"Catacombs/Temple of Poseidon" analysis

Scottlee · 14-07-06, 19:12

No cats. No combs. No Gimmicks.

The first enemy inside The Catacombs is an annoying loading screen thing that keeps paralysing your game for minutes at a time whilst you try and figure out whether you’re supposed to be playing this level or The Coastal Ruins. But it goes away after about fifteen appearances, and the TR enjoy-o-meter once more encounters a period of prosperity.

The level proper begins in a room that looks like David Dickinson’s Egyptian workshop. Pots and pans and general waste lies all over the place, which probably means there’s at least one box of blue shotgun ammo lying somewhere close to your feet. A less rash version of Lara might shake each ornament before shooting it, and if she didn’t hear anything rattle she would know there was no need to destroy a perfectly good vase (it’s usually a vase, sometimes a crate). But no, ‘Shoot first and ask questions later’ is the policy. It’s why she can’t get a bloke.

We take a fireman’s pole out of this section, and if Dickinson ever was here this was probably where he decided enough was enough. You see there’s a ghost that follows you around close by, having somehow gone sleepwalking one night and ended up half a mile from its grave. With your help he can find it again, but not before he’s nibbled away most of your health bar in affectionate gratitude.

Not long after this it's rope time. We have to cross two of the little buggers like Tarzan this time, which inevitably results in a montage of bone-crunching down on the ground for even the returning raiders. What's most annoying is when Lara appears to literally fall through the next rope without bothering to grab it; her arms will remain outstretched and she will go "wahhhhhhh". It reminds me when my work colleague got his tie stuck in the paper shredder and elected to wave his arms around screaming instead of just pushing the 'off' button, which was right in front of his face.

Grinning skeletons roam footloose and fancy-free beyond this point, at least they start to do when you walk near them. Before that they’re quite happy to lie on the floor having a kip. When they do arise they can only die by falling, so with this in mind the bony fools have elected to set up home in a maze full of steep drops and edges with no barriers. Idiots. They carry shields for protection, which as once previously mentioned, might have worked wonders in the days when Sinbad the Sailor would pop in for a quick fight carrying his scimitar. In this age of female-explorer-psychopaths carrying explosive crossbows though, such defensive measures are puny to say the least. The shields don’t even appear to be much use in breaking their owners’ falls.

The grave of the second ghost is at the bottom of a large vat of water. I always thought burial at sea meant wrapping a corpse up in white plaster and then just chucking it over the side of the boat. In Egypt they go one better; they dive into the water and actually bury the body in the seabed. (This must have made the placing of graveside flowers somewhat problematic) I might have pinched myself when I saw that improbable underwater cross, but the second ghost had pinched me more than enough by that point, so I didn’t.

What else is there? Well there’s an elevator somewhere, just to prove at least one of the skeletons was something of a techno-head. There is also an interesting room where a huge chasm surrounds one tall pillar bearing a trident. This part looks tricky at first, but with most of the skeletons quite willing to jump around like an army of kamikaze Zebedees, the path soon becomes clear. Collecting tridents is actually the main goal of the level, tediously. We don’t have to use them until neighbouring level Temple of Poseidon though.

I will mention that water-dominated fare here because it is very short (and not very good) Lara must enter four near identical rooms and attach the tridents to statues. Along the way some more skeletons cause a ruckus, and another ghost appears. And that’s about it, barring a quick swim at the end. Well okay that’s a bit of a harsh summary, but whilst Catacombs at least is a decent challenge and reasonably fun to play, Temple of Poseidon is a short filler level offering precious little. If TRLR was a Christmas stocking, Poseidon would be the Terry’s chocolate orange you didn’t ask for, i.e. something you tend to fiddle with a few minutes before getting back to the bigger presents.

7/10 for Catacombs, 5/10 for Poseidon.

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

("I know it sounds stupid, but Core specifically said to put the shells inside the vase. Don't ask me why").

Lara Lover · 14-07-06, 19:21

Quote:

The level proper begins in a room that looks like David Dickinson’s Egyptian workshop.

Nice job, Scott

Titanium · 14-07-06, 21:33

Lol, that was brilliant

Nicky · 14-07-06, 21:43

At last one more brilliant text from Scott!

I've missed them!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottlee

No cats. No combs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottlee

What's most annoying is when Lara appears to literally fall through the next rope without bothering to grab it; her arms will remain outstretched and she will go "wahhhhhhh". It reminds me when my work colleague got his tie stuck in the paper shredder and elected to wave his arms around screaming instead of just pushing the 'off' button, which was right in front of his face.

Can't wait till analysis time comes for Lost Library

raiderfun · 14-07-06, 23:06

Oups too long !

Tomb Raider Master · 14-07-06, 23:08

I almost began to worry where have your analysis' gone. Good to see them back!

Quote:

The first enemy inside The Catacombs is an annoying loading screen thing that keeps paralysing your game for minutes at a time whilst you try and figure out whether you’re supposed to be playing this level or The Coastal Ruins.

Quote:

We have to cross two of the little buggers like Tarzan this time, which inevitably results in a montage of bone-crunching down on the ground for even the returning raiders. What's most annoying is when Lara appears to literally fall through the next rope without bothering to grab it; her arms will remain outstretched and she will go "wahhhhhhh".

Don't even mention it...

Quote:

It reminds me when my work colleague got his tie stuck in the paper shredder and elected to wave his arms around screaming instead of just pushing the 'off' button, which was right in front of his face.

God, is this true?!?

