Tomb Raider II Complete Guide (22 Sections) | Ludo.guide

Ludo.guide

Welcome back to the adventure, explorer! Tomb Raider II plunges you into Lara Croft's globetrotting quest for the Dagger of Xian, a mythical artifact said to grant the power of the dragon. You'll be navigating treacherous tombs, ancient ruins, and even underwater caverns across exotic locales like Venice, Tibet, and the South China Sea. Expect intense platforming, puzzle-solving, and plenty of combat against armed cultists and dangerous wildlife as you race to uncover the secrets of this powerful relic.

This guide is your key to mastering every aspect of Lara's second outing. We'll help you conquer challenging boss encounters, from the formidable Fiery Angel to the treacherous forces of Marco Bartoli. Discover the locations of all hidden secrets and collectibles scattered throughout the game's intricate levels, ensuring you don't miss a single piece of lore or a valuable upgrade. Whether you're aiming for a perfect run or just need a hand getting past a tough spot, we've got you covered.

Basics (READ THIS!)

Walkthrough

1
To access the Main Menu, press the left side of the touchpad.
2
Pressing the "Options" button toggles between Classic and Updated graphics.
3
Simultaneously pressing down on both sticks (L3 + R3) pauses the game and enters Photo Mode.
4
In Photo Mode, you can virtually move around an area, viewing terrain and locating enemies. Try this early on to get a feel for it, as it can be very useful.
5
To make Lara draw weapons immediately after picking up an item, hold the Weapons button during the pickup animation. This can work with almost any animation and command button.
6
To skip a cutscene (a non-interactive cinematic the game plays automatically) that immediately follows throwing a switch, stand in front of the switch, press Action, then hold Look during the switch-throwing animation. This does not work for all cutscenes.

Tips

The guide uses controller button names (e.g., "Action") instead of symbols.
Screenshots may vary in graphics style (Classic or Updated) as the author switched between them.
All button sequences are described for traditional "Tank" controls.
Special move button combinations are often outlined in the "Lara's House" portion of Tomb Raider II.
Directions like "Follow the path to the right" mean there is no other choice.
"Turn right" means you have the option to go straight but should take a branch to the right.
"Rotate right" means to stand in place and turn 90º clockwise.
"Rotate slightly right" means to turn less than 90º clockwise, usually about 45º.
"Take a hard right" means to go through an opening and immediately turn right.
"Jog right" usually means you will encounter an obstacle going straight, requiring a turn right then immediately left.
Screenshot lines indicate actions: straight arrows show running direction, vertical arrows show climbing/dropping, curved arrows show jumping, and curved lines on surfaces show running/swimming along a path.
Tomb Raider II uses a stopwatch instead of a compass, so directions are relative to Lara's facing.
Lavender text boxes at the start of levels contain notes for New Game + Mode and can be skipped initially.
"Trophy Alert" indicates an action towards earning a Trophy; "Trophy Time" indicates earning a Trophy.
Always read bullet-pointed step-by-step descriptions.

Trophies and Other Lists

Trophy List:

