CTF-Area52
Map Info
	File Name ctf-area52.zip Author Hourences Gametype UT Capture the Flag Date Added 07-26-2001 File Version 1.00 File Size 2.37 mb Player Count 8-14 Map Description None Review Rating 6 User Rating 7.5 Overall Rating 7.0
Review
Reviewer Mister_Prophet Awe Score:  1.5/3 Date 02-18-2003 Build Score:  2.0/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  2.0/3 User Point:  +1 Overall Score:  7.0/10 Area52 is a semi-port of a map for the game Alien vs Predator, only converted for UT CTF. Textures, sounds, and overall appearance comes directly from the avp map. I choose to review this map since it was requested to me. I probably wont ever do another review of one of Houries maps since I risk being too biased, Hourences is a familiar friend and fellow team member/mapper Ive known for almost a year and half (maybe longer?). We both decided not to review each others maps for NC based on that fact, but since this map is pre-l33t era for Hourie (Before DM-Sion and way before Amon, Xidia Gold, and Addien) and the fact that he himself considers the map crappy compared to his current mapping ability....I figured what the hell. Area52 is avps representation of Hadleys Hope from the film Aliens, which is one of the Prophets all time favorite films. Visually, this map looks like it came directly from the game. Hourie not only includes converted sounds and textures, but most of the maps architectural layout is either copied from the game or based off it. Hourences even goes so far as to add the Aliens APC. Visually, the map looks good. Lighting isnt perfect, but it fits the mood and mimics the atmosphere presented in the avp counterpart. Even in such a pre-Hourences map, this map has good visuals, despite an overabundance of simplicity. The outside terrain is basically flat, but I can overlook this for 3 very good reasons. 1, it reflects the design of the original map AND UTs terrain limitations. 2, The terrain is confined inside the complex, not part of the outer planet and since 80% of other UT maps made at the time this map was released shared similiar flat dirt terrain in similiar environments, I dont care. And 3, Bots perform better this way and it isnt ugly flat, it is acceptable flat, like weve seen in a few Epic maps as well. Overall, the visuals arent too complicated but they provide a decent appearance. Since 90% of the maps visuals are custom stuff, the fact that it is under detailed is easily overlooked and the map is just as detailed in substance as any Epic CTF and most user CTF maps. I give it an 1.5 for awe, since The map doesnt carry much awe and wow factor beyond the average level. Gameplay is average for the most part, though a few innovative things were added. The layout is your typical matching bases. Multiple paths lead to the flag rooms. The most direct way is inhibited by a slow opening door, yet it is the shortest route to take. If one chooses to use this main path, be sure that you have teammates covering the doorway. Side passages allow access to the upper flag room, but escape is quite challenging without cover, since most likely youll be chased into the main door, which I said before is slow to open. Simply put, this map stresses the team-play function very strongly. Bots perform ok, the paths arent too complicated and they use the sniper towers. Weapon placement is also done decently. The maps playing style is very solid, even in this day and age, and since it requires a sense of teamwork which is absent in most average UT CTF maps, I give the cast score a 2 out of 3. People may find the flow damaged by the one slow moving door, and the other normal doors that litter the buildings, but without them the map is actually less interesting. The Prophets Verdict: The map is oldskool Hourences and although the layout is similiar to most, the map is one of the smaller group of CTF maps that is best played with full team cooperation. The map may not have as many tactical spots as CTF-Raid and the map certainly doesnt touch Houries CTF-Addien in the looks department, but this is a solid map. You wont find many mappers who can offer such well rounded maps as they progress in skill, most often a mapper will release alot of flawed maps till they get one map, and even then they may regress. Hourie is on a good roll so far, each new map by him offers something better than the last. Area52 may not be considered a popular map in the community, infact I think its been overlooked. But in the end, it provides some fun play time. And its certainly a relief to most new mappers to see a great mapper in his early design and know that in the begining, we all were n00bs.
Map Comments
Hourences 02-19-2003 07:33 AM MST   lame to review a 2 year old map of me :P Nilash 02-19-2003 08:12 AM MST Rating: 7   So what if this map is old? I love it! But its too big for me, sorry. Mxtrmntr 02-19-2003 05:05 PM MST Rating: 6   definitely doesn't touch his newer work; cool atmosphere though. The Killer[NL] 02-20-2003 04:05 AM MST Rating: 7   -- UnrealGrrl 02-26-2003 01:43 AM MST Rating: 7   this has always been a fun map to play... just makes the must have list. grab it! C-Bass 02-28-2003 10:30 AM MST Rating: 7   At first I hated this map when I was a lowly n00b but now that I have played it more than a few times I really enjoy it. It definately promotes teamwork which in my opinion is what CTF is all about. The atmosphere rulez too! blazerunner 05-19-2003 10:24 AM MDT Rating: 7   When i first saw this map, i thought it'd be OK. But when i started playing it, i was blown out of the water!! Keep up the good work! EvilSwanky 06-09-2005 12:39 PM MDT Rating: 8   Didn't I comment on this one yet? I'm sure I did! Well, pretty good map, providing 3 routes to the enemy flag, which interconnect quite a few times in front of and in the bases. There is not much of Z-Axis here, but the rest of the layout makes up for it, since there are quite some possibilities for Z-Axis, which are not used often *sadly*. Well, the doors could be slightly faster, but it can somewhat bump up the adrenaline to cap the flag while you are waiting for the door. Otherwise the is a route where You don't have to wait long for a door, so you can decide. Atmosphere is brilliant, using textures that fit the map well (Alienstyle), lighting is good, too, maybe a bit simplistic, but moody in any case. A keeper. madscientist327 06-09-2005 04:43 PM MDT Rating: 8   Definetly a keeper. Altimartin 08-19-2005 06:10 PM MDT Rating: 8.5   except for the layout, everything is great in this map.