The Golden Mask Remastered guide is now complete. It includes all achievements/trophies. For the other guides that have not yet been updated, I will continue to link to the ORIGINAL WALKTHROUGHS, which cover all the basics. Please check the TR2 introductory notes for info on my process, modern vs. classic tank controls, etc. Follow this link for the archived classic walkthrough.

Pickups: 64, including including the Mask of Tornarsuk, gold nugget, and 3 secrets
Kills: 38 (41)

NOTES: As in the first level, there are friendly warriors who will help Lara if you don't harm them. So the maximum number of kills is 41. There are 38 if you count only hostiles, 33 if you don't count the catfish, which you must avoid if you want the "Defensive Capabilities" achievement/trophy (below). Your actual total will probably be even lower, if you let your allies help. Also, the regular pickups in this level will include the AUTOMATIC PISTOLS, HARPOON GUN, SHOTGUN, M16 ASSAULT RIFLE, GRENADE LAUNCHER, and UZIS if you don't have them yet.

LEVEL MAP by VGCartography (used with permission)

Furnace of the Gods Video Walkthrough by Eldincy‡

IMPORTANT: The "Planned Economy" achievement/trophy requires you to obtain the MASK OF TORNARSUK artifact in less than 50 seconds. In order to do this, it helps to make a fresh save at the start of the level (or at the end of the previous level). Play through the first area slowly to get the lie of the land and all pickups. Then when you reach the area with the MASK, save in a new slot. Reload your earlier save and race to the mask, ignoring all enemies and pickups along the way. Once you have the mask, and the achievement/trophy, reload your all-pickups save and continue from there. Or, if necessary, restart the level. To do this, kill Lara, then press Action/Enter to open the Passport menu, page to the right, and choose "Restart Level."

TRAPPED PASSAGEWAY: You begin the level sliding. The first pickup is on the ledge just ahead. You probably won't have time to light a flare and still make the jump to grab the ledge, so you may want to turn up the brightness (in the Controls menu under Brightness Default). Slide, jump, grab, and pull up next to the box of flares (1). If you miss, there's no way to climb back up, so either reload your last save or restart the level and try again. Once you have the flares, drop off the ledge and slide to the bottom of the cave. Among the remains of some previous adventurers, you'll find shotgun shells (2) and more flares (3). (screenshots)

Continue along the dark passage. As you approach the small medi pack (4) on the ground, a rat (1) sneaks up from behind. Roll and shoot it. Then turn around and continue. (screenshots)

Ahead is a section of breakaway tiles with deadly molten gold below. Beyond that is a short slope and two converging spiked walls, one ahead, one on the right. Instead of trying to outrun the spiked walls, run across the breakaway tiles on the left side, slide down the slope beyond, and hurry into the hallway on the left. Roll to face the moving walls and wait as the first spiked wall moves past you heading toward the breakaway tiles. If you like you can shoot the 2 rats (2-3) nibbling on Lara's boot laces, but don't let them distract you from the spikes. Once the first wall passes, move into the space where it originated before the second spiked wall arrives. You'll be safe here. After the second wall passes, step out and shoot a third rat (4) off to the right. Then pick up 2 sets of automatic pistol clips (5-6) on the floor to the left, near where the second wall originated. (screenshots)

NOTE: If you didn't get the AUTOMATIC PISTOLS in a previous level, you'll receive them here in place of one set of clips.

Now, head for the far end of the hall, where the second spiked wall ended up. Find the metal cage embedded in the left wall and push it twice to get into the passageway behind it. Go through to the next area. (screenshots)

BLUE CAVERN WITH INUIT WARRIORS: Enter the cave, start up the blue hill between the tall columns, and kill 2 wolves (5-6) that emerge from behind the columns. If you like, you can run out to get their attention and then roll and run back to the block near the entrance to shoot them from safety. There's a third wolf (7) sleeping in the far left corner of the cave. When you approach the skeleton with the small medi pack (7) at the top of the hill, the wolf will emerge. Grab the health pack. Then stand with pistols drawn and Lara will probably spot the wolf before you do. (screenshots)

When you take the golden MASK OF TORNARSUK (8) from the pedestal in the middle of the cave, the 3 Inuit warriors (1-3) standing on the nearby blocks come to life, and the "Gold Rush" achievement/trophy unlocks. (screenshots)

NOTES: The warriors are friendly and will help you kill human enemies; however, they will not fight the wolves. So it's a good idea to deal with the wolves before taking the MASK. The "Na Zdorovye!" achievement/trophy, introduced in the first level, continues here. If you want it, do not harm the warriors. If you insist on killing them, you should be able to do so easily enough by remaining on the pedestal where you found the mask.

