CTF-Thecrossing
Map Info
	File Name ctf-thecrossing.zip Author Steve Nabors aka |NoVa|Slick_Willy Gametype UT Capture the Flag Date Added 10-18-2000 File Version 1.00 File Size 1.59 mb Player Count 8-10 Map Description None Review Rating 7 User Rating 8 Overall Rating 7	NC2 map imported without screenshot.
Review
Reviewer THE ]V[ATTerminator Overall Score:  7/10 Date NC2 12-09-2000 Level Size: Medium Recommended Player Load: 10 Players Every once and, a while, I come across a level that has something that you can't put your finger on. Something damn good. This level has it. The layout is pretty simple. It's a lot like LavaGiant. You've got two bases, on top of two very large rocks, jutting out of water. They are joined together by rocky walkways. There's a mountain in the middle, which all the routes pass through. This is all over a foggy lake, which if you fall in, you die. All three routes are overlooked by a pair of sniper towers, in both bases. Each bases consists of a courtyard, which leads into an underground flag chamber. Architecturally, this level is pretty good. It uses a lot of elements from the original Unreal levels. But the main thing with this level is the atmosphere. The music, the lighting, and the ambient sounds all build up to a good atmosphere. A lot of other touches like the torches, and the setting itself also go to add to the atmosphere. The fog around the water is a nice touch, but as there's a lot of it, I can imagine that it'll probably do more harm then good on lower end machines. The lighting, as I've already mentioned, helps the atmosphere. Outside, thereís a kind of half-light, only broken by the burning torches dotted around. Inside the bases, there is a fair amount of more light, being provided by various torches and lanterns. I think perhaps inside of the mountain on the middle walkway is too dark, but apart from that, the lighting is great! Texturing is also good throughout. The bases look very nice, inside and out. Only problem I found was that a couple of the textures on the outer walls of the bases looked a little repeated as seen when you approach the bases. The bots play very well. They can snipe, retrieve most items and weapons, and also use all routes. Items are also very well done. I particularly liked the way the redeemer has been placed and set up. It's pretty hard to explain, so see for yourself. A lot of the items you can only reach if you have the translocator enabled, which I would have to consider as a bad thing. Some players may not like the translocator, and still want full functionality of the level. Gameplay is very good. Snipers are given a little too much power here, as they can cover all three walkways from the pair of sniper towers that each team have. This makes team work essential, which can only do good. Use the bots or your teammates as a diversion. They get sniped to pieces, while you sneak smugly down another walkway!!! :-D Quality! Well, not really - even if you did do that, you wouldn't be able to escape. You can snipe back at the snipers from the security of the darkness. With real players, they shouldn't be able to see you before it's too late, bots are another story though. Overall a very nice level. Very atmospheric, very nice to look at, very fun to play. A good mix of CTF-LavaGiant, CTF-EternalCave, and DM-Peak, with atmospheric elements from the original single player Unreal levels. Just scrapes an 8 out of 10 in my opinion. CTF The Crossing is; Atmospheric. Prone to over sniping. Reminiscent of the original Unreal. CTF The Crossing isn't; Without problems. For slower PCs. For people who play UT in a brightly lit room. Teaching points for author: Keep in mind that not everyone likes / uses the translocator. Scale up textures that are likely to be seen from a long way away.
