THE BASEMENT OF DOOM (part of the HALL OF SEASONS level)
IMPORTANT: If you follow the main walkthrough, you won't need this page, since everything here is also covered there. This page is designed to help navigate the circular trap room if you take a different route. Pickups are numbered as they appear in the main walkthrough. You may find them in a different order.
The BASEMENT is basically a large ring lined with lava pits and diabolical traps. You can go in either direction around the ring, choosing the shortest route to the ELEVATOR (leading back up to the MAIN ROOM, if you haven't yet found all 4 ELEMENT CRYSTALS) or the FURNACE, where you'll go after using the 4 CRYSTALS.
To navigate, find the passage where you entered in the list below (EARTH, FIRE, AIR, or WATER). Then, if you choose go left, moving clockwise around the circle, 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 (4) on the landing. (Lara will land almost on top of it if you used the left lever.) Slide down the ramp and pick up V-Packer shells (5) 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 and wait for the rolling spiked wheel to move 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 the lava, 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 weave between them in a serpentine path, you can avoid being skewered as the spikes pop in and out of the walls.
FIRE PASSAGE: If you're entering here from the HALL OF SEASONS, you'll fall through one of the trapdoors from above. There's nothing on the landing. Slide down the ramp, grab the Viper clip (6) in the passage, and then step out into the circular trap room.
If you're proceeding counterclockwise around the BASEMENT, you've just weaved between the horizontal spikes. Continue forward, then left, into the FIRE PASSAGE. It's hard to spot in the dark, but you'll see it when you get close. Pick up the Viper clip (6). Then return to the trap room, turn left, and continue toward 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 of the first lava pit, pull up, then take a running jump across the second pit. (Or use running jumps for both, just be careful not to run off the edge between pits.)
FURNACE ROOM ENTRANCE: This is where you need to go after you've found the 4 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, you can go left (counterclockwise) or right (clockwise) to reach the ELEVATOR. Left is easier, but you'll probably need to go right for all pickups.
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 (8) 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 (1) and V-Packer shells (2) 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.
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