NOTES ON THE REMASTER: At this point I can't guarantee 100% accuracy for this guide. Updates are in progress but will take time. Levels that have been worked on will say "Remaster," rather than "Classic," in the title. In the meantime, I have attempted to provide a running count of all kills and pickups, including totals for health packs, chocolates, sellable items, and cash, as well as notebook entries, which are needed for some achievements/trophies. If I've missed any, I do apologize. Please let me know if you discover anything not mentioned here. Also, in case it's not obvious, these guides are based on classic tank controls, and I have not yet included strats for all achievements/trophies.
LEVEL 21: THE STRAHOV FORTRESS (Remaster)
Updated: 5/9/25(†)
LEVEL MAP by VGCartography (used with permission)
Angel of Darkness Remastered Video Walkthrough by Eldincy
Items: 20, including 2 health items, 1 chocolate, Low- and High-Security Passes, MAG VEGA (two opportunities) and SCORPION X
Kills: 12
Upgrades: Upper Body
Notebook Entries: 3
FIRST WAREHOUSE: You begin in a large warehouse with stacks of metal shipping containers. Your notebook has been updated (47/62): "Find the security control room." (Again, this page on Von Croy's Notebook lists all entries.) Start by heading straight across the room to the one open container. Inside there's a large health pack (1). (screenshots)
Now you'll need to get over the wall that divides this huge room, steal a security pass, and climb to the exit in the far right corner. There are 3 soldiers on guard (1-3) on the other side of the wall. You could shoot them, but if you can get past the first 6 guards without being noticed, you'll unlock the "Silent as a Mouse" achievement/trophy. This guide details two possible routes: Riding over the wall on a shipping container or climbing over. (screenshots)
RIDING THE CONTAINER: Approach the big metal door with the red lion painted on it. A short cutscene shows a huge magnet moving to pick up one of the containers. You want to get on top of that container, so don't wait for the magnet to arrive. As soon as you regain control of Lara, climb onto the single container on the left (when facing the door with the lion). Turn left and walk to the edge nearest the 3 stacked containers. Wait for the crane to lift the top one off the stack. Then jump forward and grab the top edge of the two remaining containers. Pull up. Turn left and set Lara up for a running jump. The crane will lower the container a little, then pause before moving on. Immediately take that running jump and grab the edge of the suspended container. Pull up. Now, just let the crane carry you over over the wall to the other side of the room. During the ride, Lara mentions not drawing attention to herself. Just stay where you are, near the end of the container. When the crane sets the container down, drop to the floor behind it, out of sight of the 3 guards. (Skip the next paragraph.) (screenshots)
ALTERNATIVE - CLIMBING OVER THE WALL: If you miss the free crane ride, you can climb over the wall instead. Start by climbing onto the single container on the left when facing the door with the red lion. Turn left, walk to the edge, then jump to grab the edge of the two stacked containers. Pull up. Turn right and move toward the end of the stacked containers. Take a running jump to grab the ventilation unit mounted high on the wall. Pull up and turn right. Take another running jump to grab the railing of the metal catwalk that runs along the top of the dividing wall. Pull up, then climb down the short ladder onto the perpendicular walkway below. Make sure there are no guards directly below. Then vault over the railing of the lower walkway to land on either of the two huge pipe segments below. (If you drop directly from the walkway to the floor, Lara takes damage.) Move along on top of the pipes away from the guards. Then drop down in the corner out of sight. (screenshots)
LOW SECURITY PASS: Again, if you're not after achievements, you can take out the 3 guards (1-3) using your weapon of choice. But if you want the "Silent as a Mouse" achievement/trophy, you'll need to use stealth. The strategy described here seems to work consistently if you start the stealth sequence just after the crane lowers the container to the floor. If you wait too long, the soldiers will have moved to new locations.