Again, if you also want the "Planned Economy" achievement/trophy, you'll need to restart the level and obtain the MASK in 50 seconds or less. (See this separate page with screenshots and this short video.)

To learn more about the possible real-life inspirations for the golden mask, check out this fascinating article from Tomb Raider Horizons. It's part of that blog's "Arte-Factual" series, which covers art and artifacts from all the TR games.

FLOODED TUNNEL AND DARK ROOM WITH SKELETONS AND RATS: Taking the MASK also opened one of the doors leading out of the BLUE CAVERN. To get there, turn around to face the entrance, then head for the far right corner. Go through the door you just opened into a small room with blue stone walls. If you're hunting achievements/trophies, save the game. (screenshots)

The hole in the floor leads to a flooded area with a biting catfish (8). For the "Defensive Capabilities" achievement/trophy, you can't hurt any of the fish or let them bite you. Start by turning around and sliding down the slope facing uphill. When you splash down swim forward just a little, and you'll see the fish spawn ahead. There's a pickup in that direction, but it's virtually impossible to get without being bitten. So, for now, roll and swim along the flooded passageway in the opposite direction. The catfish should follow. At the end of the passageway, surface and quickly climb out of the tunnel. Stay in the ankle-deep water surrounding the hole to avoid spawning many rats (below), that emerge from the low openings when you move onto the dry floor. We'll deal with them later. (screenshots)

Now, make sure the fish has followed you to this end of the tunnel. If you wait too long, it will swim away, and you'll have to take a dip to draw it closer, then climb back out of the water. Save again, since this will probably take several attempts. Light a fresh flare, drop into the water, and quickly swim past the fish toward the far end of the passageway. Go as fast as you can, past the vertical shaft where you dropped in, and on to the end. Swim down into the square hole and quickly pick up 2 bundles of harpoons (9-10) lying on the bottom. Roll and follow the tunnel back the way you came. With speed and a little luck, you can make it back and forth without being bitten. (screenshots)

NOTES: This is the first of five catfish you'll encounter. My preferred strategy for "Defensive Capabilities" is detailed in a footnote. You can, of course, do separate playthroughs for the catfish and all-pickups achievements. If you don't care about either, just harpoon the first catfish when you meet it. Or, lead it along the passageway to the room with the rats, shoot the fish from above, then go back for the harpoons if you like. If you missed the HARPOON GUN earlier, you'll get it here along with one bundle of harpoons.

Back in the DARK ROOM WITH SKELETONS AND RATS, draw pistols, step out of the shallow water, and make your way gradually around the room, killing 12 rats (9-20) that emerge from the openings at floor level. Be careful not to accidentally shoot the catfish if it's still lurking in the water. Then pick up all the items on the ground and move the metal cages to get at the goodies underneath. In all, there are 5 boxes of shotgun shells, a small medi pack, a large medi pack, and flares (11-18). Pull the third metal cage out from the wall and push it to the side to access the exit. (screenshots)

NOTE: If you don't already have the SHOTGUN, you'll find it under one of the cages, along with some other items.

