Tomb Raider 3: Adventures of Lara Croft

India

INDIA PART 2: TEMPLE RUINS

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have not installed the patched tomb3.exe file, or if you have the PlayStation version of the game, and you're having difficulties as a result of encountering "invisible walls" near the middle of this level, you may still be able to go on. The first invisible wall bug is apparently triggered by saving in the room with the first six-armed statue or returning there later in the level. And you may be able to avoid the second by following the alternate walk-through for that section. (Reminders appear in that section of the walk-through below.) Note that if you encounter one of the invisible walls and then install the patch, you will not be able to load your earlier level 2 savegames. The bug corrupts the pre-patch saves and the patched game won't run them.

• Kills: 30
• Items: 36, plus 5 keys, 2 scimitars and 8 save/power-up crystals
• Secrets: 4*

*Be sure to find all the secrets so you can access the bonus level at the end of the game. Note that one of the regular pick-ups here will be the SHOTGUN if you didn't get it in the previous level.

Objectives: First, find a way into the ruins. Locate 2 keys to unlock the gate in the room with the six-armed statue. Ascend to the upper level and find 3 more keys to unlock the exit.

Walk-through: Head to the right through the opening in the tree, and pick up a small med-pack. Advance slowly and a cobra will rear up from the undergrowth. Continue forward through the greenery, killing another cobra. If either has bitten Lara, use a small med-pack to antidote the venom. (NOTE: You'll know you've been poisoned if the health indicator bar turns yellow and begins to flash. If you think you may be meeting several snakes in a row, as you do here, you may want to wait until you've taken care of them all before using the med-pack.)

Use the switch on the right to open the gate at the top of the low steps. Climb the stairs and drop down through the opening. Crawl through the tunnel. There's another small med-pack in the alcove on the left. The low tunnel behind it leads back to where you started. For now, follow the larger passageway. Kill the cobra and continue to the next room where there are 2 monkeys. (NOTE: Unlike the ones in the first level, the monkeys you'll meet from now on are generally hostile, and you will need to kill them.) Climb through the opening to emerge near a lake.

Pick up the MP5 clips and shotgun shells at the top of the steps on the left. Take a running jump from the bank (at the right side of the tree) to grab the stone platform in the middle of the lake. (Press Left while Lara is in the air to adjust the angle so she can grab the block.) Pull up and take the small med-pack. From here, take another running jump to the shallow area on the opposite bank. If you miss the initial jump and fall in, either reload a saved game or swim for this shallow immediately to avoid being devoured by the piranhas. (NOTE: I mark these fish as a hazard, rather than an enemy, since you can't kill them. So either out-swim them or try and avoid the water.) Pull the switch in the right corner to open the underwater gate between the submerged ledges. Swim through it and continue until you can surface.

Climb out, kill the 2 monkeys, then climb up onto the far ledge via the second angled block. Pick up the Uzi clips. Then make your way across the mudslide to the stone ledge. Follow the ledge to the end, killing 2 more monkeys. Before going into the passageway, take a running jump to the ledge ahead (just to the right of the high, curved-top wall). Pick up the Uzi clips, drop down and retrace your steps over the mud, along the ledge, to the passageway. This time go through, killing yet another monkey along the way, and picking up a save/power-up crystal on the other side.

TREETOPS: You'll emerge on a ledge above the water near the beginning of the level. Jump to the branch on the left.

(NOTE: If you fall into the river here, either reload and try again, or let the current carry you to the left, where there's a still spot. Then either climb out on the bank at the left end, or swim down toward the rectangular gold grate. Before you reach the grate, there's a passage on the right where you can swim up, surface and crawl through. Retrace your steps through the cave near the beginning of the level to get back to the treetops.)

Walk to the tree trunk then take a running jump to the branch ahead and to the right (the one that bends upward at the end). Turn right and take a running jump to the next branch (between the tree trunk and the stone wall). On the right are some flares. Return to the previous tree and jump from branch to branch around to the other side of it, where you'll find some Desert Eagle clips. Go back around to the branch above the water.

WATERFALL CLIFF: Turn to face the waterfall and take a running jump to grab the stone ledge ahead. From there, jump to the short branch ahead, where you'll find a small med-pack. Jump to the left to land behind the waterfall. Follow the passage to the other side. Slide back and grab the ledge, then traverse to the right, under the falling water, until you can pull up. Pick up the shotgun shells. Crawl to the right until you can stand up. If you don't want all the kills and pick-ups, you can jump across to the next ledge now. Otherwise, drop/climb down to the flat, green spot near the water. Take a running jump to the right to land behind the lower falls. Go forward into the cave, kill the cobra, then continue to find some flares. Return the way you came to the green flat spot.

