjWG49bU/UAsATTQWbUI/AAAAAAAACTc/AHuJZaDkbtA/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Tongue_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="298" /></a></p> <p>Look at this goofy, lolloping little doggy with its tongue hanging out…no, wait, Lara, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hPrCx5er0Dg/UAsAUQNUMzI/AAAAAAAACTk/ktoRLEYjxcw/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Idiot%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cWT24mCvKUU/UAsAVG3ZzOI/AAAAAAAACTw/OigHHPUs0S4/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Idiot_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="298" /></a></p> <p>Far less adorable is this goon, who looks like the Terminator attempting to blend in with a crowd of stereotyped eighties teenagers.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_vRwplGfxrg/UAsAXM8PmxI/AAAAAAAACT4/JE0D9RwXP8I/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_GlowingSkeletonAni%25255B8%25255D.gif"><img style="display: inline" title="TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_GlowingSkeletonAni" alt="TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_GlowingSkeletonAni" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FLNt7vfF19I/UAsAqb6aPhI/AAAAAAAACUA/rqDuKeirx5E/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_GlowingSkeletonAni_thumb%25255B4%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Eventually we find ourselves in a tomb-like area (fancy that!), completely with inexplicably-glowing skeletons.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4EvHHlC3FCE/UAsAscpp8fI/AAAAAAAACUI/CLUpMjwvNHI/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Ominous2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ps8rIE8nYEU/UAsAtFOA5XI/AAAAAAAACUQ/lbiFvbERb5k/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_Ominous_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Beyond this is a corpse-strewn cave, featuring wall paintings that predominantly portray a creature that looks suspiciously like Futurama’s Nibbler, if Nibbler were malnourished and undead.  At least it’s not Stalin again.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SthRYzh_t8Y/UAsAusCBowI/AAAAAAAACUY/PEZyIy5Hp00/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_End2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GvpTYeM1fw8/UAsAvhQ5s2I/AAAAAAAACUg/UP7LDxn52cI/TR2G_Lvl2_FoolsGold_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>OH WHAT THE HELL I ONLY GOT TWO SECRETS.  Good job I haven’t imposed a “no downloading save-games” rule on myself…</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-40896296309731159272012-06-22T20:50:00.001+01:002013-03-03T15:57:27.530+00:00The Cold War<p>I apologise for my brief absence.  I was attempting to reboot the blog to its gritty origins by posting a couple of levels and then disappearing for months on end, but I quickly realised that such an update schedule wasn’t as much fun as I remember.</p> <p>Tomb Raider 2: The Golden Mask is a collection of five levels that sees Lara travel to Alaska in search of the legendary Mask of Tornarsuk, which will no doubt turn out to be anything but.  Really, Lara’s gotta hit a dead-end one of these days, hasn’t she?  I for one look forward to Tomb Raider XLVII: The Completely Made-Up Artefact and the Sixteen Levels Wasted On Confirming That Fact.</p> <p>Anyway, on with the first level of the game, The Cold War.  My limited grasp of history tells me that the cold war was something to do with Russia, nuclear bombs and the nineteen-eighties, none of which appear in this level (thankfully, in regards to the last two), so I’m concluding it’s some kind of pun.  Because it’s cold and Lara’s shooting stuff.  And there’s a military base.  To be honest, I would have run out of level-naming ideas too after the five-thousandth snow-based level, so kudos to the original author for getting this far.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RrrRVMCkbec/T-TL99j7aqI/AAAAAAAACLE/9r-ZqN-J0Fs/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_TitleScreen2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1N2Bb7pjfpI/T-TL-gSzPKI/AAAAAAAACLM/gDqMdrzj7jg/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_TitleScreen_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Times are hard and Lara’s run out of functional pens, so it’s off to Alaska to pick up a nice little trinket that happens to be made out of solid gold.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U6vUSd2KTH0/T-TL_y-8hDI/AAAAAAAACLU/uV7cKPdhm7E/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Start2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gwFapDg0zO0/T-TMAsV1R1I/AAAAAAAACLc/Sq-x-8bT6CU/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The level starts with Lara plunging into some ice water.  At least it’s not a corridor.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Oao-w4v2bFo/T-TMBjbnAcI/AAAAAAAACLk/3HSwT6aoCRQ/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_BloodyHarpoonGu%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YubYEZHavZY/T-TMCE0fUwI/AAAAAAAACLs/iFylNPvbrWY/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_BloodyHarpoonGu%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>First weapon pick-up, and it’s a <em>bloody harpoon</em>.  Really, I would have been happier with mild disappointment.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FkoYxWLyCdw/T-TMCkH4EaI/AAAAAAAACL0/v-Ud-DudLKQ/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_DoNotWant3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oMVnr1RkMsw/T-TMDcE0vAI/AAAAAAAACL8/xoKAPaAt1SQ/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_DoNotWant_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Look, even Lara’s pissed off that she has to waste backpack space on this glorified toy dart gun.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q06aH5ai0_s/T-TMEJADkvI/AAAAAAAACME/uiSR5qeXc-w/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Sharky3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jRjg1uZvx1Q/T-TMEfc2EvI/AAAAAAAACMM/mcJRpxqhn14/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Sharky_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Oh, and there’s a shark chasing her, but I doubt she’s bothered about that, seeing as this is the cutest shark I have ever seen.  Look at it!  It has beady little eyes and it’s smiling! :D</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VmQHF53VYKo/T-TMFQv7GOI/AAAAAAAACMU/PTT-1KCCzU0/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Boop3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CSGBQ1__saQ/T-TMFsoP1DI/AAAAAAAACMc/heOfjej-igI/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Boop_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p>The part of me that recently became addicted to Imgur is <em>screaming</em> caption this picture with nothing more than “boop!”, but the part of me that wants to continuing earning the respect of my readers is doing its best to quash that urge.  We’ll know it’s too late when I start to superimpose poorly-written captions in the Impact font directly on to the pictures.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GF546i_EVdk/T-TMGNm-a5I/AAAAAAAACMk/Jnu4Ico9K0Q/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Secrets10.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N-jg6Z9yVGc/T-TMGu--0FI/AAAAAAAACMs/2E36eAohcBY/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Secrets_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p>The secrets are a little less refined in TR2 Gold than they are in the original game; this one is pretty much just some loose change.  Still, at least Lara can afford some stationary now.  "First stop, Staples!”</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SGXf9nkEe1I/T-TMH9JAhBI/AAAAAAAACM0/_2Y4Q5ti8I0/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Helicopter2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZlXpf2yXdTI/T-TMIZQeSAI/AAAAAAAACM8/8pYJ709gR2w/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Helicopter_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Having seen Lara avoid hypothermia and shark death and make it safely to land, the helicopter trundles off to go do whatever it is helicopters do.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gMQ0eMrSnmg/T-TMJG7Ya_I/AAAAAAAACNE/D3MxQtnPi6Q/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_DiveShot4.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7vXOgycNpsE/T-TMJtmoMaI/AAAAAAAACNM/5jadTR6VZaY/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_DiveShot_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Bad news, everybody, it looks like the snow leopard is still standing on <em>this</em> side of extinct.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pVMm5QF9yU8/T-TMKCZq9wI/AAAAAAAACNU/FuPQ-UZIEiI/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_WhiteSnowSuitMa.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-snPV4e6a-Sc/T-TMKgkUlrI/AAAAAAAACNc/fIB04oXu52c/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_WhiteSnowSuitMa%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="302" /></a></p> <p>But it’s not just cute sharks and irritating felines Lara has to face; there’s also this man, who looks like he orders his clothes exclusively from the KKK’s winter range catalogue.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZCXNkmIdVfE/T-TMLTfKLHI/AAAAAAAACNk/x9TAIygVYvk/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_ZipSwing2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NLZ9ROu9vNA/T-TMLhafsaI/AAAAAAAACNs/IaeumkGBuHQ/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_ZipSwing_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>There’s also a zip swing.  Yay, zip swing!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nMeQavjdcCc/T-TMMapdRvI/AAAAAAAACN0/USdunPedsMU/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Painful3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yNi6IragMSE/T-TMM46dMHI/AAAAAAAACN8/5wsePqMxcXQ/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Painful_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="298" /></a></p> <p>Not sure what’s going on here, but it looks painful.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FPlmTRh97uk/T-TMNx12nOI/AAAAAAAACOE/jDeukP_D4ME/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Base2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yR0FhQPCBpo/T-TMOicHKzI/AAAAAAAACOM/oJQKfNI5V0Y/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Base_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Eventually, Lara stumbles upon a military base peeping out between the hills of snow.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qk4vryJo-tA/T-TMPZvpiOI/AAAAAAAACOU/nWSyx9eUm7M/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_PrettySky2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C_Q-jkgD5pQ/T-TMPyfz2rI/AAAAAAAACOc/-uP-9pHy8Gg/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_PrettySky_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Ignore whatever the hell it is Lara's doing and appreciate the prettiness of the sky.  Aurora Borealis!  Looks like she picked a good time to venture north.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RqPf9BNnjFM/T-TMQiN2FVI/AAAAAAAACOk/_gqT_pxGbP8/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_RailFail%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KEucWM7pGfA/T-TMRIF7AzI/AAAAAAAACOs/if9s58hQ93U/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_RailFail_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Slightly-better-outfitted goon can only look on helplessly as Lara runs around his base.  Damn those impenetrable iron bars and their bullet-repelling powers!</p> <p> </p> <a name="snowmobile"></a> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k1pCYPT4K9Y/T-TMS1ddXTI/AAAAAAAACO0/mBSl4WPgESE/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_StylinSnowmobile.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zyn-f7shvFE/T-TMToyu4ZI/AAAAAAAACO8/4i9ga7u8oqQ/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_StylinSnowmobile_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="297" /></a></p> <p>Stylin’.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-njA5yOc7oJk/T-TMUWxPc_I/AAAAAAAACPE/fFCile5TsOQ/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_AwkwardSexy%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jxZo3HffNzc/T-TMU3xlPYI/AAAAAAAACPM/fhdbxWLrkMA/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_AwkwardSexy_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Lara takes a moment out of her busy schedule to practice some more seductive poses for TR3’s promotional images.  Keep trying, Lara.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8MUod6Kv99w/T-TMVgh2ghI/AAAAAAAACPU/NxFSaIxeo8M/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_DOOP%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WfLWmkyb0QI/T-TMWMMcLcI/AAAAAAAACPc/yREASn3sB4Y/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_DOOP_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="304" /></a></p> <p>On first glance, these signs looked like they said “DOOP”, but alas, close reading reveals it’s “CCCP” and any hopes of a Tomb Raider/Futurama crossover go out the window.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TXts_Ikw9W4/T-TMXLGuEWI/AAAAAAAACPk/4rrV_a6r0Zc/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_IceRoom2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hf-wi9BS2aY/T-TMX6AIjuI/AAAAAAAACPs/ei84Ng-9BK8/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_IceRoom_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>After a rather slow start, we make our way into the above room, which is probably the most interesting place in the level.  It’s light and pretty and has semi-transparent ice everywhere.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Iig_CmZTCPM/T-TMYnX7E5I/AAAAAAAACP0/eIuLtB9BSfA/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_IceMan12.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bamOrptRdlI/T-TMZMmgaBI/AAAAAAAACP8/gPGW8sXjnX8/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_IceMan1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Something a little more unusual dwells within this cave too, however.  Can you see it?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XQt1zQdLJF0/T-TMae2yQfI/AAAAAAAACQE/-MMZLyK8zD8/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_IceMan22.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IHJ7R7khpIE/T-TMa-lbmyI/AAAAAAAACQM/1CSKL7ewLXo/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_IceMan2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>How about now?