NOTES ON THE REMASTER: I have attempted to provide running kill, item, and secret counts. (Details are in a footnote following the first-level walkthrough.) I have also tried to cover all achievements/trophies, except New Game+. These guides are based on classic tank controls, but I hope they will be useful for those using modern controls. Follow this link for the archived classic guide. Chronicles does not include a "Restart Level" option, so I recommend making a new save at the beginning of each level in case you need to replay. Follow this link for Steam/GOG save files.
LEVEL 3: THE COLOSSEUM (Remaster)
Updated: 12/16/25(†)
LEVEL MAP by VGCartography (used with permission)
Chronicles Remastered Video Walkthrough by Eldincy
Pickups: 12, including Uzis, 2 Gemstone Pieces, 2 keys, Philosopher's Stone, and 3 Golden Rose Secrets*
Kills: 9
NOTE: This level is quite a bit darker than the previous outdoor ones. I've cranked up the brightness for the screenshots, but if you're struggling, don't hesitate to light a flare. You'll probably have more than you need by now, and equipment doesn't carry over to the next location. Open Options > Control > Change Controls to view or change the default flare button. Lara can climb and crawl while holding a flare. Or, after lighting one, you can toss it ahead of you by pressing the Flare button again, or drop it on the spot by drawing a weapon. To pick up a dropped flare, stand over it and press Action, just like any other object.
UNDERGROUND CELLS WITH SKELETONS: Follow the passageway forward into the catacombs. Just beyond the grate letting light in from above, look to the right for a movable block with a metal ring on it. Push it to reveal a secret room containing a golden rose (1) (70/239), SECRET #1 (7/36). Return to the main passage and continue to the right. Start through the narrow space between the high stone walls. (screenshots)
Cutscene: The floor crumbles beneath Lara's feet revealing a lava pit below.
As soon as the cutscene ends, run forward and jump at the edge of the solid floor to clear the gap. (screenshots)
ROOMS WITH GRATING FLOORS/LION CAGES: The exit, ahead on the right, is closed. Hang from the doorsill above the lava pit. Traverse to the left and around the corner. Then pull up into the crawlspace. Crawl forward, then press Jump to somersault into the small room below. Press the square button to open the exit from the big room above. Climb back into the crawlspace. Turn around and crawl backwards toward the opening. Hold Action + Back to drop and hang above the lava pit. Traverse back around the corner and pull up. Proceed through the room with the grating floor and out the door on the right. Follow the passageway to a slope, but don't slide down yet. If you're after achievements/trophies, you'll need to play the next section carefully. (screenshots)
The "Long Live the King!" achievement/trophy requires you to kill all the lions in this level using the Uzis, which you don't have yet. So you'll have to avoid the first three lions you encounter, then go back and kill them. We'll cover this step by step. If you don't care about achievements, just shoot the lions as you meet them. The shotgun works well, but pistols will do in a pinch.
Quick-save before sliding down the ramp into the room with the first lion (1) (8/62). It is waiting just inside on the right. Run to the left and press the button to open the exit on the opposite wall. Immediately do a backflip and mid-air roll. That is, press Jump + Back, then immediately press Roll to somersault in the air and land facing the exit. (If you can't manage this, just backflip, then roll.) Then run/jump past the second lion (2) (9/62) as it charges through the open gate. Run straight across the next room and climb the ladder. Before entering the next room, turn around and take the GEMSTONE PIECE (2) (71/239) from the pedestal. (screenshots)
NOTE: We'll count the enemies as we go, but naturally, if you're avoiding lions for the achievement, the actual order of kills will differ.
