THE BASEMENT OF DOOM (part of the HALL OF SEASONS level)
Although it's possible to enter this area at any time by falling through one of the trapdoors in the MAIN ROOM of the HALL OF SEASONS, you only have to go through the basement once, after collecting and using the four element crystals. This walkthrough describes how to do that and still get all the pickups.
If you accidentally fall through a trapdoor while trying to reach one of the side levels (Hades, Neptune, etc.), either reload an earlier save or make your way through the basement to the elevator, which will take Lara back up to the main room.
The BASEMENT is basically a large ring lined with lava pits and diabolical traps. You can go left or right around the ring, taking either the shortest route to the elevator (leading up to the MAIN ROOM) or the stairs (leading down to the FURNACE), the route with the most pickups, or the route with the easier traps.
This page tells how to navigate from the Earth entrance (where you come in if you follow the main walkthrough) to the door with the X-shaped lock, then back to the elevator. If you enter through a passage other than Earth, find it in the list below. Then, if you choose go left, moving clockwise around the room, follow the walkthrough in order. If you go right/counterclockwise, follow the walkthrough in reverse.
Click for a printable map. (Thanks to John B.)
Earth passage: After falling through one of the trapdoors from above, pick up a Viper clip on the landing. Slide down the ramp and pick up V-Packer shells in the passage below. Continue forward to the circular trap room. Step out into the room and turn left, but stay close to the left wall. Duck and crawl forward toward the lava pit as the rolling spiked wheel moves past. (If you're following the hall counterclockwise, skip down to the bottom of the page and continue with the walkthrough in reverse.)
Lava pit: Take a running jump across, or take a standing jump from the edge to grab the opposite edge, then pull up. (If you're following the hall counterclockwise, you'll also have to deal with the rolling spiked wheel just ahead. Start near the outer wall. Take a running jump to clear the lava. Then either duck near the wall to avoid the roller or run quickly into the Earth passage.)
Lava pit with walkway and horizontal spikes: Walk carefully past the spikes. If you move in an S-shaped path, you can avoid being skewered as the spikes pop in and out of the walls.
Fire passage: Fall through one of the trapdoors from above. There's nothing on the landing. Slide down the ramp, grab the Viper clip in the passage and then step out into the circular trap room. Head to the left to reach the stairs leading down to the FURNACE. (Or, go to the right if you're trying to reach the elevator.)
Two lava pits: Take a standing jump from the edge to grab the opposite edge, pull up and repeat for the second pit. (You can also use running jumps, just be careful not to run on into the next hazard.)
Door to Furnace Room: This is where you need to go after you've found the four element crystals and used them to unlock the door. The stairs lead down to the FURNACE. Follow the main walkthrough from here.
If you are returning to the BASEMENT after finishing the business with the FURNACE down below, turn right (moving clockwise around the circle) and make your way past the traps to the elevator.
Lava pit: Take a running jump across. If you're following the hall clockwise, you'll also have to deal with the rolling spiked wheel again. Take a running jump to clear the pit on the left side. Then duck near the wall or run into the Air passage to avoid the roller.
Air passage: From above, fall through one of the trapdoors. There's nothing on the landing. Slide down the ramp, pick up a large health pack in the passage and step out into the circular trap room. Go right to the to the stairs leading down to the FURNACE or left to the elevator.
Rolling spiked wheel: This trap moves back and forth, stopping near the Earth and Air passages. Stay out of the way of the roller when it starts moving. If it's coming toward you, move to either wall and duck or run into the nearest side passage.
Lava pool: Take a standing jump from one edge to grab the other, or take a running jump across. If you're following the hall clockwise, be careful not to run on into the pounding block.
Hammer block: Stand just in front of the block. Wait for it to pound down, then start running. As it's rising up you should be able to run under it before it pounds again. If you're following the passage clockwise, be careful not to run on into the claw-shaped blades. If you're following the passage counterclockwise, keep running and jump to clear the next lava pool.
Horizontal claws: Run through as the blades begin to retract.
Vertical drop blades: These blades open up like flowers, slicing as Lara passes by. Walk past carefully, staying as far from each blade as you can. Or run past quickly before the blades can fully extend.
Water passage: From above, fall through one of the trapdoors. Slide down the ramp to the circular trap room. There's nothing on the landing or in the passage. (Go left to the elevator or right to the stairs leading down to the FURNACE.)
Vertical claws: Run through as the blades begin to retract.
Elevator: Enter and pull the chain. When the elevator stops, turn around to find bandages and V-Packer shells in a small alcove. Pull the chain again to get to the top. The gates open automatically as you approach, and you end up back in the MAIN ROOM.
Lava pit and spinning blade: If you are following this walkthrough, you won't need to go past this trap because you'll be leaving via the elevator. If you've come in a different way and need to navigate past this trap, you may be able to run past the blade before it gets going, but to be totally safe, hang from the edge of the walkway above the lava and traverse along below the blade. Then pull up on the other side.
Lava pit: Take a running jump across.
Rolling spiked wheel: This trap moves back and forth, stopping near the Earth and Air passages. Stay out of the way of the roller when it starts moving. If it's coming toward you, move to either wall and duck or run into the nearest side passage.
If you're following the hall clockwise, go to the top of the list and continue from the Earth passage.
Copyright © 2003- - Stellalune (). Special thanks are given to the participants in the alt.games.tombraider newsgroup, without whom some parts of this walkthrough couldn't have been written. Feel free to copy or print this walkthrough for personal use. By all means, share it with friends, but please include this credit line so people can send me their feedback. No part of this walkthrough may be reproduced on another site without permission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Follow this link for details about this site's advertising and privacy policy.
Stella's Tomb Raider Site: tombraiders.net.
