Like all other Tomb Raider games, it's time to get acquainted once again with all of Lara's moves. This is like a fitness class, getting the hang of the controls. If you've played previous games, you'll be surprised how fast you remember all the jumps and crawl moves. The difference this time, is the PS2 analog controller.
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After being at the crime scene and seeing Von Croy dead, Lara escapes to the back alleys behind his apartment. Lara's help voice cuts in when a new move or new action is required, for the first time. Lara's walk-run mode is a little slow but running mode does start after about 2 seconds holding the left analog stick forward (a little annoying). Climb the crate in the corner, walk to the edge, jump up, hang and pull-up to the balcony on the second level.
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Go along the balcony to the far hallway. Try to open the doors. If for nothing else, it will get you famliar with navigating the hand symbol [action possible] in the lower right corner of the screen. Using Lara's voice direction, climb the steel ladder to the 3rd level balcony area. Walk around the corner and crawl inside the room through the open window. Face the cabinets and use [action] to search all the drawers and grab the goodies. The tall storage cabinet requires a crowbar. We'll come back. |
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Crawl back through the window out to the balcony and take the ladder up to the 4th level. Using Lara's help voice, [walk] to the edge and run-jump then [action] in mid-air, to catch the far roof ledge. Pull-up and turn left. Walk to the waist-high railing, stop, then use [action] to climb over the balcony railing. Grab the chocolate bar [10p health]. With [walk] still engaged, jump to the far roof ledge and walk across to the drain pipe on the far wall. Climb the drain-pipe and then at the top, go right. |
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Shimy across to the awning and drop. This may happen automatically. Watch the white strength meter below Lara's health meter. When it runs out, Lara will let go and fall. Good idea to have solid ground or water, below you. The strength meter resets to full after each use. Jump up and shimy around the corner of the roof and when clear of the broken fence, pull up onto the roof top. Walk around the roof top and get famliar with the area. There is a shed in the corner that we can open. |
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In the far corner. there is a barrel with a stone top. Approach the barrel from either side. Use [action] and the left analog stick in the direction you want Lara to pull. Push or pull in the direction as seen from the screen camera, not Lara's oriented position. In other words, you may want Lara to pull the barrel back, but screencam shows it as being right. Use [action] and the analog stick RIGHT, not down. Move the barrel away from the edge. |
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Go to the opening in the fence and drop down to the hidden ledge below. Grab the crowbar. Now climb up and walk across to the door of the tool shed. Use [action] and Lara will use the crowbar automatically to force open the door. At the same moment, Lara's help voice says "I now feel stronger". There is a lightning bolt in the lower right corner of the screen. Lara achieved a strength power-up. Go inside and search the cabinet. |
You now have a gun. Unlike previous Tomb Raider games, you need ammo for ALL your weapons. This one has 9 shots already in the gun clip. Before going on, go back down to the 3rd floor room, and open the cabinet with your new crowbar, inside that kitchen. There's a valuable necklace in there. Work your way back up to the roof and jump down to the ledge where you found the crowbar. Grab the edge, and shimy to the left over to the balcony. You'll have enough strength to do this.
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A new move. This is called [stealth or sneak]. This is one of those moves where you don't want to make any noise and attack an enemy from behind. One drawback. You can't draw a weapon while in [sneak]. Use it like [walk] when you think you need it (like going into a new room). In this case, [sneak] around the corner and grab the key on the bench. The security guard up ahead, has no idea. Sneak back around the corner and walk through the gate. Climb down the ladder. LEVEL ENDS. |
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EXTRA STRATEGY: The right analog stick is a movable screen camera. I found this very handy when trying to find out where I was, or how far a jump was, or even to look around corners or down over an edge. It will be useful, trust me!! |
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