Map Comments
BangOut_[EH] Rating: 8   me like... ...but it's not fair to single out the map for translocator use... if players are still incapable of using the TR well, then they don't deserve the items anyway THE ]V[ATTerminator Rating: 8   True, but it changes the gameplay quite a lot from what the author intended, if players can't reach the good items. If players aren't able to get the shield belt, mega health, and redeemer, it means that 99% of attacking players will get sniped to pieces (as I like to put it!). It's not that some people can't use the translocator well, just that some people prefer to not use it all together, so that you have to play a more 'honourable' game, not sneaking through the shadows, teleporting through grates, windows, or whatever when noone's looking. Sure, some people think that's a perfectly valid way to play, but I think levels shouldn't force it either way. I didn't mark it down for that anyways. :-D PS, Get the level. [--x--]LurkerBot Rating: 6.5   actually a pretty decent level. i don't agree with the 8s, but then again 1 point difference or so isn't bad/ (^eBf^)coomman Rating: 8   yeah all around decent map---8 C.H.U.D. Rating: 8   This is a fun map. If CTF-Insane deserves an 8.5., then this should get a 12/10. Ebola Rating: 8.5   I liked the ambient sounds and the visuals. Went back to the roots by emulating Unreal 1. Nice tight gameplay. :) DevilKnow Rating: 9.5   I don't understand how some of the maps reviewed get a 9 or 9.5 and look like something a beginner would throw together. I mean come on. This is one of the best maps out there. I have a PII 233 and the fog doesn't do any harm to my playability. So why not know what you are saying before you say it? How can ctf-diamondcrapwhatever get a 9 and this score lower? Have you seen that thing? Tell me that this isn't better. If you don't like the TL, use jumpmatch or low gravity. Or have someone shoot you to the items. All i am saying is before you review a map that deserves a 9 or more, don't snort cocaine or shoot heroin into your arm, matterminatoreiakdgialkdj! Neural Genesis Rating: 8   Wow Matterminator actually gives a GOOD review. Congrats man, keep up this type of reviewing :D Deathwing Rating: 7.5   Slightly laggy, and doesn't flow perfectly, but a great map anyway. piazon79 Rating: 9   I think this map is excellent but the lighting isn't all that great. Should have made the map a lil more visible, would have made it better. The sound is great as well as the texturing. I happen to think that what the author did with the redeemer is a good idea and very original...so too bad for you people who don't like the translocator. It took me quite some time to figure out what the damn switch did lol! This map is better than cryptic. Asis Rating: 7   Hehe, loved the visuals and ambience. Perfect. I didn't like the rest however, it was too tight for me, i'm that big.. :) No, really, I thought the bases were overly constricing and didn't seem natural, and the flag was in an odd position, occluding a big part of the rear of the inside of the base. Phew, that was a bit long. Perfect music choice.. :D Blooddog_sweden Rating: 7   Good CTF!!!! But it would be better if the two bases was longer from each other. I liked this and I'm going to keep it on my harddrive a long time. Other maps who's like this: Lava Giant:10(Best CTF ever) Noctambulant:8.5(Map of the week on PU one time says it all) fragswill Rating: 6   "Map of the week on PU one time says it all" yep, dm-underwaterbase r00lz BarfLung Rating: 8   I like. 'nuff said! xan1234 Rating: 8   Yeah it's cool. But those turrets in front enter... Shock6822 Rating: 7   I overrated this in my review IMO...@forts kinda kills it, but very atmospheric..I also got annoyed by my bots blocking me by the opponents arrow towers and stuff Imperator Rating: 10   well done =G3nocid3= Rating: 8.5   I LOVE THE WARPS. Very good framerates. Teowulff Rating: 9   Fully agree with C.H.U.D. this map OWNS!! Atmosophere, sound, balance, all G-O-O-D!! One of my all-time favourite 5 vs 5 LAN-maps. Download this one! DaneelOlivaw Rating: 8   Ahh this is what they call atmosphere. Sweeeet. One lil crib that I have about the map is the flag room. 1 or 2 defenders with RLs can defend the flag quite easily. Just wait for the flag carrier to enter the flag alcove. Then lob em grenades in. Voila. Will somebody tell me how to get the redeemer??????? *grrrrr* :) AMmayhem 05-25-2003 10:36 AM MDT Rating: 8   Cool map, I love the setting. The only thing I have to say about the translocating, is the bots don't use them, and it's nearly impossible to get the redeemer. The rest of the map is solid. I'd give it a 7.5, but seeing I can't give half points I'll make it an 8.