DM-Refuge
Map Info
	File Name dm-refuge.zip Author Luggage Gametype UT2k3 Deathmatch Date Added 11-23-2002 File Version 1.00 File Size 3.23 mb Player Count 2-3 Map Description When the first body parts fell in the holy waters of this sacred cave, it became evident that the patroning spirits that had kept it a safe shelter for aeons had abandoned it and left for a better place. The world has moved on, and corporate execs couldn't care less: The holy refuge makes an excellent backdrop for popular firefights. Review Rating 7 User Rating 7.5 Overall Rating 7
Review
Reviewer Twrecks Awe Score:  2.5/3 Date 12-10-2002 Build Score:  2.5/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  2.0/3 User Point:  0 Overall Score:  7/10 A beautiful little grotto in which to frag your fellow cave dwellers. Openings in the roof hint at a primeval forest that a gentle rain descends from above. Ferns grow about on the mossy rocks and a clear blue pool hides cool destruction in its tranquil depths. Nice use of terrain/meshes. Dual terrain maps comprise the cieling and floor while some AboreaLanscape meshes make up the rest of the level, without feeling too repetitive in their use. Three custom meshes compliment the final product, including an organic weapon base, some crystals and a rocky formation that blends well with the retail ones. I would have welcomed some ancient statues or remnants of a forgotton religion to spice up this barren cavern. The floating lights are a bit strange and their supernatural origins unsupported. Too dark see opponents at times, Refuge is a Small map, too small for a Redeemer by my marks. With no reference architecture it is hard to gauge distances while navigating. I especially found it difficult to maneuver in the central area with a bot in your face. Best to keep distance with your T/L collecting the health vials around the perimeter then move in for the kill, trapping your prey by the proverbal watering hole. If you're looking for a 1-on-1 map heavy with atmosphere without being clostrophobic, DM-Refuge is for you. Even with 4 fraggers, there's enough here to keep you underground, in a good way.
Map Comments
DaZ 12-02-2002 06:51 PM MST Rating: 9   STUNNING visuals, this map looks incredible, the water effects are the best I've seen in any ut2003 map so far (even the epic ones) and the terrain/lighting are spot on. Also the way the rain comes in through the holes in the ceiling and patters on the rocks and splashes in the water as well is really cool. Works great for 3 - 8 player DM or 3vs3 TeamDM. The only criticism I can level at this map is that some of the distances you need to travel are quite far which slows gameplay up a little in areas. Great work and I cant wait for this authors next map... MeuuMix 12-02-2002 07:14 PM MST Rating: 9   One of the best UT2003 maps yet... DeRailer 12-02-2002 09:29 PM MST Rating: 9   I think it's the best DM map I've played so far. The map got atmosphere, and it's actually one of the most interesting 1on1 map I've played yet. Took it up to the server for a match with my bud and we have fun. If alpu2 is for close quater, refuge is for range. The map can't fit more than 2 players imo. It's just way too open, and there's quite a bit of spam going round. I think the only part of this map I dislike is the LTG placement. Since it's the sole dominent weapon in this map, it should be a little harder to get. I also don't like the redeemer placement. Imo it's pretty worthless, and not worth going after at all. All it takes is a few bullets from the ar or the mini to destroy the missle. I rather there be a keg taking it's place. Gus 12-04-2002 10:35 PM MST Rating: 8   hmm only critique I can give is theres a bit too much fog, especially if you try to snipe. Otherwise I would give it a 9, but gets a 8 from me ed: hmm a bit more testing and found a game flow stopper. The it's on the right hand ramp up too the Lightning gun. It Looks like you can run up but nope. Have too remember too dodge over it if being chased. DialAJunk 12-03-2002 12:44 AM MST Rating: 8   This should probably be MOTW. Good job Luggage. It's too bad player models are so hard to see in this map, though. joh well... flanny 12-03-2002 10:18 AM MST Rating: 9   Excellent Map. Very well designed with good atmosphere. The rain falling through the holes in the ceiling are nice touches. I really like the multiple levels and paths you can take. Best 1-on-1 map I've played so far. cyberslinger 12-03-2002 05:05 PM MST Rating: 8   Definatly 2 thumbs up for this map, I like the game playability and the rain and water filled cave are great. Keep up the good work !!! 