Tomb Raider 7: Legend

CROFT MANOR

Items: magnetic grapple, pistols, personal light source, binoculars
Rewards: 16 bronze, 10 silver, 1 gold

GENERAL NOTES: Lara's home is accessed from the game's Main Menu. Before completing the Bolivia level, only the main hall of the mansion is accessible. None of the items or rewards are in place, and none of the doors leading to other rooms (pool, library, etc.) will open.

This level is obviously non-linear. The only goals are exploration and reward hunting. The rewards can be retrieved in any order; however, you do need certain equipment (grapple, guns, light) to obtain certain ones. So I have suggested a possible sequence here. If you get disoriented, the PDA includes a floor plan showing Lara's current location.

I have not noted the locations of the CHECKPOINTS, since you cannot save manually in this level, and there are few places where Lara can die. Remember to SAVE REWARDS before quitting, though, so you won't have to get them again next time. To do this, press Escape/Pause and choose 'Save Rewards' from the menu. Then select your current save file from the list. The rewards you've found in the manor will then be added to that save. The next time you enter Croft Manor, Lara will reappear at the starting position, but any rewards you've found should still be in your inventory. The Data section in the PDA shows the rewards you've found in each level, including Croft Manor.

MAIN HALL & TECH ROOM:

At the start, look to the left to find a bronze reward (1/16). Cross the room to the glassed-in TECH ROOM where Zip is working. Use the laptop computer on the floor to open the safe and get the MAGNETIC GRAPPLE.

Cross the MAIN HALL and go upstairs and to the left. When you reach the balcony, look to the right. Locate the round plaque with the telltale glint on the end wall and latch onto it with the magnetic grapple. Pull to open a secret compartment containing another bronze reward (2/16).

NOTE: You can use the grapple to grab this and other bronze rewards. In some cases you'll need to use manual aim with the grapple. Note, however, that the grapple doesn't work on the bronze rewards in the alcoves in the gym (below). You'll have to do some climbing to get those.

The first door off the balcony leads to the LIBRARY, but let's go get the pistols first. Follow the balcony to the other end (above the TECH ROOM). Go through the door there and follow the corridor to Lara's room.

BEDROOM:

Use the two dagger-like switches to open the Medusa-head plaque and take the PISTOLS.

Off to one side is a walk-in closet where you can change into any outfits you've unlocked so far. (For more info on outfits, see the Legend Rewards page.) The other alcove contains Lara's bed, behind which you'll find another bronze reward (3/16).

Return through the corridor to the balcony above the MAIN HALL. Return along the balcony to the library door. Enter and follow the corridor to another door. Go through.

LIBRARY:

Once inside, Lara looks to her right, alerting you to the boarded-up alcove. Shoot the boards and squeeze in to get a silver reward (1/10).

Push/pull the book cart out of the alcove and across the room. Position the cart on the pressure pad to the left of the desk where Alister is working. Pick up the PLS on the desk. Then use the grapple to pull down a second movable book cart from a high shelf above the bottom of the stairs. Move cart onto the other pressure pad to open a secret panel just to the right. (NOTE: If the panel doesn't open, check to make sure both carts are seated properly on the pads.)

SECRET PASSAGE:

Turn on the PLS and descend into the dark passageway. Get the silver reward (2/10) sitting in plain sight. Go around the tall stack of boxes to find a golden switch in the shape of a face with a protruding tongue. Use the switch to reveal an inscribed plaque. Stand close and press Interact to read it: "Above the waters, twin sisters turn their backs one upon the other to leave the ambages unguarded." This curious clue is one of several leading to the level's gold reward.(**)

IMPORTANT: You must have Lara actually read the inscription, by pressing Interact, in order to unlock the next clue in the puzzle.

NOTE: The visible words on the plaque say something completely different: "This Cloister is Erected/to the Glory of God and/in Loving Memory of/J a[?] E S Loyes/1853-1912/Daughters of the/American Revolution." The same words appear on other plaques in the manor. I'm not sure if this is an Easter egg with some significance or possibly a texture based on a real-life memorial somewhere, but it doesn't seem relevant to the game. Thanks to Iaian for pointing this out.