TRAPPED PASSAGEWAYS BEYOND THE RAT ROOM: Follow the narrow passage, running quickly over the collapsing tiles with spikes below. At the end of the hall, turn around and jump straight up to grab the ladder above. Climb to the top. Straight ahead, blocking the narrow passageway, is a blue block with a carved face. Push it twice into a small room. Then move it to either side to find SECRET #1, the gold coins (19), underneath. (screenshots)

This room is laid out in the shape of a square. Go around to the side farthest from the entrance, but do not approach the skeleton with the flares (20) yet. There's a boulder trap ahead. To obtain the flares without getting pancaked—and unlock an achievement/trophy in the process—position Lara just outside the doorway, with one foot near the low step on either side. Pivot slightly to face the flares. Save if you like. Then press Roll + Action to roll into the doorway and immediately pick up the flares. Without hesitation, jump forward to avoid the rolling boulder. As long as you pick up the flares before the boulder lands against the far wall, the achievement/trophy "Solve the Problem of Deficit" will unlock. But if you set it up carefully and move fast, you also won't take any damage. (screenshots)

Follow the passageway where the boulder came from, jumping over 3 spike pits along the way. (The grate in the floor doesn't open.) Soon you'll emerge on a high ledge overlooking the BLUE CAVERN. (screenshots)

LEDGES ABOVE THE BLUE CAVERN: Pull the switch on the square column to open the double doors below. Move to the left edge and take a carefully angled standing jump onto the ledge jutting out of the left side of the column. Move to the end of this ledge and take a running jump to the ledge with the M16 clips (21) ahead on the left. After making the pickup, move to the middle of the ledge where it slopes downward in a V. If you safety drop here, where the ledge is a bit lower, Lara won't take any fall damage. (screenshots)

NOTE: If you haven't already picked up the M16 ASSAULT RIFLE in your travels, you'll get it here instead of ammo.

CAVERN FLOOR (again): Move past the skeleton and the pedestal where you found the golden MASK earlier. You'll find the double doors you just opened in the far right corner of the cave. Enter and pull the switch to open the next set of doors. Then hang back as the Inuit warriors (1-3) take care of the 3 mercenaries (21-23) in the next room. You can assist if you like, but be careful not to accidentally shoot the warriors if you want them to stay friendly. Naturally, if you've killed the warriors, you'll need to fight the mercs on your own. Afterward, take 2 sets of Uzi clips and a small medi pack (22-24) from the bad guys' bodies. (screenshots)

NOTE: I'm not sure if the Inuit warriors can die in this encounter, but unlike the achievement/trophy "The End Doesn't Justify the Means" in Tomb Raider 2, the "Na Zdorovye!" achievement/trophy doesn't require you to keep all the warriors alive. You just can't harm them yourself.

ORANGE-AND-GOLD ANTEROOM: Enter the room beyond the two sets of doors. At the far end of the room, on the left, is a barred alcove overlooking a room with a pool of molten gold. There's a large medi pack (25) here on the floor. Grab it. Then return to the middle of the room. Climb onto the square block roughly opposite the gray, stone ramp. Climb through the opening above and drop onto a ledge that extends out into the molten pool. (screenshots)

RIVER OF MOLTEN GOLD: Move to the end of this ledge. Then take a running jump over the deadly molten gold to the little, rectangular island ahead. Move to the far left corner and jump over to the rocky ledge on the left. Jump up the slope and then walk out onto the block on the right. Hop back and take a running jump to grab the back side of the angled block near the wall. Pull up, slide down the other side nearly to the bottom, and then jump onto the angled block in the corner. Immediately jump again to land on a ledge where you'll find some grenades (26). (screenshots)

NOTE: This will be the GRENADE LAUNCHER itself if you didn't find it before.

After making the pickup, take a running jump onto the slightly higher stone block ahead. Turn right. (You're now facing the entrance.) Take another running jump onto the small, squarish block below and to the right of the molten gold "waterfall." Take another running jump to the next block, which is flat in front and has an angled section at the back. Turn left and jump over to the large, flat ledge behind the falls. (screenshots)

Climb onto the dark gray rock ledge and from there to the elevated walkway made of gray and orange stone. This walkway extends around the perimeter of the cave in a U shape. Follow it all the way around to where it ends at a large, dark gray rock formation. The golden waterfall will now be on your left. (screenshots)

NOTE: If you missed the grenades/GRENADE LAUNCHER before, you can also get them by safety dropping off the bridge near the second corner. (screenshots) You must then climb back up onto the bridge as described above.