1/2LuNaTiC 12-03-2002 07:51 PM MST Rating: 7   I agree with stuff thats already been said :D. Love the map. Wish it played better on a GeF2 but no worries me gets GeF4 Ti4200 in 2 weeks . Magaera 12-04-2002 02:22 AM MST Rating: 9   Just awesome, either for 1x1 (the map default) or 2x2. Every mapper should take a look at this one, just to see what's possible. The rain effects in particular are delicious -- a little bit of ambiance goes a long, long way. {DAM}MoxNix 12-04-2002 04:46 AM MST Rating: 6   Not bad, one of the best 3rd party DM maps out so far. Too bad it's too small for TDM and the deemer makes it less good for 1v1/2v2 than it could be. Take away the deemer and I'd give it a 7, make it big enough for TDM and I might even go higher than that. :) Koveras 12-04-2002 06:35 PM MST Rating: 7   this map isn't gonna knock you out in the looks department, but it's a well built map with great atmosphere and flow lvlorpheus 12-05-2002 06:37 PM MST Rating: 7   Nice water and rain effects. Good for 1v1 or 2v2. Over all good job! Pika2_42 12-07-2002 01:48 AM MST Rating: 10   Awesome Map! Agent X 12-12-2002 12:55 AM MST Rating: 5   it's too open and the floorplan is poo, checkout 1on1alpu for a better layout AKKmoron 12-13-2002 01:05 PM MST Rating: 8   --- markishome359 12-16-2002 01:04 PM MST Rating: 9   This is definitely one of the best 1-on-1 maps I've seen for 2k3. The atmosphere is great, and I love the glowing red crystal lights and the new weapon bases. The only thing I find wrong/odd is the two random yellow flames, one above the Rocket Launcher and the other (I think) by the Flak Cannon. I'd be totally happy if these had sources. One of the greatest DM maps for 2k3 I've played yet! Burner 12-22-2002 12:25 PM MST Rating: 9   Love the rain effects, really works well. Weapon placement is well thought out for the most part, but the redeemer is useless in this level, rather see it replaced by a keg or double damage. Nevertheless, I've seen worse maps than this win ownage Trailblazer 12-25-2002 06:13 PM MST Rating: 8   Pretty good visual elements, with an astonishing underwater effect on that little lake. The redeemer is in a nice position IMHO, as you are a lot vulnerable while trying to reach it, and also the whole explosion radius is a line with the map area. I believe it suits the map. Nice lightning, good atmosphere and few technical mistakes. Weapon placement and bot behavior is good enough, and this helps for a better flow. Rarely you're in search of a weapon, but still, there aren't too many. I found a 2v2 combat too easy on this map (skillful) were I easily beaten the bots by 30-8. The too open area in the centre makes it ideal for snipers, though the fog reduces that advantage a bit, so it's not that bad. Also, the geomerty ain't too complex. It's a round cave after all. Certainly a very good map for 1v1 to 3v3 battles, and perhaps better than some few close-quarter Epic levels. Worth the download. I'm a strict judge, so 8.0. I would like to rate 7.5 though... Not because it has any serious mistake or drawback, but mostly for it's simple geometry. But again, the whole thing is supposed to be simple, so thumps up for this map! Balton 12-27-2002 10:05 PM MST Rating: 8   finnaly got around to play it. damn good map : ) hunter 01-01-2003 09:03 AM MST Rating: 7   i give it 7. damn good map. Claw 01-09-2003 01:09 PM MST Rating: 7   The map was too small for my taste, and I got some weird error with the water. The map looks superb, if there was a little more to it I'd like it better. digitalorgasm 01-07-2003 07:43 PM MST Rating: 10   I love this map Shock6822 01-08-2003 01:14 AM MST Rating: 8   Absolutely love the atmosphere, and the gameplay is