At the next corner there's a stack of 3 wooden crates. One contains a bronze reward (4/16). Shoot the crate to get it. (Aiming manually using Z/R3/right stick button makes this easier.) The passage continues to another tongue switch, which opens a concealed door leading into the BEDROOM. Open it if you like. Then return to the LIBRARY through the secret passage.

NOTE: The colored books protruding from various shelves figure in a later puzzle. You can't do anything with them yet. There are also a couple of bronze rewards upstairs, but you can retrieve them later when you return to solve the book puzzle.

Exit the library and follow the corridor back to the MAIN HALL. Go downstairs just to the landing and then up the stairs to the other balcony. On the end wall, just to the left as you step onto the balcony, there's another circular plaque. Switch to manual targeting and shoot the plaque to reveal the silver reward (3/10) concealed below.

Go downstairs and through the door to the right of the fireplace. Follow the tapestry-lined corridor to the swimming pool.

SWIMMING POOL:

Retrieve another bronze reward (5/16) at the bottom of the pool. You can use the magnetic grapple for this if you'd rather not get wet.

Then make your way along the right wall. Note the carved, fish-shaped pillars with handles. These move. Pull both of them out from the wall. Continue around to the far left corner and get the bronze reward (6/16) hidden behind the two deck chairs. Continue around the perimeter of the pool, stopping to pull out a third, taller fish pillar. Pick up the bronze reward (7/16) behind it and then push the pillar to the edge of the pool.

Now notice the spears the statues in the alcoves are holding. The ones on the other side of the pool are already extended horizontally. Use the magnetic grapple to extend the spears on this side.

Go to the shortest fish pillar, in the back right corner. Climb on top of it. Turn to face the entrance and then jump to grab the horizontal spear ahead. Swing around it and jump to grab the molding below the curved balcony. Traverse around to the right as far as possible. Then jump backward to land on the second fish pillar. Turn around and jump to grab the next spear. Swing around it and jump to grab the edge of the balcony ahead. Pull up.

Retrieve the bronze reward (8/16) on the diving board. You can use the magnetic grapple to do this. (You may have already gotten it this way from below.) Go to the 2 spear-wielding statues flanking the center alcove and turn them inward so they face each other. This rotates the panel in the alcove, revealing another golden switch. Use it to open one of the 2 grates blocking the underwater passage in the pool.

Now turn the 2 statues again to face away from each other, as instructed by the first plaque, in the SECRET PASSAGE off the LIBRARY. (NOTE: In order for this to work, you must have actually read the first plaque, by approaching it and pressing Interact to make Lara read the words aloud.) The gold switch turns into the wall, revealing a second plaque. Approach it and press Interact to read the inscription: "Within the hall of knowledge, tomes of cerulean, topaz, viridian and crimson in turn reveal their arcanum." This is another clue to the gold reward.(**))

IMPORTANT: A few players have reported a bug in which they obtained the gold reward first then returned to the swimming pool, only to find they were unable to turn the statues inward again to reveal the golden switch that opens the underwater grate. I have not been able to reproduce this bug. It may only occur if you quit Croft Manor and return at a later time, but just to be safe, I recommend using the switch and reading the plaque during the same visit to the swimming pool.

ADDITION: Advis reports that installing the version 1.1 patch (only for the European version of the game) fixed this bug. Thanks, Advis!

Turn to face the pool and then move to the left side of the balcony. If you haven't done so already, use the magnetic grapple to extend the spears held by the statues along the left wall. Take a running jump to grab the first spear. Swing around it and jump to let go. Quickly press the Jump key twice to snag a projection high above with the magnetic grapple. If necessary, swing back and forth a few times to work up sufficient momentum. Then, when Lara swings forward, jump to grab the next spear. This can be tricky at first. If you miss, go back to the lowest fish pillar and work your way back around to this point again. Once Lara is hanging on the last spear, swing around and jump to land on the second balcony.

