Reviews:
Welcome to my review section. As you can see, it isn't much but I'll do
what I can to give you honest-to-god (wtf?) reviews and cool screenshots.
If you haven't downloaded the maps because you don't know what to make
of them... then read on.
Please be advised however that the reviews may seem somewhat biased,
but even so this is strictly the reviewer's opinion (that's me) and viewed
from his perspective. Apologies to the authors if the review does not spot
you that '5 out of 5' you wanted. Perhaps making better maps would help?
8)
Please click on the appropriate Map/Level name to read the review:
I would recommend that any bugs/problems you find or suggestions you might
want to make about the maps be emailed to the maps' respective authors.
They need your support and feedback to make better maps for everyone to
enjoy.
NITRO - by Steven
"EraserX" Delrue
(review by BudNekkid)
Upon entering the map, the first thing that caught my eyes were the
ambient lighting. Shades of yellow-, blue-, green- and purple-coloured
lighting that dotted the level provided much of the atmosphere of this
well-designed DM map. Coupled with narrow corridors connecting confined
rooms and huge hallways, it gives me a feeling of... eeriness. The map
is darker than the usual Shogo-style map, which gives it an eerie atmosphere,
making it overall quite unique. Aside from a few misplaced lighting effects
with no source, the overall atmosphere of the map keeps players on their
toes.
The intensity of the map is not obvious at first, but 5 minutes into
the game would change anybody's mind. The lighting in the hallways and
corridors are dim, making for some great surprise attacks. You can never
tell when you will get a bullet in your back while walking down that dark,
narrow corridor. The large hallways are spacious enough to provide a decent
fire-fight, while the smaller, dark corner rooms are great places for campers
to hide. The element of surprise goes to those that make use of the map's
dark spots and hiding places.
Overall, the map is great for 4 - 8 players DM. But it's also cool to
have "Cat and Mouse" DM duels where 2 players play hide and seek. On a
different note, the author said he made the map for a Shogo Level Contest
way back in July last year. Though the contest was cancelled, I'm pretty
sure Nitro would have been one of the best DM maps in the contest.
Personally, this is one of my favourite DM maps.
Final Verdict: 5 / 5
Side note: When i was trying to review this DM map,
I tried many times to load it up in Single Player, but always got clipped
through the wall and died. So I had to get the screenshots through Multiplayer,
and in the process got myself creamed countless times 8). Thanks to Master
P., PPC-Sniper, Dizzy, The Deacon and JoJoDogFace for wiping my @$$ all
over the floor. 8)
Download the map here!
Screenshots (Click to enlarge):
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Nitro's straight and narrow corridors make for some interesting
(if not deadly) fire-fights.
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The level design is (IMHO) quite professionally done, no?
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Spacious rooms for intense Free-For-All slugfest.
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The lighting gives the map an overall great atmosphere. Eerie...
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A tight spot to be in. Or is it a camper's delight?
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PAIRNOID - by Steven
"Smoth" Smith
(review by BudNekkid)
Running around the map made me feel like I was walking in a hospital.
The monotonously dull setting of white/grayish walls and floor make for
this unappealing, but spacious looking map. The rooms (there're only two
of 'em) and an oddly placed swimming pool (huh?) contributed to the rather
unusual (unique, but unusual) map for Shogo. It rather brings the fun of
playing down a notch or two.
Despite that, however, PAIRNOID tends to make players sloppy.
I mean, comon! There're practically no dark places to hide or camp whatsoever.
There couldn't be anybody around that brightly lit cor...*POW!!!* Gibs
flying everywhere. I for one underestimated PAIRNOID for what it
was. Heck, I was surprised that the map was quite fun to play in, though
small as it is. I think 16 players on this map would be cool. Pure slugfest,
gibs at every turn, blood all over the wall! That'll put some contrasting
colours to the map... 8)
The main downside of this map I can see is the choice of textures and
map theme. Like I said before, unappealing and dull maps won't last very
long in this competetive world of Level Designing, but it's a fun map to
play in nonetheless (now and then). I hope the author's next map Zentradae
Base is better.
Final Verdict: 3 / 5
Download the map here!
Screenshots (Click to enlarge):
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Large hall with a walkway overlooking a somewhat-tight corridor.
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A swimming pool (huh?!) hiding a blue armor.
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Dull, white-grayish and monotonous though it may seem, Pairnoid
may be
the perfect map for campers to show off their "skillz" of preying on
unsuspecting players.
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A novelty: a small room cleverly consealed for setting
up an ambush, or is it a grave for smart-@$$ campers? 8)
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ZENTRADAE BASE - by Steven
"Smoth" Smith
(review by BudNekkid)
Boy was I relieved when I loaded up this map, because it was in perfect
contrast to the author's previous map, Pairnoid. But then, on second
thought, maybe a bit TOO much contrast. The map makes use of alot of ambient
lighting, there are areas which are pitch black, and much tighter areas
for firefights.
I would say, the map is the exact opposite of what the author did for
Pairnoid.
In contrast: On foot vs. MCA, Bright vs. Dark background seting, Lack of
vs. Full use of ambient lighting effects, Shallow vs. Deep swimming pool
(huh?). Yeah, I said it. The swimming pool is add to this map as well.
This one is deeper, and is acidic, thus eating away at your health and
armor (very slowly). It also hides a goodie, see the screenshots below.
What else? I'd say that other than the main differences mentioned above,
the level design is pretty much as straight-forward as Pairnoid.
Level design is not what I would say top-notch, but it's simple and to
the point (which is of course fragging!). Although there should be (IMHO)
more structures added to fill in the empty spaces. Still an interesting
map to play in.
Final Verdict : 3.5 / 5
Side Note: I just got an email from the author, and
he's planning to release 5 maps this month! Check this site for more on
that!
Download the map here!
Screenshots (Click to enlarge):
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In contrast to the author's first map Pairnoid, this map
uses more ambient
lighting(left) and much darker areas(right).
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An encircling pathway around a very deep acid pool. This place
is just
crying out for ambushes.
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An acid pool is not my idea for a nice relaxing swim. Notice
the Red
Riot at the corner? 8) |
An innocent looking room, but watch out for
snipers UNDER your feet! |
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A Shredder along with a whole bunch of Power Surges. Somebody
expecting a firefight in this room? Most likely... 8)
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Questions, map/level submissions, suggestions, or simply want to flame
me for being a jerk, please email: [email protected]