Move into the corner near the open ends of the two large pipes next to the container that the crane just moved. (If you climbed over the wall, you'll already be standing in that corner.) Use Photo Mode to scope out the positions of the guards if you like. One stays inside the small office unless something happens to draw him out. The other two patrol the floor. Wait a few seconds for one of the patrolling guards to move behind the shelves on the far side of the room, leaving his buddy alone at the other end of the pipes. (screenshots)
Step into the pipe on the right and activate Stealth. Cautiously move through the pipe toward the first guard. (In my experience, even if his flashlight is pointing into the pipe, as long as he's facing left, he won't notice Lara, but if you like, you can wait for him to turn his light off before moving out.) Sneak around behind him and press Action to take him down. Pick up the Mag Vega clip (2) he drops. Then move alongside the container that the crane transferred earlier. (screenshots)
From there, you'll have a good view of the second guard as he approaches the guards' office, loiters there briefly, then continues around the perimeter of the room. When he moves between the office and the wooden crates, hide in the nearer of the two large pipes, and wait for him to to come to you. This can take a while, so be patient. Again, use Photo Mode for the long view, or just wait until you see him pass by and turn left, toward the office. Then move out, sneak up behind him, and knock him out. He drops another Mag clip (3). (screenshots)
The third guard is absorbed in his own problems and doesn't notice Lara through the window. He can, however, see through the open office door, so you'll need to approach carefully. Move toward the office and stand quietly alongside it. Wait for the guard to shine his flashlight out the door, searching for sneaky archaeologists. Then, when he turns and walks back inside, sneak around behind him and take him down. Pick up the STRAHOV LOW SECURITY PASS (4) he drops. (screenshots)
Some of the shelves on the other side of the room are climbable, and there's an electric lift you can play around with, but there's nothing important here. So climb the stack of smaller wooden crates in the corner. Step back from the wall and then jump straight up to grab the end of the ladder. Climb to the top. (screenshots)
If you like, you can now take a detour for a quick achievement/trophy. Quick-save, then head for the middle of the catwalk. Climb the long ladder against the back wall. At the top, you'll unlock the "Snake Eater" achievement/trophy. Reload your last save or climb back down the ladder. (If you're using tank controls, you can release and re-press Action to descend ladders quickly.) Then proceed through the green door at the right end of the catwalk (i.e., right when facing the wall with the long ladder). (screenshots)
SECOND WAREHOUSE WITH CATWALKS AND GUN TURRETS: In the next small anteroom, swipe the low-security pass in the card reader and quick-save before going through the reinforced metal door. There are more enemies ahead. (screenshots)
SHORTCUT: You can take a shortcut here to finish up the "Silent as a Mouse" achievement/trophy without confronting the next 3 soldiers. You'll either need to sacrifice a few pickups or save the game, use the shortcut, then reload and play through this area without worrying about stealth. Details are in a footnote.
Two soldiers (counted below) patrol the catwalks in the next large room. Ignore them for now. Also avoid the lower level, unless you're using the aforementioned shortcut. If Lara climbs down, mounted machine guns will kill her. Turn around and grab onto the ladder beside the door you just came through. Climb up just far enough to see a third soldier (4) in the CONTROL ROOM above but not so far that he spots Lara. Wait for him to turn around and move to the right. Then climb up, activate Stealth, move in close, and subdue him. He drops the MAG VEGA (5). Use the controls he was guarding to unlock the CRANE CONTROL ROOM door on the other side of the big room. It also alerts one of the soldiers (5), who comes to investigate. (screenshots)
Taking him out stealthily can be a challenge, thanks to the fixed camera and the inability to use Photo Mode here. As soon as the short cutscene ends, quick-save again. Stand to the left of the doorway, out of the soldier's line of sight. Wait about 30 seconds. Then move onto the ladder and drop to the catwalk. This gives the soldier time to approach, turn around, and head back along the catwalk. (If he notices Lara, reload, wait a few seconds longer, and try again.) Roll, run forward a little bit, then activate Stealth before you get too close to the soldier. Sneak up behind him and knock him out. Pick up the Mag Vega ammo (6) he drops. (screenshots)
The machine guns below are still active, and the third soldier (6) still patrols the catwalk, but as long as you don't move directly in front of him, he won't spot Lara. We'll deal with him shortly. For now, climb the long ladder on the far wall to reach the UPPER LEVEL. (screenshot)
CRANE CONTROL ROOM: At the top of the ladder, head to the left. Follow the walkway around to the crane control room, avoiding the gaps between walkways. Go down the stairs and open the crane room door. (screenshot)
Cutscene: Lara uses the electromagnet to destroy the gun turrets.