UPSTREAM: Climb the dark gray rock formation and continue forward, keeping the golden river on Lara's left. On the right is a dark pit containing a box of flares (27). Drop in, grab them, and climb back out. Continue uphill with the river still on Lara's left. A little farther along, also on the right, there's another pit with a small medi pack (28). (screenshots)

After getting these items, return to the edge, where the gray rocks meet the golden river. Turn left and head back the way you came, keeping the the river on your right. When you come to the end of this ledge, above the jumble of rocks you climbed to get up here, jump up onto the tall, flat-topped block on the left. Then pull up onto the taller block above it. Roll and take a running jump to the next ledge, which juts out of the cavern wall above the rocks where you just were. (You can make it with or without grabbing.) Cross that ledge and take another running jump to grab the next ledge, directly ahead. Pull up, then walk forward along the cave wall. At end of the ledge, turn left to face the wall, hop back, and hang from the edge. Traverse to the right corner before letting go. The square block below is a little higher on the right, so if you drop down there, Lara won't lose any health. Hop down into the pit on the right to get more flares (29). (screenshots)

Turn around so the golden river is on Lara's right and climb out of the pit. Walk up the slope to the highest point. Jump straight up to grab the jutting ledge above and pull up. Cross to the far left corner to find some shotgun shells (30). Grab them, turn around, and return to the edge of the ledge overlooking the golden river. Take a running jump onto the freestanding pillar with the M16 clips (31). Pick up the ammo and shoot a crow (24) that flies in from downstream. Then take another running jump to the ledge on the far side of the river (above where you found the small medi pack and flares earlier). Another crow (25) approaches from below on the right. Kill it. (screenshots)

Now, continue upstream. Stand just to the right of the large, pointed rock descending from the ceiling, with the molten river off to the left. Take a standing jump across the small gap, taking care not to run on into the concealed spikes directly ahead. Jump over the spikes onto the ledge above. Then continue straight ahead, up the rock pile to the top, where you'll find more shotgun shells (32). Shoot another crow (26) that approaches from downstream. It can be difficult to spot against the dark rocks, so you may want to draw pistols and twirl on the spot until it appears. (screenshots)

When it's dead, turn so the river is on Lara's left and slide down the hill. (The exit from this area is just ahead, but we're not quite done here yet.) Turn left and take a running jump over to the little island in the middle of the river with the M16 clips (33) on top. Quickly draw pistols and kill 2 more crows (27-28). Then pick up the ammo. (screenshots)

Face downstream and then step back toward the top edge of the island. Just be careful not to step off into the molten ore. Take a standing jump over the angled block onto the lower end of the island. Turn right and you'll spot a hole in the river between two large boulders. Take a running jump into the left side of the hole to land on a safe block. Drop down to the block below to get SECRET #2, the gold bars (34). (screenshots)

Climb back onto the block above, then onto the block above it. Turn around and take a running jump over to the next tall rock, just above where you found the gold bars. Turn right and take another running jump back to the little island where you found the M16 clips earlier. Take another carefully angled running jump to land on the bank where you started. Drop into the shallow pit near the cavern wall to find some automatic pistol clips (35). Then climb up to the doorway, beyond which you can see orange-painted walls. (screenshots)

CORRIDOR WITH ROLLING BLADE: For the achievement/trophy "We'll Surpass You. And We'll Go Forward," you must run through the corridor without stopping and without taking damage from the rolling blade. Start by advancing along the right side of the corridor. (No need to run yet.) Pause in the doorway where you can see the blade. Save here if you like. Wait for the blade to approach then roll away. When it passes the far end of the alcove on the left side of the corridor, run out after it and veer into the left alcove. If you've timed it well, the blade will now be moving back toward you, and you can run out of the alcove into the main corridor as the blade continues past. Curve around to the left again into the doorway at the end of the passageway. The achievement/trophy should then unlock. At the end of the corridor, just before you enter the next room, there's another alcove on the right containing a large medi pack (36). (screenshots)

NOTE: Of course, if you don't care about achievements, you can run carefully past the blade, pausing in each alcove to let the blade pass.