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s3VexnNaw84/T-TMc-MWwZI/AAAAAAAACQU/Dl6fg1IdkfQ/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_IceMan3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BWuEuNcNbaw/T-TMdTgJ8OI/AAAAAAAACQc/DUPWmX_tlGg/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_IceMan3_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="301" /></a></p> <p>For those that still can’t see it, it’s some kind of translucent Ice Warrior thing who looks and acts a lot like the Barkhang monks with a fancy new texture.  There are quite a few of them running around the cave, for no discernable reason.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wBMQEWCSzFQ/T-TMeaL5U9I/AAAAAAAACQk/8-xSP1iELaE/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Falling2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CfbMD0NHyyA/T-TMfM30jJI/AAAAAAAACQs/Pe59H5sf37I/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_Falling_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>After this intriguing aside, it’s back to the boring ol’ army base to run around shooting people and then fall down a hole.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xDagHBEuIy8/T-TMgQU6KWI/AAAAAAAACQ0/fQCn6l_Irs8/s1600-h/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_End2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DCWLg0w2J0g/T-TMhDOPJSI/AAAAAAAACQ8/44hj4eOvxi4/TR2G_Lvl1_TheColdWar_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Soon after the hole comes The End Of The Level (thank God). </p> <p><strong>*!* BONUS PICTURE *!*</strong></p> <p>Lodair (who runs <a href="http://examinando-pixels.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Examinando Pixels</a>, the Portuguese translation of this blog), sent me some pictures he took of this level, which included an awesome set of Lara riding the snowmobile.  Here’s my favourite:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s2ETc_hh7-M/T-TMijtDKLI/AAAAAAAACRE/x09jYTw0Iaw/s1600-h/LODAIR_TR2G_ColdWar%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="LODAIR_TR2G_ColdWar" alt="LODAIR_TR2G_ColdWar" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uonPbAQ2pUY/T-TMjORCXkI/AAAAAAAACRM/bYY6LeOteNA/LODAIR_TR2G_ColdWar_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="281" /></a></p> <p>I think you’ll agree, this is a pretty cool image, at a great camera angle (although it does obscure the majesty of the zebra-print coating).  In fact, it kind of makes the level look more exciting than it actually was.</p> <p>Anyway, that’s all for now.  Stay tuned for the next level, which will hopefully be posted before the end of the year.</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-24425690295033927732012-05-07T11:00:00.001+01:002012-05-07T11:16:11.575+01:00Tomb Raider II: Recap<p>Welcome to my recap for Tomb Raider II, which will follow pretty much the same formula as <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/tomb-raider-recap.html" target="_blank">my recap for the first game</a>;  namely, posing myself questions lifted from <strong>Jeremy’s 30-Day Tomb Raider Challenge</strong> and <a href="http://blog.tombraiders.net/search/label/30-day%20challenge" target="_blank">Stella’s adaption of the same challenge</a> (as well as some of my own).</p> <p><strong><u>Favourite / Least Favourite Level</u></strong></p> <p>Obviously <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/11/venice.html" target="_blank">Venice</a> is the best level in the game (and, indeed, the world) for completely objective reasons that are in no way tied to my feelings of nostalgia and a series of vague dreams I had when I was ten.  Speedboats!  Classical music!  Door textures!  It's perfection in a .TR2 file.  <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/01/tibetan-foothills.html" target="_blank">Tibetan Foothills</a> is another great level, due in no small part to the inclusion of the snowmobile (with an accompanying theme song that’s almost as good as the speedboat’s one).  Of course, <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/laras-home-part-ii.html" target="_blank">Lara’s Home</a>, while not technically a level, is a excellent take on the traditional training area and really fleshes out the concept from its <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2009/07/laras-home.html" target="_blank">fairly brief predecessor</a>.</p> <p>Awarding least favourite is a lot more challenging.  Discarding levels that are pretty much one-trick ponies (<a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/04/dragons-lair.html" target="_blank">The Dragon’s Lair</a>, <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/04/home-sweet-home.html" target="_blank">Home Sweet Home</a> – both could be considered “bad” due to their shortness and lack of exploration), I suppose one of the water levels will have to suffice, simply because there are too many of the bloody things.  I’m going to say <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/12/wreck-of-maria-doria.html" target="_blank">Wreck of the Maria Doria</a>; it’s <strong>not</strong> awful, and it looks really good in some places, but it was a bit of a disappointment compared to how I remember it, and I seemed to enjoy the other sea levels a lot more.  Oh!  Except <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/01/deck.html" target="_blank">The Deck</a>.  In fact, pretty much same-goes for The Deck.  So, those two.</p> <p><u><strong>Favourite / Least Favourite Enemy</strong></u></p> <p>Despite originally awarding him the “most irritating enemy” award, I’m going to backtrack a little and rename flamethrower man as my <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eCjHCSztYT4/T6ec2FH70UI/AAAAAAAACIM/5BlYozoQOWw/s1600-h/image4.png"><img style="margin: 3px 6px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="" alt="" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XXg91aXMDTo/T6ec3dKqh9I/AAAAAAAACIU/sT67ZKRN2wE/image_thumb11.png?imgmax=800" width="124" height="180" /></a>most <em>favourite</em> enemy, because he was a little different from the other human enemies (the rest being your common ‘shoot-it-or-hit-it’ variety) and used sparingly enough to be challenging rather than an incredible hassle.  Getting on the wrong side of him is the equivalent of near-instant death, so you have to be a little more strategic when dealing with him.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tnyWctjZfdc/T6ec4j8OKiI/AAAAAAAACIc/g0ecrzPtLC0/s1600-h/image11.png"><img style="margin: 15px 0px 0px 6px; display: inline; float: right" title="" alt="" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hUbjemMzizA/T6ec6IOABrI/AAAAAAAACIk/MNP6mM0Q8w8/image_thumb20.png?imgmax=800" width="137" height="205" /></a></p> <p>My least-favourite enemy is the yeti, because I BLOODY HATE YETIS.  They make scary yelling noises and spend most of their time stomping around deep, dark pits which Lara is often forced to visit thanks to some game-progressing item.  Also, they just stand there crowing <strike>after they kill her</strike> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAcWx4GKRH4" target="_blank">after Lara dies</a> until presumably the end of time.  Talk about bad winners.</p> <p><u><strong>Favourite Weapon / Least Favourite Weapon</strong></u></p> <p>Once again, Uzis reign supreme because they’re fast, loud and deadly.  Grenade Launcher takes a close second for sheer novelty value (it’s raining body parts!).</p> <p>There’s enough weapons now to warrant a “least favourite weapon” category; naturally, this honour goes to the harpoon gun, which rarely hits the target and haemorrhages ammo.  It would seriously be more useful for Lara to arm herself with a knitting needle.  It’s not even worth removing the thing from its holster.</p> <p><strong><u>Favourite Puzzle</u></strong></p> <p>Is it me or are the puzzles a lot more action-dependent in Tomb Raider II, compared to the first game?  Many of them seemed somersault-based, and my brain is finding it hard to differentiate between what was an actual puzzle and and what was just general bouncing around.  The only one that really stands out is timed door at the end of Venice; I think figuring out how not to get blown up constitutes a brain-teaser. <br /></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LDUjUUThrJQ/T6ec9DlAPYI/AAAAAAAACIs/HVmt8jW-F1o/s1600-h/image5.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 5px; display: block; float: none" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WZSedx5jzVc/T6ec-mE8fII/AAAAAAAACI0/LFfqcuqaMHY/image_thumb6.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="215" /></a><font size="1">Puts that fire puzzle in Palace Midas to shame, doesn’t it?</font></p> <p><strong><u></u></strong></p> <p><strong><u>Favourite Music</u></strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpVOJVQpwKc" target="_blank">Venice Violins</a>.  Please note that this particular category extends beyond Tomb Raider II to encompass “every piece of music ever recorded”.  Why hasn’t Nathan McCree been knighted yet?</p> <p><strong><u>Favourite Scene</u></strong></p> <p>It was a tough decision, and the plane-crash scene – where Lara looks mildly inconvenienced when her plane has a crisis of confidence somewhere over Tibet – almost had it, but eventually I decided that the crown should go to the jeep-jacking FMV:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; width: 448px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:8da68c1f-280c-4b25-a047-453a2d02afc3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="ea9ebff6-788e-494f-b28b-7521aa93ea4b" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ-kpK5kG2U" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MuR640Epbu0/T6ec_mqgUbI/AAAAAAAACK0/bPqe7WRzl1o/video481e5e157cbe%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('ea9ebff6-788e-494f-b28b-7521aa93ea4b'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/XQ-kpK5kG2U?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/XQ-kpK5kG2U?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div><div style="width:448px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">Also, Hitman’s in it!</div></div> <p><strong><u></u></strong></p> <p><strong><u>Scariest Moment</u></strong></p> <p>I thought it was going to be the giant spiders’ nest in <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/03/temple-of-xian.html" target="_blank">Temple of Xian</a>, but no, it was this place: <br /></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DIto0wJaJFo/T6edCQBddNI/AAAAAAAACJE/KOkgwW5kj6A/s1600-h/image8.png"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KIVANRamEDk/T6edDzvVCjI/AAAAAAAACJM/JrsZXGYqDBk/image_thumb7.png?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Namely, the dark yeti-pit in <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/02/catacombs-of-talion.html" target="_blank">Catacombs of the Talion</a>.  Thank goodness for flares (and Uzis).</p> <p><strong><u>Most Emotional Moment</u></strong></p> <p>Nothing particularly upset me in Tomb Raider II, except maybe that <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/40-fathoms.html#shark" target="_blank">brain-damaged shark</a> I murdered.  Once again, we’ll have to turn to our old friend nostalgia and just gesture in Venice’s general direction.  Ah, Venice.  I probably would have been a well-adjusted, non-Tomb Raider obsessed woman if it wasn’t for you.</p> <p><strong><u>Favourite Outfit</u></strong></p> <p>Ooo, the creators really took the opportunity to play dress-up Lara with this instalment.  Five outfit changes feature:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PgQQ9JD1DF4/T6edEqNdLKI/AAAAAAAACJU/bHZ42qIY7L0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl1_GreatWall_Outfit15.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="" alt="" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bf97yIpYxKs/T6edFpuhHAI/AAAAAAAACJY/jDr18Q0XEtI/TR2_Lvl1_GreatWall_Outfit_thumb21.jpg?imgmax=800" width="126" height="265" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iw6vFJHeGww/T6edGVcvsjI/AAAAAAAACJk/BCA-R0AA_Ew/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl0_Home_Outfit20.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="" alt="" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LRRVUTUxtFc/T6edHd_oW_I/AAAAAAAACJo/LRyknya6Lug/TR2_Lvl0_Home_Outfit_thumb24.jpg?imgmax=800" width="123" height="265" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oeB5x26Fy1Y/T6edIvBJHdI/AAAAAAAACJ0/wPClL7eYw1Y/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl9_LivingQuarters_Outfit11.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="" alt="" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yCgMFEKlIB0/T6edJbiChgI/AAAAAAAACJ4/eK-WrbQagb4/TR2_Lvl9_LivingQuarters_Outfit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="130" height="265" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MEigQjmJMSk/T6edKIlwByI/AAAAAAAACKA/pHGVLO6O7no/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl11_TibetanFoothills_Outfit14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="" alt="" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oIU3WfUSg_0/T6edK8hmfxI/AAAAAAAACKI/KU0TmZNJBwY/TR2_Lvl11_TibetanFoothills_Outfit_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="138" height="265" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F1XuPooFPr0/T6edMlYIixI/AAAAAAAACKU/U93YgeCLQDs/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Outfit10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; float: right" title="" alt="" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nNnWmeBZoxQ/T6edNMQLq-I/AAAAAAAACKY/tttrECl8KOs/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Outfit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="123" height="265" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em>Clockwise <br />from top left:</em> <br /> <br />Classic, <br />Home, Underwater, Nightdress, <br />Cold Weather(!).</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">All have their merits (and her ‘hanging out at home’ clothes are a 250% improvement from the first game), but ultimately I will opt for the cold-weather outfit worn in Tibet, an outfit that seems to be at odds with itself: a cosy-looking jacket paired with a pair of shorts that were barely worth putting on.</p> <p align="left"><strong><u>Favourite Way To Kill Lara</u></strong></p> <p align="left">Yetis put on a fairly good show of removing Lara from the mortal coil, but, as we’re all aware, I hate yetis.  