"Temple of Vilcabamba" analysis

Scottlee · 24-09-02, 13:32

I don't think the meaning of the word 'Vilcabamba' is ever explained in the context of the whole Qualopec thing. No matter. You can't go around calling your levels "Caves", "Temple", and "Valley". How blatantly dull would that be?

This level is a fine step up from the opening one, pitching one or two more stumbling blocks than "Caves" without actually posing much threat at the same time (if that's possible). I should imagine T.O.V is quite an unmemorable event to most people who completed TR1. There isn't that much to stick in the memory. However, not all things that fade from the human brain are bad and uninteresting.

Enemy-wise this is a battle royale for the newcomer and non-newcomers alike. It's the same set of foes as on the previous run - bats, wolves, and boars. This time though they're in much better forces, and cool confrontations arise from this. First up comes an immediate assault from four wolves, attacking from all directions and generally making life difficult. The very same attack is dealt with by an in-house gamer during the demo's. The bears have doubled to two now, appearing in seperate confrontations at very believable and effective locations.

The first bear comes at you as you enter a stable in the centre of the first area. The second bear is stationed around a swimming pool right at the end. It's quite a bizarre ordeal to get out of a pool for 3 seconds, shoot a grizzly with two revolvers, and then fall back into the pool again before you get swotted with a huge paw. Only in a computer game. Both of these encounters are enjoyable though, something that probably could not have been said if the enemy placement machine at Eidos had them squeezed into one of those corridors around the outside of Vilcabamba's first area, for example. On a concluding note for enemies, the bats are just plain bloody annoying.

My earlier reference to 'first area' wasn't just out of convenience. This level is actually split into two sections, neither of which excel the other or drag you into tedium. The first has you fishing around for your first door keys of the series, and also (if you choose) ducking into a water passage for your first swim. The second area has you swanning in and out of your first miniture obelisk of any complication.

Some interesting artifacts are strewn around here, most notably in what looks like a place where a cave-man once did his laundry. The room with the skull and bones wallpaper comes to mind too, this being only a week after I last played the level. One thing I don't like however is the second major attack from a wolf platoon in the level, which looks far too contrived even from the most organised of cub packs. Placing four of the starved beasts on four seperate platforms, all in a square formation as you enter the room, is just not believable. Black cats in Egyptian levels might pull it off, but certainly not your everyday wolf. Still, on the whole it's a fab little wander is dis. 8/10

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Best Part - Fighting the bears

Worst Part - Dodgy wolf formations.

Secrets - 2/3 good ones. I say 2 because there's one I've never got my hands on yet. I pull this switch down, those swinging axes (which look quite effective btw) stop moving, and that's it! Where's the damn secret? I could look it up on the Stella site I suppose if I was that bothered, but no harm in asking here. The two secrets underwater are just fine. They're not easy to dig out if this is only your second ever level, but I'd sooner they made it hard like that than just hide the damn things behind some rock with a different texture.

Time - Uhh, about 20-23 mins

[ 16. October 2005, 20:31: Message edited by: Scottlee ]

tlr online · 24-09-02, 18:43

thanks Scottlee

Croft Security · 24-09-02, 23:09

Nice review Scottlee, although you mention some things I don't remember. You talk about a "second major attack from a wolf platoon", in which they are stationed in a square formation. I don't remember this. Where was it exactly? Also, I don't recall any "boars", but I do remember two or three very nasty bears. I liked your description of the little rooms in Vilcabamba that look as if a "caveman did his laundry there." I liked those rooms. They had a certain charm about them, what with all the hay, and the wooden furniture, and the draperies. But as far as the interesting artifacts you mention, you forgot to mention my favorite of all: the Golden Idol. When I first picked this up the first time I played the game, I was tickled pink. I just thought it was so cool. I was hoping for hundreds of bright, shiny objects that I could keep and collect through the whole game. But alas, most of the things Lara picks up she doesn't keep-she puts them somewhere else. When you think about it, Lara is just an interior decorator with guns. People are always saying she is a "treasure hunter," but she's not really. 99% of the stuff she finds she uses somewhere else to get into another area. So maybe she is just a fact seeker.

I too pondered the mystery of the stopping of the swinging blades. Do I want to go back there? I thought. My answer was no. I don't view secrets as being important enough to backtrack. Best to keep the game rolling forward. Anyway, I'll be looking forward to your reviews of the rest of TR 1!

SYS · 25-09-02, 01:39

...a voice from the darkness.....

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Scottlee:
Stats

Secrets 2/3 good ones. I say 2 because there's one I've never got my hands on yet. I pull this switch down, those swinging axes (which look quite effective btw) stop moving, and that's it! Where's the damn secret? I could look it up on the Stella site I suppose if I was that bothered, but no harm in asking here. The two secrets underwater are just fine. They're not easy to dig out if this is only your second ever level, but I'd sooner they made it hard like that than just hide the damn things behind some rock with a different texture.