STEPPING STONES IN MOLTEN GOLD RIVER: Move out into the open area but take care not to run on into the river of molten gold. The camera shifts to show a wide-angle view of the area. We'll explore below in a bit. First, turn right and go through the dark area behind the big, square pillar to another ledge overlooking the river. Move to the edge and take a standing jump with Action to land on the gray block jutting out from the right wall into the river. Now make your way upstream, jumping from block to block: a running jump to the second block, standing jump to the third, running jump to the fourth, standing jump to the fifth. Then turn right and take a running jump to the sixth and last block. If you want the next achievement/trophy, do not shoot the polar bear (29) on the ledge above. (screenshots)

NOTE: There are two achievements/trophies at stake here. "Kakie Vashi Dokazatelstva?" ("What is your proof?") requires you to defeat two polar bears without evidence. Meaning, don't leave bodies behind. Meaning, use the grenade launcher. It's difficult to target the bear with a grenade from below, so leave him for now. "Defensive Capabilities," begun earlier, requires you to avoid all biting catfish. There's one just ahead.

POLAR BEAR CAVES: Save the game before taking a running jump—or better yet, a running swan dive (Forward...Walk + Jump)—into the pool of water beyond the edge of the molten gold. Try to avoid the biting catfish (30) as you quickly swim down and forward, through the narrow tunnel, then up a vertical shaft to surface in the polar bear cave. Climb out of the water, draw the grenade launcher, and kill the polar bear. (screenshots)

Pick up the large medi pack (37) among the bones. Then move toward the front of the cave. On the right is a small doorway. Step through it onto a ledge above water. Save again. Down below is a block with a bundle of harpoons (38) on top. Walk to the edge, hop back once and then take a standing jump to land on the block. Make sure you nail this jump; if you don't, Lara will be swept downstream, missing a kill, two pickups, and the polar bear achievement. If you don't make it, reload and try again. (screenshots)

Once you land on the block, pick up the harpoons, turn right, and jump down into the shallow water. Whip out that grenade launcher and advance into the cave. As soon as you step from the water onto the snow, a second polar bear (31) charges around the column toward you. Destroy it with a grenade for the "Kakie Vashi Dokazatelstva?" achievement/trophy. (Or, backflip twice to land in thigh-deep water, and kill the bear with pistols. Don't go beyond the drop-off, though, or the current will drag Lara downstream.) Afterward, retrieve 2 sets of Uzi clips (39-40) from the bear's lair. (screenshots)

NOTE: If you don't already have the UZIS, you'll get them here instead of the second set of clips.

DOWNSTREAM - FLOODED ROOMS: Return to the deeper water and let the current whisk Lara along, depositing her in an underwater cave. Swim up to the small, square opening in the ceiling. Take a breath and then swim back down into the next flooded room, where you'll find 2 sets of M16 clips (41-42) on the floor. Notice the items behind the ice windows. You'll get them soon. Return to the square opening in the cave ceiling and climb out of the water there. Grab the small medi pack and flares (43-44) on the ledge above the hole in the floor. Then move into the opening overlooking the golden river and the blocks you hopped across earlier. Take a running jump to grab the ladder that extends up the stone wall. Climb over to the right and drop down in the doorway. (screenshots)

ROOMS WITH RAMPS AND BOULDERS: Head down the ramp to the left. Push the button to open the golden door next to it. Immediately backflip or climb onto the ledge above the button to avoid the 2 rolling boulders that come from opposite directions. (screenshots)

NOTE: It's possible to trip the boulder on the left by running straight forward from the entrance into the doorway on the lower level. However, if you do this, that boulder will reset once you press the button. It won't roll again unless you go down the lower ramp, but I think it's safer to just trip both at once, as described above. Then you don't need to worry about it.