So I’m going to ignore them in favour of <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/04/floating-islands.html" target="_blank">Floating Islands</a>’ spearmen and their economical murder-weapon-cum-cooking-utensil approach.</p> <p align="left"><strong><u>Conclusion</u></strong></p> <p>The original Tomb Raider – as ground-breaking as it was – seems almost conservative compared to its ambitious little sister. The first game sent Lara spelunking round various underground location, so TR2 takes her from the top of the Tibetan mountain ranges to the bottom of the ocean. TR1 provides handguns of varying power; TR2 adds rifles, harpoons and grenade launchers into the mix. TR1’s Lara has to walk everywhere (in game, at least), while Lara 2.0 has gained a driving license and gains access to a couple of vehicles to wreak havoc (and wreck gondolas) with.</p> <p>This is all to be expected, of course. Tomb Raider I was testing the water with the concept, and its success meant that Tomb Raider II could really take the plunge. Unfortunately, in its haste to plus-one everything, some defining qualities from the first game got left on the wayside, the two main examples being lack of puzzles (I mentioned above that I couldn’t really remember any in particular and I’m pretty sure that’s not just my terrible memory) and a diminished sense of isolation. The latter isn’t exactly a <em>bad</em> thing – the player doesn’t need to experience the same feeling of tomb-exploring solitude when they’re in the middle of European city, do they? – but it did somewhat diminish the Lara vs. The World trope into something more like Lara vs. Loads of Bad Guys, By Herself Until The Cavalry Eventually Decide To Turn Up (Not That They Ever Do, But That’s Beside The Point). </p> <p>How much you miss the seclusion from the first game depends on the player - I actually find it slightly less nerve-wracking to explore a place that should technically be “peopled”, even if they are all thugs – but the puzzle thing is probably more objective, for it really was a big part of the first game. I for one could have happily swapped a few henchmen for something like the gold-bar conundrum in <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/09/palace-midas.html" target="_blank">Palace Midas</a>.</p> <p>But these flaws are forgivable in the face of the rest of the game, which is truly excellent. I don’t think it’s one of those elusive “better” sequels, but it certainly doesn’t disgrace the series and can proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its elder sister.  In short; it’s still awesome.</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-24880127892394823422012-04-22T17:16:00.001+01:002012-04-23T14:49:15.112+01:00Home Sweet Home<p>Right, now we really <em>are</em> at the end.  Or, too be more specific, the epilogue.  Core Design, in a stroke of characteristic genius, decided to return to the awesomeness that is Lara’s humble abode, toss in some weaponry and a few moving targets, switch on “night mode” and let the fun commence.  It’s the perfect way to wind down after climax of the game; it’s like the video game equivalent of tea and an after-eight mint.</p> <p><em>Having spent the past few weeks plundering ships, defacing temples and ensuring her place on Venice’s Most Wanted list, Lara finally has the Dagger of Xian and has returned home to relax by a roaring fire and study her prize.</em></p> <p><em>However, the late Marco Bartoli’s remaining henchmen are pretty upset by how things have turned out and have driven to Lara’s home to seek their revenge and reclaim the dagger.  Aided only by a shotgun and a few thousand shells, Lara must protect herself and her home from the onslaught.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RMoKcybiNCU/T5QubSRF-KI/AAAAAAAACE8/UkTOkKlMgXM/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Fire25.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G-mssFj2ezU/T5QucSZ8Q1I/AAAAAAAACFE/rUr8bjaQ55I/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Fire_thumb19.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The afore-mentioned roaring fire.  Or, alternatively, Lara has <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/laras-home-part-ii.html#firegold" target="_blank">so much excess gold</a> that she’s decided to set some of it alight.  No wonder people hate the decadent upper classes.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ujNRtBg61Zo/T5Qud2iE9RI/AAAAAAAACFM/E3dU2qFhEwo/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Bed11.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aKhN8nWGA5E/T5Quezz1GqI/AAAAAAAACFU/6sAnIRZn4r4/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Bed_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Just <em>look</em> at the size of that bed compared to Lara.  I’m surprised she could get up onto it without a step ladder.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nf_p1mWGBak/T5QugkbZmiI/AAAAAAAACFc/XST5AhPu6Uc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_BadSecurity8.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m4RN_5LJr8A/T5Quhm60BvI/AAAAAAAACFk/FE8UqrNDnsI/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_BadSecurity_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>While Lara admires her pretty new toy, the Fiamma Nera have managed to bypass Lara’s front gates and have parked their vans haphazardly over the driveway.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nmClCGQ0t00/T5Qui3Om6PI/AAAAAAAACFs/1hpwv7I2T-w/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_GunCupboard1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JaCJOjJoBO8/T5QujiHvDII/AAAAAAAACF0/jGMYMz-YpdY/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_GunCupboard_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Lara moves swiftly to the massive cupboard by her bed, wherein lies a solitary shotgun and a boatload of ammo.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LQPTarpNFlQ/T5QulSdrpUI/AAAAAAAACF8/2DiTig4vq-Q/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Bodies.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F-9iNlV3KUw/T5QuobOcG0I/AAAAAAAACGE/73VUz0kHdGQ/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Bodies_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The one time Lara could probably use a cup of tea and that doddering dust-cloud of a butler is nowhere to be seen.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VS1WjuiIVkE/T5QupmYxVJI/AAAAAAAACGM/zAItrjzx30k/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Music8.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HMGaMg9rkP8/T5QuqhdaKII/AAAAAAAACGU/ha3B1HRBPGI/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Music_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Halfway through the level, I realised that I was wasting the opportunity to listen to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpVOJVQpwKc">one of the greatest pieces of music ever recorded</a> whilst simultaneously shooting bad guys (“to hell!”). </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3kJABO1bWog/T5QusWqmkSI/AAAAAAAACGc/JxBCM-KKKZ4/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Van.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xxf3vVKaBwU/T5QutXybYcI/AAAAAAAACGk/ZJB16Tegsos/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Van_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>There’s something about this van that screams “cute”.  I think it’s the comical little wheels.  It’s like that obese internet seal with the blue bucket.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dnFQs3OFImY/T5QuuRbK3dI/AAAAAAAACGs/YGRSqKilhV0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_ShotgunMan%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o8d7f-P466s/T5QuvVRWgfI/AAAAAAAACGw/niOadY1-Tos/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_ShotgunMan_thumb%25255B25%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>After a suitable about of time and people have passed, the man I like to call “Mr Twin Shotguns” enters the scene – a name that I realised half-way through battle was something of a misnomer, seeing as he’s actually just a slightly less-ugly version of <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/opera-house.html#revolverguy">Giant Revolver Guy</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mp2vjg_RzOE/T5Qux4uIwjI/AAAAAAAACG8/q95iKAbpuso/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Undressing8.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fJWLt7x7fjg/T5Quy1zZ1LI/AAAAAAAACHE/QC3o79k2HtU/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Undressing_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Her home goon-free once again, Lara opts for a quick shower.  Somewhere in 1997, millions of porn-starved adolescent pulses begin to race.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-piTmx9ubl4w/T5Quz1g3dkI/AAAAAAAACHM/uXG1LhhPU_E/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Ponytail%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eh0HQtxCqYY/T5Qu0gOvOlI/AAAAAAAACHU/3c4BWFGjOLs/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Ponytail_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="134" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V-X4BSLtvTk/T5Qu2I1hmHI/AAAAAAAACHc/kEbOOGDB59k/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Shot1%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fctWtkqaFTI/T5Qu22POchI/AAAAAAAACHk/3DQpxn8k5tk/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Shot1_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="128" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6Rsu46qeADQ/T5Qu4GRckDI/AAAAAAAACHs/ZakNX_lvuro/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Shot2%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AZV-8T-qdr4/T5Qu45HqxuI/AAAAAAAACHw/Un3HP3uzgNc/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_Shot2_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="115" height="184" /></a></p> <p><em>“Don’t you think you’ve seen enough?” </em>Lara scolds, disappointing many pixel-based erotica fans and providing me with a default signature line for the next fifteen years.  Then she takes up her shotgun shell and blows the camera away.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HstuWkzvjVI/T5Qu58xc8BI/AAAAAAAACH8/aDrwQh4vndk/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_FinalStats2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KN1ZqsU1GUw/T5Qu624eWdI/AAAAAAAACIE/UT7IAdg8bBY/TR2_Lvl18_HomeSweetHome_FinalStats_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>And <em>that’s</em> the end of Tomb Raider II.  And look, the game gives us our final statistics!  Using a calculator and a vague memory of GCSE Mathematics, I figured out that my shooting was roughly 80% accurate and and my average level time was 56 minutes and 28 seconds.  How’s that for some fun facts?</p> <p>I will be posting my Tomb Raider II recap sometime in the near future and then we’ll be moving on to Tomb Raider II: The Golden Mask.  See you soon! :D</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-81441047338806282852012-04-04T21:41:00.001+01:002012-04-04T21:41:29.541+01:00The Dragon’s Lair<p><em>So it all comes down to this; The Dragon’s Lair.  The final stage in Lara’s pursuit of the Dagger of Xian, a quest that has led her to China, Venice, Tibet and even the darkest corners of the ocean floor.</em></p> <p><em>And now she just has to murder a dragon and wrench the dagger out of its still-beating heart.  Should be simple enough.</em></p> <p>The finale itself is pretty short.  It’s basically a chain of three rooms, in varying sizes, each containing a different type of enemy to ward off.  There’s not much room for the fancy acrobatics Lara’s relied on in recent levels, but there’s plenty of opportunity to get ammo’d up and kill some bad guys.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ZrDm1z0lnc/T3yxT3HCKoI/AAAAAAAACA8/zYJOGCE8Y0Q/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Start2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a-Moh7CkoaM/T3yxUhUMrSI/AAAAAAAACBE/jlNmt7vX0Pg/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The start of the level and it’s a relief to see that, <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/great-pyramid.html">unlike last time</a>, we’re not immediately thrust into battle with the big bad boss.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DHg0LUT7h28/T3yxVldWpaI/AAAAAAAACBM/pmGE5_unZYI/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Jump3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YT15-DQU03w/T3yxXexX3TI/AAAAAAAACBU/W28khIV91_M/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Jump_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>I have nothing to say about this image other than I thought it was pretty awesome.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XVC8DEh4kdw/T3yxY3QfOEI/AAAAAAAACBc/yRxOv62Ih68/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_ArmsCrossed1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fGgV52sNI_M/T3yxZZVQ42I/AAAAAAAACBk/H4VCL2oSMUk/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_ArmsCrossed_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>After battling her way through the first room (spearmen), Lara finds herself in a dimly-lit area, facing the possibility of a painful death via…uh…being frowned at?  Seriously, that is the stance of a man that has pretty much given up with trying to stop her.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EXGLlcVHwHY/T3yxasq95BI/AAAAAAAACBs/iA3YxI37MJE/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Egg1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-exxoJrf5RCA/T3yxbWlAV_I/AAAAAAAACB0/IRw-vjCBQO0/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Egg_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p>The first thing I thought when I saw this pick-up was that one of the cultists had laid an egg.  I need to stop playing Minecraft.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oKTmFDMvK-Y/T3yxcSd89JI/AAAAAAAACB8/t3xO4A9KYEE/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_FriendlyDragon1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WqQVIfsA3OA/T3yxdd-g7SI/AAAAAAAACCE/_08F4yMnBx8/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_FriendlyDragon_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="296" /></a></p> <p>I wouldn’t get too complacent, the dragon behind this door certainly ain’t as friendly as the one on it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XP42naKYI_s/T3yxfhLsnuI/AAAAAAAACCM/Pc-coFFFLH8/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_CrazyDancing1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-24IsltwSMfA/T3yxhWGweDI/AAAAAAAACCU/UvMZLhcC-ic/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_CrazyDancing_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Lara finds Marco Bartoli lying on a slab and celebrates with a head spin.