Climb/jump to the next ledge, shoot the monkey, then duck and crawl through the low cave opening. Kill the cobra lurking on the right, then slide down the slope and shoot the second cobra just inside the next passageway. Slide down the right side of the next slope; the left side is a boulder trap.

(**BUG NOTE: If you are playing on the PSX or have not installed the PC version patch, DO NOT SAVE in the next room, and DO NOT RETURN THERE after leaving. Otherwise, you risk coming up against one of the infamous "invisble wall" bugs.)

INTO THE RUINS: Drop into the next room, where there is a six-armed statue. To the left of the statue you'll find some shotgun shells. (NOTE: If you don't already have the SHOTGUN, you'll get it here instead of the shells.) In the far, right corner is a movable block. Pull it once, pick up more shotgun shells behind it, then crawl through the small opening to the next room.

Pick up the save/power-up crystal now if you need it. The statue comes to life and attacks with its six swords. When the swords are crossed over its chest, it is invulnerable, so you'll need to circle around behind it and/or keep it moving so it's not guarding itself. You'll see blood when you're hitting it and hear bullets ricocheting off the swords when you're not. The statue monster moves fairly slowly and, if you keep plugging away at it and don't let it back you into a corner, it will eventually fall and turn back into stone.

(NOTE: If you like, you can climb to the platform where it’s safe and hang from the edge periodically to get the statue moving again. Or, while you’re up on the platform, pull the switches to open the doors, engage the statue, then run to the doorway for shelter when you need to.)

If you didn’t already, climb up to the platform where there are 2 switches. Throw both to open one of the doors out of this room and the trapdoor in the floor. Drop through the trapdoor and throw the switch in the small room below to open the other exit.

Next to the switch in the pit is a movable block. Push it once. Enter the room beyond, which is SECRET #1. Proceed carefully, crawling under the poisoned darts. (NOTE: As with snake venom, if you are struck by one of these darts, you'll need to use a power-up crystal or med-pack to antidote the poison.) Hop down into the pit, grab the small med-pack and quickly jump out to avoid a rolling boulder. Now make your way carefully around, picking up flares, shotgun shells and another small med-pack from the various alcoves. Return to the statue room above the same way you came.

At this point, it doesn't matter which path you take first. You'll need to go both ways eventually in order to find the two keys that open the large gate in the middle of this room.

FIRST GANESHA KEY (gate above trapdoor): Follow the passage, wading through the quicksand as fast as you can. Climb/jump up the slope near the right wall. Turn around and take a running jump from the mud to grab the ledge above the entrance. Pull up and kill a monkey. Pull the switch on the right of the gate to open it. Run past the spikes, jump the blade and run up the steps to safety.

Kill 2 monkeys in the next room. Go around to the right and locate the movable block in the second square pillar. Pull/push it under the left side of the central structure and climb from the block to the ledge. Go around to the other side of the ledge. Take a standing jump from the edge to grab the ladder recessed into the ceiling. Climb up for SECRET #2-shotgun shells and MP5 clips. Pull the switch and climb/drop down to the floor. (NOTE: If you don't already have the SHOTGUN, you'll get it here instead of the shells. This switch enables you to get the third secret a bit farther along. If you don’t pull it, then the lever that opens the door for secret #3 won’t work. Thanks to Jeff Reid for this tip. And, if you're having trouble locating this secret area.)

Use the switch in one of the gold-grated alcoves to open a door above in the central structure. Pull/push the movable block so you can climb up to it. Drop into the pool below. Pull the underwater lever to open the gate. Surface for air if you need it. Swim through the gate, pull the 2 levers in the next room to open a trapdoor in the passage between the two lever rooms. Swim up through it.

In the next room is a large, shallow pool flanked by steps. In the pool are 3 underwater levers and a small gate. Jump into the pool and pull the lever at the foot of the steps to open the gate. It is timed to close quickly, so roll and swim for it. Inside is SECRET #3-a grenade, flares and a large med-pack. (NOTE: If the lever to open the secret door doesn’t work, you missed an earlier secret and need to go back. See the note above under secret #2.)

If you're playing the PSX version, you'll probably want to get the save/power-up crystal on the other side of the pool before trying to get the key.

Return to the pool and pull the 2 levers opposite each other to turn on the fire-breathing statues above. In the firelight you will be able to discern several invisible platforms floating above the pool. Use these to climb/jump over to the solid ledge with the switch. (NOTE: If you're having difficulty getting onto the first invisible platform, it's a standing jump from the edge of the pool to grab the top of the block. A flare will also help illuminate the blocks if you don't want to bother with the levers.)