Both doors out of this area lead to the same place, but to get all the pickups, you'll want to take the longer route: Hang from the edge of the opening beyond the golden door. Climb down the ladder until Lara is still hanging on but her feet are dangling. Traverse to the left and drop down between a pit of molten gold and another button. Press the button to open the golden door at the other end of the room (and another door just beyond it). Immediately pivot slightly to the left and then backflip to avoid both the pit and a boulder that rolls down from the right. (screenshots)

Follow the ramp to the top and climb into the alcove above on the right to find a pair of grenades (45) behind one of the ice windows you saw earlier. Climb back down and go through the gold door you just opened. Take the 2 sets of Uzi clips (46-47) lying on the floor. Move past the second gold door and climb up through the rocky tunnel into a dark hallway with closed wooden doors. Follow the hallway to the left and kill a mercenary (32) who emerges from the cave ahead. Stay away from the left edge to avoid accidentally slipping into the pool of molten gold below. Take the M16 ammo (48) the mercenary drops. (screenshots)

ANCIENT RUINS IN GOLDEN POOL: Off to the left, sitting in the golden pool, are several blocky buildings. You can reach them by dropping down onto the walkway below or following the tunnel where the mercenary emerged. (screenshot) There is no one correct path. Here is one possible route that covers all kills and pickups:

From the ledge where you just killed the mercenary, hop down onto the long walkway above the pool of molten gold. There's a small medi pack (55, below) sitting on a block next to the bridge. If you're low on health, you can retrieve it now; otherwise wait until later when there will be an easier way to get it. Turn around to face the ledge where you dropped down. Head forward, then left, toward the back entrance of the little square building. Inside is a narrow hallway with some automatic pistol clips (49) on the floor. Before picking them up, shoot a second mercenary (33) who comes around the corner ahead on the right. Then take the ammo and the Uzi clips (50) he drops. (screenshots)

Go forward through the doorway where the mercenary entered. Turn right and walk to the corner of the ledge. Turn left and take a running jump across the golden pool to grab the edge of the walkway in front of the other small building. Pull up, draw weapons, and take out a third mercenary (34) who appears in the doorway in front of you. (If he's not there, sidestep to the left a little and he should spawn. Or, run around to the left side of the building where there's more room to maneuver and fight him there.) He drops M16 clips (51). (screenshots)

In the other small room on this side of the pool there's a switch. Use it to open the doors you passed earlier when you climbed out of the ROOMS WITH RAMPS AND BOULDERS. Climb out through the window next to the switch. Run toward the steps ahead, roll, and kill a fourth mercenary (35) who emerges from between the two small buildings. Afterward, steal small medi pack (52), since he won't be needing it. (screenshots)

FLOODING THE RUINS: Head up the steps directly opposite the window of the switch room (not the staircase with the pointed arch and closed gate at the top). At the top of the steps, vault up onto the low, gray stone ledge, turn right, and continue forward through the rocky cave. Beyond the spot where you killed the first mercenary are the doors you just opened. Enter and pull the switch to raise a barrier in the pool with the ice windows and flood the ruins. Turn around and return there now. (screenshots)

IMPORTANT: There are several biting catfish in the pool. If you're after the "Defensive Capabilities" achievement/trophy and also want all pickups, you may be able to do it with a lot of saving and reloading. However, it's much easier if you save before going into the water, and do not overwrite this save. Then play through the rest of the level twice—once to familiarize yourself with the level and get all pickups, then a second time to avoid the fish and get the achievement/trophy. That's what we'll do here.

Face out over the walkway where you dropped down earlier. Dive in and retrieve 2 bunches of harpoons (53-54) on the sparkly floor near the left wall and the small medi pack (55) on the block to the right of the walkway, provided you didn't pick it up earlier. As you explore, a biting catfish (36) swims out of the building where you found the automatic pistol clips before. Once you have the medi pack, quickly swim up to the roof of the nearest of the two small buildings, climb out of the water, and shoot the fish with pistols. Then save in a new slot going forward. (screenshots)

Next, swim down and retrieve the GOLD NUGGET (56) on the bottom of the pool between the buildings and a large medi pack (57) on the lower level of the single building, where the catfish came from. Take a breath, then swim down into the lower right room of the two adjacent buildings. Here you'll find automatic pistol clips (58) in the near right corner guarded by a second catfish (37). Grab the ammo, roll, swim out past the fish, and head for the surface. Climb out of the water and shoot the fish. (screenshots)

