The Lost Domain - Cavern with Statues and Wooden Walkways

Once you've made it through the timed gate, as described in the last section, follow the tunnel to another cave. Ignore the steps leading down toward the lava pools and the stairs leading up to the huge door on the far side of the cavern. If you try to climb those stairs before disabling the trap, Lara will be sliced to shreds. Instead move to the left side of the ledge near the entrance.

SHORTCUT: If you enjoy a challenge, it is possible to skip the lever and bypass the blade trap with a little trial and error. Details are on a separate page.

To follow the regular route, jump down to the ledge with the wooden ladders. (You may even be able to take a running jump and grab the first ladder directly.)

Climb the two ladders to reach the highest wooden platform on the left side of the cavern.

Jump across the broken bridge to the other side.

The camera shifts to point at the wall, making this next part stupidly awkward. You're aiming for the wooden platform with the lever a bit farther along the wall. Quick-save. Then slide down the ramp. Just before Lara reaches the bottom, jump, steer to the right a bit in midair, and grab the edge of the platform.

Pull up near the lever.

- OR -

Alternatively, if you can't get the hang of the midair steering and/or the weird camera angle, try taking a running jump instead of sliding down the slope. Position Lara on the wooden walkway with the broken bridge to her left and the lever platform ahead. Back up to the railing.

Then run along the walkway and jump before Lara hits the slope.

It's a long jump, but if you angle it correctly, she should make it. Grab the edge of the platform and pull up.

If Lara misses the grab and lands on the stone ledge below the lever, you have a few options: (1) Reload your last save. (2) Take a short hop down to the nearest pillar in the lava pool.

Then turn left and make your way across the pillars to the ledge with the ladders. (Using classic tank controls, it's a standing jump, another standing jump, then a running jump, indicated by the arrows above.) Climb up and try again.

Or, (3) try this shortcut to bypass the blade trap on the stairs. It's tricky but possible.

When you reach the final ledge, pull the lever to extinguish the flames in the huge statues' hands and disarm the blade trap on the stairs.

Hang from the edge of the wooden ledge. Traverse right, toward the cave wall, then drop onto the stone ledge below.

Walk to the edge overlooking the middle of the cave and take a short hop (Walk + Jump) to land on one of the stone pillars below. Turn right, jump to the stairs, then continue up to the exit. Now that you've disabled the blades, it's safe.

Cutscene: When Lara reaches the carved door, lava (or is it magical energy?) flows into the etched patterns, and the door opens. Proceed into Eckhardt's Lab.

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