Post by RadicalRom]>USK<[ on Mar 13, 2008 12:20:06 GMT -5
Map Title: ArticStrongHold (Remake from UT2K4)
Author: Bret Hart
File Size: 40.71MB
Download Link: files.filefront.com/WAR+Arcti.../fileinfo.html
Player Count: 24+
Reviewers Name: RadicalROM
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2008
Review:
Once you load this beautiful looking map you will find yourself on a snow covered terrain, with two buildings at each end of the map. Your starting 3 story building (only can access 2 stories from foot) holds your Powercore and vehicles such as a Viper, Scavenger, Nemesis, Fury and even a Nightshade.
As you proceed through this level you will be surrounded by a few trees and mountains. The 4 nodes are placed in a diamond shape on the mini map. You will find an additional center node which if controlled it will allow you access to a DarkWalker. When your character spawns, you will quickly find a weapons locker, which holds most of the weapons you will use in this level (Rocket Launcher, Stinger, Link, Longbow, etc.). Throughout the map there are very well placed weapons lockers which will give you a Bio Rifle, Flak Cannon, and a Sniper Rifle. One of the areas that it lacks is weapons ammo locations and more health packs are required in ArticStrongHold. Throughout the map you will find Stinger Turrets are well placed to defend nodes and the Powercore. Currently there are 4 Stinger Turrets that protect your Powercore, which I feel is not enough. As I stated in the beginning of this review, there is technically 3 levels to your building, but you can only get to the 2nd level on foot. My recommendation is to allow the user to walk up to the 3rd floor and give them 2 more Stinger Turrets.
When you look around you will find mountains (rocks) in all shapes and sizes. This adds a very realistic feel to the map. It is the little things that make this map work, such as the placement of the mountains or even the quality of the sky. There is even a beautiful metal bridge in the center of the map.
When playing offline, the bots had no problems finding the nodes or using the vehicles. Due to the fact the Powercore is lowered down as it takes damage (harder to hit), I was surprised that that the bots were actually smart enough when attacking to move into position to be able to destroy the Core.
To support more then 24 players, the author will have to add more vehicles to the map. Currently the vehicles are a Necris style, but I can see a Tank or even a Manta would work out very well to support more players. It appears there is enough spawn points to support 64 players and only the maps size would have to be increased to handle that much action.
There are some areas in ArticStrongHold that are wide open spaces; such as in front of your building is a bit empty. This can be easily solved by adding trees or even a small statue. What you do not want to do is clutter the front of your building or else the Turrets will not be able to shoot the enemy, but if you add small trees/statues it will fill that space very nicely. To make it more realistic, snowfall or a small amount of fog should be added to this map. With the snow coming down or fog (maybe both) it would also add a visibility challenge to the map.
Conclusion:
With a few minor improvements, ArticStrongHold will become a highly voted map on many servers, including Nachos and Cheese. The graphics and layout are top notch in ArticStrongHold, but it does lack Health and Ammo pickup locations. This map is definitely a must download for any UT3 player.
Overall Rating:
90/100
Author: Bret Hart
File Size: 40.71MB
Download Link: files.filefront.com/WAR+Arcti.../fileinfo.html
Player Count: 24+
Reviewers Name: RadicalROM
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2008
Review:
Once you load this beautiful looking map you will find yourself on a snow covered terrain, with two buildings at each end of the map. Your starting 3 story building (only can access 2 stories from foot) holds your Powercore and vehicles such as a Viper, Scavenger, Nemesis, Fury and even a Nightshade.
As you proceed through this level you will be surrounded by a few trees and mountains. The 4 nodes are placed in a diamond shape on the mini map. You will find an additional center node which if controlled it will allow you access to a DarkWalker. When your character spawns, you will quickly find a weapons locker, which holds most of the weapons you will use in this level (Rocket Launcher, Stinger, Link, Longbow, etc.). Throughout the map there are very well placed weapons lockers which will give you a Bio Rifle, Flak Cannon, and a Sniper Rifle. One of the areas that it lacks is weapons ammo locations and more health packs are required in ArticStrongHold. Throughout the map you will find Stinger Turrets are well placed to defend nodes and the Powercore. Currently there are 4 Stinger Turrets that protect your Powercore, which I feel is not enough. As I stated in the beginning of this review, there is technically 3 levels to your building, but you can only get to the 2nd level on foot. My recommendation is to allow the user to walk up to the 3rd floor and give them 2 more Stinger Turrets.
When you look around you will find mountains (rocks) in all shapes and sizes. This adds a very realistic feel to the map. It is the little things that make this map work, such as the placement of the mountains or even the quality of the sky. There is even a beautiful metal bridge in the center of the map.
When playing offline, the bots had no problems finding the nodes or using the vehicles. Due to the fact the Powercore is lowered down as it takes damage (harder to hit), I was surprised that that the bots were actually smart enough when attacking to move into position to be able to destroy the Core.
To support more then 24 players, the author will have to add more vehicles to the map. Currently the vehicles are a Necris style, but I can see a Tank or even a Manta would work out very well to support more players. It appears there is enough spawn points to support 64 players and only the maps size would have to be increased to handle that much action.
There are some areas in ArticStrongHold that are wide open spaces; such as in front of your building is a bit empty. This can be easily solved by adding trees or even a small statue. What you do not want to do is clutter the front of your building or else the Turrets will not be able to shoot the enemy, but if you add small trees/statues it will fill that space very nicely. To make it more realistic, snowfall or a small amount of fog should be added to this map. With the snow coming down or fog (maybe both) it would also add a visibility challenge to the map.
Conclusion:
With a few minor improvements, ArticStrongHold will become a highly voted map on many servers, including Nachos and Cheese. The graphics and layout are top notch in ArticStrongHold, but it does lack Health and Ammo pickup locations. This map is definitely a must download for any UT3 player.
Overall Rating:
90/100