The third catfish (38) guarding the final pickup clearly holds a deep-seated grudge against looters. To conserve health, swim down into the lower room in the left building. Approach the ammo in the near right corner to spawn the fish in the doorway behind you, but don't pick it up yet. Instead, swim through the window on the right. In the next room, turn right again, swim out the door, and head for the surface. Climb out of the pool and shoot the angry fish. Then go back for the pickup: 2 sets of auto pistol clips (59-60). (screenshots)

When you have everything, swim over to the wide, orange stairs with the pointed archway and wade out of the water. Use the GOLD NUGGET in the receptacle at the top of the stairs to open the exit. (screenshots)

CAVERN WITH MOLTEN GOLD VOLCANO AND TRAPPED WALKWAYS: The next room is much easier than it looks, provided you don't hurry. There are three walkways in a pool of molten gold. The left and right ones have spiked panels that start moving when you approach. The center one has a rolling blade. Walk or run down the left pathway just until the spikes start moving. Roll, run back toward the entrance, and stand on the safe tile between the left and middle walkways. When the spiked wall stops, head for the end of the walkway where it came from. Be careful not to run off the edge; there is molten ore in the alcove where the spikes originated. Turn left and take a running jump onto the stone ledge in the corner. Pick up flares and a small medi pack (61-62) near the skeleton. Then take a running jump back down to the walkway and return to the entrance. (screenshots)

Repeat on the right side of the room: Run forward just far enough to trigger the moving spiked wall. Roll and run back to the safe spot between the right and middle walkways. Wait for the spiked wall to stop. Then go around it to the end of the walkway. Take a running jump onto the ledge in the right corner. (screenshots)

Turn left, take a few steps forward, turn left again, and pull up onto the block a little higher than Lara's head. Turn right and pull up onto the next block. Turn left and pull up onto the next block, then right again and pull up onto the next block, level with the barred window. Here the camera shifts to show a wide-angle view of the area. (screenshots)

Turn around to face out over the cavern. Step to the edge and jump straight up to grab the wooden ladder above. Climb to the top. Turn around and take a standing jump onto the ledge to the right of the hole you just climbed out of. Take care not to overshoot the edge; it's a long way down. There's another ladder on the wall there. Climb up. (screenshots)

You're now on the very top of the volcano. Move straight forward and jump over the rivulet of molten gold. It's OK to step on the very edge of it, but the tile that is completely covered in gold is not safe. Ignore the square pit with the ladder for now. Move past it and turn so Lara's back is toward the open cavern and the pit is ahead on her right. Hop back, slide down the slope, and grab the edge. Then let go and drop down in front of a square opening in the rocks. Turn around once more, so Lara is facing out toward the cavern, hop back and grab the edge of the hole behind her. Climb down the ladder and drop down next to SECRET #3, the gold skull (63). (screenshots)

From here, you can see some break-away tiles and a medi pack on the other side of the bars, but you can't reach them. So climb back up the ladder, turn right, and take a running jump over two sloped blocks onto the flat block beyond. (Take care not to run off the far edge.) Climb over the block on the right and slide down the other side onto another flat ledge. Here you'll find another ladder, which will take you back to the top of the volcano. (screenshots)

BREAKAWAY TILES AND FUNNEL TO EXIT: Back on top of the volcano, approach the edge of the square pit. Take a running jump across the pit to grab the top of the ladder on the inside wall. Then climb down almost to the bottom. (You can save the game while hanging on the ladder. Just be sure to hold Action when reloading, so Lara doesn't fall.) For "The Dissolution" achievement/trophy, you'll need to "break all shattered floor panels over [the] big funnel." There are 9 breakaway tiles below the ladder and 5 more tiles on the other side of the pit, near the corner block with the large medi pack (64). The "funnel" below the cracked tiles leads down to the level exit. It's possible to break all 14 tiles in one continuous run—many YouTube guides show how—but we'll pause halfway through on the safe corner ledge. The sequence is much easier to show than to describe, so please refer to the linked screenshots and/or this short video.