Return to the long ladder and climb back down. (Again, with tank controls, you can release and quickly re-press Action to descend ladders quickly.) The third soldier (6) is still here, but if you stand at the bottom of the ladder, he should approach, turn around, and head back the other way. Run toward him then switch to Stealth when you get a little closer. Sneak up behind him and knock him out. He also also drops Mag Vega ammo (7). Move to the middle of the catwalk and vault over the railing to land on the shipping container below. Drop down, and exit through the green door at the end of the tracks on the floor. As long as you didn't alert any of the first 6 enemies, the "Silent as a Mouse" achievement/trophy should pop as you enter the next room. (screenshots)
NOTE: If you don't care about that last pickup, after destroying the guns and climbing down the long ladder, head back toward the control room where you killed the first soldier. Climb down the ladder on the right to the floor, and proceed to the exit. The soldier above should remain unaware. (screenshots)
LOADING BAY WITH MOVABLE CRATES: Just ahead is what looks like a turntable for an indoor rail system. Crates, barrels, and other debris are strewn about. Four wide passages radiate out from this hub. To the left is an electrified door. Approach it carefully to trigger a notebook update (48/62): "Gain access to the Biodome." We'll take that force field down soon. Straight ahead and around the next corner is a corridor lined with lasers, mines, and a deadly electric force field. Avoid this area for now, but make a mental note of the 2 stacked crates at the start of this passage. Lara isn't strong enough to move them yet, but she soon will be. (screenshots)
The passage to the right contains more crates, several of which are movable. Just beyond them is a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire holding back a pair of snarling rottweilers (7-8). If you're working on the "Good Boys" achievement/trophy, quick-save before approaching. If you get too close, they can bite Lara through the fence. (If you don't care about achievements or animal cruelty, just shoot the dogs through the fence.) (screenshots)
When you approach the chain-link fence, Lara spots a pipe she can use to climb over, but first she'll need to turn off the scalding steam leaking from another pipe above. To do that, you'll need a strength upgrade. (screenshots)
NOTE: When you near the crates, Lara notices they originated in Cappadocia, Turkey. The Turkish connection is not crucial, but if you're following the plot, this ties in with what Luddick said about crates being smuggled in from Turkey, assuming you chose the rude options when interrogating him. Von Croy's notes also mention the "The Sleeper," the last surviving member of the Nephilim race, was supposedly buried in Turkey.
Start by moving into the space between the stacked crates and the left wall. Climb onto the crate nearest the fence. With the fence on Lara's left, pull the crate in front of her toward the wall. Pull several times to move it as far as it will go. This makes a little space on the other side. Climb over the crate you just moved. Turn around, and push it as far as it will go. (Do not climb on the topmost crate or jump straight up while standing on the stacked crates. If you do, Lara will suffer fatal steam burns.) (screenshots)
Climb onto the crate you just moved and turn to face the topmost crate in the stack. Pull the topmost crate toward the fence as far as it will go. Again, you won't be able to move it all the way with Lara standing there. Pull it several times to gradually inch it toward the fence. (screenshots)
Drop down to the floor and go around to the other side of the stack. Climb onto the two stacked crates. Then sidestep onto the narrow ledge you made by moving the topmost crate. If you have trouble with this, try activating Stealth mode. Push the topmost crate toward the fence to get an upper-body strength upgrade. Drop down to the floor. (screenshots)
NOTE: Earlier versions of this walkthrough included a more complicated solution to the crate puzzle. In case the method described above doesn't work for you, or you're consistently being bitten by the dogs through the fence, try the original version, described in the archived classic guide.
Return to the hub from which the four hallways radiate. Head for the 2 stacked crates ahead on the right. After the upgrade, Lara is strong enough to push the stacked crates underneath the ventilation unit. Climb onto the crates, then pull up onto the ventilation unit. Turn the valve to shut off the steam. (screenshots)
CLIMBING OVER THE FENCE: Return to the stacked crates near the fence and climb on top. With the steam no longer venting, Lara can jump up and grab the horizontal pipe. Press Duck to tuck her legs up and traverse forward over the barbed wire fence. If you didn't shoot the dogs (7-8) through the fence earlier, you'll need to watch out for them, so quick-save again before dropping to the floor. Run forward and around the chain-link barrier on the left. Quickly climb the ladder before the dogs can bite. (screenshots)
NOTE: If you're having trouble with the dogs, try sprinting or taking running jumps around the room and back to the ladder. Lara should be able to outrun them. These are the last dogs in the game, but "Good Boys" doesn't unlock until you finish the level.
