Tomb Raider Curse of the Sword Walkthrough: Levels in Order
Curse of the Sword is a Game Boy Color adventure with seven levels, starting at the museum. Here is the level order and how to read the walkthrough maps.
In this article
You can follow Tomb Raider: Curse of the Sword from the start by beginning at the Museum, the first level, and working through the levels in order. The game is for the Game Boy Color, and this walkthrough covers the whole adventure from the first room onward [1][2].
The level order runs Museum, Rooftops, Subway, Runaway Train, Docks, Jungle, and Caves. Each level builds on the one before it, so you should not skip ahead. Finish the Museum before moving to the Rooftops, and so on through the list [2].
If you get stuck, full guides exist as text walkthroughs and as wiki pages. The Lara Croft Wiki has a walkthrough page that lists each level as its own section, so you can jump straight to the one you need [2]. GameFAQs also lists guides and walkthroughs for the Game Boy Color version [1].
Key takeaways
- Start at the Museum and move through the levels in order.
- The order is Museum, Rooftops, Subway, Runaway Train, Docks, Jungle, Caves.
- Text walkthroughs and wiki pages both cover the full game.
What order do the levels come in?
The walkthrough starts in the Museum, the first level of the game. Each level after it comes in a set order, so you always know which one is next. [2]
After the Museum, play Rooftops and then Subway. Runaway Train comes right after Subway, so it is the fourth level you play. [2] If you finish Subway and find yourself heading back up to the rooftops, you have gone the wrong way.
The last three levels are Docks, Jungle and Caves. Caves is the seventh and final level, so it finishes the game. [2] By the time you reach the Jungle, the Docks should already be behind you, so you can keep moving forward without backtracking.
Use this order as a quick check on where you are. If the level you are in does not match the next section of the walkthrough, count down the list from the Museum to find your place. Once you know the order, you can move through the walkthrough one level at a time without skipping ahead by accident.
How do the walkthrough notes and maps work?
The walkthrough refers to objects by short labels, and those labels match the level maps. An S# is a switch, a D# is a door and a C# is a save crystal [3]. Find the label on the map, and you know exactly where the step happens.
The numbers link pieces together. Switches are numbered to match their doors, so switch 1 opens door 1, and switch 3 extends ledge 3 [3]. When the text tells you to use S2, look for D2 or the ledge with the same number nearby.
Pickups are the one thing you can plan around on the map. The author notes that all pickups are marked there [3]. Enemies and hazards work differently: they appear in the walkthrough text but not on the maps [3], so read the text before you enter a new room.
Here's how that looks in the Museum. The text tells you to use the red switch (S1) to extend the ladder rungs you just passed [3]. To use a switch, you stand in front of it and press A [3]. Then you find S1 on the map to confirm where you are.
What is the story and what weapons do you get?
Lara Croft's quest in Curse of the Sword is to save her own soul. [4] The story starts when a person cuts her and puts a curse on her with the sword. [4] That curse is the reason Lara keeps moving forward, so keep it in mind as you read each level.
Think of the story as the goal behind every room you enter. When a puzzle or fight slows you down, asking "how does this get Lara closer to lifting the curse?" can help you stay focused on what matters. A clear goal also makes it easier to remember why you are doing something, especially in a game with several levels.
Weapons you get
The game lists three weapons for Lara. [4]
- Pistols
- Uzis
- A shotgun
Each weapon gives you a different way to handle a fight. Pick the one that suits the moment, and switch when a situation calls for it, rather than sticking with the same weapon out of habit.
Where can you find the full walkthrough?
For more help, GameFAQs lists two guides and walkthroughs for the Game Boy Color version [1]. Use them as a backup if you get stuck on a puzzle or a route that this article doesn't spell out clearly.
Your next step is to open the level list and start at the museum. Follow the labels on the maps from there, one level at a time. Keep the map open beside you while you play, and work through the levels in the order they are listed so you never lose your place in the game.