Quite funny, though.

Quote:

Before that they’re quite happy to lie on the floor having a kip. When they do arise they can only die by falling, so with this in mind the bony fools have elected to set up home in a maze full of steep drops and edges with no barriers. Idiots.

I still find them amusing.

Quote:

"I know it sounds stupid, but Core specifically said to put the shells inside the vase. Don't ask me why"

LMFAO!

In all, brilliant work as always, Scott!

Slick · 14-07-06, 23:27

That was great, really enjoyed it.

rr_carroll · 15-07-06, 02:59

Too true, Scotlee. But if you enjoy the corner bug, there's some gimmicks, including shortcuts in the huge room with three levels, and one out-and-out comedy bit. See this thread: http://www.tombraiderforums.com/showthread.php?t=68550

14-07-06, 19:12	#1
Scottlee Relic Hunter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 7,507	"Catacombs/Temple of Poseidon" analysis No cats. No combs. No Gimmicks. The first enemy inside The Catacombs is an annoying loading screen thing that keeps paralysing your game for minutes at a time whilst you try and figure out whether you’re supposed to be playing this level or The Coastal Ruins. But it goes away after about fifteen appearances, and the TR enjoy-o-meter once more encounters a period of prosperity. The level proper begins in a room that looks like David Dickinson’s Egyptian workshop. Pots and pans and general waste lies all over the place, which probably means there’s at least one box of blue shotgun ammo lying somewhere close to your feet. A less rash version of Lara might shake each ornament before shooting it, and if she didn’t hear anything rattle she would know there was no need to destroy a perfectly good vase (it’s usually a vase, sometimes a crate). But no, ‘Shoot first and ask questions later’ is the policy. It’s why she can’t get a bloke. We take a fireman’s pole out of this section, and if Dickinson ever was here this was probably where he decided enough was enough. You see there’s a ghost that follows you around close by, having somehow gone sleepwalking one night and ended up half a mile from its grave. With your help he can find it again, but not before he’s nibbled away most of your health bar in affectionate gratitude. Not long after this it's rope time. We have to cross two of the little buggers like Tarzan this time, which inevitably results in a montage of bone-crunching down on the ground for even the returning raiders. What's most annoying is when Lara appears to literally fall through the next rope without bothering to grab it; her arms will remain outstretched and she will go "wahhhhhhh". It reminds me when my work colleague got his tie stuck in the paper shredder and elected to wave his arms around screaming instead of just pushing the 'off' button, which was right in front of his face. Grinning skeletons roam footloose and fancy-free beyond this point, at least they start to do when you walk near them. Before that they’re quite happy to lie on the floor having a kip. When they do arise they can only die by falling, so with this in mind the bony fools have elected to set up home in a maze full of steep drops and edges with no barriers. Idiots. They carry shields for protection, which as once previously mentioned, might have worked wonders in the days when Sinbad the Sailor would pop in for a quick fight carrying his scimitar. In this age of female-explorer-psychopaths carrying explosive crossbows though, such defensive measures are puny to say the least. The shields don’t even appear to be much use in breaking their owners’ falls. The grave of the second ghost is at the bottom of a large vat of water. I always thought burial at sea meant wrapping a corpse up in white plaster and then just chucking it over the side of the boat. In Egypt they go one better; they dive into the water and actually bury the body in the seabed. (This must have made the placing of graveside flowers somewhat problematic) I might have pinched myself when I saw that improbable underwater cross, but the second ghost had pinched me more than enough by that point, so I didn’t. What else is there? Well there’s an elevator somewhere, just to prove at least one of the skeletons was something of a techno-head. There is also an interesting room where a huge chasm surrounds one tall pillar bearing a trident. This part looks tricky at first, but with most of the skeletons quite willing to jump around like an army of kamikaze Zebedees, the path soon becomes clear. Collecting tridents is actually the main goal of the level, tediously. We don’t have to use them until neighbouring level Temple of Poseidon though. I will mention that water-dominated fare here because it is very short (and not very good) Lara must enter four near identical rooms and attach the tridents to statues. Along the way some more skeletons cause a ruckus, and another ghost appears. And that’s about it, barring a quick swim at the end. Well okay that’s a bit of a harsh summary, but whilst Catacombs at least is a decent challenge and reasonably fun to play, Temple of Poseidon is a short filler level offering precious little. If TRLR was a Christmas stocking, Poseidon would be the Terry’s chocolate orange you didn’t ask for, i.e. something you tend to fiddle with a few minutes before getting back to the bigger presents. 7/10 for Catacombs, 5/10 for Poseidon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ("I know it sounds stupid, but Core specifically said to put the shells inside the vase. Don't ask me why"). __________________ For the first time ever I will understand my television

14-07-06, 23:06	#5
raiderfun Tomb Raider Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Casablanca Posts: 13,519	Oups too long ! __________________ Simple Geste De Politesse : Ne Jamais aller à une soirée les mains vides. ;)

14-07-06, 23:27	#7
Slick Explorer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 549	That was great, really enjoyed it. __________________ Well this is a tomb, I'll make them feel at home

14-07-06, 21:33	#3
Titanium Tomb Raider Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: England Posts: 13,059	Lol, that was brilliant

15-07-06, 02:59	#8
rr_carroll Bug Scientist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 5,253	Too true, Scotlee. But if you enjoy the corner bug, there's some gimmicks, including shortcuts in the huge room with three levels, and one out-and-out comedy bit. See this thread: http://www.tombraiderforums.com/showthread.php?t=68550