Beneath the Forbidden City by Jackie Wu Release Date:    October 2001 Size:                 8.6 Mb File Type:          TR4 No of Levels       1 Platform            PC and MAC

Report by Kitkat

Story

In Beijing, archaeologists found a secretly buried temple beneath the Forbidden City, the ancient Chinese Emperors' palace. The archaeologists realised that this was a valuable artefact - the Amulet of Horus - which was an Egyptian artefact. Meanwhile from Ancient Chinese texts referred to; two thousand years ago an Emissary has travelled to Egypt to seek for eternal life and brought it back for the Emperor. But the Emperor was immediately killed after getting the Amulet. The Emissary and the Amulet were sealed in the temple after that.

When the news spread across newspapers worldwide, an underground Egyptian community sent troops to Beijing and killed the archaeologists. An archaeologist, who had hidden and survived, called upon Lara to prevent the Egyptian leader's arrival, who would have held the ceremony of reviving the unknown power of the Amulet which would probably have destroyed the world. The archaeologist also asked her to take the Amulet away from the well guarded temple.

Lara packs her backpack and starts her journey…

Beneath the Forbidden City

The age of this level might be enough to put some people off playing it. And at first glance it does have a few points against it: made in the early days of the level editor (when people were still discovering what it could do) using the original wads and textures plus it is the builder's first level. But I urge you to reconsider and download this level. It was the very first custom level I ever played and as such has a special place in my heart! But that does not obscure the fact that this level still stands up next to the levels made today, even with everything we now know about the editor and the plethora of custom objects, audios, hi-resolution textures and tools we have.

How? Well, the game play is engaging, usually on the easy side but sometimes more challenging. There are many enemies guarding the hidden temple and numerous traps to be avoided. The tasks you have to perform fit very well with the environment and never seem contrived or out of place. The architecture is very authentic looking and the areas are solidly built and textured beautifully using the original Temple Of Xian textures and some of Geckokid’s own creation. There is great camerawork, the flybys are absolutely beautiful and the music choices compliment them very well. The secrets are well-placed and there is a real sense of achievement when you find them. This level is definitely a timeless classic.

Screenshots

Back to Top