Trophy: These Doors Are Waiting
Description: Finish the Great Wall chapter
Earned In Level: 1
Trophy: Via Caravelli, Venice!
Description: Finish Venice chapter
Earned In Level: 4
Trophy: We Are Searching the Right Place
Description: Finish Offshore Rig and Maria Doria chapter
Earned In Level: 10
Trophy: Lara Stamps Out Yeti!!!
Description: Finish Tibet chapter
Earned In Level: 14
Trophy: To the Sins and Fortunes of Marco Bartoli!
Description: Finish Temple of Xian chapter
Earned In Level: 17
Trophy: I think I've Seen Enough
Description: Finish Home Sweet Home chapter
Earned In Level: 18
Trophy: I Only Play for Sport! Still!
Description: Finish the game in less than 6 hours
Earned In Level: *
Trophy: Codex of China
Description: Collect all secrets in the Great Wall, Tibet and Temple of Xian levels
Earned In Level: 16
Trophy: Codex of Italy
Description: Collect all secrets in Venice levels
Earned In Level: 4
Trophy: Codex of Bartoli
Description: Collect all secrets in Offshore Rig levels
Earned In Level: 6
Trophy: Codex of Maria Doria
Description: Collect all secrets in Maria Dora levels
Earned In Level: 10
Trophy: Ready to Raid!
Description: Finish the assault course in 1:20 or less
Earned In Level: 0
Trophy: Delivery People Have Finally Arrived
Description: Check out your treasury
Earned In Level: 0
Trophy: Crime and Punishment
Description: Lure the butler into the fridge, wait for him to make a bad sound and lock him in there
Earned In Level: 0
Trophy: Crane Dive
Description: Dive to a lake from the top of the guardhouse
Earned In Level: 1
Trophy: I'm Not Climbing the Walls for This
Description: Do not use the ledge, but take no damage from the flying blades in The Great Wall
Earned In Level: 1
Trophy: Extinct Is Extinct
Description: Defeat both T-Rexes with no evidence
Earned In Level: 1
Trophy: I'm Not Your Tourist
Description: Finish the Venice level without ever getting on a boat
Earned In Level: 2
Trophy: Let's Saddle Up
Description: Jump into the boat from the highest height possible
Earned In Level: 2
Trophy: No Time for the Plague
Description: Don't let the rats bite you
Earned In Level: 4
Trophy: Cooler than Moonraker
Description: Jump from a boat to another boat, making the first one blow up on mines
Earned In Level: 2
Trophy: Emergency Exit
Description: Break any window with yourself in a jump
Earned In Level: 2
Trophy: Pollen Allergy
Description: Don't move the flower block in Bartoli's Hideout
Earned In Level: 3
Trophy: Moving Doesn't Change Who You Are
Description: Obtain library key without moving chandeliers
Earned In Level: 3
Trophy: Bartoli Stash
Description: Get hidden Uzis in the boathouse
Earned In Level: 3
Trophy: Like Father Like Son
Description: Shine a light on Gianni Bartoli
Earned In Level: 4
Trophy: With Respect for Cultural Heritage
Description: Cross the broken roof by dropping only three wooden panels in Opera House
Earned In Level: 4
Trophy: Gold Digger
Description: Take the golden one before the rest of the secret dragons in Opera House
Earned In Level: 4
Trophy: Fight off the B's
Description: Break all the windows with your enemy's initials
Earned In Level: 4
Trophy: Don't Even Need to Wet My Feet
Description: Stay out of the water before you get your guns back in Offshore Rig
Earned In Level: 5
Trophy: In a Rush
Description: Do not remove either of the two blocks from the wall near the fire area
Earned In Level: 5
Trophy: Anger Management
Description: Have Lara get so mad about missing the helicopter that she explodes in a jump
Earned In Level: 6
Trophy: The True Dettox of Evil
Description: Get hidden M16 rifle in Diving Area
Earned In Level: 6
Trophy: Like Caesar
Description: Go through the water shaft in one breath with a gold dragon in your backpack
Earned In Level: 7
Trophy: Nervous Wreck
Description: Finish Wreck of the Maria Doria level by swan diving into the water and swimming to the end in one breath without taking damage
Earned In Level: 8
Trophy: Attentiveness Rewarded
Description: Find a shortcut to avoid entering a room with two levers and moving a block on a blue duct in Living Quarters
Earned In Level: 9
Trophy: No Unnecessary Moves
Description: Do not break the floor panel to get the gold secret in Living Quarters
Earned In Level: 9
Trophy: 10.1
Description: Perform a somersault dive into the water
Earned In Level: 1
Trophy: 20.1
Description: Perform double somersault dive into the water
Earned In Level: 1
Trophy: No Fish Soup Today
Description: Don't hurt the sharks, but don't let them bite you either
Earned In Level: 10
Trophy: Fire Safety
Description: Catch fire from every possible enemy and extinguish it in the water
Earned In Level: 17
Trophy: A Land Walk
Description: Get the cabin key from the inflatable raft without swimming in the underground lake
Earned In Level: 10
Trophy: Who's the Cat and Who's the Mouse
Description: Find the hidden snow leopard
Earned In Level: 11
Trophy: Tibetan Osteopathy
Description: In the first cave of Tibetan Foothills, break the ice wall with your back and survive
Earned In Level: 11
Trophy: Public Service
Description: Drop all the icicles in the Tibetan levels without being hurt
Earned In Level: 14
Trophy: The Tibetan Express
Description: Slip next to the two blocks on the snowmobile
Earned In Level: 11
Trophy: Eco-Friendly
Description: Beat Tibetan Foothills on Foot
Earned In Level: 11
Trophy: An Unexpected Visit
Description: Do not use the tall ladder to enter the monastery
Earned In Level: 12
Trophy: The End Doesn't Justify the Means
Description: Prevent the monks from being killed
Earned In Level: (12) *
Trophy: Per Aspera Ad Astra
Description: Get through the obstacles to the trapdoor key with the jade dragon and no damage
Earned In Level: 12
Trophy: Anuttara-Samyak-Sambodhi
Description: Light a flare in front of the mystical eyes
Earned In Level: 12
Trophy: And I want it Now!
Description: As the snowball moves, manage to get the Tibetan Mask in 25 seconds or less
Earned In Level: 13
Trophy: Snowballs Champion
Description: Reach the top of the hill and make it back to the gate before the avalanche completely stops at the bottom
Earned In Level: 13
Trophy: Recess Bell
Description: Ring the fourth bell and reach the ladder, stepping on the slides no more than four times
Earned In Level: 14
Trophy: Better Not Slip Here
Description: Illuminate the deepest chasm
Earned In Level: 14
Trophy: Hero of Reaching Unreachable Supplies
Description: Get unreachable medipack
Earned In Level: 15
Trophy: Silk Cave
Description: Clear the spider cave without a scratch using only Lara's guns (You actually have to avoid damage from ALL spiders in this level, not just those in the spider cave.)
Earned In Level: 15
Trophy: Wipeout Master
Description: Pass four swinging obstacles in Temple of Xian without slowing down and getting hurt
Earned In Level: 15
Trophy: On Equal Terms
Description: Do not hurt Xian swordsmen while they are levitating but eliminate all of them
Earned In Level: (16) *
Trophy: No Crazy Golf
Description: Let the green boulders stay where they are
Earned In Level: 16
Trophy: Souvenirs From Around the Globe
Description: Take every collectable item in a single walkthrough
Earned In Level: 18