STACKED ROOMS WITH RAMPS AND STONE PILLARS: When you enter the next room, a gladiator (3) (10/62) rushes Lara from the left. Blast him a couple times with the shotgun. Then go into the alcove where he originated and pick up a small medipack (3) (72/239). Follow the ramp up to another similar area. Again a gladiator (4) (11/62) attacks from the left. The alcove where he came from contains Uzi ammo (4) (73/239) and a button. Press it to open a door on the upper level. (screenshots)
Proceed up the next ramp and the next. Quick-save before you reach the top. Another gladiator (5) (12/62) and a third lion (6) (13/62) charge out of the room ahead on the right. Take care not to target the lion as you shoot the gladiator. (If Lara won't cooperate, reload and try again.) Run/sprint into the room the enemies came from, go around the corner to the left, then left again. Grab the UZIS (5) (74/239) lying on the floor. Immediately equip them and use them to kill the lion. When the coast is clear, pick up the large medipack (6) (75/239) sitting nearby. (screenshots)
Now make your way back down to the room with the grating floor, where you found the GEMSTONE PIECE on the pedestal. Climb down the ladder to the floor and shoot the first 2 lions with the Uzis. It may help to climb almost to the bottom, then press Jump to backflip off the ladder, draw weapons, and hop back firing. Then the lions are less likely to pin Lara against the wall. Try to tap the fire button gingerly and only when Lara has a target lock so you don't waste ammo. (Thats 3 of 4 lions. We'll meet the last one shortly.) (screenshots)
IMPORTANT: In the Steam version, at least, you must climb down the ladder to the floor before killing the lions. If you shoot the lions from the opening above, it won't count for the achievement. (I learned this one the hard way after much playtesting.)
Climb back up the ladder. Be sure to take the GEMSTONE PIECE from the pedestal if you didn't do so earlier. Then return up the first two ramps to the wide doorway. Go through into a new area. (screenshots)
HUGE CAVERN WITH ROPE AND LEDGES: Step out onto the walkway between the entrance and the octagonal platform in the middle of the room. Safety drop off either side onto the ledge below. (If you hang and drop here, Lara will not lose health, as she would from a longer fall.) Climb the stairs to the ledge with the rope. (screenshots)
Pull the rope three times to raise a pedestal in the middle of the high platform. You can only take the GEMSTONE off the pedestal when it is raised, and you have about 30 seconds to get up there before the pedestal recedes. (screenshots)
There are various paths for the timed run to the pedestal, but here's what worked best for me:
Position Lara facing the central platform as she pulls the rope. After pulling it three times, quick-save. Then you can easily reload if you flub the run. Hop back once, turn right, then take a running jump off the front right corner of the ledge to land on the thin stone ledge ahead. (You'll need to run on a curving path to the corner, take off as close to the edge as possible, steer Lara a little in the air, and not hold Action in order to stick the landing.) Skip the next paragraph. (screenshots)
Or, alternatively, after pulling the rope and quick-saving, hop back once. Then run (don't jump) past the rope and off the edge to land on the ledge below. When Lara regains her footing, run forward and jump over to the ledge ahead on the right. (screenshots)
Run forward along the thin ledge and jump onto the well-lit, bi-level block ahead. Run onto the upper step and press Walk to stop Lara from running off the edge. If you've done everything up to this point without hesitation, you can take a moment to set up the next jump. Walk to the edge. Hop back once. Then take a running jump to grab the long ledge ahead. Pull up, turn left, and run around to the left toward the central platform. Do not waste time setting up the final jump. Just run forward, jump at the edge, and grab the central platform. Pull up, run forward, and grab the second GEMSTONE PIECE (7) (76/239) before the pedestal recedes. (screenshots)
NOTE: If you're having trouble with this sequence, there are some alternatives in the archived classic guide. If you're playing the Steam/GOG version, you can download a save file. Be sure to follow the linked instructions carefully so you don't lose your progress in the other remastered games.
Once you have the GEMSTONE PIECE, follow the walkway to the right. The door opens as you approach. Step forward and fall through the floor. (screenshots)
NOTE: We'll return to the room beyond the collapsing floor in a little while.
Cutscene: Lara and Pierre exchange quips on the edge of a chasm. As usual, Lara has the last word.
