CTF-Abase
Map Info
	File Name ctf-abase.zip Author fragswill Gametype UT Capture the Flag Date Added 12-04-2000 File Version 1.00 File Size 711 kb Player Count 6-12 Map Description None Review Rating 7 User Rating 7.5 Overall Rating 7	NC2 map imported without screenshot.
Review
Reviewer Kain Overall Score:  7/10 Date NC2 12-15-2000 This map only looks average. It has some interesting geometry but bland texturing and lighting. Textures are mainly UTech and Mine, and produce a grey/brown level. There are two parts that look good - the skybox and the small rocky area. But for the most part the level lacks trim, or decoration, so if you're looking for inspiration look elsewhere. There are no errors or misalignments, but it's just kinda boring. The advantage of an undetailed map is that the frame rates are high. It also reminds me of some of the good Quake 2 maps, with it's orange sky and grey/brown textures. It has lots of tight corridors and rooms with low ceilings, making for lots of close combat. The layout is supreme - symmetrical - and completely and utterly different from most UT maps. It has lots of turns - there is rarely a straight corridor - and some people have said they found the level confusing. I found it took about 5 minutes to learn it and from then on was easy to navigate, helped by the different reference points such as the rocky section and the wide metal open-roofed passageway near the bases. It is kind of like Coret in that the main routes constantly bypass each other. There is a neat little innovation in this map - instead of lifts there are airvents that bounce you up when you stand on them. This aids connectivity as you never have to stand around waiting for the lift to return to ground level. The vents look OK, and sound OK, but the main purpose of them is to fire you up, not to look at. Bots use them well - I saw a couple get stuck hitting their heads on the ceiling on the vents near the bases, but all they needed was a little incentive to move. Like a rocket in their chest. Sounds are well implemented, and the water near the flagbases makes for a useful cue allowing you to know where defenders are and what weapon they've got. Item placement is 'safe', in that it contains no large powerups to unbalance the map. I think CTF-Abase could do with work on the texturing. The previously mentioned water bit looks truly terrible (the water sheet looks like it has had unlit applied to it). But, above all, this level has an excellent layout and is great fun to play.
Map Comments
Metago Rating: 7   Decent C.H.U.D. Rating: 6.5   Not bad, but kind of boring. Kain, those screenshots suck! Akuma Rating: 8   It's not undetailed, you're comparing it to maps that are made of shiny plastic - the repetive textures are hiding (to an extent) some very cool geometry. The rocks are Shamuish tho :P. Once you learn the layout the gameplay rocks too. Iron Jaw Rating: 8   Textures are the only thing that stop this level being a 9 or 9.5. Though kain i dont see what your problem is with UT's own textures. :o) Haveing said that, if his idea was to create a Quake 2 theme then its worked, the lighting etc is VERY Quake 2. I like this map alot and it will be staying on my HD for insperation on architecture. I wish i could make maps like this. Asis Rating: 9.5   I love this map! And I used to think fragswill was a crap mapper! Oh well.... I really liked the texture usage. Although it is bland, and the same goes with the lighting, it also sets it way apart. It is QII and not QIII. Don't get me wrong, QIII style UT maps rock, but Abase oozes originality. Akuma is right, the architecture, and the layout, rule. It's got the good structure of something like Coret (a bit smaller though) but cunning shaping. The skybox absolutely rules as well, I can't remember ever seeing an orange one in UT apart from this.... Andoremus Rating: 8   I thought this map was really nice. So what if it's "bland"? It played really well with bots, and I'm looking forward to passing it around to my buddies so we can play it with humans. The only bit of annoyance to me is that the flag area can be a bit of a bottle-neck once you get to it. Other than that, it's a great map. Kain Rating: 7.5   yeah I'll try to change the screenshots, they do suck quite a bit. Well at least it seems most people agree with the general review: Quake2-esque, excellent layout, great fun, a little bland. _UE_Hunter Rating: 7   Bland texture work and great layout make up this map. Architecture was somewhat simple, but decent. I'd like to see a remake of this one with some more detail. Dai Rating: 7.5   I'd like to see a remake with better lighting and texturing.. the sportscar design owns me. Stu Rating: 8.5   Despite it follows a very quake style brown/red colour scheme I think this map plays as well as the Epic maps such as Coret. Can't find any other faults with it really. :) Eclipse Rating: 9   I think it rules! It's really big and the whole layout is just..cool. However, I did experience some slowdown BangOut_[EH] Rating: 6.5   eh =G3nocid3= Rating: 9   Great framerate, great layout. Altimartin 08-11-2005 11:08 AM MDT Rating: 6   Good map... but not that exciting... darkdt 06-01-2008 12:33 PM MDT Rating: 7.5   The Map Are Fun X)