Level 00 -- Lara's Home

Walkthrough

Ready to Raid! Trophy:

Complete the obstacle course in 1:20 or less.
Line up Lara on the left side just behind the first platform. The timer starts when you reach the second platform.
Jump just before Lara hits the second platform to carry her to the third.
Run and jump to the fourth platform, then pull up onto the higher black-topped platform.
From there, perform a running jump, another running jump, and a running jump with grab to pull up onto the last black-topped obstacle. Failing to grab stops the timer, requiring a restart.
Take another running jump to reach the base of the climbing wall. Ensure Lara is all the way against the wall, then jump up and press Action to grab the climbing wall. When climbing, keep Lara centered for faster ascent using hands and feet; off-center climbing uses only arms and is slower.
Run onto the first black square, then jump forward, right, forward, left, and forward again. Aim for the back sides of the squares.
From the last square, perform a running jump with grab to the climbing wall and grab as high as possible.
Climb to the top, then run onto the bridge. Midway across, angle a jump left into the water and swim through the opening.
Angle left, center Lara on the climbing wall, then jump, grab, and climb to the top.
Shimmy right with legs dangling, which is slow.
Grab the handle to ride the trolley down, which deposits Lara gently in front of the last archway. From there, run and jump to the end. Alternatively, take a running jump to the ground, recover, and perform a standing jump over the last barrier, then run and jump to the end.

Delivery People Have Finally Arrived Trophy:

