cp_goldfinger

Oh, so it's more like a classic domination game (own both points simultaneously)? If so, neat.

Video Review

Bottom line

Overall, cp_goldfinger is a carefully built map that guarantees the authentic TF2 experience along with the adrenaline-filled, action-packed moments of fast fights.

Video Review

Bottom line

Overall i suppose I do like it, but I'd only go further than that if it had some custom content and a larger playing field. Not bad at all.

Video Review

Bottom line

CP_Goldfinger is a fairly average TF2 map packing fast-paced, action-packed combat into a very small area. However it doesn't bring anything new to the playing field and in terms of gameplay seems a little unbalanced especially for the support classes. As such seems a little flat and uninspired.

Review

After finally getting my hands on Team Fortress 2 with the Orange Box somewhere in mid-December last year, it has quickly become my absolute favorite multiplayer timewaster, beating games like Counter-Strike and StarCraft. No wonder I was quite delighted to see cp_goldfinger, the community's first custom TF2 map hit our Map Vault, not to mention getting a chance to review it shortly afterwards.Gameplay-wise, goldfinger is a small, sometimes slightly cramped, fast-paced two-control point map where both points can be captured simoultaneously and are never locked. This gives way to some awesome and frantic gameplay, although it could have been executed better.One of the main problems I encountered was the absolute lack of vertical combat. Apart from 100% of the map being completely linear with the exception of a few props you can jump on and a few roof support beams in the train depot right near RED spawn, any positions you'd expect to be accessible via rocket/pipebomb/double-jumping are clipped away, making the aforementioned abilities used to gain a better shooting/ambush position perfectly useless in goldfinger. Another weird design choice was giving no more than 45 seconds of additional time when a point is captured. Of course, it's safe to assume points would end up being captured/re-captured a multitude of times in a map that small, however, the current amounts given are too small even with that in mind. Something between one an two minutes would work much better in my opinion. Also, due to the fact that setup time was barely long enough for you to reach the control points, it's very tough for engineers to set up their sentries/dispensers before before getting raped from all four directions. Same goes for medics when preparing ?bercharges.Issues aside, gameplay was fairly enjoyable. With the time it takes you to get to any of the chokepoints is never above 20 seconds, "fragfest" or "meat grinder on XTC" would be the best terms to describe how fast things get in goldfinger, making the map great fun when playing as classes relying more on firepower/agility, not tactical advantage. Unlike gameplay, visuals were really nothing special. Architecture had no direct flaws and was clean overall, not presenting anything too new or original. Thanks to scenery, all those small control points felt somewhat bigger and more open, which is a great achievement in a map as small as this. Detail props were also ample, making the environment much more realistic and believable. Inaccessible security booths with blood splattered all over them were a nice addition and gave the map at least some background story.My only complaints for architecture would be that huge pile of containers in control point 1, which looks weird even with TF2's cartoony style, and the truck in control point 2, looking out of place due to there being no roads/passages big enough for a vehicle to pass through in the area.Texturing was average as well. With a default TF2 industrial theme chosen, there was pretty much nothing making it stand out. Can't say anything negative about it, though it gets a bit redundant when 9/10 custom TF2 maps utilize the exact same array of textures. Some custom content would really work well here.Another passenger aboard SS Average, lighting, was adequate with nothing to make it stand out. Yellow and white lights kept the map bright enough for any crazed individuals to refrain from accusing the map of being too dark and thus blaming that for their poor performance. While not really bland, some reddish/greenish lights would've accompanied the theme right, as well as spiced things up.A bit beter than the others, ambience, was overall well-executed, yet still somewhat lacking. Excessive use of soundscapes gave every area a distinct sound and even without anything custom, worked pretty good in the map. However, it's the distinct sounds that were missing. I mean stuff to go with the things surrounding you, like a motor sound for the truck, a pneumatic hammer pounding on the processing line behind those factory walls in the distance, steam running through pipes, hell, maybe a crow or two passing over the control point. These sounds, even if mostly overwhelmed by intense gunfire, screams, taunts and explosions, are not something you should overlook. After all, when you've just slayed 6 opponents, are standing alone over that precious control point, enjoying a moment of peace and waiting for either your teammates or another ambush, it's pretty nice to find out that territory you're fighting over is much livelier than you've imagined.

Bottom line

If I were to describe this map in one sentence, I'd say it's like the iceworld of Team Fortress 2 minus custom textures, much better-looking, better-sounding and overall way more pleasant. So if it's a nice and simple fast-paced slaughterhouse you're looking for, give cp_goldfinger a try.

Great stuff. Worthy winner. :>

If I had TF2 I would so download this. Looks great.