Pick up the BINOCULARS on the horse statue's pedestal. (Not strictly necessary, but why not get everything.) Locate the silver reward (4/10) behind the statue of the fish with the ball on its tail at the far end of the balcony. Then use the magnetic grapple to pull down the carved ball from the other fish statue. If the ball doesn't land on the concave pressure pad as it rolls toward you, grab it (Interact) and push it onto the pad. This lowers the large planter hanging above the swimming pool.

Dive into the water and climb out on the right. If you haven't already moved the tallest fish pillar to the edge of the pool, do that now. Climb on top of it and jump to grab the planter that you just lowered. Pull up and position Lara near the middle of the flat surface. Attach the grapple to the shiny spot below the small, curved balcony with the silver shield. Then pull on the grapple to bring the planter toward the balcony. Detach the grapple to start the planter swinging, and when it swings toward the balcony, jump over there to get the silver reward (5/10).

Dive into the pool again. Swim to the golden lever and use it to open the second underwater grate. Surface, take a deep breath and then swim down into the passage to retrieve another silver reward (6/10).

You may need to return to the surface for air before swimming through the tunnel to the GYMNASIUM. The grate at the other end of the tunnel opens automatically when you swim toward it.

NOTE: If you're not a strong swimmer, you can also get to the gym by following the corridor back to the MAIN HALL and then going through the door to the left of the fireplace. You could also go after the gold reward before heading to the gym, but I've saved that for last.(**)

GYMNASIUM:

Whee! Lots of fun equipment to climb on. . . and lots of shiny shields to retrieve. Of course, you need not follow the sequence described here, but working more or less counterclockwise around the room:

Get the bronze reward (9/16) in the pool. That one's easy. If you swim in through the tunnel, it will be directly in front of you. If you come through the door, you can use the grapple to pull it out of the water.

The silver reward (7/10) on the shelf above the pool is also fairly simple to obtain. Just take a standing or running jump across the water. As long as Lara takes off right at the edge, she should just be able to reach the ledge with the shield.

NOTE ON MOVEMENT CONTROLS: If you're having trouble making Lara jump in a particular direction, remember that the movement controls work relative to the camera, rather than to Lara's body, as in past games. So either jump in the direction you want Lara to move on screen, or try pointing the camera in the direction you want her to go and jumping forward. When jumping backward from a ledge or handhold, it may not be possible to point the camera where you want Lara to land. Instead press the direction key or push on the left analog stick in the direction that makes her lean away from the wall. You'll see her posture change as she gets ready to leap. Keep holding the direction key or stick and then jump.

The shiny gold balls on some pieces of equipment are grapple points, which enable you to change the position of the equipment using the magnetic grapple, allowing you to reach different areas. For example, the ladder can be flat against the wall or perpendicular to it, the bar with the C-shaped armature can be vertical or horizontal, etc.

Bronze #10: Use the magnetic grapple to position the movable horizontal bar near the entrance so the gold ball points away from the doorway. Run up the blue wedge-shaped mat and jump to grab the nearest horizontal bar. Swing around it and jump to grab the vertical bar ahead. Jump to grab the movable horizontal bar. Swing around it and jump onto the right side of the sloping rock. Before Lara slides off, jump to grab the crevice in the stone column. Jump straight up to grab the crevice above. Adjust Lara's left-right positioning if necessary and jump back to grab the vertical pole hanging from the ceiling. Point the camera toward the next vertical pole and jump forward to grab it. Drop onto the sloping rock. Before Lara slides off, jump to the alcove containing the bronze reward (10/16).

Bronze #11: Leave the movable horizontal bar near the entrance so the gold ball points away from the doorway and the movable ladder flat against the wall, not extended. Now repeat the initial steps in the previous sequence (i.e., wedge-shaped mat to horizontal bar, vertical bar, movable horizontal bar, slope, crevice in stone column). Then, instead of climbing up the stone column, climb around to the right. Jump to grab the vertical pole extending from the floor. Jump to the vertical bar mounted on the irregularly shaped rock wall. Jump to the right to grab the horizontal crevice in the same rock. Climb to the right and then jump to the right to reach the ladder. Climb to the top of the ladder. Jump to the left to grab the vertical bar mounted on the wall. Jump to the left again to the alcove with the bronze reward (11/16). Don't drop down yet.

