Floating Islands - Backtracking for Missed Secrets

If you reach the end of the level and realize you missed the Silver and/or Jade Dragon, it's not too late to go back and get them, though it is a bit of a trek.

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On the long ledge where you found the Gold Dragon, look over the edge and you'll see the garden near the Mystic Plaque gate.

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To get down, position Lara as shown above and backflip over the wall onto the slanted roof.

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Slide back and grab the edge, and then drop onto the bridge below.

Now you can get the Silver Dragon as described here.

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If you still need the Jade Dragon, go back through the Mystic Plaque gate and take a running jump to grab the end of the green walkway. Go up the walkway and cross over the gold lattice building.

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Drop down on the stone ledge on the other side. Go to the left end and take a running jump down to the little green island near the one with the building where you found the Second Mystic Plaque. Jump over to the big island.

Now climb onto the roof to get the Jade Dragon, as shown here. When you have it, return to the little garden inside the Mystic Plaque gate, as described in the main walkthrough, in the sections titled "Larger Island, Lower Level" and "Stepped Green Islands Leading up to Mystic Plaque Gate."

Now you'll need to reset the first zip line so you can get back to the level exit.

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Start by going to the left side of the bridge. Climb onto the rocks and turn to face the bridge. Now carefully position Lara at the corner of the flat block nearest the bridge so she's facing the little roof that juts out from the wall above the lower bridge, as shown above.

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Take a standing jump forward, holding the Action button while Lara is in the air, to land on that roof. . .

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. . . and slide down onto the lower bridge.

Enter the room and pull the switch to reset the first zip line. (You'll probably need to pull it twice to make sure the metal gate at the end of the line is open.)

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The second zip line in the next room looks normal, but if Lara uses it, she won't be able to grab the lattice at the other end. So instead step off the edge just to the right of the zip line handle, slide down the slope and jump at the very end to grab the lattice, as shown above.

Then climb up the lattice and make your way back to the top of the first zip line, as described in the main walkthrough, in the section titled "Lower Bridge and Second Zip Line."

Ride the first zip line all the way to the end, just like you did before. This will put you back in the little hallway in the green room with the lava walls. Turn around to face out into the room. Then jump over to the flat floor on the left. (Shoot the flying swordsman that appears on the left if you didn't get him eariler.) Then jump across the gap in the floor, climb onto the carved block, jump into the doorway above the zip line handle and follow the passageway to the room on the left with the big, square hole in the floor. Go through that room to the room with the lava/spike pit and lattice walls. Then climb back up to the lava stream area just before the Gold Dragon. Ride the third zip line down to the level exit.

Special thanks to Quin for suggesting this strategy.

[Return to the Floating Islands Walkthrough]


Stella's Tomb Raider Site: tombraiders.net.