LEVEL 12: SANCTUARY OF THE SCION

Kills: 15 Items: 29, including a key, 2 ankhs, the Uzis, a scarab and a piece of the Scion Save Crystals: 7 (PlayStation only) Secrets: 1

(NOTE: The regular pick-ups here will include the MAGNUMS if you didn't get them earlier.)

Objectives: First get into the area near the sphinx.  Then locate 2 ankhs to unlock the door at the base of the sphinx.  Enter and find the way back to the top of the area to get a scarab.  Use this to open the final gate of the level.  Inside, confront Natla's goon Larson and get the third and final piece of the Scion.

Walkthrough: Go down the stairs.  The doors close behind you.  Pick up 2 sets of magnum clips at the base of the stairs.  (NOTE: If you didn't find the MAGNUMS earlier, you'll get them here instead of one of these sets of clips.)

LONG STAIRCASE WITH MUTANTS: Notice the closed gates.  You'll be returning later.  Advance up the stairs and 2 Atlantean mutants will start down.  Back flip shooting, and continue to side flip if necessary to avoid their attacks.  When they explode, go to the room at the top of the stairs.  Pick up more magnum clips in the dark on the right.  Climb up the blocks and through the opening in the ceiling to emerge on the back of a sphinx.

HUGE CAVE WITH SPHINX: Cross over the left shoulder to the front and hop down to the ledge there (the sphinx's collarbone?).  Another mutant will be running around on the sand below so don't go all the way down yet.  (You'll be seeing more of these shortly.  Some throw fireballs; others spit dangerous goop of unknown origin.  You need to avoid both.) Use the ledge for cover and shoot the mutant until it explodes.  If you're low on health, climb back up onto the sphinx's back and pick up the large medipak on the raised path at the rear.  Then slide down the side of the sphinx to the ground.  Otherwise, just jump down onto the paw and from there to the ground.  (You can get the medipak later.)

Between the sphinx's paws are some magnum clips and a closed door.  In the southwest corner of the cave, opposite the sphinx's left paw, is a light-colored block just the right height for climbing.  Get on top of it then take a standing jump to the angled block to the right.  Take a running jump to grab the next block and pull up.  Now climb up onto the next block, which is directly opposite the sphinx.  Turn to face the cave wall, then turn a little to the left and take a standing jump to grab the next, slightly higher block.  Pull up and then climb onto the next higher block.  Take the magnum clips off the block to the right.

[NOTE: Alternately, you can take a longer route here: From the flat block directly opposite the sphinx, jump to the flat ledge on the right (when facing the cave wall).  Climb up onto the block ahead.  Then grab the horizontal crevice in the cave wall, traverse to the left as far as possible and drop onto the ledge below.  Climb up the blocks on the right to the ledge above and follow it back along the cave wall (above the horizontal crevice), jumping the gaps, until you come to the magnum clips.]

After picking up the magnum clips, make your way along the cave wall toward the gold switch: First, climb onto the angled block and then jump the gap to land on the next flat block.  Do the same again and continue down and to the right.  (Pick up a save crystal on the way.) Use the switch to open a door down below, turn and ready weapons.  A winged mutant flies in from the far side of the sphinx.  Try and kill it before it gets to Lara, or it may knock her off the ledge.  If necessary, you can head for the corner to the right of the switch.  There isn't much room to maneuver there, but it's more difficult for the mutant to push Lara.  Also, be sure to begin with at least half health.  If the mutant explodes close to Lara, she'll take some damage.

When the coast is clear, face the switch, then jump to the ledge beyond and to the left.  Pick up the shotgun shells.  Take a running jump to grab the next high, jutting ledge.  After picking up more shells, take another running jump to the next ledge.  You can see the gold door above and a bit to the left.  You'll need to open it next.  But first go after a secret.

SECRET ON INVISIBLE PLATFORM: The following sequence is shown in this series of screenshots.  When standing on the jutting ledge after the one with the second box of shotgun shells, turn (north) to face the side of the sphinx.  If you use the Look button and rotate Lara's vision, you can catch a glimpse of a dark object outlined against the lighter background of the sphinx's headdress.  This is the SECRET #1, the UZIS, floating on an invisible platform.

