Tomb Raider 8: Underworld

LEVEL 5: JAN MAYEN ISLAND - PART 1: GATE OF THE DEAD

Available weapons: Pistols, submachine guns and sticky grenades

SNOWY CANYONS:

From the open area where the level begins, there are several possible paths to the next area. It seems that whichever direction you go at the start, you'll eventually make your way to the ice tunnel leading to Valgrind, the Gate of the Dead. All routes include some jumping over deep crevasses and other tests of your driving skill, but the one I found easiest is described here.

NOTE: If you have trouble with the motorcycle and just want to skip this section, you're welcome to download one of my Wii save files.

From the start, follow the road ahead on the left and accelerate up the slope to jump the first chasm. There are no choices of path for a while. Just follow the path as it curves around between the high, icy walls, first downhill, then up. When the road curves around to the right and begins to head downhill again, accelerate to jump the gap at the bottom.

When you land on the flat ice ledge on the other side of the gap, slow down a little and bear just slightly to the right onto the narrow path ahead. Then accelerate to clear the gap at the end and jump into the bluish archway made of ice. Continue forward and jump across the next narrow gap. Then steer to the left to clear the next gap. Now you can brake or skid into the wall of ice ahead if necessary.

If you're not too proficient with the bike, you may find it easier to stop after clearing the previous gap and then carefully position the bike facing the ramp on the left. Once you're facing the right way, just use the quick start maneuver to get across: Hold the brake (+), rev the engine (Z) and then release the brake to take off with a burst of speed. Then either brake gain or skid into the ice wall on the other side.

Turn left and take it slowly at first as you navigate along the narrow path head. There are no side walls here to keep you on track. When the path curves around to the right, you'll need to speed up a bit to clear the next small gap.

On the other side, another path comes in from the left. Ignore that and proceed into the tunnel ahead. Shoot the wall of ice blocking the way (press B) to emerge from the other end of the tunnel.

Take the road to the right here. Head up the hill and jump the next chasm into the wide tunnel in the ice just ahead.

ICE TUNNEL:

The first part of the tunnel is a straight, downward slope. Keep up a fairly good speed to jump the wide gap at the bottom. The next phase of the tunnel is quite curvy, but there are no forks. So just keep following it forward. When you see light ahead, accelerate to jump first one, then another gap in the path.

From here on, the greenish ice tunnel narrows a bit and goes through several twists and turns, but again there are no branches. Near the end, large boulders line each side of the tunnel. Slow down to steer around them. The end of the tunnel is just beyond these boulders.

In a brief cut scene, Lara gets off the bike and looks over the edge at the cylindrical tower and the long, corkscrew path leading to the ground far below.