Or, if you aren't interested in this achievement, there's no need to shatter all of the tiles. Instead, drop from the ladder onto the breakaway tiles. Run forward and then make a U-turn around to the left. Keep running and jump at the edge to clear the wide gap and land on the rightmost tile on the other side. Continue forward onto the corner block with the large medi pack (64). To reach the funnel below without dying, turn around so the corner is behind Lara on her left. Walk to the edge, sidestep to the left, then take a standing jump forward. Lara will land at the top of the brown slope, losing just a little health, then slide down through the hole in the floor. (screenshots)

Continue sliding for quite a while before finally touching down in a barred walkway. Run forward into a cage, where you'll get a glimpse of the next level. Drop through the hole in the floor. Then step forward to end the level.

ACHIEVEMENT/TROPHY CLEAN-UP: Finally, if you want the "Defensive Capabilities" achievement/trophy, save the game at the beginning of the KINGDOM level then reload the save you made earlier in the FLOODED RUINS. Follow the strategy in the footnote to get the GOLD NUGGET, finish the level quickly, and unlock the catfish achievement. Then reload your KINGDOM save and continue with all pickups.

†UPDATE HISTORY: Updates made prior to the Tomb Raider I-II-III Remastered release, including credit for tips sent in by other players, are tracked in the archived classic walkthrough.
10/17/26 - Remastered guide posted.

AVOIDING THE CATFISH FOR THE "DEFENSIVE CAPABILITIES" ACHIEVEMENT/TROPHY: It's not too hard to avoid the first 2 biting fish (enemies 8 and 30) and still get all pickups. When you reach the FLOODED RUINS with the GOLD NUGGET, it's more challenging. The 3 catfish there (enemies 36-38) spawn one at a time, as you explore. So it's possible to quickly go after the first few items. But the fish that spawns when you go after the last ammo pickup (items 59 & 60), is super aggressive and almost impossible to avoid. You could do a lot of saving and reloading. But it will probably take less time to play through the rest of the level twice: Once for all pickups and "The Dissolution" (cracked tiles) achievement/trophy, then again for "Defensive Capabilities." To this end, save the game just after flooding the ruins and do not overwrite this save until you have the catfish achievement. Play through to the end of the level, saving in different slots as many times as you like. When you reach the KINGDOM level, save again. Then reload your earlier save before going into the water.

To finish the level quickly, without meeting any more catfish, jump into the pool and pick up the GOLD NUGGET lying on the bottom between the submerged buildings. If you ignore the other pickups, the catfish won't even spawn. Swim forward to the orange staircase with the pointed arch above. Wade out of the water and use the NUGGET to open the doors. Proceed to the CAVERN WITH MOLTEN GOLD VOLCANO, WALKWAYS, AND SPIKED PANELS. This time, wait for the rolling blade to move away. Then run out to the end of the right walkway and jump over to the corner ledge. (If you have trouble avoiding the spiked wall, use the more cautious strategy, described above.) Climb the stone ledges and ladder to the top of the volcano, just like you did the first time. Now, instead of going after the secret, approach the square pit, climb down the ladder, and drop onto the breakaway tile just below it. Don't run. Just fall through onto the slope below. Slide into the funnel, then down the long chute to the barred corridor below. Follow it to the end. Drop through the hole in the cage floor. Then step forward to end the level. "Defensive Capabilities" should pop on the statistics screen. Now, reload your KINGDOM save and continue with all pickups. (screenshots)

NOTE ON LEVEL MAPS: Special thanks to VGCartography for the excellent level maps, which are used here with permission. Visit VGCartography on DeviantArt and follow on Twitter/X and YouTube for more fantastic game maps.

‡NOTE ON VIDEO GUIDES: Eldin's videos don't always follow the same strategies I use in my walkthroughs, but if you prefer that format, I think you'll find them very helpful.

DARK MODE: I plan to add optional dark mode for these pages, but my current priority is updating the walkthroughs. Meanwhile, may I suggest a reputable dark mode browser extension, such as Dark Reader? (Download only from trusted sites, like darkreader.org or your browser's official add-on/extension site.)

WAS THIS WALKTHROUGH HELPFUL? If not, I apologize and invite you to contact me with any questions. If you need help right away, I recommend the r/TombRaider subreddit. If this guide was useful, please consider supporting my work financially or in other ways. For details, visit tombraiders.net/stella/support.html. As always, I welcome your corrections/suggestions. Thank you!

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