pretty nice, though I wish there was a tad more ammo and no Deemer...just minor faults though ;) Luggage 03-09-2003 07:39 PM MST   Thanks everyone for the comments, you really helped boost my ego when I needed it! :) By now, as the map has been released for months and months, I feel like I would have done a LOT of things differently. Left out the Redeemer for example... or tried to optimize even more... and added proper rain splashes. :) Actually, I think this map is rated far too high. The layout pretty much sucks, and performance could be way better too. Some more hints of what's outdoors would have improved the atmosphere more too. Even some outdoor areas would have been possible... but I think I lost the "flow" somewhere in between, and just wanted to put it out before I totally forgot about it. Well, the next map will be indoors, no terrain... expect lots of 'eavy metal! =) Cheers, Lugg Lord Heisher 04-03-2003 04:52 AM MST Rating: 8   Nice work, good solid map, fun to play. More contrasted lighting would help to see players more easily, that was my main issue when playing. Nice work Jan! HillGiant 04-03-2003 09:23 PM MST Rating: 9   This map has a real nice atmosphere to it, the sounds of dripping water and rain falling through holes in the cave combined with the glowing crystals and use of particles to mark weapons placement instead of the usual weapons bases, give this map a mystical feel. Keep up the good work Lug, cant wait to see your new stuff. yupalisk 04-23-2003 04:10 AM MDT Rating: 4   I must be missing something.... this feels like an old unreal map... the layout is okay, and the secret pool of goodies is nice, but other than the sniper spam "corridor", it's just a big BLAH! If your looking for a REAL cave map, try dm-cavedigger!!!!! Megistos 04-22-2003 10:36 AM MDT Rating: 8   This map has just the right atmosphere, which is mostly created by the central area where the rain is falling through the hole in the ceiling. It makes you wanna go up there and check out the forest. For a terrain map the layout is pretty good. It looks like the author actually thought about it instead of just putting in some random rocks. I think this map can be best compared to Antalus, but it's much more arena style. SirTahngarth 05-10-2003 10:54 PM MDT Rating: 9   One of the first cave-theme maps, and one of the best. You get the SirTahngarth Seal of L33tN3ss. comment below me: How many caves do you know of that are loaded with bright lights? to slam a map just because you have windows by your monitor ( a dumb setup) is moronic to say the least. The_Real_Meneer_Aard 05-18-2003 10:53 AM MDT Rating: 4   i find many maps too dark as i have got 2 windows situated above my monitor. but this one is only playable in a darkened room. im not goin to wait till i get curtains. ill slam it for its gruesome lighting Guys (above) and (below) me. How the *** can i give a map a good rating when i cant even SEE the map??? Have you got your computers placed in darkrooms or what??? Mister_Prophet 05-11-2003 03:03 AM MDT Rating: 6   Listen folks, when you smash a map because you can't see the monitor due to the fact your pansey curtains cause lighting issues in your computer room, that makes you Douche Cake. Next person who gives a map a bad rating cus their monitor is cracked and the author of the map doesn't compensate his map to adjust to the fracture lines of your screen...well that person gets stabbed in the eyes with an icepick laced with acid-gel. This map gets a 6 from me because it remains one of the few terrain maps I can think of worth playing. Considering it's composition, it plays good and overall, it's fun. Coulda been snuck right in there with DM-Antalus and nobody would have known this was a user-made map. nELs0n 11-24-2004 04:35 PM MST Rating: 6.5   i like that cave theme... i don't know it's just cool. the only thing with this map is: you should have made more use of ambient sounds like... roaring or something to push the atmosphere a little and then maybe the pink lighting around the pickups... a yellow-ish light might have fit in here better imo. but i definitely like that underwater tunnel - that rocks! have fun!