CTF-ArticFighterJets
Map Info
	File Name ctf-articfighterjets.zip Author Ghandi Gametype UT Capture the Flag Date Added 09-05-2001 File Version 1.00 File Size 346 kb Player Count 12-16 Map Description None Review Rating 3 User Rating 7 Overall Rating 4.0
Review
Reviewer ArcadiaVincennes Awe Score:  0.5/3 Date 01-14-2005 Build Score:  2.0/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  0.5/3 User Point:  +1 Overall Score:  4.0/10 CTF-ArcticFighterJets (UT) More of a mod than an actual map, this introduces the arctic fighter jet and 5 alternative weapons to the Unreal Community. The overall impression is intriguing but extremely disappointing and will appeal only to a few people. AWE: .5 The map itself looks like the author used 3 textures to create it. 2 for the terrain outside and one for the buildings. The textures on the terrain are oddly applied as ¾ of the map is snow, and the other ¼ seems to be rock. With no transition whatsoever. The buildings are blocky, drab, uninspired, and are there only to provide a base for the aircraft. There are some ‘inspired’ set pieces at each base consisting of a separated archway with a rectangle hanging in mid-air emitting light onto a small raised platform. But it’s out of place and doesn’t really belong. The lighting in the map, aside from very few individual locations is pretty much supposed to be sunlit but it looks ambient it. The skybox is practically non-existent and doe utilize other textures but it really serves no purpose other than to indicate sky. Overall, there is no AWE. This is barebones mapping at its best. And there’s a reason why most maps don’t look like this. BUILD: 2.0 I’m splitting the build into two parts. One specifically map-related, and the other in regarding the new content. Map: The map is built barely adequately. There are no BSP errors, the teleporters work the way they’re supposed to, there is a skybox, and there is terrain. There is ambient sound but they seem to be relegated to only three… one wind sound that is everywhere, and one alarm sound that is audible at each ‘base’ along with a working computer sound. This is adequate but still feels bare. Jets: Essentially, the author took the jet models from elsewhere in UT, converted them into a weapon pickup, and gave them air control by assigning the weapon’s primary fire to the redeemer alt-fire. While in flying around, sorry, while in ‘redeemer mode’ the primary fire will fire rockets – as fast as you can click. When you’re done flying the jet, right-click, and the jet/redeemer will explode like the redeemer does but with all damage removed. The weapons are a little difficult to get used to. One uses the stinger? model from the original Unreal and has varying shot types. Primary fire to fire and alt-fire to select the ammo type. One of which is the redeemer blast. Another used the tarydium gun and replaces the flak cannon. This shoots 6 rockets in a straight line. Alt fire is a blast of fire? Another replaces the rocket launcher with something that looks like a cross between Unreal’s Eightball Gun and a shotgun. This fires drunken rockets, I think 8 at a time, but it was hard to get a specific count. Alt-fire gives you a temporary invulnerability shield which stays put while you can move around. Finally, the sniper rifle was converted to a sniper rifle that explodes when it hits. Pretty much an instagib-type deal. The map’s build is functional but nothing special. The jet’s build basically uses different code from the game and re-arranges it to suit the situation. Nothing to complicated but it accomplished its goal. Nothing is inherently wrong or broken about it. But I cannot score this higher as that much imagination should have been put to a better use than this. CAST: .5 The gameplay is practically non-existant. The bots do not use the jets so you’re relegated to an extremely flat, long walk between bases if you don’t use the jets. The only z-axis you’ll get is from the boots of jumping and there is no real ‘flow’ to speak of. Using the jets will bring a fast win as you can carry the flag in the jet with you. By the time you’ve flown back and forth, the bots are finally within site of your base. The only fun part of this map consists of laying down rocket strafing runs on the bots on the ground and watching drunken rockets. But that’s only good for so long – like the map. To put it all together, the map is largely a disappointment. It’s adequately constructed but with no sense of creative design apart from the jets and weapons. And they are disappointing because they’re really just dressed up versions of stuff we’ve seen before. I can’t fault the author for trying to be creative and trying something new but it’s been done better elsewhere (Strangelove and Chaos and Excessive come to mind). But if you want to bombard bots with spammy rockets from the air, go ahead and give it a try.
Map Comments
Evil Snack 01-15-2005 12:28 PM MST Rating: 6.5   Ok, I don't know why I said that. I must've been high or something. Anyways, I shall give this map a proper score. I really love the concept, but, I really think that it is way to bare. Just look at Arcadia,he has my basic point of view. Nahand 08-17-2004 07:10 AM MDT   ... if you're really into it, just click the author's nick at the top of this map page (shown in yellow, it's a link). All NaliCity submited maps from him there. Use same method for other mappers... sir 12-13-2004 04:46 AM MST Rating: 9.5   Great! only problem is that the bots don't use the planes so its sorta a one sided bombing run! no doubt it would be heaps better on multiplayer. All said, put the bots on godlike and its like your in the second world war with all the flack! Gotta love that the possability of air battles is there... vigilanterater 01-01-2005 11:32 PM MST Rating: 7.5   Online - this map would be pretty cool. Offline...no. If the bots flew around, I would give the map a 10. The one-sided bombing run in offline mode kinda makes the map disappointing. However, turning the difficulty up all the way does make it quite interesting. As far as architecture goes, it's pretty much all outdoors and it can take a while to get to the enemy base if not using a fighterjet. Graphics = 2 / 2.5 Architecture = 1.5 / 2.5 Gameplay = 4 / 5 SoH_Ghost3021 01-15-2005 08:53 PM MST Rating: 5.5   Awe-like teh review said, almost no awe. just teh cool jets. 1/2.5 Build-ok, lack of texture variaty makes it a little eyesore, but SOME of the archi looks ok, so: 1.5/2.5 Gameplay: lol. teh fighter jets were neet, but with no ai to support them, they usless...i wouldnt mind looking at that code a little more, maybe there is a way to treat the "jet proj" should i put it to be a real 'jet' to the bots. but the script is neet, so: 3/5 Verdict: 5.5/10 Try harder next time, and maybe you'll do a little better. once you make a realy fine map, try these jets out and i assure you that there will be a very fine map indeed. ;) hippie 07-11-2005 05:04 PM MDT Rating: 7   This isn't great offline, but when you start to play it with other people it's ok. It got laggy in some areas. And the ship also killed me ejecting. But the new weapons were very fun to use.