WALKWAY ABOVE DEEP PIT: If you don't care about secrets, just head up the ramp on the left and skip down to the next section. Otherwise, you'll need to backtrack for the next secret. Turn right and follow the ledge along the edge of the deep pit. Then take a carefully set-up running jump over the slippery slope to the flat area beyond. (Or, jump to the flat area above the slope and walk along above it. Or, hang from the ledge and traverse past the slope, then pull up.) Climb into the doorway and go up the steps to emerge back in the CAVERN WITH THE ROPE AND LEDGES. (screenshots)
Climb back up to the pedestal where you got the second GEMSTONE PIECE. (There's no need to hurry and no need to pull the rope first.) Go through the doorway on the right, where Lara fell through the floor before. This time the inner gate opens as you approach and remains open. Take a running jump across the open trapdoor. In the next room you'll find another golden rose (8) (77/239) (SECRET #2, 8/36). (screenshots)
To get back to the main path quickly and safely, walk to the edge of the trapdoor. Jump forward and grab the opposite edge. Then let go and drop onto the slope below. Hold Action as Lara slides to grab the end of the slope. Traverse to the left, so Lara is hanging above the highest part of the floor below. Then let go to drop without injury. Now you're back at the deep pit. Turn right, jump down to the flat walkway, then continue up the ramp to the next room. The door at the top opens as you approach. (screenshots)
NOTE: If you missed the first GEMSTONE PIECE, you can go back for it now. Details are in a footnote.
ROOM WITH GEMSTONE RECEPTACLE: If you like, you can climb onto the windowsill for a lovely view of the arena below. Then approach the circular receptacle and save the game. Open your Inventory and combine the two GEMSTONE PIECES (just like you did with the revolver and laser sight earlier). Then use the complete GEMSTONE in the receptacle. (screenshots)
Cutscene: The mechanism turns and the floor begins to collapse.
As soon as the camera shifts to show Lara from above, you're in control. Hop back once then backflip to land on a small, solid ledge on the opposite side of the lava pit. Or, roll and then take a running jump onto the small ledge as the floor collapses around you. (screenshots)
Take a running jump across the lava to the opening below the gemstone receptacle. Drop back and grab the edge of the floor. Traverse to the left and around the corner. Continue traversing along the horizontal crevice until you can drop down on the wide ledge on the other side of the pit. Enter the small room beyond and climb onto the low block. (screenshots)
ROOM OVERLOOKING THE ARENA: The fourth lion (7) (14/62) for the "Long Live the King!" achievement/trophy is waiting in the room above, along with his gladiator buddy (8) (15/62). They don't spawn until you actually climb up into the room. So, before climbing up, equip then stow the shotgun. (Keyboard hotkeys for shotgun and Uzis are 2 and 3, respectively.) Stand on the block facing the lava cavern, walk to the edge, then jump up to grab the opening. Pull up and draw the shotgun as you turn right to face the oncoming enemies. The lion comes from ahead on the left. The gladiator, from the right. So you should be able to pop the gladiator twice with the shotgun as you hop backwards. When the gladiator falls, switch to Uzis. Run/jump past the lion, roll, then start firing as you hop/backflip away to the other side of the room. If you've killed the other 3 lions with Uzis as well, the achievement should register when this lion dies. (screenshots)
Or, if you don't care about achievements, you can climb up to spawn the enemies. Then drop back into the hole and shoot them by jumping in place on the block while firing pistols. (screenshot) You may need to climb up once or twice to get their attention.
NOTES: As mentioned above, if "Long Live the King!" doesn't unlock for you, it may be due to using pistols to "soften up" the lions before killing them with Uzis. But most likely it's because you didn't climb down the ladder to kill the first two lions.
When the gladiator dies, he drops COLOSSEUM KEY 1 (9) (78/239). It's not hard to find if you're using modern graphics, but a little difficult to spot on the patterned floor with classic graphics. Press F1 on keyboard or Start/Options/+ on Xbox/PS/Switch controller to toggle the graphics mode if necessary. Use this key in the lock to the left of the double doors. (screenshots)
Cutscene: Another statue—this time with a hammer—comes to life in the next room.
