DM-Elements
Map Info
	File Name dm-elements.zip Author QUALTHWAR Gametype UT Deathmatch Date Added 09-09-2000 File Version 1.00 File Size 769 kb Player Count 6-8 Map Description None Review Rating 9 User Rating 5 Overall Rating 9	NC2 map imported without screenshot.
Review
Reviewer Luquado Overall Score:  9/10 Date NC2 10-02-2000 This map is the poster child for our scoring system. You can see by looking at the scores that, despite some lackluster performances in the technical field, the playing appeal of the map just keeps bumpin' that score up. Mapped by a reviewer. Qualthwar's latest offering is set in a non-descript medieval-esque courtyard, where lava, water, earth, and wind (hear it?) combine to create an atmosphere primed to KILL. First off, the bots are downright vicious in this map. Be prepared to have to bump them down a level (or two) from where you usually have them set. This brings me to the maps largest "gimmick." Qualthwar has a script in this map, and if you've read any other reviews you'll know what it is: you can't use the enforcer until you pick up another weapon. He says "it makes you appreciate" the enforcer more, and damn straight it does, especially when said bots are shredding you. Playability? I scoff at thee. The max you'll get is about 130 polys/frame, and the node count ratio is low as well. Semisolids were used, and used wisely by Qualthwar. Item placement was beautiful: there's a shield belt in here but it's in a dangerous and area, the rocket launcher requires a somewhat dangerous jump, etc., etc. I would have liked the goo gun where the flak is, 'cause it would be perfect, but that's my taste. I'm going on and on about what's great in this map, but I have to cover my bases. First off, the flow. While there's a good amount of z-axis work within this map, there's a couple areas that will make you say, "huh?" The stable room is a dead end if you enter the stable; the shield belt area is also a dead end, which DOES increase the danger of getting the belt, but is somewhat pointless. There's a tiny one-room hut with one entrance/exit in the main courtyard, and there's a little bit of room/hallway syndrome, especially on the upper levels. The lighting, for the most part, is good; light sources cast lights. The room with the square lava pit, however, could have been lit much better, and dramatically with the lava in the center and the lightsources above. It just seems too bright. The sound, on the other hand, is very nice. Which brings me to the MAJOR beef I had with this map: texturing. There's misalignments, obvious seams, and more throughout. The lava in the lower right looks fake because of seams; the water in the picture has a rapid surface movement which looks unnatural, esp. in light of the lily pads which don't move; the textures in some of the upper corridors are reminiscent of old FPS in terms of look and feel, etc. Furthermore, some parts of the map are ALMOST... ugly. Many of these texture shortcomings could have been remedied with additions to the map: The lava's seams could be masked by adding a periodic covers to that river of lava, trim on connections between different parts of the floor, etc. Still, this map's ENORMOUSLY enjoyable play experience makes it a smallish fragfest guaranteed to please. Qualthwar's already one of the best reviewers; with DM-Elements, he's establishing himself as one of the up-and-comers of the UnrealEd scene. I'd suggest keeping your eyes on this man, and downloading this map today. Luq out.
Map Comments
Cranium Rating: 5   wasn't the score 9.5 before..? and I still say the map runs slow Ammo Rating: 10   I think it's a great map!! The bots are very hard to win against. Looks good too, and good lighting and sounds. fragswill Rating: 4   ugh Dai Rating: 4   blÊrgh Kain Rating: 6   Reminds me of Unreal skycity levels, for some reason Shock6822 Rating: 6.5   Ok map.....too cramped at times, weird BSp deals at times Crossfire Rating: 5   Great idea, but no special gameplay.. :-/ Sorry. Neural Genesis Rating: 4   Ewwwwww. Ugly map, the enforcer thing proves to annoy rather than add too gameplay. Just bleh. KingKobra|PuF Rating: 5   HOLY MIXED SCORES BAT MAN!!! David 'DAVIDM' Münnich Rating: 0   4 or 5? don't exagerate it Akuma Rating: 5   It has a nice Wheelbarrow model :) BangOut_[EH] Rating: 5   I liked getting shredded by the water wheel Sen045 Rating: 6   A map that could hold anything from 0-10. If UT were movies, this would be The Blairwitch Project (don't ask) Blooddog_sweden Rating: 5.5   To much changing of enviroments. Not my style of a map. download something else. Lustmord Rating: 6.5   9? Seems a bit high. Of course it wouldn't have ANYTHING to do with it being made by a reviewer (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more). ;) AeroBLASTER Rating: 8   I hate to say it, but the enforcer gimmick hurts this map. It would be an awesome map if it wasn't for that, but as it stands its just an "ok" offering. Mike3894 Rating: 4   I want a frickin enforcer. [OMC]Xylander Rating: 1.5   the map sucks so does your reviews Deathwing Rating: 6   The gameplay needs work, the frame rates are low at times, and I like my enforcer. :) blabla 12-01-2002 10:16 PM MST Rating: 1   CRAP!!!! CRAP!!!!! PUT IT DOWN! Jez 01-26-2004 07:14 AM MST Rating: 3   9? Ugh! This has to be joke right?