Bonethief 1/18/2003 12:58p

Hey guys, don´t tell me that this map is one of the "great ones" out there! The lighting is not as good as it could be, the gameplay is not well balanced (for example think of the sniper position!) and the bots should have no problem with the simple layout of the map, so you can not say that the bots are very "intelligent" compared with other maps (which are more complex). Sorry, not more than six and a half. :)

1/2LuNaTiC 1/18/2003 3:11p

Didn't like the original much so I didn't waste my time downloading this map. Terrain with meshes thrown in at different angles woopee...

MortalPlague 1/19/2003 4:28a

Well, you have to consider a few things. This was Sharpfish's first map, for one, and it was put out in the early days of UT2003. The map has another big factor going in its favour: originality. Have you read the description? Seen the life preservers? Observed the custom static meshes? Granted it might not be a polished map by standards today, but it was great back in its time. The now updated Tropica][ still provides fun games (I played on it tonight, actually) and continues to be a popular map. And as for the lighting? Maybe not top notch, but Sharpfish did a pretty great job on atmosphere, to which his bright and simple lighting is a major contributing factor. This one gets a 9 from me.

Scourgem 1/19/2003 10:36a

Rated it 7.15 - AI slightly above average (6), construction is good, consistent theme, cool details, appropriate use of custom static, ambient sounds etc (8)... and gameplay was pretty good for a terrain CTF map (7).

- And to avoid copy/paste madness, here is a link to a review of the map. Easier than re-writing all my thougths here. :)

Sharpfish 1/26/2003 5:53p

hey 1/2 lunatic - theres a bit more to it than some `terrain with meshes thrown in at different angles`, if you had the first clue about mapping you would understand that. For a start I always create my own meshes which takes in fact a lot longer than most mappers spend on making just the map (the lego box/epic mesh maps)...

To anyone else wondering, this map (including the original) was made specifically for that theme, to be a bit `different`, to allow those that wanted (and there were many) to try something different. I never intended it to have the best `gameplay`, it was intended for players like myself who sometimes like a change of enviroment to frag in. Supplying it was better than not supplying it, judging from the countless mails I had about its popularity. If you don`t like it fine, it was FREE, you didn`t pay for it. Why it`s rated as high as it is on this site (and many others)?? Perhaps *someone* actually thinks its cool?
I haven`t ranked any maps (including my own, don`t even know if you can) on mapraider nor do I intend to. A review by a `qualified` person who can say more than `it sucks` is a lot more useful thanks.

I certainly do not visit map sites and `slag off` others creations even when they are complete %###, I just shrug and move to the next map... Get a clue 1/2 wit.. sorry 1/2 lunatic.

just clicked your profile, 14 eh? hmmm.. Perhaps I really should ignore comments from someone half my age who hasn`t even lived yet.. (no cos some young teenagers do know what they are talking about or at least can write with some tact).

SF

Mr. Brownstone 1/26/2003 6:34p

Take it easy, Sharpfish, the man can’t answer back with -3 karma... :P

Still, you are right about the harsh criticism. It would be far more constructive for lunatic to give reasoned, educated advice on the flaws he felt were in your map rather than just shooting it down with a droll one-liner.

However, concerning your views on single-ratings for maps; I think you have missed the point here. The problem with “other” review sites is that average map scores get unfairly weighted by the ludicrously high and low scores submitted by clowns. What MapRaider is doing is allowing all who have [i]previously rated[/i] a map to [i]moderate future ratings[/i] for that map. Ratings that moderate as unfair will [i]not[/i] go towards calculating a maps score, meaning that a “ludicrous” score will never unfairly tip the balance of a maps rating, given the test of time.

So please rate and moderate maps! I think what MR has done with its rating system is truely unique and inspired, and will pay off in the long run to ensure the credibility of its ratings as the site picks up momentum (more ratings/moderations = better overrall rating “accuracy”).

Varpu 1/29/2003 12:01a

Always trust the word of a specialist !

When it comes to gaming - there is nothing wrong having a 14 years old specialist in hands. As a father of two son I should know what I'm talking about. I can also almost quadruple the age... 45 and counting...

The age, however, brings along something that is generally known as "experience". This thing, if used properly, can give You pretty accurate estimations on reactions of people when they are told different things. My estimation on underratring hard work - I see mostly sour faces.... IMO, this map has some hard work on it unlike the zillion different variations of cubes around. And here - too - I know what I'm talking as I run a site called UTCMS and have done some job @ NC too.