Xen Crystal
Created by Hotdog in 2001
Story
Shortly after Gordon was hired by the Gman, a research base located on a large Xen
island discovered an ancient temple. Inside, they found a large crystal and, without
knowing its origin, removed it and shipped it to earth. It was later realised that
this crystal operated a powerful transporter that, judging by writing translated from
the walls, travelled to a distant asteroid belt in another galaxy that was believed
to be the home of the Xen ancestors who were far more advanced. The Gman insisted to
his 'employers' to return the crystal and send a team though the transporter but they
refused. So now the Gman has hired you to steal the crystal, return it to the temple
and, if possible, travel though the teleporter and investigate the other side.
Description
This is a small HL mod containing a total of 13 maps. There are a few new sounds and
models but really nothing special. Gameplay may take 2-3 hours max and the first few
levels have more of a puzzle element. Some parts you may get stuck on because of a
lack of required health, but the mod was well planned out. Some parts may also seem
impossible but it is, I have played this about 10 times as this was my first fully
completed HL mod. Be prepared for the cool boss ending and the big alien arena fight.
Enjoy!!! (Credits at end of game)
NOTE:: This is a VERY old mod of mine. I will NOT change any part of it so don't tell me to.
Edit: HL failed to install on this laptop (dvd drive is dying). But there's always Steam.
Well, what can i say? I hope you're ready for some negative comments, but since this mod is kinda old, i don't think you really care.
- Bland mapping. Every single wall was flat.
- Bad texturing.
- Incorrect use of texture themes
Perhaps more. Oh well. Might as well stop writing this review.
Downloading..
I liked the gameplay, the only things i had problems with were visuals, architecture, textures (some textures seemed out of place), and deatil could have been improved, but, then again, it always can Some of the puzzles though, i must point out, looked as if they were placed by the mapper, let me explain. In half life, all the puzzles were created by one feature of the facility, clashing with another, and reacting naturally because of the disaster (like electrified water, or spilled barrels etc) Most of your puzzles lacked this realism. While were talking about realism, i must comment on the beginning parts of the map, when you have to use the levers to open grates and such? Well, i had a hard time trying to think of where i was in the facility, or what puropose that area could possibly serve. In general, the map seemed created around the puzzles and gameplay, instead of putting the puzzles in a realistic part of the facility. Its a difficult thing to explain, but its that realism that gave Half-life its rich gameplay
overall, the mod could be improved, but its a good piece of mapping. I give the mod 4 stars, because the interesting story and exciting gameplay made me forget some of the more lacking aspects of the visuals,
The dl is dead..