Lost Valley
The Lost Valley is a temperate gorge high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, and is the third level in Tomb Raider. It contains the entrance to the Tomb of Qualopec and is explored by Lara Croft.
Contents |
Original Version
Upon exiting the City of Vilcabamba Lara comes out on top of a high glacial waterfall that flows from deep inside the mountain. The area running along the river consists mainly of old Incan structures and machinery, the area below the waterfall leads to the Lost Valley itself. Lara can visit either area first, but will return to the path along the waterfall at the end of the level.
The Lost Valley itself is a large canyon which is filled with both tropical plants and dinosaurs. Glacial waterfalls punctuate its length and there are many tunnels and caves on its peripheries. It has been quoted as one of the most recognisable areas from Tomb Raider, and is certainly a landmark area in the canon.
In the original, Lara enters the Tomb of Qualopec through an underwater passage, and later exits from a door behind the waterfall.
Anniversary Version
In Anniversary Lara approaches the waterfall from below, at the side of the lake. In Anniversary she cannot access the Lost Valley before visiting the area at the top of the waterfall, as she must operate some of the machinery before doing so.
The approach to the lost valley is also different, as Lara passes through various caves and passages first, eventually falling right into the valley. A complaint from fans was that the valley cannot be adequately explored as some sections of it are blocked by fallen masonry. However the new route around the top of the valley from the area where Lara battles a Tyrannosaurus Rex was quite popular.
Lara enters and exits the Tomb of Qualopec through an opening behind the waterfall, which is revealed when all the cogwheels are set in place.
Links
Notes
It should be evident that the presence of dinosaurs in the cold Andean climate would be at best unlikely, if not impossible. The Lost Valley is an example of a micro-climate of which examples exist all over the world - for example in the Colosseum in Rome.
Something about the topography of the mountain and the abundance of fresh water from glacial rivers has created the perfect conditions for a warm, steamy environment for the dinosaurs to develop. The Lost Valley must of course extend much further than the area that Lara explores, as there must be some variety of prey animals for the dinosaurs she meets to feed on. The vegetation seen in the valley, consisting mainly of palms and ferns is also similar with flora of prehistoric origins.
Enemies
- Wolves
- Bats
- Velociraptors
- Tyrannosaurus Rex
- Bears (Anniversary only)
