Tomb Raider II built upon the mechanics of the first Tomb Raider (1996) by introducing new moves that Lara can perform, vehicles, and even more intricate level designs.

Today, we will take a look at the top five most memorable levels in Tomb Raider II. 

5. Wreck of the Maria Doria 

Lara explores the sunken wreck of the once luxury liner Maria Doria to find an ancient device called the Seraph. The objective is to locate three circuit breakers to advance. What sets this level apart visually is the upside-down rooms, blending the worn-out, rusty sections of the ship with once-luxurious spaces being degraded over time. Navigating the narrow corridors poses a challenge, especially when dealing with enemies, adding a touch of claustrophobia to the experience. 

4. The Great Wall 

Lara drops from a helicopter to search for the entrance to the Temple of Xian. As soon as Lara climbs one of the first obstacles, a tiger emerges, acting as a signal for what players can anticipate in this level. While offering a stunning view from its walls, the Great Wall also serves as a brief respite before the difficulty ramps up significantly. Filled with deadly traps that require players to have a firm grasp of the controls right from the start, it's not the most beginner-friendly level, earning it the fourth spot on the list. 

3. Venice 

Elegant, bright, swift and deadly; these are the key descriptors for Venice. This level marks the introduction of vehicles, specifically a motorboat that Lara utilizes to traverse the canals of Venice. It is in this setting that Lara enters the territory of the Fiamma Nera, who relentlessly pursue anyone who dares to stand in their way. Venice offers a unique puzzle involving the mentioned motorboat while also putting a classy spin on the fight between Lara and Fiamma Nera with the iconic Venice Violins music track. 

2. Barkhang Monastery 

Barkhang Monastery stands out as one of the most beloved levels in classic Tomb Raider. This level introduces friendly NPCs in the form of Barkhang monks, who assist Lara in her fight against the Fiamma Nera cultists if she avoids harming them. The warm and inviting color palette of Barkhang Monastery enhances the enjoyment of navigating through its intricate level design, which seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor environments. The primary objective is to locate prayer wheels and use them to open the gates to the Catacombs of the Talion. Players can choose the order in which they collect the prayer wheels, adding a layer of non-linearity to the gameplay. This unique feature, coupled with the level's incredible architecture, is what sets Barkhang Monastery apart and makes it a standout experience. 

1. Temple of Xian 

The Temple of Xian is a level that demands perfection from players. It serves as the ultimate test for the skills players acquired throughout the game. The entire level is a death trap, with dangers lurking around every corner; from bounce pads to spike walls and incoming boulders. It combines the well-established Tomb Raider formula of finding keys and switches to progress, but with the added challenge cranked up to a hundred. The level is vibrant, with the dominant color being red, further emphasizing the imminent dangers. Temple of Xian showcases Tomb Raider at its best, but it's certainly not for the faint-hearted. 

What are your favorite Tomb Raider II levels? Sound off on social and let us know!

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Video Games

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered

Tomb Raider II