Neon God by Horus (Nadine Lannte)                   Release Date:    November 2006 Size:                 175 Mb File Type:          TR4 No of Levels       7 Platform            Self Installing Exe playable on PC and MAC

MAC players must read the installation section of the readme!

Report by chrimajon

Story

Lara has learned of an ancient Incan artefact - believed to be their most precious since it promised immortality - and that a wealthy drug baron known as Neon God is searching for it in a subterranean Peruvian temple.

Lara decides to track down the artefact herself,and travels to Bolivia, and the vast home of Neon God, in order to find out where his search has taken him. Once she discovers this, Lara heads to Peru with the intention of reaching the artefact first.

The Manor: Arco Iris
The sprawling, opulent estate of Neon God is where your adventure begins, and now's a good time to familiarise yourself with Lara's stylish new moves, including a somersault and an elegant cartwheel (these two pics are taken from the readme):

 

Immediately your eye is caught by the intricate architecture and detailed surroundings. Lethal lasers, laser triggered sentry guns, and a number of armed guards are the main hazards here, as you search for the famed Faberge Egg, which will allow you access to a later level. Two challenging timed runs will keep you busy, one of which takes you to the second level.

Tauromaquia
The Greek word for bullfighting, as the first screenshot suggests, and this time a quest to locate four gemstones which will grant you access to the bullfight Arena.

Despite the size of the level and its intricate layout, there's very little to-ing and fro-ing, although the gemstones will require some judicious searching! Again, a couple of tricky - until you suss the technique - timed runs, and a very difficult backflip/twist/draw/shoot move from a ladder.

The level ends with a great 'boss' battle against a horseman, with the added bonus of a rampaging bull.

The Rainbow Lounge
Level three, accessed with the Faberge egg from The Manor, is the disco level which AoD can only dream about. Forget the Serpent Rouge - this is the place to be! Your escapades here are accompanied by a superb custom audio loop which fits the feel of the place perfectly yet never gets annoying.

To reach the disco however, you'll need to solve a rather cryptic block puzzle, master some interesting jumps and grabs from platforms, poles and a tightrope, plus a couple more timed dashes. A tough timed run past lasers and a sentry gun gets you to the end of the level where Lara will pick up the trail of Neon God.

Heart Of Peru
More magnificent architecture greets you here, along with enough traps and pitfalls to really earn Lara the 'Indiana Jones' nickname!

Your aim is to work your way through the temple. Very few keys are needed, but a couple of unusual items may have you scratching your head as to their use. Killer ants put in an appearance here, there's a tricky 'banana' jump from a tightrope to master, and no doubt you'll come across the Jeep before finding the keys, which you'll need to do as the level cannot be completed on foot.

Crystalline Passage
More or less an extension of the previous level, the focal point here is an intriguing push block puzzle, made less than straightforward by being on three levels and requiring use of raising/lowering blocks.

Very few enemies, but the level will exercise your thinking cap and test your raiding skills over breakaway ledges, cunning spike and blade obstacles and rolling boulders.

Nevado Huascaran Plateau
If you're wondering about the title of this level, then wonder no more - Nevado Huascaran is the highest peak in Peru and one of the world's most imposing summits. Time then for Lara to swap combats for a fleece jacket and set about locating four keys needed to access the last level.

Falling snow is a result of the patched exe - but not for MAC players, sadly - and the second of the game's vehicles, the motorbike, is also acquired here.

Puya Raimondii
More factual stuff for the final level - Puya Raimondii is the largest known species of Bromeliad, endemic to Peru and Bolivia, and can reach 9-10 metres in height - don't say Tomb Raider never taught you anything!

So,you've reached the final location. Get ready for whatever surprises Neon God has ready for you - and he has a few - and claim your prize. A nifty timed run (did you think you'd seen the last of them?) to reach a high jump switch is one of the highlights here, as well as a nasty looking critter which eventually . . . well, play and find out!

This is an outstanding levelset and one which I can't recommend enough. Anyone who's played any of Nadine's earlier levels will know how good a builder she is. This really is an audio, visual and gameplay treat. Yes, it's challenging, and downright tough in places, but it still has that all important ability to keep you hooked.

Go on, see if you really believe in (Neon) God...

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