As you approach the ladder, you receive another notebook update (49/62): "Shut down power to clear a route through the Biodome to the Vault of Trophies." (If you missed update #48, don't worry. You'll have another chance shortly.)
INTO THE VENTILATION DUCTS: Use the controls on the platform at the top of the ladder to operate the huge saws. The saws cut into the carved stone slab then slice open the ventilation duct above. Pull up onto the beam above and just to the left of the controls. Walk to the edge, jump forward, and grab the edge of the metal duct. Pull up, turn right, and proceed to the end of the duct, where the saw cut into it. Drop and hang from the edge. Let go and quickly press Action again to catch the bottom edge of the duct. Pull up. Then crawl forward through the duct. At the drop-off, press Forward and Lara will somersault out of the opening. Step forward. (screenshots)
Cutscene: Gunderson hauls the journalist Luddick in to meet Meister Eckhardt. Apparently Luddick knew too much—or simply talked too much. Eckhardt dismisses Gunderson and then uses his gloved hand to silence the reporter permanently. As Luddick writhes in agony, the mysterious symbol found at the scenes of the other Monstrum killings is inscribed on the wall, as if by magic.
SECURITY CONTROL ROOM: Crawl forward to the end of the duct. The camera shifts to a wide-angle view. Watch the guard (9) patrolling below. Stealth is no longer necessary, but it is an option. If you want to take him out quietly, wait for him to move to the right side of the screen, then back to the left. Quick-save just in case, then once he has almost reached the next room, press Forward to somersault out of the duct. Activate Stealth and follow him as he enters the next room and turns right. Sneak up behind him, knock him out, and lift his STRAHOV HIGH SECURITY PASS (8). (screenshots)
NOTE: I experienced a minor glitch in which Lara would sometimes take damage when rolling out of the duct, regardless of whether she rolled out of the right, left, or center of the duct. If you're conserving health, repeat the forward roll until you get lucky and she lands with full health.
Mines and lasers block the way back to the hub, and there's an electric field over the doorway to the INTERROGATION ROOM. So, for now, climb the stairs to the SECURITY CONTROL ROOM. There are 3 more soldiers inside: one in the outer control room, two in the small lounge in back. At this point, I'd abandon stealth and equip the Viper SMG or Mag Vega. Wait for the first soldier to approach the door. Then swipe the high-security pass in the card reader to open the door. Step back or to the right, so Lara doesn't try to use the card again, and as soon as the door opens, mow down the first soldier (10). Run inside and to the right, then face left. Wait for the other two men (11-12) to emerge and kill them quickly. The soldiers all drop Mag Vega ammo (9-11), and you'll find another Mag clip (12) and a chocolate bar (13) sitting on the tables in the back. (This is 15/20 for the "Chocollection" achievement/trophy.) There are also 4 clips for the Scorpion X (14-17, four items in two pickups) in the tall cabinets near the door. When you have everything, use the control panel in the office. (screenshots)
Cutscenes: Lara traces the route forward on the computer screen and notes an ominous biohazard symbol. She wonders what requires that kind of security to keep it contained. But no matter. She's on a mission. Whatever it is can't be that dangerous. She shuts off the power to four sections: the Loading Bay, Bio Dome, Sanitarium, and Proto. Next, we see a rather nasty critter escaping confinement and terrorizing some poor guards. Lara says she must move fast before the power comes back on.
TRAPPED HALLWAY & INTERROGATION ROOM: Despite Lara's warning, there's no actual time limit here. Swipe your card again to exit the CONTROL ROOM. Before attempting to pass through the laser-trapped hallway, move forward just as far as the first mine. Approach it at a walk to detonate it without taking too much damage. Then pick up the MAG VEGA (18) on the shelf to the right. (This will be ammo if you already have the gun.) The electric field that had been protecting the INTERROGATION ROOM is now off. Cross the hall and use the card reader to get inside. Here you'll find Luddick's smoldering body, along with bandages (19) in a locker and a SCORPION X (20) on the bed. If you bought the other SCORPION X from Luddick at the end of the last level, and also found a pair of VECTOR-R35s (one in various early levels, one in LOUVRE GALLERIES), you'll unlock the "Two of Every Kind" achievement/trophy. You can now equip single or dual Scorpion Xs from the Weapons section of your Inventory. (screenshots)
NOTE: The "Race Nation" poster in the interrogation room is not some kind of far-right propaganda. It's actually the name of a canceled Core Design auto racing game. According to then-Executive Producer Adrian Smith, Race Nation made it to the playable demo stage before it was scrapped by Eidos Interactive.
