STELLA'S TOMB RAIDER 1 REMASTERED WALKTHROUGH

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Tomb Raider I-III Remastered updates are in progress but will take time. For levels that have not yet been updated, I will continue to link to the ORIGINAL WALKTHROUGHS, which cover all the basics. Please check the introductory notes at the start of the first level for info on my process, modern vs. classic tank controls, etc. Note that I do not cover every possible achievement/trophy in this guide.

LEVEL 9: TOMB OF TIHOCAN - REMASTERED

Updated: 3/20/24()

Secrets:Pickups: 26, including 4 keys and a piece of the Scion  Kills: 17
Save Crystals: 5 (New Game+ only)

NOTE: One of the regular pickups here will be the MAGNUMS if you didn't get them earlier.

LEVEL MAP by VGCartography (used with permission)

Tomb of Tihocan Video Walkthrough by Eldincy

OBJECTIVES: Find your way through a series of rooms and passageways to the tomb itself. The path is fairly linear, but you will need to take a few detours and flood/drain several areas to proceed. When you find Tihocan's tomb, you can finally kill Pierre DuPont and take his piece of the Scion (the second of three). Lastly, unlock the tomb to find clues to your next destination.

LEVEL ENTRANCE: Lara falls into this flooded passageway from the final area of The Cistern. Swim down and forward through a long, straight tunnel. As you approach the ornate metal grate at the end, ignore the room above for now. You won't find air there yet. Swim down past the grate. At the bottom, make a U-turn and swim forward to a lever. Pull it to lower the water level, roll to face away from the lever, and swim back up, past the grate to the surface. Climb out on the ledge and use the switch to open the door down the hallway to the right. (screenshots)

NOTE: The most common problem in this area is confusion between the T-shaped switch, which can only be used on dry land, and the broom-handle-shaped lever, which can only be used underwater. Some guides use "switch" and "lever" interchangeably. I find it helps to make this distinction. First you want the lever, in the lower passageway. Then, after the water is drained, you can use the switch.

ROOM WITH FLOATING BLOCK: Draw weapons and proceed along the hallway to the door you just opened. Kill the crocodile (1) in the next room. Notice the gray block that looks like it should move but doesn't? It actually moves up. Here's how: Climb the stairs and pull up onto the second highest block. Turn left and take a running jump onto the greenish ledge supporting the square block in the center of the room. Pull up onto the center block at the right corner. Darts begin to shoot out from the walls and across this block. As long as you stay near the corner, Lara will be safe. (screenshots)

Turn right and take a standing jump from the corner of the block to the small, square ledge ahead. From there, take a running jump to the ledge with the square openings above and below. Climb into the alcove and use the switch to raise the water level again. The previously immovable block floats up to the opening above. Swim down to where the block was and retrieve a small medi pack (1), then climb onto the block and enter the passageway beyond. (screenshots)

LONG PASSAGEWAY WITH VARIABLE WATER CURRENT: Follow the passage to a flooded opening. Swim down, then forward just a little bit, then down toward the ornate metal grate on the bottom. When you reach the grate, swim forward along a short tunnel to another lever. (screenshots) Use it to lower the water level once again and speed up the current. If necessary, return to the opening above to breathe, then swim down and forward through a very long passageway. With the current working in your favor, Lara will be swept along to a room where she can surface.

TALL ROOM WITH LEDGES AND SWINGING BLADE: Climb out of the water and kill a rat (2). Stand on the right side of the movable block and pull it once. Then use it to climb onto the long ledge. From there, pull up onto the square corner ledge, then the long, gray block ledge above. Unless you're desperate for ammo, ignore the shotgun shells (7) in the alcove for now. (If you're doing NG+ you'll probably want to go for the save crystal in the southwest corner.) There are 2 doorways at the top of the north wall. The one on the right leads to a secret. The one on the left leads to the rest of the level. (screenshots)

NOTE: If you don't care about getting all kills, pickups, and secrets, you can avoid the doorway on the right altogether. You'll miss an encounter with Pierre, as well as 3 crocodiles, 5 items, and secret #1. Skip down to the TALL ROOM WITH LEDGES AND SWINGING BLADE (AGAIN), below.