From the end of the obstacle course, go through the stone archway to the left.
Go forward and left between two potted plants to find the entrance to Croft Manor. Face the entrance doors and push the button on your left to open them.
Continue past the fish statue to the maze entrance.
At the maze entrance T-intersection, turn LEFT.
Bypass the path to the right. Go to the corner and make the FORCED RIGHT turn.
After turning, take the path to the LEFT.
At the next T-intersection, go LEFT.
At the next corner, make a FORCED RIGHT, bypass a path to the right, and go all the way to the next corner.
Make a FORCED RIGHT, then a FORCED LEFT, and arrive at a T-intersection. Turn LEFT and run into the corner.
Follow the forced turns: Right, Right, Right, Left, Left, Right, Right. You should have a stone wall on Lara's left.
Take the FIRST RIGHT to arrive at a hole in the ground.
Practice the path out of the maze before throwing the switch, as a timer will start.
Pull up out of the hole and head towards the stone wall to your left. At the wall, take the path to the LEFT.
Follow the 7 forced turns: Left, Left, Right, Right, Left, Left, Left.
Take the FIRST RIGHT, then a Forced Right and a Forced Left.
Follow the long straightaway to the corner and make a FORCED LEFT.
Take the FIRST RIGHT, then RIGHT at the T-intersection.
After a Forced Left, take the FIRST RIGHT to return to the courtyard.
Safety Drop down the hole, rotate a quarter turn clockwise, run forward, turn left, go forward, and pull out.
Pick up the flares.

Tips

Keep Lara centered on climbing walls for faster ascent.
The trolley ride down is an option, but a running jump to the ground might be faster.
Practice the maze exit route before activating the switch.

Level 03 -- Bartoli's Hideout

Walkthrough

1
Drive your boat approximately 20 feet to the dock, the end of level 2.
2
On the dock, shoot 2 rats (#6 - 7 of 23) in front of the door and 2 more rats (#8 - 9 of 23) to the left where stairs go up.
3
Shoot the club guy who comes down the stairs to your left and pick up the large Medi Pack (1).
4
Climb the stairs, killing 2 more rats (#10 - 11 of 23) on the way.
5
Throw the switch to open doors and release an unarmed thug (8) heading up the stairs; be ready to take him out. Pick up the small Medi Pack (2).
6
Step onto the tiles inside the opened doors, and a gunman (9) will appear on the balcony to the right; eliminate him quickly.
7
Another gunman (10) will appear under the same balcony; run into the room and aim for the square pillar on the right.
8
Watch for the gunman who can come from either side of the pillar and use Run and Roll as soon as Lara can target him. Pick up the shotgun shells (3) he drops.
9
To the left of the entrance is a glassed-in room with 2 Dobermans (11, 12); shoot out the glass and terminate the dogs.
10
Enter the room and go to the far right end for a small Medi Pack (4), flares (5), and pistol clips (6).
11
Exit the room and turn left, past swinging statues, into a dark room. Throw the switch on the far left wall to open a door and stop the swinging swords.
12
Return to the main area for a Trophy.
13
To get the Trophy 'Pollen Allergy' without moving the flowered block: face the wall behind the balcony, look up to see 2 ladders. Line up with the left ladder, position Lara's toes on the seam between the second and third rows of tiles. A jump with grab should latch onto the ladder to climb to the balcony.
14
Go left, drop into the balcony, and relieve the gunman of his auto pistol clips (7). The Trophy will appear at the end of the level if the flowered block is not moved.
15
Get back on the ladder, climb up and right to the opening to the outside and save.
16
If you go outside, a gunman (13) will appear on a balcony to your right. Stand with your back against the ladder wall, positioning Lara to straddle the step up to the outside balcony so she can target the gunman with minimal risk.
17
When he is down, go onto the balcony, turn left, and do a running jump to the orange awning. Press Action so Lara grabs the edge as she slides down.
18
Shimmy left as far as possible, pull up, and do a backflip onto the balcony. From there, do a running jump/grab to the wooden platform. Pull up and Save.
19
To enter the opening below without taking damage: Center Lara at the forward edge of the wooden platform, hop back, rotate her left towards the opening. Run towards the edge, and just before Lara reaches it, hit Roll and hold left on the D-pad.

Tips

In New Game+, gunmen are slow to turn or shoot and can often be defeated with pistols.
Aim to avoid all Medi Packs in a New Game+ replay.
The battle against 2 club guys and a dog is tough; use good ammo to minimize health loss.
Use the shortcut to get the Library Key. Then safety drop to the ground, get on chandelier #2, jump to the ledge with the switch, and proceed.
Be aware of 12 rats spread across 5 locations; avoid all damage from them and save after each encounter.
Run and Roll is often the best choice when you cannot eliminate enemies from a safe position.
The scenery is pleasant, and collecting Trophies is only slightly out of the way.