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mAD6eJRTsSQ/T3yxi03L4RI/AAAAAAAACCc/3ZuTW_6ldqg/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Roar2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zrSnf5piCHA/T3yxj6rHb5I/AAAAAAAACCk/jt2JIzh16I8/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Roar_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Angered by being shown up on the dance floor (and because he’s got a enchanted blade rammed into the ol’ ticker), Marco turns into a dragon and starts trying to cook and/or eat Lara.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--YpwK_JIUTc/T3yxlRYqM0I/AAAAAAAACCs/tsXlWXXGs9c/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Wounded2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1kWGyLj1I88/T3yxnFEXY5I/AAAAAAAACC0/Ggb5dj3nqxI/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Wounded_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>It took a few thousands rounds from the Uzis before I finally gave up and used the easy-sneaky method from <a href="http://tombraiders.net/stella/walks/TR2walk/17dragonslair.html">Stella’s walkthrough</a>.  Hey, it isn’t cheating if Lara didn’t have to draw a flare and do a little dance for it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y6n-XmSdIOk/T3yxo04uuII/AAAAAAAACC8/ae29TnVTok8/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Dagger2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZACNKx5FXW0/T3yxpqLN0DI/AAAAAAAACDE/C9RNfP5AWRw/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Dagger_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>At last!  The Dagger of the Xian of ours.  And hey, look, there’s a spare one still stuck in him in case we lose this one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gWhWxNBt5kc/T3yxqO8um8I/AAAAAAAACDM/UU8sWKathQQ/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Dagger_Circled%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Dagger_Circled" alt="TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Dagger_Circled" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rfYGYGd8Xs8/T3yxr3G_RiI/AAAAAAAACDU/1g133HUZxk0/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Dagger_Circled_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="214" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XtA1uXpJGbc/T3yxtjyKegI/AAAAAAAACDc/PFbHy_D-4AM/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_NoDragon2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ORcRMJOSRTM/T3yxusP6ssI/AAAAAAAACDk/QPMTgvEDCz4/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_NoDragon_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Plucking the dagger from out of the dragon’s underbelly causes the whole thing to melt, leaving a skeleton that is no doubt going to bamboozle some palaeontologists at a later stage.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WO_G2Qv6BSA/T3yxv7Myg6I/AAAAAAAACDs/jHpa7Lp2_Vw/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Escape2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rvndEIOkzKo/T3yxwpLY9eI/AAAAAAAACD0/qnqcjsrHpTg/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_Escape_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The dagger successfully recovered, Lara makes a break for freedom.</p> <p><em>The Dagger of Xian stowed safely away in her backpack, Lara makes a hasty exit from the temple, which is starting to fall down around her.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ewc8FVFPiSA/T3yxx4IDFFI/AAAAAAAACD8/B83NAgrjdBs/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_FMV_RunToward%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k8S3FB6YKFI/T3yx2zX91NI/AAAAAAAACEE/iL5b1izJju0/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_FMV_RunToward_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="299" /></a></p> <p>You really wouldn’t want to look down an alleyway and see <em>this</em> coming towards you.</p> <p><em>Lara reaches the surface just as a massive explosion rocks the temple and throws her hurtling into the air.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XNjuxrY5t4Y/T3yx39HQfsI/AAAAAAAACEM/LXRGKVXvi2w/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_FMV_JumpOut%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ggxBDd-nYTw/T3yx4nDrtBI/AAAAAAAACEU/pUmwpb6jCpw/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_FMV_JumpOut_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="301" /></a></p> <p>Wheeeeeeeeee!  This is even better than spring-boards.</p> <p><em>Lara falls to the ground and passes out, while the continuing explosion devastates the surrounding area.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AI9SpSZm7XY/T3yx6MWKWoI/AAAAAAAACEc/ZAyZhhvPw3U/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_FMV_Wall%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-egwm96hEcM4/T3yx6kEBT6I/AAAAAAAACEk/L2_HKUg932E/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_FMV_Wall_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="301" /></a></p> <p>After an involuntary nap, Lara wakes up and finds that she’s inadvertently blown up part of the Great Wall of China.  Hey-ho, there’s tons of it left.</p> <p><em>Her work done, Lara heads for home.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FCyjfN-apCU/T3yx8PAeyOI/AAAAAAAACEs/GEr0YHPgzlg/s1600-h/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_End2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6eEk9ZQijg0/T3yx-EgmTUI/AAAAAAAACE0/8jmqqezxzGg/TR_Lvl17_DragonLair_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Aaaand that’s the end of Tomb Raider II.  Nearly.</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-56127422929421226822012-04-01T11:42:00.001+01:002012-04-01T11:42:53.251+01:00Floating Islands<p>Well done to Core Design for not opting for a more whimsical level name; Floating Islands is what it’s called and floating islands is what it is.  Well, that and floating enemies, floating temples and floating random pieces of neon-green jade - in fact, pretty much the only thing that isn’t acting like it’s been injected with industrial-strength helium is Lara herself.</p> <p><em>Marco Bartoli has beaten Lara to the Dagger of Xian, and has attempted to utilize its dragon-transforming abilities by stabbing himself in the heart.  Refusing to give up just yet, Lara follows his body as Marco’s goons carry it away.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1mZD1dN2B5A/T3guIcHxAhI/AAAAAAAAB8w/vJF7sepMOHg/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Start2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ADXkVWCMXfw/T3guJ1zxnGI/AAAAAAAAB84/QHRzBOGfD20/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Start_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>After all the thrills of the last level, starting out in Floating Islands seems strangely serene, probably because this is the first time in a while Lara has been able to stand still without incurring the wrath of various spike-laden implements.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZsxI_vt1tJY/T3guNuzCPsI/AAAAAAAAB9A/nDmXaN6FHVo/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_FlyingSwor.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZCEzmRBBK08/T3guO84LrBI/AAAAAAAAB9I/cGnjXf3jvq0/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_FlyingSwor%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Of course, all this serenity and peacefulness can’t last for long.  Floating Islands is the level that introduces the flying warriors, massive tanks of men that each wield a sword the size of small boat.  As if this wasn’t enough, they all seems to be sporting some kind of rocket-powered footwear (very ancient Chinese-y, I’m sure) and can take to the sky at will.  It’s fairly easy to kill them in the air, because they move rather slowly, but a couple of times I didn’t notice them flying about and got a rather unpleasant surprise when they decided to use Lara as a runway strip.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uNKmMZuoweg/T3guSz44yoI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/ixhBBGHFQ_c/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_SwordmanWi%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W_QuvogrkTc/T3guUmJu7cI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/A1lHgrbIFJo/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_SwordmanWi%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Believe me, you don’t want one of these bad boys on the ground with you.  Seriously, look at the size of that sword.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qoB1h75ja-c/T3guYt596lI/AAAAAAAAB9g/DAg07uH7laY/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_SwordmanDe%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JffvjpRIfKk/T3guabtilXI/AAAAAAAAB9o/d6ZnrKKaMnE/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_SwordmanDe.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="302" /></a></p> <p>Once defeated, the warriors turn into statues and explode, which is a shame, because I wouldn’t have minded a pair of those flying boots.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_6IrpahGeZg/T3guhZVoBZI/AAAAAAAAB9w/4lnYsc9ublU/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Spearman1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PO-u1t2z1AU/T3gupfOsfuI/AAAAAAAAB94/slCqtH3vzEg/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Spearman_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Still, the flying warriors are like irritating little bats compared to their more numerous cousin, the spearmen.  What they lack in flying skills they make up for – and then some – in almost every other aspect.  They’re fast, strong and have a fondness for impaling Lara on their spears like she’s a marshmallow.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EnQjBwWk6_U/T3guuYNa3GI/AAAAAAAAB-A/_KS0FzmzN8w/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_FireTemple.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7m2S-jXTWfo/T3guv7NFh0I/AAAAAAAAB-I/wuvggUe1I4g/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_FireTemple%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>This is a pretty awesome site, when you come to it; a pretty little bridge in a picturesque setting that leads to a big temple that seems to be on fire.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aDRHG58DxJI/T3gu16_tyBI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/cB7GVHy8yEY/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_ZipLine15.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f6prCeK4w9c/T3gu3a0Wg4I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/948pq60oI8c/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_ZipLine_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Oh, hey, it’s a zip slide!  Haven’t seen one of those for a while.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8cXDMuLqmjY/T3gu7AECgPI/AAAAAAAAB-g/mFLOft-M82o/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Unveiled1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bDmuyzdBa2k/T3gu8n5QmDI/AAAAAAAAB-o/qan7rFqod7I/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Unveiled_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>One pleasant moment inside the temple is when this curtain lifts to reveal three spearmen.  Like they’re a prize or something.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7OAzy-W9UQo/T3gvACNe3GI/AAAAAAAAB-w/_1pVd8H5MRI/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_SoManySpea%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6I2AUu0bq1c/T3gvB6MRACI/AAAAAAAAB-4/xiwbbl-woOc/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_SoManySpea.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I love this picture.  M16 versus Spears!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DXcOwXqMI2M/T3gvHWMwHSI/AAAAAAAAB_A/SOLXzsDCWOo/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Everything%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l8EuNvQHWIk/T3gvK2E3r-I/AAAAAAAAB_I/1J4bS-fsy-g/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Everything.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Fire: a perfectly viable building material.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8RDg8wPC2pY/T3gvQV8P7pI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/cKpoajwA-C0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Enemies21.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qsp6gLvABbA/T3gvTFv8llI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/wwMeotK6UBo/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Enemies2_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Eventually, the level gets bored of acting like there’s any chance it wants you to escape alive and plunges you into a room filled to bursting point with spearmen and a new breed of Bartoli’s henchmen, who can throw <strike>cursors</strike> knives with deadly accuracy.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6G9G7n5tKIU/T3gvXgv-qGI/AAAAAAAAB_g/vBulgvkTN8g/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Enemies32.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DWW38qqOgys/T3gvaAf_DsI/AAAAAAAAB_o/dpywKVmEopI/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Enemies3_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This happened far more frequently than I would want to admit.  Note how Knife-Throwing Guy looks kind of upset about it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ko49c25ThPE/T3gvdZsuL-I/AAAAAAAAB_w/OrodCKocBeU/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Salute2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-84rJ63X-91A/T3gveyys_FI/AAAAAAAAB_4/0WsLQeXrzqA/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Salute_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Lara takes a moment to salute one of the knife-throwers as he’s blown to smithereens by one of her grenades.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hEjo8eaGxFo/T3gvhRJalpI/AAAAAAAACAA/5NNoyXd6xq0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Peekaboo2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dprjEUvXyW8/T3gviwmo6lI/AAAAAAAACAI/_FvSKr6K20s/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Peekaboo_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="304" /></a></p> <p>She indulges another guard in a spirited game of peek-a-boo between rounds.  