The Sand Canyon is the location of the first element.
When you first exit, one kamikazie will arrive from over the hill. Destroying it will have Sam make a sarcastic remark, before an entire wave of them approach. Harder difficulties will also add werebulls to the mix. On the other side of the hill are additional enemies that wait. When safe, you can enter the building on the left. You can also skip this battle if you delay killing the first enemy and run directly to the destination.
When you descend, it splits into a path leading to a foggy room and a door. The foggy room is a Kleer ambush, and should be avoided unless if survival is a priority. Continue throught the door.
When you continue, the way is barred as you watch some of metal forces scream their way to the right. When the bars lower, you can follow them, or collect some supplies to the left. The left has a boulder trap which can be avoided by side stepping or retreating.
The right leads to the kamikazies that ran past you earlier, and is also the marsh hopper room. Shortly after entering, marsh hoppers will be released from the left and right-hand side of the room, but they are easily killed with any attack in one hit. Once all marsh hoppers are cleared out, the next door opens.
The next room turns to the left, with a few enemies. Although there's pickups on the right, it triggers a small ambush by two flanking Gnaars.
The exit tunnel has a Gnarr. If killed, it will create a swarm of Gnarrs in the same tunnel.
Once outside, you are only a short walk away from the tomb entrance. There will be one last surge of enemies, coming from the other side of the canyon or from the tomb itself. There are a few scattered items, although items on the left tend to have a boulder that falls into the canyon.
Secrets[edit]
There are six secrets. As typical for the game, three of them are hazardous.
- Before entering the first building, head to it's right and around the corner. This is a ledge that opens to reveal ammo and two harpies.
- From the first secret, you can jump over part of the unclimbable hill to reach a hidden valley. The valley contains ammo, but collecting it will cause kamikazes to spawn.
- In the marsh hopper room, there's a wall on the right hand side, near the corner where you entered the room. It contains a tommy gun.
- After the marsh hopper room, there's a bounce pad to the left of the door in the corner. This is a bounce pad that brings you to heavy armor above the door.
- Across from the door leading from the marsh hopper room, there's a room with a ramp. Under the ramp is a +25 health.
- At the end just before the exit, there's a pill on top of the tomb. Reach it by climbing the ground just to the left of the tomb, and jumping over the section that causes you to slide down. Getting the pill will start a Gnaar ambush.
In the HD version, the two mountain-climbing secrets are easier as you should be able to walk right into then.