Pyramid of the Gnosticene Ancients
| Game | Keen 4 |
|---|---|
| Level number | 13 |
| Location | Shadowlands |
| Collectibles | [[Has collectible::Council Member]] |
| Dimensions | 100 x 112 tiles |
| Total points | 21,800 |
| Total ammo | 6 Neural Stunners6 ammopack <br />6 VorticonHyperPistol <br />6 Pistol <br />6 SuperFlowerPower <br />6 Raygun <br /> |
| Extra lives | 4 |
| Song | Too Hot to Handle |
| Required? | Yes |
The Pyramid of the Gnosticene Ancients is a level in Keen 4, one of the Pyramids of Shadowlands located in the jungles of the Shadowlands of Gnosticus IV. It is one of the two smooth-surfaced pyramids, along with the Pyramid of the Forbidden. It has a drawing of an eye over its entrance.
This pyramid, unlike others, is a little less structured, containing several downslope tunnels. It has three main areas: a main, upper, bigger area, with platforms, ledges and some tunnels; a second, enclosed area, with a tar pit and the stone door; and a third, undeground area, with a big tar pit leading to the trapped Council Member. The level is populated mainly by Poison Slugs, Skypests and Licks. This pyramid is the only place where the Treasure Eaters can be found. There are not many hazards apart from the two tar pits; there are only a couple knife shooters and moving shovels.
There are two main goals in the first area: use moving platforms to get to the highest point, in order to play with several bridge switches until the bridge closing the second area is opened; and getting the red gem. In the second area, Keen has to go over the first tar pit in order to open another bridge that is closing the way to the third area. Then, he can use the gem to open the door to that bridge, and enter the stone door. In the third area, Keen has to get the green gem, and use a moving platform over the second tar pit to reach the Council Member's jail. This last part is trickier, as Keen has to jump from the moving platform to land platforms back and forth, as the moving platform passes just below the land parts, and Keen would fall off if he stayed there.
Miscellaneous info
- There are a couple secret areas in the level. In the first tar pit, if Keen gets on the moving platform, he can reach a secret passage to the left that gets him to a Lifewater Flask. It is also worth noting that the Treasure Eaters will usually take several important items if not dealt with (even the green gem to free the Council Member). The first one Keen meets will get two Lifewater Flasks just as Keen approaches him, so Keen needs to shoot him as soon as he appears on screen to stun him before he gets the extra lives (it may jump upwards, but cannot steal the Flasks when already stunned).
- There are 4 Treasure Eaters in the level. Three of them are in the main area, the last one is in the enclosed area. If Keen aims to get all the items possible, he must dispatch them first. a) After getting the aforementioned extra lives, an Impossible Pogo Trick is recommended to get to the platform above the Flasks. There, another should be done to get on the Goplat standing there, and quickly shoot the second Eater (else, it will teleport away to the Candy Bars). b) The third one's waiting at the Three-Tooth Gums. It must be stunned as soon as possible. c) The last, fourth Eater shouldn't be a problem. It's moving to get the Raindrops under the bridge, but Keen's usually faster than him.
- If everything goes as planned, a total of 21,800 points can be collected, including 4 Three-Tooth Gums, 12 Shikkers Candy Bars, 2 Jawbreakers, 4 Doughnuts and 1 Ice Cream Cone (800 + 6,000 + 2,000 + 8,000 + 5,000 = 21,800). There are 68 drops, and 4 Lifewater Flasks. The flask above the dart gun on the left side of the level is only possible to collect in versions 1.0 and 1.1 of Keen 4 due to later changes in item pickup behavior, making it impossible to collect it without cheating in versions 1.2 and 1.4.
- See also the Pyramids of Shadowlands and List of Keen 4 Levels.