This game is available for download through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, PlayStation Store, for Windows PC through Steam, and for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch through the iTunes.
NOTE: Throughout this walkthrough I use abbreviations for north (N), northeast (NE), southwest (SW), etc., to give directions. There is no compass in this game, but just to make it easier to navigate on screen, we'll assume north is up, west is left, east is right and south is down. Outdoor levels include a map screen in the Inventory in case you get lost. Also, I played using the medium combat difficulty setting so your experiences may differ slightly on a different setting.
*Although the PC, console and iOS versions are similar, there are significant differences in a few areas. This walkthrough covers the original version but may also be helpful to iOS users.
Level 1: Temple of Light (Single Player) | Updated: 9/25/10(†) |
For the 2-player co-op walkthrough, please see here.
Score Challenges: 100K, 130K, 160K (Bonus: Magnums) Reward Challenges:
Artifacts: Clay Arrow, Clay Owl, Stone Arrow A complete list of artifacts, relics and weapons can be found here. |
LARGE GATE AT START: Before proceeding, go up the steps behind you and gather the gems from around the base of the square structure with the pedestal on top.
NOTE: I haven't indicated the locations of all gems, just the ones that are easy to miss and a few that I use as landmarks to find other things.
Return to the start and use bombs to open the gate. To do this, approach one of the huge gears, press the Bomb button to plant a bomb, step out of range (the colored circle on the ground around the bomb shows the danger zone). Then press the Bomb button again to detonate the bomb and destroy the first gear. Blow up the second gear and the gate will open. Go through and head up the stairs to the next room.
ROOM WITH BREAKABLE JARS: There are 8 clay urns here, which you can smash with guns or spear. This is part of one of the Reward Challenges listed in the header. Gather more gems and a red skull (1/10). (screenshot) You can also shoot the TNT barrels to blow them up, just make sure to do this from a safe distance.
Exit via the stairs in the bottom corner. Follow the walkway to an arrow trap that shoots in the direction you're headed. Plant a bomb near it, move back and detonate the bomb to destroy the trap. Continue along the walkway and up the stairs to the next area.
COURTYARD WITH CIRCULAR INLAY ON FLOOR: After the cut scene, in which Totec gives Lara his magic spear, various enemies attack. You can fight them with the spear or switch back to pistols. When the coast is clear, continue up the stairs to the NW to the next area.
NOTES: The spear has the same basic mechanics as the pistol. Aim with the right stick (or Tab + mouse on the PC) and then press Fire. And, like Lara's pistols, the magic spears never run out. Use the D-Pad to switch weapons on the fly. The default settings are D-Pad Up for the spear, D-Pad Right for the pistols. You can also rearrange them in the weapons section of the Inventory screen. Later you'll get more alternate weapons to fill the other two slots.
Also, I don't know the official names of any of these enemy types, so I'm winging it. If they're humanoid, I'll just call them "enemies" and describe any special powers they may have.
Watch out for the arrow trap in the next room. Either destroy them with bombs or roll under the arrows by tilting the left analog stick and pressing X. Pick up the gems and red skull (2/10). (screenshot) Step on the square pressure pad to open the exit.
In addition to fighting enemies, Totec's magic weapon can be used to fire spears into the wall, which Lara can then climb. Equip the spear and use the right analog stick to aim. You'll see a yellow dot where the spear will hit. Aim at the wall ahead and press Fire to throw a spear. (You can throw three at a time; after that, the first one will vanish.) Jump onto the spear and then jump up to grab the top of the wall; pull up.
The glowing green light is a HEALTH SHRINE. Stand on it to replenish Lara's health if she was injured in the recent fight. Be sure to smash the 3 urns for the Reward Challenge.
Continue up the stairs to the SW. More enemies drop from the walls above. When you've killed them all, look for gems where they fell. Then continue along the passage and up the stairs. Smash 2 more urns at the top.
FIRST GRAPPLE RING: Before going after the gems in the corner, use a bomb to destroy the arrow trap. Get the goodies and then move to the edge overlooking the passageway where you just fought the last group of enemies.