GETTING PAST THE MINES & LASERS: Return to the trapped hallway. If you're after the "Reel Deal" achievement/trophy, you'll have to navigate the mines and lasers without jumping or crawling. In order to do this, you'll start the large cable spool at the right end of the hallway rolling, then use it for cover as you pass the lasers.
Start by topping up your health if necessary, since Lara will lose a bit in the process. Shoot the red gas cylinder near the spool until it explodes, starting the spool in motion. Don't wait for it. Run toward the lasers and position Lara on the right side of the hallway, next to the shelf where you found the MAG VEGA (or ammo) earlier. (The first mine was here, but you should have already detonated it.) Quick save. (screenshots)
NOTE: If you don't care about achievements/trophies, disregard the following. Just shoot the gas cylinder, wait for the spool to roll down the hall, then commando crawl under the lasers, staying to the left while passing the remaining mine.
When the spool rolls alongside Lara, move forward, keeping the spool on Lara's left to shield her from the first set of laser beams. You'll need to move faster than a walk but slower than a run, so just tap Forward as needed to keep pace with the spool. As soon as it clears the lasers, run around in front of it toward the left side of the hallway. The second mine will detonate as you approach. So expect to take a little damage. Turn to face the second set of lasers, which emanate from the right. As the spool rolls forward on Lara's right, move forward with it so it shields Lara from the lasers. Then quickly run around the front of the spool to the right side of the hallway. The third mine explodes, but try to ignore it. Turn to face the next set of lasers, which emanate from the left. As the spool rolls forward, keep pace with it so it blocks the lasers. After this, you're safe. Proceed around the corner to the left. As long as you haven't crawled or jumped during this sequence, the "Reel Deal" achievement/trophy should unlock here. (screenshots)
NOTE: If you missed any pickups in the previous area, you can commando crawl back under the lasers to get in and out again.
LEVEL EXIT: Head for the green door ahead on the right, opposite the area with the movable crates. The force field that was protecting this door is now off. If you missed the second notebook update (48/62) earlier, you'll get it now: "Gain access to the Biodome." Be sure to read all 3 new entries for the "Memento Mori" achievement/trophy. Use the keycard in the card reader to unlock the door and go through. (screenshots)
If you've made it this far without harming or being harmed by dogs, "Good Boys" achievement/trophy will unlock as the next level loads.
†UPDATE HISTORY: Updates made prior to the Tomb Raider IV-V-VI Remastered release, including credit for tips sent in by other players, are tracked in the archived classic guide.
5/9/22 - Remastered guide posted.
*NOTE ON LEVEL MAPS: VGCartography's Angel of Darkness maps follow a slightly different level-numbering convention than I do. You'll notice most of the Parisian Ghetto-adjacent areas on the same large map. Later, the elemental levels off the Hall of Seasons are included on the same map as the hub level. Visit VGCartography on DeviantArt and follow on Twitter/X and YouTube for more fantastic game maps.
SHORTCUT IN SECOND WAREHOUSE WITH CATWALKS AND GUN TURRETS: When you enter this area, save the game in case things go badly or you want to replay this area after unlocking the "Silent as a Mouse" achievement/trophy. Before any of the soldiers notice Lara, turn right and vault over the railing. Lara will lose some health in the fall, but as long as you stay close to the outer wall, the machine guns in the middle of the room won't target her. Run forward, keeping the outer wall close on your right. Just before you reach the far wall, veer left and run off the edge of the concrete loading dock to land beside the parked tractor-trailer. This truck will shield Lara from the guns. Move forward alongside the truck and stop near the front wheels. Top up Lara's health and quick-save. Then run to the green door ahead on the right and open it before the machine guns shoot Lara to bits. (screenshots)
As long as you didn't alert any of the enemies at the beginning of the level, the "Silent as a Mouse" achievement/trophy should pop as you enter the next room. Now you can choose whether to reload and complete the previous area for all pickups, or go on from here knowing you've missed one opportunity to get the MAG VEGA. You will have another chance shortly.
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