Save the game as soon as the cutscene ends. You'll need to defeat the animated statue (9) (16/62) using only pistols and without taking damage if you want the "Feet of Clay" achievement/trophy. This guy moves slowly and isn't too difficult to beat, but you still need to be careful. Each time the statue bangs his hammer, a shockwave emanates from it, and Lara will take damage if she's too close. Of course, you can be a badass and run/jump around him, plugging away with your pistols while avoiding the hammer blows. But if you want an easier way, try this strategy (with screenshots):
After the fight, return to the room where the statue originated and climb into the small, square doorway, which is now open. Take COLOSSEUM KEY 2 (10) (79/239) from the pedestal. Use it to unlock the second set of double doors, out in the main room. Slide down the ramp, but don't take the stone yet. (screenshots)
LEDGE WITH GOLDEN SUN AND PHILOSOPHER'S STONE: Before claiming your prize, go after the third secret. Take a running jump over the spike pit to the T-shaped ledge. (screenshots)
NOTE: If you missed the earlier mention of flares, check the note above. You may need one here.
From the T-shaped ledge, take a running jump over more spikes to grab the small ledge on the far side of the cave. Pull up. Then crawl through the opening into a small room, where you'll find a golden rose (11) (80/239) (SECRET #3, 9/36). If you've found all secrets so far, you'll unlock the "Codex of Rome" achievement/trophy. (screenshots)
Return through the crawlspace and back across the spikes to the golden ledge. Use the CROWBAR to pry the PHILOSOPHER'S STONE (12) (81/239) from the wall and end the level. (screenshots)
The achievement/trophy "And So Ended the First of Many" unlocks automatically when you finish Rome.
Cinematics: Lara's old friends introduce the next adventure, in which Lara sought a powerful artifact known as "The Spear of Destiny" on a sunken German U-boat. Flashing back to that time, Lara meets Charles Kane on a hilltop overlooking the Zapadnaya Litsa naval base, located in northwestern Russia, just off the Barents Sea. After a very brief reconnaisance, Lara heads down to the base.
BACKTRACKING FOR THE FIRST GEMSTONE PIECE: You obtained the second GEMSTONE PIECE (i.e., the one that looks like a golden C-shape) from the timed retracting pedestal. It is unmissable. The first GEMSTONE PIECE is in the room with the grating floor above the room with the first two lions. To get back there from the gemstone receptacle, first return down the ramp to the DEEP PIT where we last saw Pierre. Cross over to the small, raised opening, as described above for SECRET #2. Climb back up to the pedestal in the middle of the CAVERN WITH ROPE AND LEDGES. Now, instead of turning right toward the secret room, go left, back into the STACKED ROOMS WITH RAMPS AND STONE PILLARS. (screenshot) Follow the various ramps all the way down to the lowest level. Proceed through the far door, and you'll see the GEMSTONE PIECE sitting on a small pillar. (screenshot) Grab it and return to the receptacle.
†UPDATE HISTORY: Updates made prior to the Tomb Raider IV-V-VI Remastered release, including credit for tips sent in by other players, are tracked in the archived classic guide.
12/16/25 - Remastered guide first posted.
*NOTES ON PICKUPS, SECRETS, AND KILLS: There are 239 pickups and approximately 62 kills in the entire game. The total number of pickups includes 36 golden rose secrets. All pickups are required for the "Hoarding Order" achievement/trophy. Finding all secrets unlocks an achievement/trophy at the end of each level set (Rome, Russia, etc.) See the footnote following the STREETS OF ROME walkthrough for details on how these statistics are tracked in-game and in this walkthrough.
NOTE ON LEVEL MAPS: Special thanks to VGCartography for the excellent level maps, which are used here with permission. Visit VGCartography on DeviantArt and follow on Twitter/X and YouTube for more fantastic game maps.
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