Grapple the golden ring on the other side of the gap. Jump off the edge, and quickly reel in the cable by pressing Up on the left control stick (or pressing the Up direction key if using a keyboard). Continue tilting the left stick to climb the cable onto the ledge with the ring, where you'll find another red skull (3/10). (screenshots)
As you take the skull, you'll automatically step on a pressure pad that opens the door to the SW (near the last arrow trap). Drop down, return up the stairs and go through that door and up the stairs.
ELEVATED WALKWAY: As you step out onto the walkway, several enemies spawn in the courtyard below and jump up onto the walkway. If you stand at the bend in the walkway, you can target each of them as they land. Then continue around the corner. Shoot the TNT barrels to clear the way and proceed up the stairs and through the doorway with the carved face above it.
You emerge in a small anteroom at the bottom of another set of stairs. There are 2 health packs in the bottom corner of the room. Move over them to pick them up. (Lara won't take them if her health bar is already full.) Approach the golden handle on the NW wall. Hold B to grab the handle and step back to pull it. This opens the exit. Run through before it closes.
ARTIFACT ROOM: A group of enemies converges on Lara. The arrow trap on the far side of the room will damage some of them, but you'll need to shoot the survivors. Then destroy the trap with a well-placed bomb.
If you need health, go to the bottom of the stairs and grab the health pack. Then return to the ledge above. Throw a spear into the wall near the hovering red skull (4/10). Jump from the ledge onto the spear and grab the skull. Then climb from the spear onto the ledge above. (screenshot)
Use a bomb to destroy the arrow trap so you can pick up a Clay Arrow Artifact (+ weapon, - defense). (screenshot)
NOTE: There are 2 artifact slots on the Inventory screen (Back button), but you only have one artifact so far. Follow the on-screen instructions to equip it if you like.
Pull the handle on the NE wall to open the door. Run through before the door closes.
ROOM WITH STONE BALLS AND PRESSURE PADS: Climb the stairs, use the HEALTH SHRINE if you need it. Then climb the ladder to the NE. As you use your bombs to destroy the arrow traps, several enemies appear. Deal with them and then pick up the gems and another red skull (5/10). (screenshot)
Roll the 2 huge spheres off the ledge. (Hold B to grab onto a ball and use the left stick to push/pull.) Climb down and push the spheres onto the 2 pressure pads to open the door between them. Go through and follow the stairs to the next area.
SPIDER POTS: This is one of the Reward Challenges listed in the introduction. Jump on top of the pot nearest the door and then try to hop across all seven without touching the ground. You'll get several gems and another red skull (6/10) in the process. Remember to hold the A button to jump farther when necessary. If you slip and touch the floor, just return to the entrance and try again. Beating the challenge earns you a HEALTH POWERUP. (screenshot)
NOTE: Health Powerups and Upgrades restore Lara's health and increase her health bar overall.
Afterward, move to the edge of the floor, near the wall, so Lara is facing the golden ring high on the wall. Press and hold Grapple to grapple the ring. Step off the edge and push the left stick back and forth to wall run. As Lara swings to the left, jump onto the next ledge.
XOLOTL'S FIRE TRAP: Now comes another Reward Challenge. If you can disarm this trap in less than 30 seconds, you'll earn a Clay Owl Artifact (+ defense, - bomb).
The following sequence is shown in a series of screenshots, as well as a brief video walkthrough. The central structure with the flame jet rotates clockwise at first, so run/roll around the room clockwise, following the flame jet and keeping off the burners near the center. (Rolling is faster than running but you don't want to go so fast that Lara runs into the flame jet.) Grab the huge ball and push it to the right onto the nearby pressure pad. This shuts off the flame beneath the golden handle on the opposite side of the trap.
Let go of the ball and quickly plant a bomb just above and to the left of the pad, right on the skeleton lying on the floor. Don't detonate the bomb yet, though. Continue clockwise around the room, still following the flame jet. Pull the first handle (i.e., the one near the entrance) to partially destroy the trap.
Now the trap begins to rotate counterclockwise, and there are 2 flame jets instead of just one. Detonate the bomb to propel the ball onto the second pressure pad and start to run/roll counterclockwise away from the flames and toward the ball. If the ball didn't land squarely on the pad, quickly roll it into place. This shuts off the flame beneath the second handle on the opposite side of the trap. Then continue running/rolling counterclockwise, away from the flame jets, to the second handle. Pull it to destroy the trap and open the door to the SW.