Stop fraternizing with the enemy, Lara!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LbLnvdFUGeo/T3gvozxpRHI/AAAAAAAACAQ/1B-MqUxp7uc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Overkill2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p2CDRiAx8vs/T3gvrNHxnQI/AAAAAAAACAY/upPLhl1uJTE/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_Overkill_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Pictured: overkill.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XC59uBNOBhw/T3gvwSnKW-I/AAAAAAAACAg/T-ORH_zoCi0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_End2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5yNa6D8w6pE/T3gvykUzngI/AAAAAAAACAo/UBTkpwXSsw8/TR2_Lvl16_FloatingIslands_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>And that’s the end of Floating Island.  We’re nearing the journey’s end now – just two teeny little levels to go.</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-10424088900402056812012-03-27T10:06:00.001+01:002012-09-08T21:31:40.275+01:00Temple of Xian<p>Spike-pits.  Sliding.  Spiders (Giant).  All this and then another hundred thousand buckets full of this can be found in the Temple of Xian, a level concerned with exploring the titular temple and its surrounding area.  The level picks up where its locational predecessor The Great Wall left off, randomly plunging Lara into lengthy gauntlets of spiked walls, rolling spikes, spikey swinging bags and anything else that could feasibly have a spike glued to it.</p> <p>Any rare moment when Lara is <em>not</em> impaled on some macabre instrument of death can be spent admiring the surroundings, which are, for the most part, absolutely stunning; huge waterfalls, intricate murals and dragon-themed fixtures are just a few of the many delightful things you can glimpse as you run (or slide) screaming from a giant, spike-incrusted spider that would probably shoot spikes at you as well if it could get close enough.</p> <p><em>Lara has finally opened the entrance to the Temple of Xian, within which lays the coveted Dagger of Xian.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CTOLxdO4I38/T3GB5MJiHpI/AAAAAAAABxo/DzFd6C9TsO4/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Start4.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n3GZoSRCe2I/T3GB6PadChI/AAAAAAAABxs/2V_YfPkXupI/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Start_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Not content with the old “starting off in front of a dark corridor” trope, Temple of Xian goes one better and just plunges you straight into the dark corridor.  Which is in front of a <em>light</em> corridor.  We’re really pushing the paradigm here.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cp8rciM6Rwg/T3GB7c5xU8I/AAAAAAAABx4/9Y-KE7bbhqg/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Door2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BZ9wvP5ixxo/T3GB84fhceI/AAAAAAAAByA/AR3JnNwJuuU/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Door_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This is the door last glimpsed in <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/great-wall.html#door" target="_blank">The Great Wall</a>.  Yes, it’s taken us thirteen levels to get through it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5a5gvE2lDG4/T3GB-bqo4zI/AAAAAAAAByI/ytB4Ay83lRg/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Texture3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z4Z8VUss1dQ/T3GB_awJmnI/AAAAAAAAByQ/GHAInspj8Xo/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Texture_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This room is the polar opposite of that textureless room from <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/temple-of-cat.html#textureless" target="_blank">Temple of the Cat</a>.  Evidently they replaced that artist with a click-happy enthusiast.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-umbv4I0ADZA/T3GCBic7nZI/AAAAAAAAByY/cZk21J0Y2Jo/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_DaggerHolder14.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4TDHXh8p8zE/T3GCCr6_voI/AAAAAAAAByg/3WpDc-5H7-s/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_DaggerHolder_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>There it is, at last!  The Dagger of Xian!  To think, at the start of the first level we were less than a mile from it, and now, finally, it’s within our reach…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q1NGynp0Jt4/T3GCEVutAtI/AAAAAAAAByo/OzqVM2Rs5no/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Dive21.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p5kYC1Dobh0/T3GCFGQ823I/AAAAAAAAByw/9UhqhCugwrA/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Dive_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Of course, nothing is that easy, and the previous owners of the artefact guarded it well against anybody silly enough to think they can just walk up and take it.  The floor surrounding the dagger gives way and Lara finds herself sliding down a waterfall (probably being chased by a boulder, I can’t remember).  To compensate, the game gave me an opportunity to execute one of those awesome-camera-angle swan-dives, so it’s not all bad.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4uGKJz6YKSA/T3GCG42ddlI/AAAAAAAABy4/ejOugQ0gucs/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_TempleMaybe2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n6-QmZ_kk_I/T3GCIFtzB1I/AAAAAAAABzA/5QyJ9Sxt860/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_TempleMaybe_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>After a brief bit of swimming about, Lara stumbles across the Temple of Xian.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pCS2_PWWNhs/T3GCJcbn--I/AAAAAAAABzI/TFV-fDyyQow/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Tiger1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J_HgRdfl8eY/T3GCKqY0X0I/AAAAAAAABzM/R_tHCjlYchc/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Tiger_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="304" /></a></p> <p>Fed up with walls and blocks, Lara has found a tiger (who has the ability to apparate) to hug, but the tiger doesn’t seem so keen.  That’ll teach you for running away from those cute snowman boulders, Lara.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vzxpp3WQOY8/T3GCLvL8sCI/AAAAAAAABzY/0ADb0zK0mtw/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_BOOBS2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eCGsdYoIOrI/T3GCMux91XI/AAAAAAAABzg/Hxjw-7S4A4I/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_BOOBS_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This image bypasses any erotic appeal and goes straight for terrifying.</p> <p>Alternate caption: Hahaha, BOOBS.</p> <p> </p> <br /><p><a name="kick"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DH-1W9wXsiM/T3GCOQyS_vI/AAAAAAAABzo/8LhgljdmgIQ/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_KickEagle21.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d434FNC0qo8/T3GCPaQy86I/AAAAAAAABzw/8Ci39K0l_Kw/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_KickEagle_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="298" /></a></p> <p>I hope it’s clear to see what’s going on here.  Basically, Lara is kicking an eagle in the face.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XGN-DCCxklI/T3GCQ2TVr9I/AAAAAAAABz4/Td4747fRoXA/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_StandinginLava1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-edDYIPdiX64/T3GCS6ZQEZI/AAAAAAAABz8/zoM3RI35kss/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_StandinginLava_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="303" /></a></p> <p>Still riding high on the extra-credit awesome of the above picture, Lara pauses to take a dip in some highly-corrosive, highly-flammable red gunge and somehow leaves unscathed.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UtaMj7IFrj8/T3GCUHDq-8I/AAAAAAAAB0I/7SZzAUpfdoI/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SafeSpikes2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i7cxnE77Edw/T3GCU1X-XlI/AAAAAAAAB0M/-bMFxEp1l6Y/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SafeSpikes_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Then she just casually leaps into a spike pit without sustaining even the smallest scratch.  I suppose this new-found ability to cheat physics kind of makes up for the fact that this level is 90% sharp and pointy.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jtUb4g3WDfw/T3GCWuY2FnI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/Zk3C1lH9JkI/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Creepy1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PEf6_QPmzHI/T3GCXYPq2AI/AAAAAAAAB0c/Cy92qkHInDY/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Creepy_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="301" /></a></p> <p>Inside the temple dwell a collection of life-size warrior statues (it could be a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army" target="_blank">terracotta army</a>, which I have just this minute learnt about(TR just keeps on teaching!)), some of which bare an striking resemblance to Sir Ian McKellen.</p> <p> </p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xOF3zAUzn_E/T3GCYKgjTLI/AAAAAAAAB0k/VejrBkyn9R4/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Creepy3.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uLNp2E1qWCo/T3GCZPfGP9I/AAAAAAAAB0s/v5UnR-zJ8JQ/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Creepy_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="172" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gandalf600ppx.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EmNhieqgJWE/T3GCaC4t_RI/AAAAAAAAB04/oPQT-YGBR6w/image1.png?imgmax=800" width="173" height="184" /></a><font size="1"> <br /><font color="#fef0a5">Source: Wikipedia</font></font></p> <p>Okay, maybe Ian McKellen’s half-Chinese son.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--3DJ5KDiXbU/T3GCbrK9niI/AAAAAAAAB1A/V1S_GzMCQZ0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpikedWalls2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GKiP3Ycqrp0/T3GCciWrBnI/AAAAAAAAB1I/a-XEurFboRI/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpikedWalls_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="299" /></a></p> <p>I wasn’t joking about the amount of spikey traps in this level.  Even your bog-standard “death by crushing walls” had to be pimped up with some of those things.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-38kYFUxkZBw/T3GCeHFtWcI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/OzlH54WvHHs/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_BladeLadder2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BYzgInAh2kU/T3GCfJc0C8I/AAAAAAAAB1Y/i_9TZYMZKzY/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_BladeLadder_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Never have I wanted to descend down a dark pit more (well, since the last level).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VU1HYaXPpUs/T3GCgiwi0RI/AAAAAAAAB1g/LNyvYq_9Wnc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpikeySwingyThi.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V6anFn4wCSY/T3GChlhaZnI/AAAAAAAAB1o/D20QQprXZyQ/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpikeySwingyThi%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>“Sure, she’ll probably be die from blunt force trauma or being drowned in highly toxic acid, but neither of those deaths have to ability to <em>perforate</em> the body like we, the temple designers, apparently desire.”</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5P4afte3n9M/T3GCi8BVk8I/AAAAAAAAB1w/ePZDdWN3xAA/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Singing1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hyIObPg_LXw/T3GCjo_qhxI/AAAAAAAAB14/_gbS3k2NTeI/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Singing_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Lara’s surroundings inspire her to burst into song.  “<em>The tombs are alive…with the sound of multiple-opportunities-for-a-slow-and-painful-death…”</em></p> <p>Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a Tomb Raider musical?  I would happily volunteer my services as lyricist.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0y4pqgAw2eA/T3GClYlBf5I/AAAAAAAAB2A/Vo_CtpHzu0E/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpikeCeiling2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p1YjyAB7b_M/T3GCmHSLnmI/AAAAAAAAB2I/7Bs4WN7GReM/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpikeCeiling_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Another close call.  Actually, it wasn’t that close, she died.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hxl1vt4N8iY/T3GCpNzTMkI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/_0sXagltFts/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpiderEntrance1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9xnjbwf2ouc/T3GCqKSFuMI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/QrscihxkGhM/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpiderEntrance_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This is the part of the level I was dreading; the entrance to the infamous “spider cave”.  Last time I played this level (aged 15) I had to have my mother sit next to me while I went through it, and so, this time, I waited for my husband to get home before I ventured inwards.  I called him into the room to stand guard while I took my first, tentative steps into the dark hole, only to dismiss him thirty seconds later when I realised that I wasn’t exactly quaking in terror.  Apparently, 15-year-old me was a bit of a wimp.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UtBH2Tkbobs/T3GCre5ubBI/AAAAAAAAB2g/6jMDCTUiJSY/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpiderFamily1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uTkq9JJN66s/T3GCsQzmlnI/AAAAAAAAB2o/eRFrWId-PPQ/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpiderFamily_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="299" /></a></p> <p>To be fair, giant spiders are pretty scary if you’re not expecting them to leap on you from out of nowhere.