South America - The Lost Empire

[TheBoo]

Okay, stuck again! I'm just starting this excellent level, have fallen into a pool, dealt with the giant wasps (haven't seen those since The Lost City of Tinnos), and am now at a long narrow pool. I have the crowbar and have used it in the switch and have explored the areas around the pool except for the ornate gate at the east end, which I cannot open. I have various ammo but no weapons except for the pistols. What have I missed?

[TheBoo]

Hah!!!! Just found it! Some of the decorative jars shatter and some don't. Pretty sneaky.:) And wow, when you walk through the gate there's a really long fly-by scene to show the huge room beyond.:D Quite impressive!

[the_internet_king]

good luck:)

[TheBoo]

Okay, starting to explore the big room now. Climbed the big hill closest to me and pulled the switch. Climbed down and got the key to the door at the near end. Opened the door, killed the bear, explored everywhere including the upstairs area and got the ornate gate opened to the small room with the artifact on the pedastal. I can't figure this one out. As soon as Lara takes the artifact, spikes skewer her. There is a 1-square platform on the right side of the small room with spikes constantly coming up. Immediately above the spike square is a trap door with a visible handle, the kind you have to jump and pull to open. There is a flame emitter immediately above that (you can see the glow through the trapdoor). The question is, what to do now? I can't take the artifact because the spikes around it are triggered by taking the artifact. I haven't figured out how to jump on the spike square and pull the trapdoor handle; there doesn't seem to be enough time to jump on the square and jump up to grab the handle (been trying for hours!). I could give up and explore the rest of the big room, but I like to solve all the puzzles. Has anybody figured out the right way to do this?

[Aquarius]

Have you tried exploring underwater at all? Just make sure you watch out for the wolves if you haven't already run into them. :p :)

[TheBoo]

Yup, been underwater, been to the area behind the bars that is reached through the water tunnel, been to the upper level (the roof of the lower area), explored every thing I can think of in the upper area. :( There are still several ornate gates that will not open. I still have not figured out how to get the artifact (I think it's an ignition key) on the spike-infested pedastal. I did get one ignition key and used it in the upper receptacle on the RH side (if you are facing the receptacle). I did find the big room with the central structure and explored all of that. There is a closed gate there, too. The author did provide a savegame where this level is completed and the gates to the next level are open, but I want to do this with just a little help.:)

I've been stuck here for several days, now..............anybody got a hint?

[Aquarius]

How goes SA so far?

I got around to playing it again today, and managed to get to the beginning of The Old Cistern.

I have met the spike pedestal.......no comment. I thought I had a way to solve this part, but it didn't work. Have you figured it out yet?

How far are you right now?

[TheBoo]

I am still stuck as described in my previous post. I have not figured out a way to get the artifact (I think it's an ignition key) from the spike-infested pedastal, nor can I pull the trapdoor handle above the spike square without getting skewered! I did find one ignition key that opened up another area to explore, and have done all I could do there (I think). There are other gates, but I suspect their opening depends on getting that ignition key. I've climbed to the overhead areas and killed some baddies and that's all I can do up there. I did load the savegame for the next level just so I could go back and see some of what I was missing; and yes, there is still a lot left to do!

I hope we or somebody can solve this thing; heck, I know some have; I read their reviews of the game!

Good luck!

[Aquarius]

If you use the ignition key that you have right now, and use it on the slot on the right (if your back is to the wall), and you explore in the room, you should find a floor switch, which opens a door, that will allow you to find the Bronze key, which you can then use to exit the level. :p

My guess is that you probably find something in one of the other levels that allows you to get the second ignition key. Because obviously having the second key isn't essential to finishing The Lost Empire. (as I did!) lol

[TheBoo]

Okay, I've finished psiko's rhatech demo, so I'll pick up again on The Lost Empire. Hope I've got a savegame close to where I picked up the first ignition key, but if not, I'll play back to it.