NOTE: If you fail the first attempt at the timed challenge, you can quit, reload and try again as long as you do this before reaching the next checkpoint. Or wait and replay the level later after you've obtained items that increase Lara's speed. Also, after the first time, you can press B to skip the cut scene.
If you don't care about beating the challenge, you can disarm the trap in a slightly different and safer way: Move the ball onto the first pad and pull the first handle as described above. Then, when the flames start moving in the opposite direction, instead of trying to move the ball to the right, just push it to the left (counterclockwise) all the way around the room and onto the second pad. Release the ball and roll counterclockwise around the room, staying ahead of the flame. Pull the second handle and you're done.
After the trap is disabled, roll the huge ball through the exit and position it on the pressure pad in the next room to raise a set of wooden ledges above the pit. Pick up the red skull (7/10) (screenshot) and then jump across the ledges.
NOTE: If you accidentally roll the ball off the ledge, don't worry. Standing on the pressure pad raises the ledges momentarily. As long as you go quickly, you can make it across before they retract.
SECOND COURTYARD WITH CIRCULAR FLOOR DESIGN: There are several squat pillars on the left. Jump on top of the one nearest the wall. Throw a spear into the wall and use it to reach the red skull (8/10) hovering above and beside the door. (screenshots) Then go through to the next area.
ROOM WITH TIERED LEDGES AND ARROW TRAPS: Use a bomb to destroy the first arrow trap on the right so you can get the health pack. Then, if you like, drop down on the right (don't take the stairs) and destroy the arrow traps below.
Grapple the golden ring on the NW ledge, either from the ledge where you found the health pack or from the floor below. Climb the grapple cable partway up the wall and swing over to the red skull (9/10). (screenshot) Then continue climbing onto the ledge with the ring. Move to the right end of this ledge and grapple the second ring, located on the NE wall. Swing over to the HEALTH UPGRADE. (screenshot)
Swing back to the ledge with the first ring on it and shoot the bull's-eye target to open the exit. Go through into a small anteroom with another door. Shoot the bull's-eye again from within this room to close the first door and open the second so you can proceed.
YIKES! OGRES!: During the next cut scene with Xolotl, a huge ogre-like thing crashes through the wall into the room. When the movie ends, you'll have to fight him. Several smaller enemies join the fray. Then a second ogre comes in from the previous room. Keep moving, shooting as you go, planting bombs, running or rolling out of the way and then detonating them. When the ogres die, they explode in a starburst blast of energy, which can injure Lara if she's in the way. So try to stand between the blasts. There's a health pack in the corner if you need it.
After the fight, shoot the 2 urns, if you didn't already destroy them. There are also gems to gather, and the ogres drop health or ammunition when they explode. (I'm not sure if the item drops are random or vary based on individual enemy or difficulty setting.)
FIRST CHALLENGE TOMB: The door flanked by red lights is a CHALLENGE TOMB. There are two in each level. These side areas are totally optional, but if you overcome the trials within, you'll get a nice reward. Enter and shoot the bull's-eye target on the other side of the spike pit to open the first gate on the right and another gate high on the NE wall. Throw a spear into that wall and climb up to the ledge with the HEALTH UPGRADE. (These screenshots show the whole sequence.)
Drop back down and move to the corner of the pit near the first gate, shoot the target again and quickly run/roll through as the first gate closes and the second opens. Alternatively, throw 2 or 3 spears into the NE rim of the pit (i.e., just beside the area between the gates) and use them to jump across to the ledge with the bull's eye. Then throw a spear into the wall behind the target and climb onto the ledge above to get an AMMO UPGRADE. Climb back down and plant a bomb near the bull's eye, run into the area between the gates and detonate the bomb to flip the switch and open the outer gate.
When you return to the main area, you'll notice that after completing the Challenge Tomb, the red lights at the entrance go out.
NOTE: Ammo Powerups and Upgrades increase Lara's ammunition bar, enabling her to carry more ammo. This doesn't matter right now, since the pistols and spear have unlimited ammo, but it will help once you begin to collect secondary weapons.