Time - Uhh, about 20-23 mins

[ 24 September 2002: Message edited by: Scottlee ]<hr></blockquote>

Well, Scottlee...You have to search about in the final big room with the bear and the pool, and the two balcony. Stopping the swinging axes is just for the previous two secrets, but it's not necessary to stop them, anyway...

So, in the final room, there are two balconies, and one of them is hiding the 3rd secret. Just dig into every hole in the walls, up there...

I don't say anything more...so the revelation will be Yours!

SYS "So many tombs...so little time...and the raiding never ends!"

Scottlee · 25-09-02, 13:50

Just to reply to some points..

*sigh* My knowledge of animals is so poor that I can't even distinguish a boar from a bear. I even thought the yeti's from TR2 were polar bears for a while. Oh well.

The four wolves in the square formation (kind of), are in the next area past the door you use the silver key on.

Reading about that 3rd secret has made me realise just how thrown I've been by the stopping of the swinging axes. Quite a decoy lol.

Regarding the point about Lara giving away most of the stuff she collects - For what it's worth I think she'd very much like to keep most of those artifacts and ancient keys. I just think she knows she has to sacrifice them in doors sometimes in order to keep progressing. Perhaps it might have been a good idea to let her keep each item after she's unlocked a door with it for future collection in the mansion storeroom. Or is that a waste of disc space?

Archer · 25-09-02, 13:55

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> *sigh* My knowledge of animals is so poor that I can't even distinguish a boar from a bear. I even thought the yeti's from TR2 were polar bears for a while. Oh well.

The four wolves in the square formation (kind of), are in the next area past the door you use the silver key on.

<hr></blockquote>Wolves in square formation...?

Do you mean the hyenas?

Scottlee · 25-09-02, 13:58

*sigh* I rest my case.

Archer · 25-09-02, 14:02

Bless! Only kidding, Scottlee.

Scottlee · 25-09-02, 14:58

lol. I believed you too.

(Those giant lizards in the water of the Cistern level were tough though weren't they? Man!)

Archer · 25-09-02, 15:20

LOL

24-09-02, 13:32	#1
Scottlee Relic Hunter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 7,507	I don't think the meaning of the word 'Vilcabamba' is ever explained in the context of the whole Qualopec thing. No matter. You can't go around calling your levels "Caves", "Temple", and "Valley". How blatantly dull would that be? This level is a fine step up from the opening one, pitching one or two more stumbling blocks than "Caves" without actually posing much threat at the same time (if that's possible). I should imagine T.O.V is quite an unmemorable event to most people who completed TR1. There isn't that much to stick in the memory. However, not all things that fade from the human brain are bad and uninteresting. Enemy-wise this is a battle royale for the newcomer and non-newcomers alike. It's the same set of foes as on the previous run - bats, wolves, and boars. This time though they're in much better forces, and cool confrontations arise from this. First up comes an immediate assault from four wolves, attacking from all directions and generally making life difficult. The very same attack is dealt with by an in-house gamer during the demo's. The bears have doubled to two now, appearing in seperate confrontations at very believable and effective locations. The first bear comes at you as you enter a stable in the centre of the first area. The second bear is stationed around a swimming pool right at the end. It's quite a bizarre ordeal to get out of a pool for 3 seconds, shoot a grizzly with two revolvers, and then fall back into the pool again before you get swotted with a huge paw. Only in a computer game. Both of these encounters are enjoyable though, something that probably could not have been said if the enemy placement machine at Eidos had them squeezed into one of those corridors around the outside of Vilcabamba's first area, for example. On a concluding note for enemies, the bats are just plain bloody annoying. My earlier reference to 'first area' wasn't just out of convenience. This level is actually split into two sections, neither of which excel the other or drag you into tedium. The first has you fishing around for your first door keys of the series, and also (if you choose) ducking into a water passage for your first swim. The second area has you swanning in and out of your first miniture obelisk of any complication. Some interesting artifacts are strewn around here, most notably in what looks like a place where a cave-man once did his laundry. The room with the skull and bones wallpaper comes to mind too, this being only a week after I last played the level. One thing I don't like however is the second major attack from a wolf platoon in the level, which looks far too contrived even from the most organised of cub packs. Placing four of the starved beasts on four seperate platforms, all in a square formation as you enter the room, is just not believable. Black cats in Egyptian levels might pull it off, but certainly not your everyday wolf. Still, on the whole it's a fab little wander is dis. 8/10 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Best Part - Fighting the bears Worst Part - Dodgy wolf formations. Secrets - 2/3 good ones. I say 2 because there's one I've never got my hands on yet. I pull this switch down, those swinging axes (which look quite effective btw) stop moving, and that's it! Where's the damn secret? I could look it up on the Stella site I suppose if I was that bothered, but no harm in asking here. The two secrets underwater are just fine. They're not easy to dig out if this is only your second ever level, but I'd sooner they made it hard like that than just hide the damn things behind some rock with a different texture. Time - Uhh, about 20-23 mins [ 16. October 2005, 20:31: Message edited by: Scottlee ]