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pzgau4dblhY/T3GCt1air2I/AAAAAAAAB2w/EdumfYky4nc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_CurledUp1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_CurledUp" alt="TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_CurledUp" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J04ZoiQXVL4/T3GCu8ST3eI/AAAAAAAAB20/F4TuxzgI99Y/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_CurledUp_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>*shudder* Why can’t they just explode, like the little ones?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aWN7_us7oxQ/T3GCwrMCrvI/AAAAAAAAB3A/oPlgdzM39io/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpiderNest2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-km0_m9j41W8/T3GCxrBCM9I/AAAAAAAAB3I/KU6Ax2uNVCg/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_SpiderNest_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This giant, glowing brain, suspended in the middle of the room, was in fact the nest from which these spiders were all coming from.  This time round, I think that freaked me out more than the spiders did.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_8GI08YzOUM/T3GCyukdJmI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/05hHpBKnQqg/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Yoga1.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--m8WltX_YS8/T3GCzgM8b6I/AAAAAAAAB3U/z-QyYdwURTM/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Yoga_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="299" /></a></p> <p>This pose is less extreme yoga and more suicidal breakdancing.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Finally, Lara manages to climb back up to where she started the level, only to find out that Marco has snatched up the dagger for himself and is now apparently staging his own musical performance.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sRwudX3GMw4/T3GC1G5HKKI/AAAAAAAAB3g/5AGmVZwkyqw/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_MarcoSings2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b1bsCXaZwEU/T3GC2CXHu1I/AAAAAAAAB3o/4qCqa3upYmc/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_MarcoSings_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p><em>“I believe in a thing called love…[something incredibly high and unintelligible]…”</em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VWGM5OvvsEo/T3GC3-C4pSI/AAAAAAAAB3w/lo2fQvDQuOg/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Stab%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UWHsFkSclAE/T3GC4lkil_I/AAAAAAAAB30/nqVlW2j0ye0/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Stab_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Makes Ozzy Osbourne biting the head off that bat look pretty tame, huh?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lHfS244MHlk/T3GC6IfLliI/AAAAAAAAB4A/m5l5LUQJO0A/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_CrowdSurfing2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e7w5ek-w8Dk/T3GC6-kwQKI/AAAAAAAAB4I/72R2zA3gCaM/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_CrowdSurfing_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>No gig is complete without a spot of crowdsurfing.</p> <p><em>Marco Bartoli plunges the Dagger of Xian into his chest, apparently killing himself.  His body falls backwards into the waiting arms of his minions, who carry him off down a(nother) dark corridor.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sk_KVPPkjJo/T3GC8aZZwFI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/ArVDjIchDQc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Gasp2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt=""Did I leave the oven on?!"" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iY-r1vxISIs/T3GC9sIEB7I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/JGd1Pn8VQGc/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Gasp_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>All the messed-up stuff Lara’s experienced and <em>this</em> she finds shocking?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VYuZ9mbLMBI/T3GC_uKyk1I/AAAAAAAAB4g/jceE5uun--g/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Corridor2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ETaBNQ6JPrE/T3GDBJg8B2I/AAAAAAAAB4o/f2zATWa2fRw/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_Corridor_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Of course, Lara can’t be watching other people parade up and down dark corridors without having to get a piece of that action for herself.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v1Wgz4Et5To/T3GDCpY6FmI/AAAAAAAAB4w/2R_EQExqYaE/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_End2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eqgOs1S2XxA/T3GDDggI0fI/AAAAAAAAB44/iGHSNvZxLKA/TR2_Lvl15_TempleXian_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Hmph.</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-90723710146872270782012-03-02T16:24:00.001+00:002012-09-16T16:49:17.017+01:00Ice Palace<p>Ice Palace is the last level in Tomb Raider II’s Tibetan quartet - yes, it’s only been four levels, Barkhang Monastery doesn’t count for nine - and as concluding levels go, it’s a fairly decent farewell.  It’s pretty, challenging and even has a boss “fight” (although I use the term loosely).</p> <p><em>Lara continues her search for the Talion, that all-important artefact that nobody bothered to tell us we were looking for until the last level.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0YjPRExlyLY/T1DzOmm4-9I/AAAAAAAABqE/rjVyHEj7Mw0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Start%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZI3cPDTxu2E/T1DzPb05L_I/AAAAAAAABqM/WZ8P7PUJBoE/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Start.  Corridor-ish.  Need I say more?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wQTY-lpPNtA/T1DzRVchJBI/AAAAAAAABqU/appxry1PK3k/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_BellDoor%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8aYjSvJkYKg/T1DzSQ0yaUI/AAAAAAAABqc/FFxwToULRMI/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_BellDoor_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>When you’re building a complex in which to house an artefact which is crucial in obtaining an item of world-destroying power, doors that can be opened by ringing a bell is probably not the most efficient security method you could plump for.  On the other hand, it’s a lot more fun than the tired old key-in-lock standard.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cQQoMrexHpY/T1DzTnfPjjI/AAAAAAAABqk/vmGQ1x9EICo/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_YetiCage%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zwy700ZFG9U/T1DzUjfQj_I/AAAAAAAABqo/CJdV80VV2tw/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_YetiCage_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I don’t know what kind of bullets those Uzis take, but apparently they’re too big to squeeze through the foot-wide gaps between these bars, and Lara has no choice to watch on as these caged yetis prance about, alternately yelling and looking pissed off.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ci-XK6fEQYA/T1DzV05nGUI/AAAAAAAABq0/NnSL8C9BcMo/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_YetiShoot%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hgKFGXBuioQ/T1DzW5wvYEI/AAAAAAAABq4/9U8RGHQqitQ/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_YetiShoot_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="301" /></a></p> <p>Meanwhile, <em>this</em> is an optimum spot for killing the yetis; two storeys above and partially obscured by a walkway.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qBYdPMpf4yc/T1DzYJkkV8I/AAAAAAAABrE/0gmfJarzvt0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Springboard%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e4gAdrRskfs/T1DzY7YoGhI/AAAAAAAABrM/4lkFEN5cPlU/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Springboard_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Anyway, griping aside, this section of the level is home to the awesome springboards which launch Lara several feet into the air whenever she steps on them.  The lack of an audio track where Lara cries ‘Wheeeeeee!’ as she is propelled towards the ceiling was just an oversight, I’m sure.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jIbpB5JOf0s/T1DzavIUeNI/AAAAAAAABrU/FcjQorss4d8/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_DeadBoard%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dy1neKBMcO8/T1DzbZxlarI/AAAAAAAABrY/rAsqdLBOunM/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_DeadBoard_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>It’s usually a good idea to try and land on something when you get propelled in the air, else Lara tends to break her neck when she falls back down to the floor.  Bizarrely, the springboard doesn’t immediately fling her corpse back into space like some kind of macabre trampoline, even though she must still weigh the same amount as when she was alive.  Leave it up to the monks to build a intelligent springboard that respects the dead.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PDP79QBVt3U/T1DzcdFgxhI/AAAAAAAABrk/CTwqcU8owVs/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_WhiteTiger%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9LhpLaRNdPc/T1DzesYn_VI/AAAAAAAABrs/vnuH5Unl5FY/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_WhiteTiger_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The snow leopard apparently wiped out, it is now the snow tiger that is fixin’ for an extinctin’.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IET9e18SsRw/T1Dzf3N3HAI/AAAAAAAABr0/HLJJRt9V8Ds/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_DarkPit%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xw2A9WtptJ8/T1DzhQQ1LUI/AAAAAAAABr8/1l6nMX83aqE/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_DarkPit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Another dark room, complete with yetis and spike pits.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P5TYsohWlF4/T1DzibetRbI/AAAAAAAABsE/uWWg4v2bzIY/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Darkness%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XS-Dwgm3Nts/T1DzjTHtrII/AAAAAAAABsM/0aQtkrsSZGM/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Darkness_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Don’t believe how dark it was?  This is a screencap from when my flare ran out.  I spent the next four seconds jabbing at the flare-draw button and quietly sobbing in terror.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SB_SlkN_eOg/T1DzlLflKrI/AAAAAAAABsU/yDOsWrlirPY/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_LastLevel%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vkbBAI8Pzxo/T1DzmQ-fAyI/AAAAAAAABsY/L2Vw8FJd3AM/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_LastLevel_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Hey, look, it’s <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/02/catacombs-of-talion.html" target="_blank">the previous level</a>! I love it when games do this.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pG1q01IAxGo/T1DznyzkP-I/AAAAAAAABsk/UnLIytPcf-c/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Wax%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1dIAXeZweXE/T1DzpIdozrI/AAAAAAAABss/4xC1xfZpEAA/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Wax_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>A cool and unusual solution though it may be, but this seems like an awful lot of effort to go to to melt some ice.  I mean, we have a grenade launcher, for goodness sake.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rzOz6F8VEo4/T1DzqspAI_I/AAAAAAAABs4/Iw7WPcbLpIk/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_WoodenSpoon%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_UB_JA5c1kY/T1DzsLdsxfI/AAAAAAAABs8/VE8It8oS3e8/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_WoodenSpoon_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="298" /></a></p> <p>Ridiculous and time-consuming method aside, it was totally worth it to lay our hands on this…wooden spoon?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Uy0j9cbfdjk/T1DztWRNfaI/AAAAAAAABtI/Mu-kVD_s2_Q/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_GongHammer%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SnHGly2CKqA/T1DzuktyfrI/AAAAAAAABtM/r4d4TYffHEQ/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_GongHammer_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Oh, no, of course, it’s a gong hammer.  Duh.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SQcmEP-v8Rc/T1DzvyR_w6I/AAAAAAAABtY/plHUrLbp38I/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Cuddle%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YJvzAG-wB3M/T1Dzw5kVpcI/AAAAAAAABtg/GbDngwRmnAU/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Cuddle_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This yeti just wants a cuddle, but Lara <em>really</em> doesn’t take well to having her personal space invaded.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sPPwWi223sY/T1DzyKe7axI/AAAAAAAABto/zYJHHQVpk-k/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_SnowmanRun%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-we3bhLYsATw/T1DzzVoom0I/AAAAAAAABtw/qBevsN3pag8/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_SnowmanRun_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>She’s not at all interested in making friends with a whole group of friendly rolling snowmen, either.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pgJN-B9RsaU/T1Dz06EBlpI/AAAAAAAABt4/OkZETr2YaTE/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_SnowmanRunYAY%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EJToQ5IcKCY/T1Dz2OhXcqI/AAAAAAAABuA/LVlCWnxmRwA/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_SnowmanRunYAY_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="300" /></a></p> <p>:(</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2M65ih0iBdA/T1Dz30hy3aI/AAAAAAAABuI/LtMURkUVE20/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_MorePits%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cFfnOU4remo/T1Dz4pXcwwI/AAAAAAAABuQ/ql743aHedoQ/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_MorePits_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Thankfully, this was one dark pit I could avoid venturing down; I know, I checked.