Bronze #12: Step off and hang from the edge of the alcove where you just got bronze #11. Adjust Lara's left-right position if necessary and then drop to grab the vertical bar below. Work your way over to the ladder, as in the previous sequence. Then jump from the ladder to grab the lower horizontal crevice in the rock wall to the right. Climb to the right and jump up to grab the higher crevice. Climb to the end of the crevice. Then jump to the right to grab the tall column of rock in the corner of the room. Climb around to the right. Jump back to grab the horizontal pole above the alcove. While hanging from the pole, turn around to face the corner. Then drop and grab the stone beam jutting out from the alcove. Traverse to the right and pull up into the alcove containing the bronze reward (12/16). Grab it and drop to the floor.

Bronze #13: Use the grapple to arrange the C-shaped armature so the bar is vertical. Go to the freestanding climbing rock nearby and grab onto the crevice. Jump back to grab the horizontal bar. Swing around it and jump to grab the vertical bar. Jump to grab the vertical bar on the C-shaped frame. Climb as high as possible and then jump to grab the vertical pole on the left. Climb up a bit and then jump into the alcove with the bronze reward (13/16). Take it and drop to the floor.

Bronze #14: Use the grapple to position the C-shaped armature so the bar is horizontal. Make sure the movable rock wall above the pool is flat against the wall. (It should already be in the correct position if you haven't moved it yet.) Repeat the initial steps in the sequence used to get bronze #13 (i.e., freestanding rock to horizontal bar, vertical bar, bar with C-shaped frame). But instead of jumping to the vertical pole on the left, this time swing around the bar with the C-shaped frame and jump to grab the vertical bar mounted on the wall ahead. Then jump to the right to grab the crevice in the dark rock formation.

Climb around the corner to the right and then jump up to grab the higher crevice. Again climb around to the right. Drop onto the slope, and before Lara can slide off, quickly press Jump (no need to jump in a particular direction) to leap and grab the horizontal crevice on the light gray rock to the right. Jump straight up to grab the green handholds. Climb up then jump to the right to grab the horizontal crevice in the same rock. Climb along the crevice to the right as far as you can. Jump to the right to grab the first of two horizontal poles extending from the wall. Swing around and jump to grab the second horizontal pole. Swing and jump from the second pole to grab the crevice in the corner rock formation. Traverse to the left and drop into the alcove with the bronze reward (14/16). Drop into the pool and climb out.

Silver #8 and #9: Make sure the movable horizontal bar near the entrance is arranged so the gold ball points away from the doorway. Also, position the movable ladder and movable rock wall so both are extended perpendicular to their respective walls. This will enable you to reach the next 2 silver rewards.

Follow the same initial steps used to get bronze #11 (i.e., wedge to horizontal bar, vertical bar, movable horizontal bar, sloping rock, etc.), until you reach the small horizontal crevice in the rock just to the left of the movable ladder. This time, jump to grab the extended ladder. Climb to the top and jump to the right to the platform suspended from tracks in the ceiling. Let Lara's weight carry the platform forward as far as it will go. Then jump to the next platform, where you'll find a silver reward (8/10). Don't drop down yet.

Continue from the platform where you found silver #8. If you have not already grappled the movable rock wall so it's perpendicular to the wall of the room, do that now. Turn so the pool is on Lara's right. Jump from the edge of the platform to grab the crevice in the dark column of rock with the slope on one side. Now follow the middle steps in the sequence for bronze #14 (i.e., climb around to the right, drop onto the slope, jump to grab the crevice, climb the green handholds and jump to the crevice on the right).

NOTE: Alternately, to get silver #9 starting from the floor, extend the movable rock wall and position the C-shaped armature so the bar is horizontal. Then follow the same beginning steps in the process to get bronze #14 (i.e., freestanding rock, etc., to the crevice to the right of the green handholds). Continue with the paragraph below.

