DM-ColdRetreat
Map Info
	File Name dm-coldretreat.zip Author mersil Gametype UT2k3 Deathmatch Date Added 12-06-2002 File Version 1.00 File Size 3.32 mb Player Count 10-12 Map Description Far above the city skyline , there is a place once known to mankind for is beauty, was over run by and unknown evil ,and no man has seen these hills in many years. Now the time has come and it is up to you, the Liandri Galaxy champion. You must go there and survive at all cost , you are expendible, and you shall not be allowed to return until the hills are safe again . there awaits an unknown evil , only the best shall survive the cold winter nights Review Rating -- User Rating 5 Overall Rating --
Review
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Map Comments
Magaera 12-12-2002 03:00 AM MST Rating: 5   It's extremely uncool for mappers to rate their own maps. FYI. Yet another amateur effort, good enough to be tolerable but without any distinguishing features. Snow is nice, pre-built meshes, some height maps, ho ho ho, ho ho hum. If I see that freakin' satellite mesh one more time I'm going to rip somebody's kidneys out through their ears. [Edit 2002/12/11: Okay, I apologize for just being snarky; let me be more specific. The technical detail of the map is entirely solid. In particular, multi-stage jump sets and openings into side alcoves are placed well -- hard enough to navigate that they're a bad option in a firefight, but easy enough that they aren't frustrating. There are some subtle but excellent map implementation details, too: notably, the icicles on the bridges give a wonderful verisimilitude, and the look of the snow atop the hillocks is just right. The lighting is uneven. In some areas it's nicely tuned, with proper dark highlighting; in other areas it's WACKY, like the incandescent skating rink or inexplicably bright patches of ground. Static meshes are also a dicey choice sometimes because they're pre-textured and can't be adjusted to fit your lighting. I found the bridge meshes quite jarring BECAUSE they're textured as though lit by strong sunlight from a particular direction (see the shadows of the suspension cabling). On a map like this, where the environment calls for a very different lighting effect, the bridges' sharp shadows just Don't Fit (tm). The map is too big to have decent flow against any bots whatsoever unless the bots are very well pathed, and I didn't get that impression here. I cordially disapprove of very large maps in general [though I realize that some people favor them, and that's okay], because in my view a big map, unless it's designed to isolate various sub-areas into different kinds of play, quickly becomes monotonous. This is especially true of big OPEN maps, since sniping takes over as a dominant component of everybody's activity. In a similar vein, the map has very little Z-axis aspect to its play; too much of the map is big open fields with no opportunity for players to cross and maneuver above and below one another. As a map designer you show a ton of potential here; don't think that because I've given it a mediocre rating (one which, on rethinking the map, i've bumped up a point!) I hate it; that's untrue. I'm keeping it in my rotation. If I may be so bold, I'd suggest doing a much smaller map next time, with a conscious attempt to stretch in some areas that this map doesn't push hard: the Z axis, indoor lighting, etc. And if/when I release a boring, mediocre map -- which my first map for UT2k3 will likely be; mapping is HARD! -- you absolutely have my permission to trash it, as long as you're honest about it. ;-)] flanny 12-12-2002 06:12 PM MST Rating: 7   This is a pretty good map right here. I personally am a fan of big, outdoor maps so this one hits the spot. Landscaping and architecture is good as is weapon and item placement. Bots do okay; I noticed some of them are forced to resort to the shieldgun around the central hill every now and then. One would think that they'd find another gun. I really like the bridges. Agent X 12-14-2002 03:52 AM MST Rating: 5   not bad for a big outdoor map. Nice for FFA games, although the powerups were placed in obvious locations. amadeo 12-23-2002 01:03 AM MST Rating: 7   Nice first map in my opinion. Bots seem to like the pond, which is fine by me because I like skating around on it as well. Well done on the secret arsenal, too.:) Great detail. blabla 12-23-2002 09:26 PM MST Rating: 0   This Mersil guy is a big baby. yupalisk 04-23-2003 03:37 AM MDT Rating: 3   Outdoor map with snow *yawn*. Needs some excitement, besides traversing gaudy bridges and slipping on yer arse on the frozen lake. Actually if you want excitement on this map, try and go 1 on 1 with shield guns on it!