To get there, set up a running jump as usual: Walk Lara to the edge of the jutting ledge and line her up facing the side of the sphinx squarely (i.e., facing due north).  Hop back once, then press Forward and Jump to make Lara take a running jump.  Press Action in the air to grab the edge of the invisible platform and pull up.  Hold the walk button while on the invisible platform.  This way you can maneuver Lara around without fear of her stepping off the edge accidentally.  Pick up the guns.  (At the same time you get some clips to go with them.)

After the secret chime sounds, 2 winged mutants fly in from the other side of the sphinx.  If you use the Uzis, you should be able to kill both before they get close enough to push Lara off the platform.  If you want to conserve ammo, you can quickly descend from the platform (next paragraph) and kill them with pistols or magnums from below.

To get down safely, turn around to face the rock wall (south) and take a running jump from the invisible platform to grab the left (lower) side of jutting yellow ledge (the same ledge you jumped from to get here).  Again, use the walk button to help you maneuver around the ledge and set up the jump.  If you miss grabbing the edge, Lara will land on the flat spot just below, taking a minor amount of damage.  If you do grab the ledge, let go to drop down to that flat spot.  Kill the winged mutants from here if you didn't do so before.  Then drop/slide to the ground.

(NOTE: PlayStation users may want to try the Alternate Method for Getting Uzi Secret, at the end of this walkthrough.  It's a bit more difficult, but there is a save crystal just before the jump to the invisible platform.  It's your call.)

Go to the northwest corner of the cave (on the far side of the sphinx, to the left side when facing it).  Here you'll find a SANDY AREA WITH SQUARE PILLARS of various heights.  Climb onto the lowest one that you can.  Take a running jump to the next low block near the cave wall.  Pull up onto the ledge above.  Stand so the tallest pillar is on Lara's left and take a running jump to the second tallest pillar, then another running jump to the tallest.  Pull up onto the jutting ledge.  Walk forward and turn left.  (PlayStation users get a save crystal here.) Advance slowly as there is a metal jaw trap just around the corner.  Time a jump through it, pick up the small medipak and follow the walkway around to the right toward the switch.  Be careful to jump the gap in the pathjust before the switch.

Throw the switch to open the gold door you saw earlier.  Another flying mutant approaches from the southwest.  You can kill it from this ledge, but I found it easier to make a quick descent and shoot it from the ground.  Take a standing jump down to the ledge with the large medipak.  Turn around and safety drop from the side of the ledge nearest the sphinx.  Drop and slide down the rocks to the ground, pressing and releasing Action as you go to help break Lara's fall.

SIDE AREA WITH STAIRS, POOL and BRIDGE (FIRST ANKH): Now go to the door at the left (north) side of the sphinx, when facing it.  Pick up some magnum clips on the ground near the door and enter.  Walk forward to a slope above a pool.  Turn around and slide down backwards, grabbing the end of the slope.  Traverse to the left and drop onto a ledge.  Pick up the magnum clips and climb into the opening above on the left.

Climb the block steps.  At the top, turn right (before a second set of smaller steps), climb down some more blocks and jump into a second pool.  On the bottom you'll find a GOLD KEY.  Climb back up the block steps, turn left and continue up to the ramp.  (Save your game if you're playing on the PC or Macintosh.) This time slide facing forward and jump at the very last moment to grab the bridge ahead.  If you fall into the water, reload your saved game or climb back up and try again.

Once on the bridge, use the GOLD KEY in the lock to open the door at the opposite end.  A centaur mutant stands guard inside.  If you take just a few steps toward the doorway, you should be able to target the centaur without prompting it to attack.  (If you get too close it will begin to hurl fireballs.) Once you get a lock on it, step back toward the wall with the keyhole.  Keep shooting as it runs past the door and it will eventually explode.  When it does, go into the room and pick up a small medipak from the floor and the ANKH from the pedestal.  (There's also a save crystal here in the PSX game.)

To get back to the SPHINX CAVE, jump into the water, climb out on the landing, climb the block steps, turn right and go down more steps and into the other pool.  Climb out of the water on the other side, go up the steps and turn left toward the exit.