Head up the stairs to the SE. Shoot the 7 urns on the landing (5 on the left, 2 on the right) to get a health pack. If you've broken the other urns in the level, you'll also beat the urn-smashing Reward Challenge here. The reward is an AMMO POWERUP. Continue SE, up the stairs to the next area.
ANOTHER ELEVATED WALKWAY: If you're not too low on health, try to avoid picking up the health pack at the corner of the walkway at first. Two ogres ambush Lara here. Use bombs and spears or gunfire to take them down. Then grab the health pack, along with any health/ammo the ogres may drop, and proceed to the NE end of the walkway.
SECOND CHALLENGE TOMB: Again, the red lights next to this door indicate it is an optional side area. Enter if you wish. (The following sequence is shown in these screenshots.) Shoot the bull's-eye target on the other side of the deadly pit to open the first set of bars on the left side of the room. Roll the giant ball past the first pressure pad and onto the second pad, located beyond the bars you just opened. This raises a set of wooden ledges along the right wall.
Step out onto the wooden ledges and fire a spear into the stone pillar with the plants on top of it, just to the left of the bull's-eye. Watch out for flying arrows as you cross the wooden ledges and hop up onto the spear you just threw. Jump from the spear across the pit to the ledge next to the arrow trap. Grab the AMMO UPGRADE. Then use a bomb to destroy the trap. Throw another spear into the same stone column where you planted the first spear. Use both spears to jump back to the wooden ledges. (If you use the spears this way, there's no need to bother with the second ball and pressure pad.) Exit back to the main area.
Continue up the stairs to the NW. At the top, you'll find the The Knife of Itzli Relic (Power Shot) sitting in plain sight. (screenshot) Take it and go through the door.
NOTE: When you pick it up, a tutorial explains how to equip relics on the inventory screen and how the Relic Meter works. Basically, this meter, located just below your health and ammo bars, increases as you collect gems and destroy enemies. When it maxes out, you are able to use the special powers associated with the relic you have equipped. (In this case, the Power Shot.) But if you take damage, the Relic Meter resets to zero.
HUGE SPIKE PIT AND MOVING WALL: This next room is dominated by a giant spike pit. Pull the golden handle on the upper wall to raise a set of wooden ledges. Release the handle and quickly jump across the ledges before the handle retracts and they collapse.
As soon as you reach the other side of the pit, the wall starts moving. If you don't hurry, it will push Lara off the edge and into the pit. So quickly collect the red skull (10/10) and as many gems as you can. (screenshot) If you obtained all 10 red skulls, you'll now receive a Stone Arrow Artifact (+ weapon, - bomb). Then vault up onto the ledges as they extend. For the higher ledges, plant a spear, jump onto it, then jump up to grab the edge of the ledge and pull up. For the highest ledge, a spear won't boost Lara high enough. Instead grapple the golden ring on top and climb to the top. Then run forward to safety before a falling boulder destroys the ledge. Whew!
Continue up the stairs to the doorway with the golden light emanating from it. This is the level exit. If you managed to complete the level in under 6 minutes, you'll receive the Headdress of Ehecatl Relic (Power Speed).
†UPDATE HISTORY: 8/19/10 - First draft walkthrough posted; a few minor tweaks made later the same day.
8/20/10 - Added video link for fire trap reward challenge.
8/21/10 - Added missed ammo powerup and made a few other minor tweaks.
8/22/10 - Added missing info on the Headdress relic's power.
8/24/10 - Added alternate method for first Challenge Tomb; fixed a couple of typos and made a few minor strategy tweaks.
9/8/10 - Added the alternate method, involving the bomb, for the fire trap challenge.
9/13/10 - Fixed a couple of powerup/upgrade mix-ups.
9/23/10 - Fixed a couple of typos and made a few minor tweaks while developing the co-op page for this level.
9/25/10 - Added screenshots and video.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Thanks to GeckoKid and Soul/Nightwish from the Eidos Forums for help with the fire-trap challenge and to Jessica for her suggestion for the first Challenge Tomb. Also thanks to Clara from the Eidos forums and Captain Alban's TR site for info on the various artifacts and relics. I didn't do the time and score challenges on my first run-through, so this was very helpful. Clara's fire trap solution was originally included here as well. It is shown in this video walkthrough.
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