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y4JL6-F6IIQ/T1Dz6TTChrI/AAAAAAAABuY/VWp1-cS8YzE/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_GONG%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SzODCBD4_XI/T1Dz7ZZLCyI/AAAAAAAABug/rZbU8gcOeEc/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_GONG_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Here’s the gong for which the gong hammer is needed.  It features a seagull-headed tutu-clad Creature from the Black Lagoon.  Whatever religion this symbol is from, I ain’t converting to it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SMVBosmByVE/T1Dz8UGMd2I/AAAAAAAABuo/Fp5a3Bw7WxY/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Talion%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FuIfWoW91uI/T1Dz9L9Jj1I/AAAAAAAABuw/KZ3PfW6TPHs/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Talion_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>I thought this was a particularly fancy Thermos flask, but no, it is in fact the much-sought-after Talion.  Thank God it took a lot less time to find than the Seraph.</p> <p> </p> <p><a name="guardian"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nfp8heJFemY/T1Dz--sCUZI/AAAAAAAABu4/L4q1faZxYps/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Guardian%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yoHQQ8aaCH4/T1Dz_zhW_vI/AAAAAAAABvA/fEZ3JgpRmws/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Guardian_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Unfortunately, the Talion comes complete with its own guardian, which thankfully <em>isn’t</em> the same thing as featured on the gong.  Or is it?  There’s something about the sway of those hips that suggests ballet isn’t a completely unknown art-form for this beast.  Still, I’d say s/he’s more gorilla-meets-parrot-meets-knight than anything else.  Either way, it was obviously spawned in the deepest recesses of hell and needs to return there as soon as possible.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FmZkLk5BHz0/T1D0BZPeNOI/AAAAAAAABvI/Sc0DLJm0gLo/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Haha%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s2cp92lEo28/T1D0CEmczJI/AAAAAAAABvQ/bJIa_5JOwn8/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_Haha_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="301" /></a></p> <p>This isn’t too much of a problem, as the Guardian can’t fly or climb and can be easily sniped from any particularly tall heap of snow.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3QdmRw90hUM/T1D0D_q6H2I/AAAAAAAABvY/AD4OQJum9ss/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_End%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mpcfY7U0-MI/T1D0E3v7KiI/AAAAAAAABvg/V8tZQLiSRhA/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Once you’ve murdered the Guardian (or righted nature’s terrible, terrible wrong as I prefer to think of it), the level abruptly ends.  Don’t leave yet, though, because it’s super-awesome-FMV-time!</p> <p><em>Lara climbs out of the catacombs and makes her way back to the outside world, where she immediately stumbles upon a camping site full of cultists.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I2khogEtdCM/T1D0F0eryvI/AAAAAAAABvo/V_HFUGFNzSA/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_EscapeSmile%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6pNpFuqAB70/T1D0HDgMKpI/AAAAAAAABvs/8vEozORzA2E/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_EscapeSmile_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Don’t smile, Lara.  Don’t ever, ever smile.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y9c881Znn9Q/T1D0INp6r9I/AAAAAAAABv4/PCL2VsCYCok/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_Key%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SjdfdpCnCc4/T1D0KBlNvuI/AAAAAAAABwA/tx77zJYkPog/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_Key_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Someone who leaves their car keys in the car’s sun-visor deserves everything they get.</p> <p><em>Lara commandeers a vehicle and drives off, unfortunately awakening the sleeping goons and spurring them into pursuit.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ALcsKyiySfc/T1D0LdECkhI/AAAAAAAABwI/359fd_2ArXA/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_ShootAway%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LRinoDzwrM8/T1D0MYebjdI/AAAAAAAABwQ/qqmgPLa-o0Y/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_ShootAway_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Go ahead, keep shooting.  I’m sure you’ll hit her, she’s only about a mile away.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4DPDWfM7XSA/T1D0NXMWfhI/AAAAAAAABwY/UGx-Z3a8F3I/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_Bang%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CFIpUPJn1rQ/T1D0OcC_ssI/AAAAAAAABwg/KuOTmZ3OWD4/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_Bang_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Lara manages to operate a shotgun and manoeuvre a jeep at the same time, and yet can’t shoot through wooden cage bars.  You need to stop missing the basic orientation classes for things, Lara.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BiZ9JSWOl4k/T1D0PiBenXI/AAAAAAAABwo/X7ZQOHxbcTE/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_Hitman%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lb551ZR4U-w/T1D0QrkBotI/AAAAAAAABws/aWJ_6XBGjcs/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_Hitman_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="298" /></a></p> <p>One of Lara’s would-be assailants is…Agent 47?</p> <p><em>Finally shaking off / killing her pursuers, Lara returns to China, where she began her adventure.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MEODZ7_WNHo/T1D0RsEOQwI/AAAAAAAABw0/XqDIYoG91pc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_DrivetoChina%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-46BEpPsJkBI/T1D0Sfh6aoI/AAAAAAAABxA/SE0RSbz-iE4/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_DrivetoChina_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I don’t know much about geography, so I’m going to give Core Design the benefit of the doubt and believe that one can drive from Tibet to China in the space of a night.</p> <p>…actually, a search tells me that Tibet is <em>in</em> China.  Sort of.  I think it may be a matter of some debate.  Rest assured that me not labelling these posts “China” as well as “Tibet” is entirely due to ignorance, not political persuasion.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-itU3_4MW7tg/T1D0TYVeNtI/AAAAAAAABxE/sQsC7od9XaM/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_GreatWallDoor%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2TajpoXQ0QM/T1D0T0kn5LI/AAAAAAAABxM/asVhr_BQlvQ/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_GreatWallDoor_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Oh, it’s that door from <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2011/10/great-wall.html#door" target="_blank">The Great Wall</a> again, <em>sans</em> dead guy.</p> <p><em>Lara inserts the Talion into the door she found during her brief visit to China, and it creaks open in response, revealing a dark passage.  Leaving daylight behind, Lara steps inside.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-brRzkNWJsnU/T1D0UqGHc5I/AAAAAAAABxY/ZtXP_G1r6VI/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_StepIn%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J0AHJ_LpQNU/T1D0VmhdjsI/AAAAAAAABxc/MA9uq_Qvd0Q/TR2_Lvl14_IcePalace_FMV_StepIn_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Ugh, do I have to?</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-8728853510759108192012-02-25T14:27:00.001+00:002012-09-16T13:59:45.722+01:00Catacombs of the Talion<p>I don’t know whether this level is incredibly short or if it just seems that way because of the previous level, <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/02/barkhang-monastery.html" target="_blank">Barkhang Monastery</a>, which may have well been its own game for the time it took me to complete it.  People have speedrun the entire of Tomb Raider Legend in less time (although admittedly that’s not saying much).</p> <p>Whatever the actual length of this level was, I was grateful for its perceived shortness.  This was partly because I didn’t want another seven weeks to pass without updating this blog and partly because I BLOODY HATE YETIS, and Catacombs of the Talion seems to delight in cramming them in every dark corner it has (that is, when these dark corners aren’t harbouring a giant pack of snow leopards).</p> <p><em>Using the Seraph, Lara unlocks some catacombs deep within Barkhang Monastery and begins her search for the Talion (which apparently she’s looking for now (yeah, no-one told me either)).</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aos6JZfPvMA/T0jveszNQDI/AAAAAAAABm0/lDm9VKM9L3A/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Start%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qz7oVrvjgwA/T0jvfWI37zI/AAAAAAAABm8/T2hrbhtOJy0/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>A suffocating side-angle view of Lara greets us as we begin Catacombs of the Talion.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c2ujjSndL0k/T0jvgUyYRbI/AAAAAAAABnE/Qspq57aRhSE/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_DarkPit%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9hvwsnMZ0IQ/T0jvhQQgcNI/AAAAAAAABnI/KAAdJ3W_lM4/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_DarkPit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>One of the many dark pits Catacombs invites you to venture into (a invitation I politely decline whenever possible).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b1MxZJ305kE/T0jviP-9zHI/AAAAAAAABnU/p586GpbSPyc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_MarchingYeti%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sixjl2aboBA/T0jvjIYQDhI/AAAAAAAABnY/7_Rbww5Q-Kk/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_MarchingYeti_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Actually, I don’t think there’s that many yetis in this level – maybe five? – but I took about 200 pictures of this one which explains my confusion.  On the plus side, this level was largely boring photographically-speaking (to be honest, it was no trip to the carnival gameplay-wise either), so the following images serve as good padding for what could end up as one of my shorter level entries.</p> <p>Anyway, I love the way this yeti looks in this photo.  Kind of like he’s doing some kind of marching dance. <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqLLDZvbG-U&ob=av3n" target="_blank">"Is this the way to Amarillo?…”</a></em></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uB53upHRepw/T0jvj0l-SMI/AAAAAAAABng/-FroYLXIFvE/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_PiggyBack%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qzbADYEcA8A/T0jvkiaPeZI/AAAAAAAABns/LWXrGs-uAUU/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_PiggyBack_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>That’s the worst attempt at a piggy-back I’ve ever seen.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IbmI8tfCUaM/T0jvlt4stWI/AAAAAAAABn0/E7mkzlbK-Ow/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_ScaryYeti%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u_uXtL4pgQo/T0jvmWDUSYI/AAAAAAAABn8/FNyWsOHbsWE/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_ScaryYeti_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Oh, the horrifying terror.  On a side note, why on earth would a yeti have dreadlocks?</p> <p>…actually, I suppose out of all the hairstyles a yeti would sport, dreadlocks make the most sense.  Your logic has bested me again, Core Design.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_LqRT5-P5t4/T0jvnW1-O4I/AAAAAAAABoE/AvZq4Z7plWo/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Thrown%25255B19%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BliyB6GNXto/T0jvoSYmE3I/AAAAAAAABoI/uRDLQcFuVos/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Thrown_thumb%25255B29%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="301" /></a></p> <p>Another deadly dance in the yeti’s repertoire is the human baton-twirl.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9iH2MHN3J-0/T0jvpUPLObI/AAAAAAAABoU/QqstPwze9I0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Yay%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pPZzZUuniGE/T0jvqPXJ0XI/AAAAAAAABoc/jltPY3VM5tk/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Yay_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Yeah, alright, you killed me.  No need to burst into song.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JU6wfEns40o/T0jvrj4jJKI/AAAAAAAABok/sKpkJAM1vPc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Canopy%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z63ddcS0F3s/T0jvsqrxb4I/AAAAAAAABoo/zOUbZeLyN08/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Canopy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This may look like a thrilling action shot of Lara narrowly avoiding the pounce of a cultist, but actually he just died in that position.  Like a corpse canopy.  That kind of decoration would work well in <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2009/07/city-of-vilcabamba.html" target="_blank">Vilcabamba</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zF9rZl-Mkjo/T0jvtmeDyjI/AAAAAAAABo0/TI-xnIPeHGc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_MaskAgain%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QkcMYoCksU8/T0jvuS2Zp7I/AAAAAAAABo4/fKV5qegDv08/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_MaskAgain_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Betwixt escaping rolling snowmen and shooting yetis, Lara finds time to do a little shopping.  “This’ll do for Winston’s Hallowe’en costume…”.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yEN2wzaGUoM/T0jvvi_royI/AAAAAAAABpE/3UK9GYPqKFk/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_SheerWallsOfIce%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZN9RArZJdrE/T0jvwtjCE_I/AAAAAAAABpM/F-hfyU3Uhpw/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_SheerWallsOfIce_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Hey look!  It’s a sheer wall of ice, like the one Natla promised you’d get in Peru, but you never did, which was most likely due to budget constraints, knowing Natla Tech.  Natla probably blended up the ‘wall of ice’ fund with some yoghurt and used it as a face-mask.