NOTE: Combat strategy is based on the Medium difficulty setting, so your experience may vary slightly. In addition to the walkthroughs for each level, there are separate pages for Controls & Gameplay Tips, Skill & Weapon Upgrades, and Collectible Items.
SAVING AND CHECKPOINTS: Like the last several games, TOMB RAIDER uses autosave checkpoints. Whenever you pass a checkpoint, the game is saved automatically. Then, if Lara dies or you quit the game and restart, the game reloads at the last checkpoint. If you only rely on one autosave, you may run into trouble if you get stuck in the game, encounter a bug, or if your autosave file becomes corrupted. To avoid problems, I highly recommend changing your save slot at least once each level. You may also want to periodically back up your autosaves on a memory card (consoles) or into a separate folder (PC). See the controls page for details.
AREA 14: MOUNTAIN DESCENT
Updated: 10/21/15(†)
Note: This level has no camps or collectibles.
OBJECTIVE: Descend Down the Mountain to the Solarii Base
This level is short but intense. Wade out into the raging water and use the left stick or direction keys to move from one vertical post to the next. No matter what you do, when you reach the third post, it gives way and Lara tumbles over the falls. When you regain control, use the left stick or Left/Right direction keys to steer around obstacles as you're whisked downstream.
For the whitewater section, I found it best to follow the path on the left side of the river. There are fewer deadly piles of debris there. You will need to shoot 2 plank-and-barbed-wire barriers on the way down. Lara draws her shotgun automatically so all you need to do is fire to destroy the first barrier. After that, steer hard to the right to move into the right side of the river and avoid being skewered by debris. Then aim and fire your shotgun to break the second barrier. After the second barrier, steer to the left to avoid more debris land inside the crashed airplane.
After the cut scene in which Lara puts on the parachute, follow the on-screen prompts and press Interact once to pull the ripcord. Then, when the main chute fails, press Dodge/Roll (Shift/Circle/B) once to deploy the auxiliary chute.
Once Lara is paragliding through the forest, use the left stick or Left/Right direction keys to steer her through the treetops.
Rather than post a bunch of disjointed screenshots, I've made a short video for this section. Lara takes a little damage in the paragliding section, but it does show safe paths through both the water and woods (and no gruesome deaths).
NOTE: If you're having trouble with these sequences in the PC game due to lag or other graphics issues, or if you just can't stand to watch the horrible death animations when you fail, feel free to download a PC or Mac save file from the checkpoint at the end of the level. Files and instructions are here.
†UPDATE HISTORY: 4/16/13 - First draft of walkthrough posted online.
10/21/15 - A few minor tweaks for clarity.
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