Aquatic Research Area - Starting Area with Machine Guns

Now Lara is back in action. Press the button to open the airlock doors.

The next area has sensor-triggered machine guns, which will kill Lara if she comes within range. So, don't climb down the ladder. Instead safety drop off the walkway to the left of the airlock...

...to land in a safe spot below.

Crawl along the floor to the left.

Then drop into a commando crawl (Duck + Stealth) to squeeze through the small, rectangular opening near the wall.

Beyond that you can stand. Turn the valve and wait about 10 seconds for clouds of steam to fill the room. Now, as long as Lara doesn't stand directly in front of one of the guns, the sensors won't spot her, and she can move freely.

Climb over the stacked crates near the valve and head for the wall behind the second gun.

Climb the pipes on the wall upward, right, then up again.

When you reach the narrow ledge, traverse along it to the right and around the corner. Then drop onto the jutting ledge in front of the open doorway. (If you run out of strength, you can pull up onto the ledge as soon as Lara rounds the corner, as indicated by the blue arrow. Then then drop down in the doorway.)

Follow the hallway around the corner and down the steps.

There's a security camera you can use to scope out the next room, but this isn't necessary. (If you try the camera, press Esc on keyboard or Roll on controller to disengage from it.) There are 2 more machine guns at the far end. To destroy the guns, draw a weapon and advance just far enough so Lara aims at the panel with the blinking light and "Flammable" sign.

You can use Photo Mode to get a better view, or just trust that Lara knows what she's doing.

Shoot this panel several times to set off an explosion that destroys the machine guns.

Now you can pass. Just watch out for the steam billowing from the pipes. It will kill Lara if she walks under it. Instead, stay to the left and climb over the boxes.

Then approach the blue door from the side. Press the button and go through.

NOTE: Alternatively, you can commando crawl across the room. The guns will start firing but won't hit Lara if she's hugging the floor. Crawl all the way to the far corner to the left of the door before standing up. The guns can't "see" Lara in this corner. Carefully sidestep toward the button but don't step out too far. Press the button and run through the door.

In the circular shaft beyond the machine gun room, climb the ladder.

Then follow the hall to the right. Continue around the corner and up the steps.

The next door opens automatically and leads into the Aquatic Research area proper.

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