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RyW9hO8aDIM/T0jvxdfClvI/AAAAAAAABpU/FdsXB2nZqJE/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_YetiPit%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IkRc3y3Q-Mw/T0jvyG9jVdI/AAAAAAAABpY/C_5OYw4yHEg/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_YetiPit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This was an <em>awful</em> room.  It was pitch-black and all you could hear were screaming yetis.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TOPMXiyc2w4/T0jvzb2ZXuI/AAAAAAAABpk/cFwoG7ifTko/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Corridor%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--TDNP6T50nQ/T0jv0fH0EsI/AAAAAAAABps/esf7x4D6bxk/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_Corridor_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>At least this level ends in a slightly more cheery corridor than the last one.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Vf78O8kbho/T0jv3Gg6wWI/AAAAAAAABp0/Phti7zX3eEw/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_End%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jUYxGtmnXYw/T0jv3y-lJ2I/AAAAAAAABp4/KOoiwGAUb_8/TR2_Lvl13_Catacombs_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Well, 59:09 isn’t a particularly swift level time, so I suppose this level wasn’t as short as I thought…</p> <p>…still longer than a speedrun of Legend though!  Hahahahaha!</p> <p>Oh, how I love bashing Legend.  See you in Ice Palace.</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1470097739840315835.post-34435433947372924872012-02-12T21:19:00.001+00:002012-04-23T14:42:49.138+01:00Barkhang Monastery<p>Ah, the enigma that is the Barkhang Monastery; so beautiful, and yet <em>so bloody long.</em>  I apologise for my month-long absence but can assure you that I’ve spent most of it (give or take twenty-eight days) trying to find the exit to this level.  Finally, I’ve escaped the monk-infested, trap-laden glorious nightmare to bring you a series of screenshots accompanied by vaguely insulting comments. Which is no less than this level deserves.</p> <p><em>After making her way over the Tibetan foothills, Lara finds what she was looking for; the secluded monastery as described to her by the late Brother Barkhang.</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BcPmALpsrWs/TzgsRBTDToI/AAAAAAAABhU/0YWCHuqQt2M/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Start2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iuHl3Vl8qtE/TzgsR68MHlI/AAAAAAAABhc/jhKRd_ViUvw/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Start_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>That joyous corridor that ended <a href="http://perusing-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/01/tibetan-foothills.html#endcorridor" target="_blank">the last level</a> has been plunged into darkness, which certainly killed my mood.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G0PFrpPUYvw/TzgsTamU7AI/AAAAAAAABhk/PestmK4xEmI/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_WrongMan4.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt=""Whoops."" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rkPjWxLmgcI/TzgsUHp42aI/AAAAAAAABhs/2BkFa7qnFN4/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_WrongMan_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Throughout the level, Lara is obliged to assist the friendly monks in defending the monastery against Bartoli’s men; the slight snag being that the monks themselves are still viable targets for the auto-aim and tend to get pretty pissed off if Lara accidently murders a few of them. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iCywB6wAWWQ/TzgsVFoqajI/AAAAAAAABh0/oozm08FwkB0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_FeebleDoor%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YfO91FAukGc/TzgsV8vDryI/AAAAAAAABh8/7bLkPgRFFzE/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_FeebleDoor_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="301" /></a></p> <p>Oh, come on Lara, that’s not even a door.  It’s a few planks of chipboard held together with staples and Pritt Stick.  That gap at the top is big enough for even your whale-sized aunt to squeeze through.  A gentle breeze would be enough to open that thing, so why on <em>earth</em> do you need a key?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dqpXUdAQPJM/TzgsWlPdklI/AAAAAAAABiE/Vcq5AiArAS8/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_CreepyKeyhole%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--WtIO63-CKo/TzgsXpnTTII/AAAAAAAABiI/GQuLXpaLMe8/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_CreepyKeyhole_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Speaking of keyholes, this one was fairly creepy.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z2sqvrWqN5A/TzgsYytBhNI/AAAAAAAABiU/GEP-tPyz1Ns/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_PrayerWheel2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MjBwJZQGD2w/TzgsZmiagsI/AAAAAAAABic/XapVRaUSh3E/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_PrayerWheel_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Hey, so here are the prayer wheels that <a href="http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0005598/quotes" target="_blank">Alex West stole from fake-movie-Lara</a>.  Considering how many there are of the damn things, I’m surprised she got so bent out of shape.</p> <p> </p> <p>Another fine example of the atmospheric draw distance limit:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-exLWs8RRstE/TzgsbDuon7I/AAAAAAAABik/7cnqUdS41Ec/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Statue12.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3N_nV2m-YGA/Tzgsb4sb--I/AAAAAAAABio/1QI8XlxqGxY/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Statue1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="308" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qCdapN2V1ug/TzgsdJ9rIcI/AAAAAAAABi0/5Dhe55gVoLM/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Statue22.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BHarDbfSgwA/TzgseRhh9jI/AAAAAAAABi8/Y_caRI_6sqE/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Statue2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_CyPVfrrzSo/TzgsfRJM87I/AAAAAAAABjE/5OkZGOAhYXQ/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Statue32.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-50IL99a5uRA/TzgsgTBj2pI/AAAAAAAABjM/9sSYN262H3w/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Statue3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SucvABv9cCg/Tzgsh9hpogI/AAAAAAAABjU/QWv0-X_LC5M/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Statue42.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PCByhr_G-LA/TzgsiTjDwdI/AAAAAAAABjY/Ze5SscV6Qz4/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Statue4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Pfft, who needs good graphics and high-end capabilities?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YhVaphP2bfk/TzgsjCfstgI/AAAAAAAABjk/2PxRrIUOo8Y/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_TMTMNBN%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0VAJXbA2qDk/TzgskKfHCqI/AAAAAAAABjo/u_DHesrJadQ/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_TMTMNBN_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>A strange angle shot of Lara flipping in mid-air.  This reminds me too much of the-thing-that-must-not-be-named, that I’m not naming here because I don’t want to be responsible for ruining people’s lives by notifying them of its existence.  So it was probably a waste of time me mentioning it.  Disregard those last two sentences and just enjoy the strange picture, if you can.</p> <p>I can’t.  I never will.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JuMNVtWOn5I/TzgslMfRY3I/AAAAAAAABj0/X17KKVV8C_g/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_SliceMonk%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7fB04XqKQ8o/Tzgsl41yxBI/AAAAAAAABj4/4-7vQFKLpiM/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_SliceMonk_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>I guess this is one step up from that walking-across-hot-coals thing people can do when they’ve meditated hard enough.  ‘Not being horribly maimed while walking through slicing blades’ is apparently a simple case of mind over matter.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3jrhTuXP3kQ/Tzgsm4QPLOI/AAAAAAAABkE/7LtC84RGGdw/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Gauntlet%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UFcDVZWqJos/Tzgsn8AiFMI/AAAAAAAABkI/lgx_8367BM4/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Gauntlet_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="302" /></a></p> <p>Behold, the reason I put off playing this level for about three weeks.  As far as I remember, Temple of Xian is filled pretty much wall-to-spike-wall with traps like this, so I really wouldn’t get your hopes up for me getting to Tomb Raider III.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sssDFw7A6v0/TzgsoxS3DPI/AAAAAAAABkU/tw0EVcx5jEY/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_LotsofMen%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q6fpcwufDTg/Tzgsp3ThojI/AAAAAAAABkc/E7Y76TaIOV0/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_LotsofMen_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>I think this was the only time the cultists showed up without several monks biting at their heels, but any convenience that lent the situation was immediately quashed by the sheer number of them.  Well, there were four, but in a tiny corridor with only a few Uzi clips and the M16 (if that counts) for protection, it was four too many.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LzTxRzKigkg/TzgsrEKVc3I/AAAAAAAABkk/dL3u5VgChak/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_WeirdCeiling%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tLtcjXYl9Hc/Tzgsrzigm9I/AAAAAAAABks/kLrD9Ea92uI/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_WeirdCeiling_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="299" /></a></p> <p>Another Seraph-induced psychedelic graphic trip.  I’ll be glad when I’m rid of the bloody thing.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-imtErswWvk8/TzgsuucKMCI/AAAAAAAABk0/p8lykftonz8/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Goats2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bn-nOecJkUA/TzgsvI9nzLI/AAAAAAAABk8/xa9H_xyqHAw/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_Goats_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Up on the rooftops of the monastery, it started to get pretty again.  Look at these lovely gold statues of…goats?  Llamas?  Alpacas? (<a href="http://tombraiders.net/stella/walks/TR2walk/12barkhang.html" target="_blank">Stella</a> plays it safe and goes for “animals”).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eFXCnmjkl4Y/Tzgswh_oVXI/AAAAAAAABlE/gJYmdWF77WI/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_GoldenSnowflake2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oHG2PFcFY3A/TzgsxcMsfDI/AAAAAAAABlM/-DwAJqZYY2g/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_GoldenSnowflake_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Whatever-this-is is also nice to look at.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ht83sleUJu8/TzgsyjUJgHI/AAAAAAAABlU/C7M7Ug4uqUc/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_SaveGameDiamonds%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gXGquzS0qFE/TzgszBN1yYI/AAAAAAAABlY/eXOfHUvZYq8/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_SaveGameDiamonds_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Oh, look, the save-game diamond from console-Tomb Raider I is back for a cameo as “gemstone”.  This was before he reinvented himself (i.e. became green) and burst back onto the scene as the health crystal in Tomb Raider III.  Then of course, he was picked up by Maxis to be the PlumbBob and, well, you know the rest… </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I0PygPlisiw/Tzgs0XxjD-I/AAAAAAAABlk/Seo3WLOBqeQ/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_BigDiamond%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WfRGFvIt2pE/Tzgs1G6gYrI/AAAAAAAABls/23bDHrttXcY/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_BigDiamond_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Are we supposed to believe this is the same gemstone as the one in the last picture?!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Yd2c6iSKUo/Tzgs2CO6INI/AAAAAAAABl0/w7UHdEKLVg0/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_BloodyHarpoons%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vVtAC-v8EV4/Tzgs2hzyH3I/AAAAAAAABl8/TD9nQAm33jg/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_BloodyHarpoons_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="299" /></a></p> <p>No-one, absolutely<em> no-one </em>spends ten minutes pushing blocks around just to get their hands on a few harpoons.  This type of thing should be illegal.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bYxczhl1Dvo/Tzgs3_pRkSI/AAAAAAAABmE/ezdoOXgc9eE/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_SeraphHole2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NdJSrqHyfrk/Tzgs41Q3ixI/AAAAAAAABmM/18cAZ9QOX0I/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_SeraphHole_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p><em>Finally</em>, we can say goodbye to that cursed Seraph and continue along our journey with the textures the way Core Design intended.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qJ_gMVxC4jw/Tzgs6dB6BgI/AAAAAAAABmU/TI2Ta87MNVo/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_ScaryCorridor2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zRfKWZa5Sk8/Tzgs7DHrDII/AAAAAAAABmc/sJlfeTAE_FI/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_ScaryCorridor_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>We end as we began, staring at pure, undiluted terror (expressed through the medium of corridors).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T8Y_PrQcvDA/Tzgs8s8pK0I/AAAAAAAABmk/8Dn8MkmIp0g/s1600-h/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_End2.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xdv6BRc_J4Q/Tzgs9eloZTI/AAAAAAAABmo/TdFMQp3DcjA/TR2_Lvl12_Barkhang_End_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="300" /></a></p> <p>See, I told you that took me a long time.  The first digit is “days”, by the way.</p> Twin Pistolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980361456799748503noreply@blogger.com4