24-09-02, 18:43	#2
tlr online Administrator Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 47,536	thanks Scottlee

24-09-02, 23:09	#3
Croft Security Archaeologist Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wherever nothing is happening Posts: 1,026	Nice review Scottlee, although you mention some things I don't remember. You talk about a "second major attack from a wolf platoon", in which they are stationed in a square formation. I don't remember this. Where was it exactly? Also, I don't recall any "boars", but I do remember two or three very nasty bears. I liked your description of the little rooms in Vilcabamba that look as if a "caveman did his laundry there." I liked those rooms. They had a certain charm about them, what with all the hay, and the wooden furniture, and the draperies. But as far as the interesting artifacts you mention, you forgot to mention my favorite of all: the Golden Idol. When I first picked this up the first time I played the game, I was tickled pink. I just thought it was so cool. I was hoping for hundreds of bright, shiny objects that I could keep and collect through the whole game. But alas, most of the things Lara picks up she doesn't keep-she puts them somewhere else. When you think about it, Lara is just an interior decorator with guns. People are always saying she is a "treasure hunter," but she's not really. 99% of the stuff she finds she uses somewhere else to get into another area. So maybe she is just a fact seeker. I too pondered the mystery of the stopping of the swinging blades. Do I want to go back there? I thought. My answer was no. I don't view secrets as being important enough to backtrack. Best to keep the game rolling forward. Anyway, I'll be looking forward to your reviews of the rest of TR 1!

25-09-02, 01:39	#4
SYS Archaeologist Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Zalaegerszeg / Hungary Posts: 1,269	...a voice from the darkness..... <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Scottlee: Stats Secrets 2/3 good ones. I say 2 because there's one I've never got my hands on yet. I pull this switch down, those swinging axes (which look quite effective btw) stop moving, and that's it! Where's the damn secret? I could look it up on the Stella site I suppose if I was that bothered, but no harm in asking here. The two secrets underwater are just fine. They're not easy to dig out if this is only your second ever level, but I'd sooner they made it hard like that than just hide the damn things behind some rock with a different texture. Time - Uhh, about 20-23 mins [ 24 September 2002: Message edited by: Scottlee ]<hr></blockquote> Well, Scottlee...You have to search about in the final big room with the bear and the pool, and the two balcony. Stopping the swinging axes is just for the previous two secrets, but it's not necessary to stop them, anyway... So, in the final room, there are two balconies, and one of them is hiding the 3rd secret. Just dig into every hole in the walls, up there... I don't say anything more...so the revelation will be Yours! SYS "So many tombs...so little time...and the raiding never ends!"

25-09-02, 13:50	#5
Scottlee Relic Hunter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 7,507	Just to reply to some points.. sigh My knowledge of animals is so poor that I can't even distinguish a boar from a bear. I even thought the yeti's from TR2 were polar bears for a while. Oh well. The four wolves in the square formation (kind of), are in the next area past the door you use the silver key on. Reading about that 3rd secret has made me realise just how thrown I've been by the stopping of the swinging axes. Quite a decoy lol. Regarding the point about Lara giving away most of the stuff she collects - For what it's worth I think she'd very much like to keep most of those artifacts and ancient keys. I just think she knows she has to sacrifice them in doors sometimes in order to keep progressing. Perhaps it might have been a good idea to let her keep each item after she's unlocked a door with it for future collection in the mansion storeroom. Or is that a waste of disc space?

25-09-02, 13:55	#6
Archer Student Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 166	<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> sigh My knowledge of animals is so poor that I can't even distinguish a boar from a bear. I even thought the yeti's from TR2 were polar bears for a while. Oh well. The four wolves in the square formation (kind of), are in the next area past the door you use the silver key on. <hr></blockquote>Wolves in square formation...? Do you mean the hyenas?

25-09-02, 13:58	#7
Scottlee Relic Hunter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 7,507	sigh I rest my case.

25-09-02, 14:02	#8
Archer Student Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 166	Bless! Only kidding, Scottlee.

25-09-02, 14:58	#9
Scottlee Relic Hunter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 7,507	lol. I believed you too. (Those giant lizards in the water of the Cistern level were tough though weren't they? Man!)

25-09-02, 15:20	#10
Archer Student Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 166	LOL