RIGHT PASSAGEWAY FROM SWINGING BLADE ROOM: If you're going for 100%, run onto the single square block, walk to the edge, and take a standing jump to grab the edge of the doorway on the right and pull up. Draw your preferred weapons (I like the shotgun here) and proceed into the passageway. Pierre DuPont will be waiting here. Shoot him a few times, then back up into the doorway. He should vanish when you break line of sight. If not, try hanging from the edge of the doorway. (screenshots)

Continue down the stairs where Pierre went. Go cautiously to avoid running into the chomping blades ahead. Stand as close to them as you can without getting cut. Listen to the sounds they make and on the second "clang" (i.e., when they start to separate), run or take a standing jump through them. (screenshots)

ROOM WITH CROC & PRESSURE PADS: Continue down the stairs to an opening in the floor. Drop down and kill the crocodile (3) on the stairs below. (Or, hang from the doorway to get its attention, then pull up and shoot it with pistols.) Proceed downstairs to the next small room, where you'll find some magnum clips and 2 boxes of shotgun shells (2-4). Now take a close look at the floor. There are 3 tiles that look different from the others—two in the northeast and southwest corners and one near the steps. These are actually pressure pads. Step on all three, in no particular order, to open a door concealing SECRET #1. (screenshots)

Inside is a small room with a slope that meets the floor, 3 taller angled blocks, and a small ledge above the first slope with some goodies on it. Position Lara with her back to the slope that meets the floor and her chest against the side of the lowest angled block. (The entrance will then be ahead and to the right.) Backflip onto the slope and hold the Jump button, and Lara will spring off the slope then jump forward onto each of the 3 angled blocks in turn, landing on the ledge above. Pick up the reward: a large medi pack and another box of shotgun ammo (5-6). Drop down and return back up the stairs, past the blades, which activate again as you approach, to the doorway at the top of the room where you met Pierre before. (screenshot)

TALL ROOM WITH LEDGES AND SWINGING BLADE (AGAIN): Take a standing jump down onto the square block below the doorway. Turn right and take a running jump across the gap to grab the edge of the alcove with the shotgun shells (7). Pull up and get the ammo. Whether or not you've already triggered the swinging blade on the left side of the alcove, it shouldn't be a problem. Position Lara in the middle of the alcove with her right foot at the edge. Adjust her angle so the elevated doorway is directly ahead and there's room to clear the corner of the alcove. Then take a standing jump to grab the doorsill and pull up. (screenshots) Alternatively, if this jump is proving difficult, you can jump over to the longer ledge along the west wall. Position Lara on the seam between the two tiles nearest the swinging blade. Then, as the blade starts to swing to the left, take a running jump past it to grab the doorsill. (screenshots)

LEFT PASSAGEWAY FROM SWINGING BLADE ROOM: Follow the passage to a gap above the mossy room where you found secret #1. Turn around and drop back to grab the edge of the floor. Traverse to the right until you can pull up. Follow the short passageway to a switch. (On the way, you may hear the secret door in the room below closing.) Use the switch to flood the room below. Drop down into the water and surface right there. Don't bother exploring underwater. You already covered that area when you went after the secret. Instead, swim along the surface to the doorway just above water level. Climb out and kill a rat (4). Go to the end of this short hallway and jump into the water again. Swim down, then up again through a twisting passageway, until you can climb out of the water in a room with spikes on the floor. (screenshots)

ROOM WITH LION, GORILLAS & SPIKES: Stay on the step at water level until you've killed the lion (5) lurking here. In the U-shaped passageway opposite the spikes, there's a switch. Use it to open a door above. Return to the spike room and climb into the alcove opposite the spikes. From here, you should be able to kill the 2 gorillas (6-7) in the room above using pistols. (There's also a save crystal here in NG+.) When they're dead, take a standing jump to grab the floor above and pull up. (screenshots)

Move to the edge of the hole above the spikes. Take a standing jump to grab the crevice to the left of the doorway and traverse right until you can pull up. Enter the room and pick up a large medi pack (8) and a GOLD KEY (9). Jump from the doorway over the hole with the spikes below to land on the safe floor. Return to the edge of the other opening in the floor and take a standing jump with Action to land in the alcove below. (screenshots)

