A deathmatch map inspired by Surface Tension & the crash site in Opposing Force.
Created for the "Half-Life 25th Anniversary: Vanilla HLDM" competition.
Cool map, not too big, with a lot of passages, I appreciate that the contest have at least one map that use outdoors of black mesa. Maybe it would have need more details in the brush and texture work, but I overall liked the very vanilla vibe like early HL maps. good job
This was a nice map, with a cool layout, and the Xen secret is neat. The item placement could be better, as often you find more ammo than weapons, so recently spawned players are sometimes at a disadvantage, although it isn't bad.
The map has some points where the clipping is a bit weird and can make the player even stuck ( the top curve of the climbable pipe especially ), and an invisible barrier at the top of the tower, which, while to avoid players climb on places they shouldn't, it doesn't make it obvious at first.
The Xen water heals too fast, so a player that can move and dodge can camp without many issues in there.
Architecture: As a non mapper I can say that this seems like really good brushwork to me. Not as detailed as the new maps, more similar to the Vanilla maps. But that's the point of the contest isn't it? I really can't find something to criticize.
Texturing: Mostly the same as the architecture. There are some textures that are used a little too often in the map but overall I have to say there is not much to critize about this.
Ambience: Sound design is chosen quite well, with the wind blowing. Very fitting with the skybox and general setting of the map. Also, the car's engine makes it's own ambient sound which is quite appreciatable. Perfect for this map, although the wind gets a bit annoying after a while. But that shouldn't be a problem while playing.
Gameplay: Can't really say much about this as I didn't get to test it with people, but traversing the map felt very fluid (I guess), and I imagine this map probably plays well.
Overall, this is a really nice map, that I would definitely play in deathmatch.
Texturing — 7
Ambience — 8
Lighting — 8
Gameplay — 7
The map has some points where the clipping is a bit weird and can make the player even stuck ( the top curve of the climbable pipe especially ), and an invisible barrier at the top of the tower, which, while to avoid players climb on places they shouldn't, it doesn't make it obvious at first.
The Xen water heals too fast, so a player that can move and dodge can camp without many issues in there.
Outside all those points, is a fun map.
Texturing — 8
Ambience — 9
Lighting — 7
Gameplay — 7
QUICK REVIEW
Architecture: As a non mapper I can say that this seems like really good brushwork to me. Not as detailed as the new maps, more similar to the Vanilla maps. But that's the point of the contest isn't it? I really can't find something to criticize.Texturing: Mostly the same as the architecture. There are some textures that are used a little too often in the map but overall I have to say there is not much to critize about this.
Ambience: Sound design is chosen quite well, with the wind blowing. Very fitting with the skybox and general setting of the map. Also, the car's engine makes it's own ambient sound which is quite appreciatable. Perfect for this map, although the wind gets a bit annoying after a while. But that shouldn't be a problem while playing.
Gameplay: Can't really say much about this as I didn't get to test it with people, but traversing the map felt very fluid (I guess), and I imagine this map probably plays well.
Overall, this is a really nice map, that I would definitely play in deathmatch.