HUGE CAVE WITH SPHINX (AGAIN): Once outside, return to the southwest corner of the cave near the sphinx's left paw and climb onto the same light-colored block you did before.  Jump and grab the next block to the right.  Pull up, turn around and take a standing jump to grab the ledge ahead.  Pull up.  Now go forward along the sandy ledges, turn left and pick up the magnum clips.  (You're now below the first switch you pulled earlier.)

Angle Lara to the left and take a standing jump over the gap to continue.  Keep going to the next gap and take another standing jump to the left.  Continue toward the back wall of the cave (i.e., the east wall behind the sphinx).  Jump the gap then climb up the low blocks on the right.  From here you can see the open gold door above and to the left.  Take a standing jump into the dark opening ahead.  Enter the dark passageway, turn left and climb two low blocks.  (You're now facing the side of the sphinx.) Take a diagonal standing jump to the right.  Climb the rocks to the gold door.  (PlayStation users will find another save crystal here.)

ROOMS HIGH ON EAST SIDE OF CAVE (SECOND ANKH): Enter and go to the right.  Find the movable block-the middle one, which is much brighter than the surrounding blocks-and push it through to the other side of the wall.  Go around the wall, climb onto the block and from there to the ledge.  There's another centaur in the room beyond.  Take a few steps toward the door with weapons drawn, get a lock on it, then move back and toward the left edge and just keep shooting as it runs past the opening.  As with the last centaur, if you don't get too close at first it won't throw fireballs, and you'll be able to kill it easily.  When the mutant explodes, enter and pick up another small medipak and ANKH.

Climb down from the wall, exit through the gold door and slide down the ramp on the right.  Another mutant lurks on the back of the sphinx.  You can use the pointy block for cover if you like.  (If you didn't pick up the large medipak on the path earlier, get it now.) Hop down onto the sphinx's back.

ON TOP OF THE SPHINX: Get up on the low angled block on the right and from there take a running jump to grab the ledge at the back of the sphinx's head.  Pull up and climb to the top of the head.  Place one of the ANKHs in the receptacle here.  Go around to the other side of the head, hop down onto the ledge there and put the second ANKH in place.  This opens the door between the sphinx's paws.  (PSX players also find a save crystal on this ledge.)

(NOTE: If you haven't already gotten SECRET #1, the UZIS and some clips, you can do that now.  See the note "Alternate Method for Getting Uzi Secret" at the end of this walkthrough.)

UNDERGROUND POOL BENEATH THE SPHINX: Climb down to the ground and head for the door between the sphinx's paws, which is now open.  Enter and fall into a small underground lake.  Here you'll find 2 submerged statues of what looks like the Egyptian god Anubis (jackal head, human body).  Swim down between the two statues and pick up some Uzi clips on a ledge.  Also get the box of shotgun shells on the lap of the statue on the left.  Note the doors below each statue and the switch on the arm of the statue on the right.  This is one of those switches that doesn't work underwater.  The lever you're looking for is down in the tunnel between the feet of the statue on the right, just to the right of the gold door.  Pull it to partially drain the lake.  In the process, Lara will be sucked through the door and whisked along to a room where you can surface.

Get out of the water.  Climb up onto the lowest square pillar.  Take a standing jump to grab the next pillar (to the left diagonally).  Pull up.  Take a running jump to grab the bottom of the stairs.  Pull up, climb the stairs and follow the ledge to the end.  You'll hear and see a winged mutant rise up in the area beyond the doorway.  Don't slide down the slope yet.  Instead, shoot the mutant from the safety of the doorway.  After it explodes, slide down the slope.

You're now on a ledge above the two Anubises.  (There's a save crystal here in the PlayStation game.) Go to the left of the ledge and drop down to the small, square ledge below.  Turn around and take a running jump to grab the head of the statue on the right.  Climb up to the top of the head and pick up a large medipak.  [NOTE: In the PlayStation version this medipak can be difficult to spot.  Look for it embedded in the surface of the statue's right (from its own point of view) ear.  Using the Look button and swiveling Lara's view may help you spot it.  To get it, stand on the flat area next to the ear and press Action.]

The quickest way to the bottom is to jump into the water; however, the programmers have made this a bit difficult.  (It's impossible to jump onto the statue's nose but worth trying since the results-Lara springing back to the head-looks so goofy.) Instead, taking a running jump straight down the statue's nose.  Lara will bang into an invisible wall then drop into the water between the statue's legs without taking any damage.  Alternately, drop/climb down between the two statues and circle around to the lap of the statue on the right.