GOLD KEY LOCK: Proceed forward into a long, narrow room with a pool. Use your GOLD KEY in the keyhole here to raise a series of blocks in the pool. Make your way across to the other side. If you slip, return to the start and try again. Pick up the small medi pack (10) to the right of the doorway before going in. (screenshots)

ROOMS WITH MOVABLE BLOCK & LOCKED DOORS: This area contains a locked door with 2 keyholes straight ahead and a pair of closed doors on the right. Head left into another small room with 2 more closed doors at floor level and an elevated door. There are also 4 tiles with writing on the floor and a movable block between two of the pillars. Pull the block twice to position it on top of one the nearest inscribed tile. Hop back and jump onto the block. One of the doors in the other room opens, releasing a gorilla (8). Kill it from above and then go into the room it came from to get some magnum clips and shotgun shells (11-12). (screenshots)

Push the movable block twice more until it is on the inscribed tile below the high door. Again, jump on the block. The door high on the wall opens, along with the second door in the other room, which lets out another gorilla (9). Shoot it from the block. When it's dead, go into the room where it came from to retrieve more shotgun shells (13). (Or, wait to pick them up until you're on your way out of this area.) Return to the movable block and take a standing jump from the edge of the block to grab the high doorway. Pull up and enter cautiously. Another chomping blade trap is in the way. Run through as the blades begin to separate. Collect the large medi pack (14) and RUSTY KEY (15). Then run carefully past the blades again to get out. (screenshots)

Drop down and go around the other side of the block. Pull it twice onto the next inscribed tile, hop back, and jump on top of the block to shoot the 4 rats (10-13) that come swarming out of the room on the left. Jump down and enter to find a small medi pack (16). (screenshots)

Go back to the block and move it onto the last inscribed tile. This opens the remaining door. Enter cautiously. Do not be tempted by the small medi pack (16) on the floor. If you try to get it now, Lara will be squashed by a pair of rolling boulders. Instead, walk forward to the edge of the doorsill, stopping just before the step down to the medi pack. Hop back twice, then take two running jumps into the alcove with the key. The boulders then roll past harmlessly. Pick up the second RUSTY KEY (17), then the medi pack, and return through the block room to the room with the locked door. (screenshots)

If you didn't pick up the shotgun shells (13) in the room where the second gorilla came from, do that now. Then use the two RUSTY KEYS in the keyholes on either side of the final door. (screenshot) Inside is a long ramp leading down to an underground lake. (There's a save crystal here in NG+.)

LONG CHUTE AND SECRET ROOM: There's an easily missable secret on the way down, so save the game before stepping onto the slope and don't overwrite this save until you get the secret. Use Photo Mode to scout ahead if you like. You're aiming for the small, flat ledge on the left side of the slope, about 3/4 of the way down. To get there without too much fuss, slide down the slope facing downhill. Either hold Look as you go, or press it briefly as soon as the camera angle shifts to the view of Lara sliding. As she reaches the pointed rock on the left side of the slope, just before the flat ledge, jump and press Left to curve the jump in the air and land on the ledge. (screenshots)

NOTE: Thanks to Gareth for suggesting this strategy, which I've modified slightly from his original. If you're having trouble, there's an alternate method for this section in the classic guide.

Move into the doorway. Ahead is a rectangular room with 5 break-away tiles—two on the left, three on the right—and an alcove in the far wall opposite the entrance. You'll want to shatter all 5 tiles for the "After Us the Deluge!" achievement/trophy on the way to the alcove. Stand in the middle of the doorway and walk to the edge. Now do the following series of jumps to land on the tiles: standing jump forward, side flip to the left, standing jump forward, standing jump forward, side flip right, and run/jump forward to land in the alcove. (Take care to briefly release Jump and Forward between the standing jumps so Lara doesn't do a running jump instead.) If you fall through you can climb out easily, but you'll have to reload a saved game to try for the secret again. (screenshots)