Pull the switch to open the gate at the top of the stairs to the left of the statue. This door is timed, so as soon as you pull the switch, side flip to the left, run off the platform and dash up the stairs through the gate.

Go to the right. Pull the switch, turn left and run to the far left end of the room. Pick up the FIRST GANESHA KEY, roll and run through the gate on the right (the same way you entered). You'll have to sprint both ways to avoid being skewered by the wall of spikes. After the spikes have passed, go back inside to the right to find MP5 clips and a small med-pack. (NOTE: If you're having an especially difficult time outrunning the spiked walls, try this: Pick up the key then stand still. Use a med-pack as the wall passes, and Lara may emerge unscathed. Thanks to Sven for this tip.)

Return to the room with the pool, which has turned into a mud bath. As you approach the mud, the invisible platforms crumble away. Slog through the mud, keeping close to the wall, and climb out on the other side. Climb/jump up the mudslide to the top right. Follow the passageway. Pick up the flares in the alcove on the left. The stairway opposite contains a boulder trap. Hop backwards up to the second step then run down into the doorway as the boulder rolls past.

Now go up the stairs. The two gates open as you approach. Enter and choose your path. They both end up in the same place, but the left path is more dangerous. Left: Jump the blade, dash to the end of the hallway with a rolling boulder in hot pursuit, then duck and crawl through the low opening on the right. Right: Follow the passage to the switch (you can hear the boulder rolling next door), kill the interfering monkey and use the switch to open the gate.

Kill 2 monkeys and pick up the small med-pack. Get the save/power-up crystal in the next room. Then go through the side passage and climb/drop down into the room where you killed the six-armed statue.

SECOND GANESHA KEY (other small gate): If you haven't already done so, use the switch on the platform above the mud to open the second small gate. Follow the passage to the next room. Kill the 2 monkeys. Cross this room and enter the next, where there is a pool flanked by fire-breathing statues. Swim across, surface and climb out at the middle of the ledge to avoid being toasted by the flames. Pull the switch to open the underwater gate just below.

Swim through the gate, hugging the side or bottom of the tunnel to avoid being hit by poisoned darts. Once in the next room, stay to the right so Lara doesn't get crushed by falling rocks. Surface and climb out on one of the ledges to find a small med-pack. Swim across to the opposite ledge. Climb the ladder and back flip onto the ledge behind. Take a running jump to the ledge ahead and to the left (when facing the ladder). Jump to the next ledge on the left. Turn around and take a standing jump from the edge to grab the ladder above and ahead. Climb to the top. Take a standing jump to the next ledge on the left, then a running jump to the ledge with the cobra. (The opening below the cobra ledge is the exit from the next secret area.) Kill the snake, then take a standing jump to the ledge near the doorway.

Jump into the doorway and immediately jump back and grab the doorsill. A boulder will roll past overhead. Pull up and crawl under the darts and blades to the edge of the spike pit. Pick up the small med-pack on the left.

(***BUG NOTE: You might want to use the ALTERNATE PATH for this section, below, if you are playing on the PSX or have not installed the PC version patch. Otherwise, you risk coming up against one of the infamous "invisble wall" bugs.)

If you're low on health (or want to save in the PCX version), jump across the pit first and get the save/power-up crystal, then jump back to the other side. Turn around and hang from the edge of the pit. Traverse to the left side and drop down to the flat spot next to the blades. Crawl through the blades into the low opening to find SECRET #4. Kill the cobra and claim some Desert Eagle and Uzi clips, and a save/power-up crystal. Drop through the opening into the pool (watch those darts!) and retrace your steps back up the ledges to the blade pit.

This time, instead of dropping down, jump across. Get the save/power-up crystal if you didn't earlier. Locate the movable block (A) to the right of the crystal. Push it once (to A2). (See the diagram tempruins.gif, also online at http://tombraiders.net/stella/images/tempruins.gif, for a visual of this sequence.) Turn to the right to face anothermovable block (B). Push this second block four times into the next room (to B2). Return to the passageway. There are three more movable blocks (C-E) next to the first block you pushed. Push the second from left (C) and the rightmost block (E) once each (to C2 and E2). Push the middle block (D) to either side (D2 or next to A2) to reveal a switch. Use this to flood the pool in the room below (the one between the fire-breathing statue room and the one where you killed the six-armed statue).

Go into the area where you pushed the first block. Ahead is a boulder trap. Stand in the middle of the ramp, walk forward carefully and back flip when you hear the boulders drop. The boulders will pass you on either side. Proceed to the bottom and take a running jump over the pit. Hang from the edge of the next pit and drop down into the pool (not the blades). Avoid the poisoned darts if you can, as you swim back to the room with the fire-breathing statues.

