Posts by maptomb

I finally finished with version 2. The crossbow must be a fourth secret without a chime or statistics count (as it is useless). There is no lasersight in version 2.

Nad, I knew that. If you look at my very first post on these hexagrams you will see that I needed the second hexagram.

However, from playing v2 I now know why I couldn't find that second hexagram and also why the lasersight has been removed before getting the second hexagram.

In version 1 I shot the skeleton with the revolver head trick (revolver+lasersight) BEFORE the skeleton could smash the vase to reveal the shotgun and second hexagram. I didn't know until now that the skeleton MUST smash the vase; and be killed by falling over the edge with the shotgun. This is why this softlock bug was corrected in version 2.

Now I have all the objects to open the big wall with the hexagram stars. I am still curious why there is a crossbow.

I tried the very right side of that door as you said and it did open in v1, but the other crowbar door opened easily in v1. However, I still couldn't find that second hexagram (I must be blind).

I am playing version 2 and there are some more significant changes. The location of the lasersight has been replaced by a large medipack and a crossbow is now in the game opposite to where the lasersight was originally found. The ice-sprite easily disappears right away in the wall flames at the water, something that did not happen in version 1.

I stopped at that point for this internet browsing, so I don't know what happens next, or if there is a lasersight anymore. Why a crossbow?

Thank you Nad. Actually, I really had the hexagram star shown in post #33. I just didn't go back to the skeleton itself because I checked my inventory from different saves. I'll look carefully near the skeleton.

In any case, I am replaying with version 2 which CORRECTS the buggy crowbar door behind the jump-over gate. That door is now a different easy push-open double door which leads to the end part of the level where the combined sun disk object is used (shown in post #22). I jumped down after entering the hub area to verify the door problem.

Thus, I was originally stuck in version 1 because I had a fatal bug with that door and also because I didn't pick up the second hexagram star.

This is the first just-released customlevel where I got stuck because of a fatal bug (despite the fact that others got stuck in games that were updated for bugs). i was stuck, as everyone else was, in the first release of Tomb Raider Chronicles 25 years ago until Eidos patched it.

Correction.

Nad, I already had the hexagram star from the skeleton. Thus, I never found the first hexagram star much earlier in the level. Where was it please?

Thank you.

Nad, how did you get the second hexagram star? The place behind the gate (jumped over) is where I eventually got stuck with a door that wouldn't open.

I am sure I didn't find that place in your screenshot #22 which is probably where the sun disk goes when combined with something to make a combined object.

Please tell me, but I am restarting the game with version 2 because Sponge found bugs.

I am keeping my old v1 version too so I can check a response from you.

Thank you.

There is now an updated Version 2 on the Advent Calendar to fix bugs, but absolutely no information of what was fixed or why.

Maybe this will help, but the game needs to be replayed entirely because the savegames no longer work.

Sponge needs to state what was fixed as every other builder does.

Jump from the pillar opposite the jaws of the dino. I forget how you get on the pillar, but after you are on the dino you will jump from its tail to a ledge and go over all the pillars in the halls.

You may have to activate a switch or such in the adjacent room with the pool to get on that pillar.

There is also a video walkthru on youtube if you want to see how it is done.

I am much further along than all of you since I have been playing for seven hours, and I may have encountered a bug because a door will not open in the left corner of the area with the 2 crabs to shoot (this door is most likely a crowbar door because it looks like the other crowbar door in this level).

I am missing the second Hexagram Star--where is it? (It is probably behind that door that will not open???) If I can open the wall with the 2 Hexagram Stars, then the game will probably be close to the end because I have nowhere else to go. Thus, I am stuck. (Alternatively, if that door is only an exit, then I can't find the entrance in the area with the ice-fairy.)

Also, where is the sun disk used?

[Note that I have already dealt with the ice-fairy. I have also shot the skeleton; and I have opened the second passage into the area with the 2 crabs. I also have 2 of the 3 secrets.]

Sponge stated in his readme file "....I have built this level in only one month ....". Thus, savegame bugs or such could be present.

Jump on top of the dino.

I finished this excellent game which is really a masterpiece. Many thanks to Gecko!

The missing statuette:

LoreRaider,

This was not the first time there was a delay as some have pointed out. Thus, stop being defensive and making unnecessary complaints about the truth because everybody does appreciate the levels; we just don't like the frustration of delays (without details about why there is a delay), especially when we have limited time to play.

Also, there was NO announcement about this year's Advent calendar on TRLE or TRF prior to December 1. And some people like Kubsy, etc. pointed that out because they would have wanted to help.

Do not expect everyone to join Discord, as that can't be the only place for important TR news. There are a number of good reasons (which I will not mention) why many people do not want to join Discord.

The fourth statue:

I only found one statuette high up on a cliff cave (without really trying), and a monster staring at Lara when she made a jump back to the other side.

This game has lots of multiple pathways and is not linear. Found shotgun and uzi ammo too.

The game works for me because I already had the redistributable files installed. The only change I made to the setup screen was to set the resolution to 1920x1080. I'm on Windows10. I remember that one of the TEN levels required Windows 10 and higher.

I doubt TEN will have the option to automatically install the Microsoft files because Microsoft would probably want a fee from the TEN people for the service (Steam is a commercial enterprise).

Each TEN customlevel should state at the top of both the readme file and the download page on TRCustoms, etc. that the correct redistributable files are required to play and that they are free from Microsoft for individuals at the correct website name.

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The game map is somewhat huge to find the pistols (found) and where to go (not yet found).

I found the oasis (or some oasis) after a lot of travel in one general direction.

The real problem is that too many builders forget that both the Advent and Easter calendar levels are rigid deadlines based on the real-world calendar, and these deadlines can't be changed (the TR contest deadlines CAN be changed!). Some builders procrastinate until the "calendar" season to begin their work and there is never enough time in a one-month period of time. The commercial industries based on the holiday seasons do their work more than 6 months in advance to get the products out in time. The builders should think about creating the Advent levels in the spring and summer.

Look closely at the items in your inventory.

FYI, Version 2 of this game was released today on TRCustoms. It updates level 1 for problems in the sewers and static collisions. Thus, savegames from either version made in level 1 will not work in the other version. Keep this in mind for future player requests. All players should state what version of the game they are playing when requesting savegame help for level 1

Savegames from level 2 in version 1 do seem to work in version 2, and probably for the rest of the levels in the game. The readme file in version 2 also clarifies the misleading inventory counter for Lucille and the coal shooter ammo. The secret passcode still works in version 2.

This was a fun game. It got somewhat intense near the end, but the coal shooter made killing the enemies rather easy. I would have liked to have traveled the minecart routes by walking after the rides (as in some TR games), but this game was long enough.

P.S. Based on today's Advent Calendar posting, it seems that the "main attraction" Advent Calendar games are now biennial events. This is not really a problem, but I find it very annoying for builders to post teaser videos/announcements or such one year in advance. It is like giving a gift and then taking it back. The builders should work behind the scenes to perfect the game and then announce it only when it is ready for "primetime" enjoyment. Too many interesting levels have been announced early on TRLE or TRF ("what the builder is working on" or such posts), and then never see the light of day (e.g. Sanctuary of Souls, Dark City 2, etc.). A lot can happen in a year or more that can impact the production of a Tomb Raider customlevel.

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