Once in the alcove, pick up SECRET #2, magnum and Uzi ammo (19-20). (If you've found all of the previous secrets in Greece, you'll unlock the "Codex of Greece" achievement/trophy here.) Drop down, cross the room, climb back into the doorway, and continue down the slide to the lake. (screenshots)

SUBTERRANEAN LAKE: There's a crocodile (14) in the water, so swim forward through the rock archway without hesitating. On the far side of the lake is a square gray ledge where you can climb out. (screenshot) Avoid the rocks on the right side of the archway. Lara can get stuck here, requiring you to reload. (screenshot) Kill the croc from the gray ledge. Then turn around and enter the passageway. Climb the rocks until you reach a gap high above the lake. On the far side you'll see a switch. Take a running jump across the gap to the square corner ledge below the switch. Climb up and use the switch to open an underwater gate elsewhere. (screenshots)

Drop into the water. Face the small, flat ledge at water-level (to the south). Swim down through the opening just below that ledge. (screenshot) Follow the flooded tunnel through several twists and turns to emerge on the southwest side of the lake.

TIHOCAN'S TOMB: Surface and face the entrance to the tomb, which is flanked by two centaur statues. Before climbing out of the water, locate the switch that opens the tomb entrance. It's at the end of a well-concealed underwater passage beneath the right side of the building. Tread water near the right corner of the long ledge in front of the tomb. Swim down and forward toward the far (west) cavern wall. Look for a pointy, light-colored rock overhanging the opening. Swim underneath it and to the left, into a rough tunnel. Follow this tunnel upward, then right, into a section lined with manmade stone blocks. Swim through the gate you opened earlier and surface in a small room with a switch. Use it to open the tomb entrance and prime the centaur statues to animate when Lara approaches. (There's a save crystal in this small room in NG+.) (screenshots)

NOTE: If the metal gate in the flooded passageway is still closed, you missed a switch. Swim back out into the lake and come to the surface. Face away from the tomb entrance and swim through the rocky archway ahead on the left. Climb out of the water on the square gray ledge. (screenshot) Then follow the walkthrough beginning with the SUBTERRANEAN LAKE, above.

Swim back to the lake and climb out on the right side of the long ledge in front of the tomb (i.e., right when facing the entrance and the two statues). If you're going for achievements/trophies, save the game here. You'll need to play through the next section twice to unlock different ones. If you don't care about achievements, skip down to the section REPLAYING - ALL KILLS AND PICKUPS, below.

For the "On Incredible Tales" achievement/trophy, you must avoid killing the 2 centaurs that animate as you explore this area. Run directly into the building as the Atlantean centaur (15) on the left comes to life and begins to hurl fireballs. Once Lara is safely inside, it can't hurt her. (The one on the right doesn't animate yet.) (screenshots)

Now prepare for the final showdown with Pierre DuPont (16). As you move past the red pillars, he appears on the far side of this large room. This time, you can use the magnums or shotgun to take him down fairly quickly. Or, if you'd rather use pistols, run forward, get a lock on him, and keep firing as you backflip away. Then flip from side to side while firing continuously. As long as Lara keeps moving, most of Pierre's shots will miss. Or, run/jump straight past him, roll, and shoot at his back until he turns around. Repeat until he falls. The achievement/trophy "Not So Late for the Prize Giving!" should pop when you defeat him. (screenshots)

Relieve the corpse of a SECOND GOLD KEY (21), the SECOND PIECE OF THE SCION (22), which he apparently took from the pedestal at the center of the room, and his MAGNUMS (23), or magnum ammo if you already have the guns. (screenshots)

In the Steam version of the game, you do not have to animate the second centaur (17) in order to unlock "On Incredible Tales." But if you want to be absolutely sure, return to the tomb entrance. You should hear a crack, and a second boss health bar should appear, as the other statue comes to life. Quickly move away from the door and out of danger. (screenshots)

If you plan to replay this section for all kills and pickups, there's no need to collect the remaining items. Just climb up to the keyhole on the north wall of the main room. Use Pierre's GOLD KEY to unlock the exit, below on the opposite wall. Drop down and go through. After a pair of cutscenes, you should unlock the "On Incredible Tales" achievement/trophy, along with "Look Over Us Kindly, Tihocan," for completing the Greece chapter. (screenshots)

REPLAYING - ALL KILLS AND PICKUPS: Now reload the save you made outside the tomb, and we'll do that again with all kills and pickups.