This time, instead of jumping past the movable wall, jump back to grab the horizontal pole which now extends from it. Swing around the pole and jump to grab the next horizontal bar, which hangs from the ceiling and is angled a bit diagonally. Adjust Lara's position left to right if necessary. Then swing around the bar and jump to grab the next horizontal bar, which also hangs from the ceiling at a slightly odd angle. Adjust left to right again, swing around the bar and jump to the suspended platform ahead. To the left is the high alcove with the reward.

Position Lara at the edge of the platform, squarely facing the reward, so she'll be ready to jump when the time comes. Attach the magnetic grapple to the ledge below the reward and pull to bring the platform Lara is standing on closer to the alcove. When you can't pull any more, quickly release the grapple and jump forward into the alcove. Take the silver reward (9/10). To get down, step off the edge to grab the horizontal bar below. Drop to the bar below that, then to the floor.

NOTE: If you're having trouble with any of these gymnastics, you might find this gameplay video helpful. It shows how to obtain all the rewards in the gym.

LIBRARY - BOOK PUZZLE:

This is part of the gold reward sequence and can be done before or after completing the gym, but you must have taken the necessary steps to unlock the first two clues. The first clue ("Above the Waters. . . ."), found in the SECRET PASSAGE between the LIBRARY and the BEDROOM, directs you to the statues above the SWIMMING POOL. There you'll receive the second clue ("Within the hall of knowledge...."), which sends you back to the LIBRARY and enables the colored book puzzle.(**)

Return to the LIBRARY (i.e., first door on the balcony above the MAIN HALL). Use the Interact key to press each of the protruding colored books in the right sequence: cerulean, topaz, viridian and crimson (i.e., blue, yellow, green, red). Blue is just inside the library on Lara's right. Yellow is in the upstairs office. Green is on the upstairs landing and red is on one of the downstairs shelves.

If you press any of the books out of order, the puzzle won't work. To reset it, just continue until you've pressed all four books. They will then pop out of the shelves again so you can start over.

When the books are pressed in the correct sequence, a secret panel opens near the red book, revealing a silver reward (10/10) and another plaque. Press Interact to make Lara reads the inscription aloud, enabling the next part of the puzzle. "Above the hearth, revealed visage and countenance touched in haste raise up the steward."

While you're in the library's upstairs office, pick up a bronze reward (15/16) in one corner. Then use the dagger switch to open a secret panel, behind which there is another bronze reward (16/16).

GOLD REWARD - FINAL SEQUENCE:

Follow the corridor back to the MAIN HALL. The decorative panels at the end of each balcony have now turned to reveal golden switches. Use the magnetic grapple to pull down the horizontal bars above the glassed-in TECH ROOM so Lara can swing on them. Now press Interact to use either of the golden switches. Quickly jump to grab the nearest of the horizontal bars. Swing around and jump from one bar to the next and finally to the opposite balcony. Quickly touch the second switch, again by pressing Interact.

If you don't make it from one switch to another in time, the switches reset and you can try again, starting with the nearest one. The order in which you press the switches doesn't matter.

If you manage to press them quickly enough, a statue of Athena rises from the floor below. The switch panels also rotate again, revealing a set of carved plaques with another clue. Again, press Interact to make Lara read it aloud: "The risen Athena turns to face the sun, whose burden then reveals the golden laurel."

Hop down off the balcony and turn the statue so it faces the pressure pad with the carved sun. Step on the pad to raise a pedestal holding the gold reward (1/1). (Meanwhile, Zip just keeps on working, and Winston stands there looking slightly bored. I guess they've seen this sort of thing before.)

To reach the golden shield, climb the stairs and go to the end of either balcony. Jump to grab the nearest extended bar. Swing and jump to the middle bar. Climb out to the end and drop onto the pedestal with the reward. Congratulations!

NOTE: Even after obtaining all of the rewards in this level, in some versions of the game the Objectives screen in the PDA will still show the goal "Explore the manor and uncover its secrets" un-checked. This is a bug. As long as you've found all 27 rewards, and have obtained the grapple, pistols, PLS and binoculars, there is no more to do here.