St. Francis' Folly presents one of the most memorable and challenging puzzles in Tomb Raider I Remastered. This towering, multi-level structure filled with deadly traps and mythological tests has stumped players for decades. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning after years away, navigating this ancient structure requires patience, precision, and a bit of strategy. Here's your comprehensive guide to surviving and thriving in this iconic level.
TLDR;
Move cautiously through the level, using the save system liberally. Explore all four god rooms (Neptune, Thor, Atlas, Damocles) for keys. Time your movements through Thor's lightning carefully, jump diagonally for the Atlas puzzle, and move methodically through Damocles' sword traps. Combat is best handled in open areas using pistols for standard enemies. Check near broken pillars and architectural features for secrets and supplies.
Understanding the Level Layout
St. Francis' Folly is essentially a tall, vertical chamber with multiple floors and four themed puzzle rooms named after Greek gods. Each room contains a challenge that rewards you with a key needed to progress.
The basic structure has these key locations:
- Neptune Switch: 1st level / Neptune Door: 5th level
- Atlas Switch: Ground level / Atlas Door: 3rd level
- Damocles Switch: 3rd level / Damocles Door: 1st level
- Thor Switch: 4th level / Thor Door: 2nd level
Take time to study the environment at the beginning of the level. The remastered graphics make identifying paths easier, but if you're having trouble spotting ledges or jumps, try toggling between classic and modern graphics using the dedicated button – sometimes architectural details are more visible in one mode than the other.
Tackling the God Rooms: Order and Strategy
While you can attempt the rooms in any order, there's a recommended approach based on difficulty:
1. Neptune Room
Start with Neptune's room as it involves straightforward swimming mechanics. The underwater passages can be disorienting, so remember to:
- Keep track of the air pockets
- Watch for submerged passages
- Listen for the low-oxygen warning sound
2. Thor Room
The Thor room features deadly lightning traps on the floor. To navigate safely:
- Observe the pattern of the lightning strikes
- Sprint in short bursts between safe tiles
- If unsure about timing, save your game before attempting a run
- Move diagonally when possible to avoid multiple lightning tiles
3. Atlas Room
The Atlas room features a rolling boulder trap and a challenging jumping puzzle:
- When retrieving the key, be ready to quickly sidestep the boulder
- For the stone puzzle, diagonal jumps are often more effective than straight jumps
- Take your time lining up jumps – rushing leads to mistakes
4. Damocles Room
Save this room for last as it contains the most unpredictable traps:
- The falling swords are motion-triggered and difficult to time
- Walk rather than run under suspended swords
- Move cautiously and methodically
- Save frequently as you make progress
Combat Strategies
St. Francis' Folly hosts several enemy encounters, including:
- Bats (nuisance enemies)
- Gorillas and lions (dangerous mid-tier threats)
- Pierre DuPont (recurring human enemy)
For effective combat:
- Lure enemies to open areas where you have room to maneuver
- Use pistols for standard enemies to conserve special ammunition
- Save shotgun shells for emergencies or Pierre encounters
- Take advantage of height differences to shoot enemies safely from ledges
Finding Secrets and Resources
This level contains several hidden areas with valuable pickups:
- Look for suspicious cracks or discolored walls
- Investigate broken pillars and unusual architectural features
- Check for hidden ledges around the main chamber
- Secret areas often contain medipacks and ammunition
One notable secret is accessed through a timed door near the Thor switch – you'll need to make your way down to ground level within approximately 20 seconds to reach it.
Saving Your Progress
Tomb Raider I Remastered offers unlimited saves, which is invaluable in this level. Create save points:
- Before attempting difficult jumps
- Before entering new rooms
- After collecting important items
- Before and after combat encounters
This save strategy significantly reduces frustration when dealing with St. Francis' Folly's notorious traps.
Environmental Awareness
The key to survival is maintaining awareness of your surroundings:
- Look up and down regularly – important paths are often above or below you
- Listen for audio cues that signal traps, enemies, or secrets
- Check corners and alcoves for hidden pickups
- Watch for subtle visual hints in the architecture
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you find yourself stuck:
- Review your inventory to confirm which keys you've collected
- Double-check all floors of the main chamber for missed switches
- Ensure you've activated all switches after collecting their corresponding keys
- Verify that you've opened all accessible doors
With patience, careful observation, and these strategies, you'll conquer one of Tomb Raider's most iconic and challenging levels. St. Francis' Folly stands as a testament to the series' ingenious level design, and completing it remains a satisfying milestone for any Tomb Raider adventurer.