When fighting the first Atlantean centaur (15), draw weapons and run straight toward it to bring it to life. If you approach at a slight angle, from the right side of the ledge, you should have plenty of room to maneuver. When it animates, immediately start firing as you backflip away twice. Side flip to the left, then back to the right. Then just keep leaping from side to side while shooting. The centaur will continue to hurl fireballs, but as long as you keep jumping, these will almost never hit Lara. Once you've depleted its health, the centaur explodes, and you can proceed into the tomb. (In NG+ you'll find another save crystal in the sandy area to the left of the tomb, in case you want to save again before taking on Pierre.) (screenshots)

NOTE: I've added a few details and alternate centaur strategies in a footnote to save space here.

Move past the red pillars into the main room of the tomb and take on Pierre (16). You're probably a pro at dealing with him by now, but check the notes above if necessary. When he's dead, take the SECOND GOLD KEY (21), the SECOND PIECE OF THE SCION (22), and his MAGNUMS or magnum ammo (23). (screenshots)

If you want all kills, return to the tomb entrance to awaken the second centaur (17). It's easy enough to kill it with pistols from the safety of the doorway. It won't come inside. Just get a lock on it, hold the Action button, and side flip out of the way whenever it launches a fireball. Repeat until it explodes. (screenshots)

Return to the main room and use the square blocks to climb onto the ledges on the east and west sides of the room to pick up 2 sets of magnum clips (24-25). Then jump over to the balcony at the north end. Pick up the large medi pack (26) behind the balustrade on the left. Use the GOLD KEY you lifted from Pierre in the keyhole in the middle of the north wall to open the door on the south wall. Drop down and enter Tihocan's final resting place to finish the level. (screenshots)

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UPDATE HISTORY: 3/20/24 - First major update for the Remastered version. This includes a number of minor changes, as well as a different strategy for secret #2, thanks to Gareth. Updates made prior to the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered release are tracked in the original guide.

DARK MODE: I plan to add optional dark mode for these pages, but my current priority is updating the walkthroughs. Meanwhile, may I suggest a reputable dark mode browser extension, such as Dark Reader? (Download only from trusted sites, like darkreader.org or your browser's web store.)

ALTERNATE CENTAUR STRATS: These enemies are not hard to beat, especially compared to their counterparts in Anniversary, but if you're new to the game, or just want to change things up, here are some notes. Instead of taking on the first centaur, you can run past it as it animates and take cover inside the tomb. Stand a few steps back from the doorway. Get a pistol lock on the centaur when it approaches. Then, when it starts to throw a fireball, side flip to the left to avoid being hit. Then flip back to the right to land facing the doorway. If you keep holding Action, Lara will remain locked on even if the centaur runs away. When it comes back in range, she'll continue shooting. Repeat this maneuver to gradually chip away at its health. It takes a little while, but eventually the centaur will explode. Then move over to the right side of the room (i.e., closer to the red pillars and potted plants), return return to the doorway to trigger the second centaur, and repeat this process.

If you move to the right side of the room (i.e., close to the red pillars and potted plants, as shown in this screenshot) while fighting the first centaur, then return to the doorway, the second centaur will animate. So you'll have two running around out there. You'll see two boss health bars. If one bar is red and the other is gray, this means Lara currently has a weapon lock on the one with the red bar (screenshot). If you'd rather fight them one at a time, avoid the right side of the room until you've killed one centaur, then trigger the other. Also, if you go past the red pillars into the larger room, you'll trigger Pierre, then return to the doorway to finish off the centaurs.

Occasionally, you may see part of a centaur pass through the wall into the tomb (screenshot). This is terrifying, but as far as I know, they can't get in. It's just a graphical glitch.

Of course, if you prefer a more direct approach, you can take on the first centaur in the area outside the tomb. Then go inside and trigger the second centaur by approaching the red pillars then returning to the exit. Run outside and fight it in the open. There's room to maneuver in front of the tomb and in the sandy area off to the right as you exit. (There's also a save crystal here in NG+.)

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