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 8: Jaws of Death (Single Player) | Updated: 10/25/10(†) |
For the 2-player co-op walkthrough, please see here.
Score Challenges: 60K, 80K, 110K (Bonus: High Power Flame Thrower) Reward Challenges:
Artifacts: Gold Arrow, White Drum, Wind Drum A complete list of artifacts, relics and weapons can be found here. |
NOTE: Except for the first room, most of this level involves a frantic run along a straight path littered with hazards and obstacles. If you're trying for all the Reward Challenges, I recommend playing through at least three times: once to get the red skulls and 110,000 point score, once for the 2-minute timed run, and again to destroy all the enemies. You'll want to equip every item you have that confers a speed bonus, but for the last challenge, which is by far the hardest, you may want to wait and replay later after you've collected some more powerful items and weapons.
LEVEL ENTRANCE: There are health and ammo pickups near the start. The first red skull (1/10) is sitting in plain sight on the right, along with some gems. (screenshot)
Head up the stairs to the NE. In the room with the gold circle on the floor, several enemies emerge, including a shaman and a couple of skeletons. There's also a red skull (2/10) hidden behind the square column in the northern corner. (screenshot)
If you're going for the 2-minute time challenge, just ignore these enemies and continue forward.
LONG BROKEN BRIDGE: As you move out onto the bridge and approach the first gap in the floor, 2 shamans begin firing energy bolts from atop the columns to the right. Kill these two for the points or as part of the enemies challenge. Snag the health pack near the left edge and continue forward.
I won't note the locations of all the gems on the bridge, since they're pretty much lying in plain sight.
As you approach the next gap, a cut scene ensues: Xolotl shows off his evil magic by summoning "CHOMPY," probably the ugliest video game boss in recent years. Take Lara's advice and RUN!
Jump across the gap and continue forward, avoiding the pods and running/rolling over the retracting spikes. Move toward the left side of the bridge for another red skull (3/10) (screenshot) and leap over the next gap where it's narrower.
Cross the next gap in the middle. Then veer to the right for another red skull (4/10) and a health pack (screenshot), then to the left for another red skull (5/10) (screenshot). Grab it and then move a bit toward the middle of the bridge before jumping the next gap.
Just beyond this gap, there's an ammo pickup and 4 more shamans on columns. A bit farther along is another gap. Jump across in the middle and then veer left as you cross the spike field to snap up another red skull (6/10). (screenshot)
Run/roll through the first archway. (These aren't significant, except that they serve as landmarks and slow Chompy down a little as he pauses to break through them.)
Shoot the bull's-eye target on the other side of the next gap to raise a wooden ledge so you can jump across. (screenshot) Veer to the left and go between or over the next set of pods. Continue along the left edge to avoid the next hole in the floor.
Move back toward the middle and leap over another gap into an area where 4 shamans begin firing down at Lara. In the process, they knock over several columns, so watch out for falling debris. There's also ammo on the left, health a little farther along on the right, and another red skull (7/10) sitting on a low block on the left, just below one of the shamans' columns. (screenshot)
Avoid the next big hole by running along the right edge. There are 2 more shamans on columns just beyond this hole and another 2 shamans near the next gap in the bridge, which you'll need to jump near the middle.
The next red skull (8/10) (screenshot) is on the left in an open area with pods and arrow traps. Beyond it, run/roll through the second archway. Then, when you come to the next wide gap, take a running jump off the edge, grapple the golden ring in mid-air and quickly climb up the cable onto the walkway. (screenshot) Grab ammo and health as you move around the next big hole by staying on its right side.
If there's time, snag another red skull (9/10) sitting at the left edge of the next hole. (screenshot) There's another shaman here too, but you probably won't have time to get the skull and kill him. If you do manage to destroy him, along with all the others, you'll beat the Reward Challenge and receive a Gold Arrow Artifact (+ weapon).
Run around the hole on the right side and jump across the gap. Climb over the fallen column on the left side to avoid the pods. Then continue along the left edge to clear the next gap. After that, veer to the right and watch out for flying arrows as you jump across the next gap.
The final red skull (10/10) is just beyond this gap also on the right. (screenshot) If you've found all 10, you'll receive the White Drum Artifact (+ defense, + speed).
Now you're in the home stretch. Run/roll straight along the middle of the bridge, between the two sides of the huge mechanism. Step on the pressure pad on the left to raise a set of wooden ledges on the right. Move onto it. As you do this, Chompy will approach, pause between the gears and let out a roar. Pull the gold handle to activate the giant grinder, spraying Lara with nasty raw fish. A moment later, the exit opens. Run through to end the level and unlock the "Instant Sushi" achievement/trophy. (screenshots)
If you finish within 2 minutes, per the Reward Challenge, you'll also receive the Wind Drum Artifact (+ weapon, + speed).
†UPDATE HISTORY: 8/30/10 - First draft walkthrough posted.
8/31/10 - Added stats for the Wind Drum and clarified the ending section a little. (The original phrasing implied you had to finish in 2 minutes to unlock the Instant Sushi achievement. This is not the case.)
10/25/10 - Added screenshots and made a few other minor tweaks.
11/1/12 - Made a few minor changes during the writing of the co-op walkthrough.
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