Tomb Raider Anniversary Time Trial Tips - Croft Manor

The following walkthrough was created by Eldin to help other gamers who might be having trouble beating the Anniversary time trials.

Before you start, be sure to review the General Time Trial Tips & Strategy if you haven't done so already. You can also find the regular walkthrough for this level here.

WARNING: Do not use cheats to unlock the pistols for this level. Unless you obtain them the "real" way, you'll most likely encounter a bug in which Lara is unable to shoot key puzzle objects, and you will not be able to complete the level.


Time Limit: 19:00

As soon as level starts turn right and move the crate onto the pressure pad to open up the compartment in the fireplace. Then climb the crates to get the gear.



Make sure to "fast traverse" while Lara is on the painting. (i.e., tap Interact in time with Lara's movements).



After you've obtained the gear just jump from the crate where the gear was. Lara will lose a little bit of health, but there is no need to worry about that, since there are no enemies in this level and this will save some time.



Now it is time to go to the library, make sure to roll while Lara is on the stairs to cover more ground.



Move forward along the straight hallways using the "Swan Dive Jump". (This is the fastest way to cover flat ground in Anniversary. The controls for the swan dive jump, or running swan dive, are Forward + Jump + Crouch. See the TRA controls page for details.)



Also, in the library, make sure to roll while Lara is on the stairs.



If you have already played any of the other Time Trials and unlocked cheats for other weapons, you must still get Lara's pistols from this room; otherwise a glitch will occur and Lara won't be able to shoot the ring behind the painting and rope in the pool room. This will prevent you from completing the level.



Once you have the pistols, open the secret passage and go get the bucket, which you'll need soon. The "Swan Dive Jump" is also the fastest way to go downstairs. When leaving the library, if you swan dive from the top of the stairs, Lara will be at the bottom in 2 seconds, and every second counts in the Time Trial.



Proceed to the gallery to get the Sundial Gnomon. After you've obtained it, you can jump straight down from the balcony.



Again, when you are in the hall make sure to "Swan Dive Jump" through it.


Once you are in the main room again, there is no need to use the stairs to get down; just jump from the balcony.



Now it is time to go to the garden. Make sure to "Swan Dive Jump" from the beginning of the stairs to get down faster.



Continue on by doing "Swan Dive Jump" again in order to reach the door faster.



Climb over the wall and cut across the grass, rather than following the walkway and, again, "Swan Dive Jump" here to reach the "clock" faster.



You know the combination, right? 11 2 7 just in case you need it, because you don't have a lot of time to waste here.



My first suggestion for the maze part is to "Swan Dive Jump" along the straight paths. If necessary, print out the maze map from the main walkthrough before you start. (You can use Stella's route or, if you prefer going through the left side of the maze, use this alternate route.) That way you will save a lot of time and your nerves as well.



After you've obtained the grapple and used it to open the gate, it is time to go back in the house. Again "Swan Dive Jump" in order to cover more ground faster.



Now it is time to go to the gym. This time you want to concentrate on getting the wrench. No need to bother with anything else. So as soon as you come in, go to blue mat number 1 and climb up to the button above and to the right of the entrance. Press it to raise the pillars. Then jump down.



Go to blue mat number 3 and climb up and around to the right. Use the grapple on the wall run above the empty swimming pool to reach the button above the pool and to the left of the entrance.



After pressing the button to lower the bar on the other side of the room, jump from the upper level to the floor next to the pool. Lara will lose a little bit of health but you'll save time.



Return to blue mat 3 and this time head for the platform with the wrench. When Lara is on the horizontal pole, as soon as she grabs it press Jump again and again to reach the other pole without swinging all the way around.



After you've obtained the wrench just let Lara drop down from this point.



Now it is time for the pool room. Make sure to "Swan Dive Jump" in the halls and before reaching that room.



As soon as you get inside the room, use the grapple to pull down the statue's spear. Then move the trash bin. Shoot the pulley to release the wooden plank as you head toward the crates at the back right. This will save a little time.



Again when Lara is on each of the horizontal poles, press jump twice and she will jump again without swinging all the way around.



The only thing you need to do in this room is to shoot the ropes—one on the left, one on the right, and one is in the middle on the small balcony. Then drop down into the pool to get the golden bow. There is no need to activate the gate in the pool since there is no need to go there.



After the pool room is cleared it is time to get back to the garden. As before, make sure to use the "Swan Dive Jump" maneuver to cover the ground quickly between here and there.



After the water is turned on, you will need to go back to the manor again in order to get the last item: the arrow. Fill your bucket at one of the spouts along the wall since they're on the way. And, again "Swan Dive Jump" in order to get there faster.



Return to the fireplace, use the bucket to put out the fire, and get the arrow. Then return to the garden and head for the center of the maze once more. This time you can go right there, since the gate is open.

Place the gear, the bow and the arrow, then pull the lever. Yes, this is annoying. The timer is still running during the cutscene...aarrrr! But don't worry you will have time to finish this level.



Grab the music box cylinder and head back to the manor once again. "Swan Dive Jump" to cover the ground faster. As you can see a lot of "Swan Diving" in this level. Yeah, it is really necessary here.



When climbing the stairs, roll on them that way you will reach the upper level faster.



In the hall, "Swan Dive Jump" again in order to cover more ground.



Place the cylinder and enter the music room. Time Trial completed!



[Main TRA Time Trials Page]

[Next Level]