Climb up to the right statue's arm and use that switch now.  This opens the door at the base of the left statue.  Swim down and through it.

LONG, WINDING PASSAGEWAY TO TOP OF SPHINX: Surface and follow the long passageway all the way up to the top.  On the way pick up 2 sets of magnum clips (and another save crystal in the PSX game).  At the top is a SCARAB artifact.  Remember you saw it behind the closed gate at the beginning of the level? In the stairway beyond the gate are 2 "regular" mutants and a centaur.  Pick up the SCARAB and the gate opens.  Back flip or reverse and run down the hallway to the bend.  The mutants will approach first.  Wait for them to come down the hallway, then back (or side flip) down the ramp about a third of the way.  They won't follow Lara beyond this point and you can kill them from here, though you may have to go up into the hallway a few times to draw them closer.  When both are dead, advance toward the doorway to attract the centaur's attention.  Get a lock on it then back down the hallway about halfway.  Its fireballs won't reach this far, and you can shoot it as it runs past.  Again, you may need to advance into the room a couple of times to draw the centaur down the stairs.

SCION ROOM: When all the mutants are dead, cross the room at the base of the stairs and use the scarab to open the other gate.  Pick up the large medipak and magnum clips, then slide down the ramp.  Climb through the window opening and prepare to take on Larson once again.  (Remember him from the Lost Valley? Apparently Lara only stunned him.) He is lurking behind the pillars on the right but emerges spouting threats and lead as soon as you hit the ground.  Keep moving and shooting, and try not to let him get behind Lara, and you'll be done quickly.  Go to the top of the stairs and take the third PIECE OF THE SCION to end the level.

A movie follows: Lara emerges from the caves into bright sunshine.  As her eyes adjust to the light, we see two figures approach-a cowboy and skate punk.  Another, tall, bald and burly, grabs Lara from behind.  They disarm Lara and hold her as Jacqueline Natla emerges from her white Caddy.  Natla demands that Lara hand over the Scion.  One of the thugs pulls the artifact from Lara's knapsack and gives it to his boss.  Natla admires her treasure for a moment then impatiently shouts, "Well, kill her!" Lara shoves the cowboy to one side and sprints toward the edge of the cliff.  She does a swan dive into the water below.  When she doesn't surface after a moment, Natla and her minions drive off.

Lara crawls out of the water, finds her motorcycle and takes off after the bad guys.  She speeds along a twisting canyon road then out onto a spit above Natla's parked car and the yacht anchored nearby.  In true action-hero style, she guns the bike, takes off into the air, and splashes down near the boat.  As the baddies try to figure out what caused the big splash, Lara surfaces on the far side of the boat, climbs aboard and sneaks below deck.  She collapses and some time later awakens to the sound of a motor.  Natla and one of the men take a small boat to land.  Lara emerges from her hiding place and dives into the sea to follow.

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Alternate Method for Getting Uzi Secret: To reach the invisible platform with the UZIS from the top of the sphinx, climb to the top of the head and walk to the left side (when facing the same way as the sphinx).  Take a look around.  Lovely view, isn't it? Notice the blackish object floating in the air between the sphinx and the rock wall where you were climbing earlier? That's the UZIS floating on an invisible platform.  To get them, position Lara at front left corner of the head (the sphinx's left) facing the invisible platform.  Hop back and take a running jump to land there.  (See the screenshots here.) Picking up the guns and clips triggers the appearance of 2 winged mutants.  There are tips for killing them and getting down from the ledge in the main walkthrough, above.

Copyright © 1998-2002 - Stellalune (e-mail stella@tombraiders.net).  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.  Also, for their invaluable help, I give thanks to Kara and Angela, Helena (alternate weapon pick-up points), Daffy C.  (clever method for getting the Uzis), Gareth (large medipak on statue's head in PSX game), and Ian T.  (PSX save crystals and more).  Feel free to copy, distribute and quote this walkthrough, but please include this credit line so people can send me their corrections, comments and suggestions.  Also, if you'd like to offer this on your own web site, please read and follow the instructions here.

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