(ALTERNATE PATH: Climb and jump all the ledges to the top. Do not drop down into the spiked pit. Jump across instead, re-arrange the boxes and pull the switch. Now jump back across the pit, drop down and get the secret. Get back into the water from there and try to swim through the hopefully-not-blocked passage. The advantages are that you'll have to climb/jump all these ledges only once and you'll avoid the boulder trap. And you won't miss a single pick-up. Thanks to Hagix for this tip.)

Climb out of the water and go back into the next room, to the pool you just flooded. Jump into the pool and use the underwater lever to open the gate. Swim inside and collect the SECOND GANESHA KEY. Return to the room where you killed the six-armed statue and use your two keys to open the large gate.

Enter, jump over the spikes and quickly climb the ladder to safety as the spiked ceiling descends. At the top, kill 2 monkeys and pick up the save/power-up crystal. In an alcove on the other side of the room from the save crystal is a movable block. Pull it out and jump from it to one of the high ledges with the switches. Pull both of them to open the gate below.

Drop down to the side of the gate and run in front of it to trip the boulder trap. Enter and hop down into the pit to close the gate. Continue past either of the fire-breathing statues to the next room. If Lara crawls or stays close to the wall, she won't get toasted.

ROOM WITH THREE SIX-ARMED STATUES: In the next room, you'll find 2 six-armed statues (plus a third that does not animate). The first comes to life as you enter, the second only when you climb onto the platform with the third statue. Kill them one at a time. There are shotgun shells at the top of the steps and a small med-pack in the pool. Both of these spots are safe, as is the platform with the third statue. But you'll need to hang from the platform, climb out of the pool, or hop down from the step periodically to engage the statues in order to get their guard down.

When you've killed the statues, take their SCIMITARS and place them in the hands of the third statue to open the next gate. Get the Uzi clips in the pit just inside. Follow either hallway and climb through the small opening.

THREE KEYS AND THREE LOCKS: In the room beyond you'll find what's left of Randy and Rory, along with another six-armed statue. It animates as you approach the platform in the center. Kill it and pick up the THIRD GANESHA KEY from the platform, and some flares below the second body. You'll need two more keys to exit.

(NOTE: The low platform with the flares is a safe spot from which to shoot the statue. You'll have to hop down and back up again occasionally to re-activate the statue, but it won't bother Lara up here.) (Alternately, wait to pick up the key on the pedestal. Get the other two keys first. Unlock two of the locks in the next room. Then return for the last key, pick it up and, as the statue animates, run and unlock the exit, then leave without having to kill the monster. Thanks to Vesa H., a fellow Finn, for this tip.)

The gate near the hole in the floor opens as you approach. Light a flare, sprint into the room and pull the switch on the opposite wall. Immediately roll, run to the left to the second switch, pull it and run through the trapdoor you just opened. All this must be done very quickly to avoid the descending spiked ceiling. Pick up the FOURTH GANESHA KEY and return to the big room. (NOTE: If you're stuck at the spike trap, try this: After pulling the second switch, immediately side flip to the right to land in the opening. Use a med-pack in-flight to minimize the damage from the spikes. Thanks to Vicki for this tip.)

Go into the next room, where you'll find a save/power-up crystal, the exit door, three locks and an opening above water. Stand facing the opening with the keyholes on your right. Jump into the water and swim forward toward the wall ahead. The current will suck you toward the spikes, but if you hold the swim key down, you'll be able to reach the wall, where the current is weaker. Follow the wall to the first lever and pull it. Now roll and try to swim back along the right wall (hold the swim and right buttons). When you're nearly to the corner, cut to the left. You'll get dragged toward the spikes, but you should be able to make it to the center of the room where the current isn't as powerful. When you reach the center, swim straight toward the opening. Then cut to the left toward the other side wall. Again, the current will drag you toward the spikes, but if you keep heading forward, you can make it to the far wall before Lara gets skewered. Follow the wall to the corner and pull the second lever, which will turn off the current. Get air if you need it, then retrieve the FIFTH GANESHA KEY from the bottom. Use the three keys to open the gate at the top of the steps and exit the level.

A cut scene follows: Lara emerges from the temple and sees the psychotic blond explorer rafting down the river. She draws her weapons and fires. He laughs and makes some dramatic gestures and the temple begins to crumble around her. Lara dodges falling stone blocks as the bad guy gets away. She starts to follow on foot then notices a quad bike nearby.