Tomb Raider 3: Adventures of Lara Croft

Training

TOMB RAIDER 3: TRAINING LEVEL

This is the place to learn (or brush up on) Lara's basic moves. She guides you step by step through an exercise routine in the indoor gym (downstairs just off the main hall) and swimming pool (just beyond the gym), as well as an outdoor assault course and shooting range.

As in TR2, there are some secrets to be uncovered even at this early stage. Lara's moved her treasure room, and she's added a race course for practicing on the quad bike. This track is where the hedge maze was located in TR2 (to the left as you exit by the front door). You'll need a key to unlock it, though, and finding that key is a bit of a challenge.

Finding the Race Track Key

The training level begins in Lara's bedroom. In the closet next to the bed, you'll find some flares. Once you've got them, exit the bedroom and go to the left along the mezzanine, past the stairs down. Use the button to open the door to the attic now; you'll be coming down this way. Continue to the music room. Go through it to the left into the library. Find the loose book in the first bookcase and pull it to turn off the fireplace. Go into the fireplace and climb up the left wall into a secret passageway. Follow it to a room with a switch and a couple of wooden crates. Pull the crate on the floor once. Behind it are some more flares.

Climb up and pull the box in the doorway twice. Go around it to the right and push it once to open up the doorway into the attic. Now you've got a clear path downstairs. If that pesky butler gets in your way, just lead him to the refrigerator downstairs in the kitchen and lock him inside for the duration.

The switch opens the basement door, which is downstairs just off the main hall on the way into the gym.

The door is timed to close after a little while, so you'll have to hustle. Light a flare if you need it to navigate the dark attic. Pull the switch, press the Look key to get Lara's perspective back, then roll. Run along the ledge, go right through the doorway, across the attic, and make a hard left into the stairwell and down. Use the Sprint key on the straight-aways but release it, if necessary, to navigate the curves. Once you make the right out the attic doorway, immediately jump to clear the railing. Aim for the middle of the stairs so you can side flip to the right over the banister. That'll save you running down the staircase. Roll and sprint through the open door. Now catch your breath on the way down to the basement.

Continue on to the huge fish tank. Note the position of the RACETRACK KEY on the bottom of the tank just beyond the leopard print chaise longue. Pull/push the crate under the opening in the ceiling and climb up into it. Follow the passageway to the opening above the water. Jump in and swim around to pick up the key. Return to the opening and climb out. Now take your prize out to the garden for some well-won joyriding.

Getting the Quad Bike out of the Track Area

After many months of trying, someone's finally figured out how to get the quad bike out of the race course and drive it around the grounds. I haven't done it yet, but if you want more info, visit http://tombraiders.net/stella/walks/TR3walk/quadbike.html.

Lara's Treasure Room

Lara's new treasure room is located off the main hall, on the right as you enter through the front door. The switch that opens it is in a closet on the opposite side of the main hall. To get in, first go to the swimming pool. Press the button behind the diving board to open the switch closet. There's no hurry getting there; this door isn't timed. This next part is, however: Throw the switch, roll, take a running jump, then sprint toward the door, pressing Jump to somersault through as it comes down. While you're admiring your trophies, why not invite old Jeeves in to share the magic?

When you've warmed up sufficiently, you can also compete for the best time in the assault course and racetrack-try to beat your friends' times or simply best your own record. Now you're ready to tackle the real adventure!

(NOTE: To get from the training level into the actual game, approach the front gates to start a new game. Or, escape to the menu ring, choose the passport and flip the pages to select a new game or load a saved game.)