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![]() Download the PSX prototype (on hiddenpalace.org) 28 August 1998 |
![]() Download the PSX ECTS demo (on Tomb of Ash) September 1998 |
![]() Download the PSX beta demo 14 September 1998 187 Mo |
![]() Download the PSX beta demo 2 October 1998 169 Mo |

![]() Download the PSX beta 5 October 1998 169 Mo |

![]() Download the PC beta demo 6 October 1998 4,23 Mo |
Tomb Raider III's Area 51 demo level is almost synonymous with the Sony PlayStation where at least two versions of the level were released publicly. Then there's this third PC version which was relatively unknown until it was brought to
light in 2014.
As far as is known, this PC version of the Area 51 demo was released exclusively on an Eidos Interactive demos disc which was included with some copies of Tomb Raider III in the USA. Notably, no mention of Tomb Raider III is made on the
disc.
At the title screen the only item available is Lara's passport which allows you to either start a new game or exit the demo.
The level is dated 6th October 1998, making it the latest released version of the Area 51 demo. It is roughly the same as the other PlayStation demos. As usual, Lara begins in a cell rather than the back of a truck.
Lara's model, unlike earlier Area 51 demos, is the final version but still possesses the pre-release sprinting animation.
This demo reveals different uniforms for the prisoners, their clothing of a light grey including long-sleeved shirts instead of the sleeveless ones which the retail prisoners wear.
Unused objects comprise of a mysterious opaque red box and an underwater propeller.
Inside the title screen file are numerous models not found in the retail version. Among these are an untextured Lara model, the Croft Manor polaroid from Tomb Raider II and a PlayStation controller in place of the keyboard arrows.
The previous game's set of weapons can also be found here along with 2D versions of Tomb Raider III's weapons that were probably intended to be sprites before 3D display models were introduced. Both were ultimately scrapped and the 3D
models were later perfected for the next installment.
Below is a list of different changes in the 3D models from this Area 51 beta demo. Screenshots taken with TRViewer.

![]() Download the PSX prototype (on hiddenpalace.org) 13 October 1998 |
![]() Download the PSX prototype (on hiddenpalace.org) 15 October 1998 |
![]() Download the PSX prototype (on hiddenpalace.org) 20 October 1998 |
![]() Download the PC beta demo 22 October 1998 5,63 Mo |
![]() Download the PSX preview build 26 October 1998 350 Mo |